I'm Going to Own It
Marathon #2 - MDI Marathon - is just under 18 weeks away, which for me, means Marathon Training has begun!
What marathon plans do you use? or do you just make up your own plan?
Good thing I only have 2.5 more days of school and then I'm officially in summer mode. I won't be taking the entire summer off from school. I will be teaching summer school (part time) and I will be preparing myself for my new program in my new classroom. Not to mention, I'll be spending tons of time with the family at the beach, cottage, parks and other fun adventures.
Back to the marathon training. I've decided that I'm going to follow a modified version Train Like a Mother's Own It Marathon Plan. Have you had the chance to read TLAM? If you haven't, you have to get it. I love Dimity and Sarah's humor throughout the entire book.
There you have it - in B&W, I am trying to convince myself that I can BQ (someday). I feel that if I up my game (big time) and train really hard, I can do it. But I'm also giving myself permission to not qualify at MDI. I AM going to be running up a mountain. And it is ONLY going to be my 2nd marathon. AND I do need to remind you all that marathon #1's time was 4:15. So, you will see, I have quite a bit of time to take off of my marathon time and I will. Even if it takes me 5 years. (or more)
Why can't I just make it easy and simply follow a plan? That wouldn't be me, now would it? You see, I have this summer full of races I want to do. I just don't want to just do them either. I want to do my best. I know my body and I know I need to give myself some easier days prior to a race and I need to give my body some rest time...which means switching things up a bit. I will follow this plan as closely as possible. I am also coordinating with the girls and their long runs as they are gearing up for their 1st marathon at the Maine Marathon on September 30th! My plan is to continue to do my long runs with them and then add on mileage when I need to. Then on their big marathon day, I'm hoping to bike the route and be their support girl.
My summer races bucket list includes:
- Rail Trail 1/2 Marathon - June 24th
- LL Bean 10K - 4th of July
- Bond Brook 5k Trail Series - starts July 12 through mid September
& there may be a Wilton Blueberry Festival 10k in the mix as well and the Old Hallowell Day 5K...Oh I know I could keep adding to the list so easily right now!!! But I won't. I need to limit myself because I found out last summer that these races do throw off marathon training.
So, welcome to Jen's marathon training, which officially begins today. Well, I guess it doesn't really start today because today's a rest day. I guess it starts tomorrow with a 6 mile tempo run.
What marathon plans do you use? or do you just make up your own plan?
Happy Running!!!
Good Luck Jenn! I am training w/ Amy at KVC towards a marathon. I am tentatively planning to make the Maine Marathon (9/30) my first marathon, but I'll check my progress mid July to decide if that is truly feasible. I WILL do a marathon, just not sure WHEN:) I look forward to hearing all about your marathon training:)
ReplyDeleteSmart plan, Tara!!!! Will you be doing the Bond Brook 5k series with Amy as well. I know she did it last year.
DeleteGood luck!! I can't wait to read how your training has gone :D
ReplyDeleteThanks girl! It's going to be a long road..... :)
DeleteGood luck!! I did the Maine Marathon a few years ago, and absolutely loved it! Would definitely do it again. Relatively flat, cool, and so scenic!
ReplyDeleteYes, Maine Marathon is a great 1st marathon - actually it's a great marathon in general. I loved it. I know my girls are going to enjoy it as well. Thanks for coming over to my blog!
DeleteGood luck, I am starting my marathon training in a couple of weeks! I just ordered this book, hoping to use one of the plans!
ReplyDeleteI am positive you are going to love TLAM! & yay for you starting your marathon training too!
DeleteI love Sarah and Dimity, too! I read RLAM and got to have dinner with them when they were in Houston, need to get a copy of TLAM soon!! I'm hoping to BQ at my next marathon too... you've got the determination, I'm sure you can get there with hard work! And it's wise to not put that expectation on for this particular race, but that doesn't mean you don't give it your best shot... yay for training beginning!
ReplyDeleteYou are incredibly lucky to have met them & yes, you need to get the book!
DeleteI am pretty sure I won't BQ at MDI. That's definitely a long term goal....but I'm sure going to work hard at improving my time!
You are definitely going to own it!
ReplyDeleteSome day I will! Thanks, Amy!
DeleteWahoo! Good luck, girl! I'm doing a modified version of Run Less Run Faster for Steamtown. It worked well for me for my last race so hopefully it will work well again. :) Can't wait to follow your training! And let's find a race to do in August!!
ReplyDeleteRLRF must be a great plan if you're doing it for a 2nd time!!! Glad to see that you modify your plans as well. I'm sure most of us do. :) & yes - running in August. But not that clothing optional one, okay? We're still firming up the dates we'll be down!
Deleteyou, my friend, are awesome.
ReplyDeleteIM STILL CONSIDERING PONDERING SOMEDAY'ING NUMBER ONE!!
You should - at least do one and cross of your list!
Deletegood luck!
ReplyDeleteyou will do great. woo hoo for training around the same time!
oh, and I think i'm going to buy that book.
Oh you need to buy the book for sure! It's funny and makes total sense.
DeleteYAY! I use Smart Coach on my iPad but I do confess to altering it as I see fit. I am so bad at following a plan! I might have to check that book out. I want to OWN IT, too :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your training!
Life gets in the way for sure!!! & you already own it dear!!!I want to be as speedy as you!
DeleteONE day I would love to be able to run a marathon ... So far sticking with 1/2s. I feel like I need to be mentally ready to commit and I'm not quite there yet haha.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely a mental commitment for sure. I'm thinking I am mental for wanting to run more and even more mental for thinking that someday I can hopefully BQ. I do love the half marathon length the most!!
DeleteGO you! I am running my first half the same day! BQ is my ultimate goal, you got this, you are going to do great no matter what :)
ReplyDeleteOh, thanks, girl!!! What half are you doing???
DeleteAwesome! I start training for my first full marathon in August - scary, yet exciting! Can't wait to watch your training as well!
ReplyDeleteSo awesome!!! It is scary but very exciting. Yay your 1st!
DeleteYay!!! You are going to do great! And I fully support you allowing yourself to NOT BQ at MDI, it's a tough course. When we run it I just want to enjoy the experience of running where I grew up :)
ReplyDeleteI know better than to expect to BQ at mdi for sure!!! I'm looking forward to running it and taking in the beauty!
DeleteI love Sarah and Dimiti! I haven't had a chance to read their books yet but I love running and listening to their podcasts. They keep me smiling through the miles!
ReplyDeleteI do love their podcasts as well. They are a huge hit with me.
DeleteGood luck to you in your training!!! So exciting! You will definitely OWN IT! :)
ReplyDeleteSome day, some day!!! :) Thanks!
DeleteGOOD LUCK JEN! I definitely think you can BQ! I am training for my first marathon, so I will be excited to follow along during your training and check out what tactics you are using. Can't wait to see you rock it!
ReplyDeleteOh, I sure hope so!!!! But not the MDI one. Can't wait to follow your marathon training too!!!
DeleteI just decided that I was going to run my first marathon this upcoming November. I was already training for a half that I ended up not running because of personal reasons, so I just decided to keep up with my training and go for a full! I'm nervous but so excited!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your training!
You're half way there...maybe as well keep going for the full!!! Best of luck to you!
DeleteWow, that's a great schedule! I have only done one marathon and I haven't quite convinced myself to do another one yet. Can't wait to read more about how your training is going:)
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to keep the schedule light. I could easily fill it with tons of little races - but I need to keep my eye on the big picture.
DeleteI've heard a lot of great things about that book, sounds like a great read (although I'm not a mommy). :) Good luck with your marathon training, my next round starts before too long too! I am a run coach, so I make my own training plan. :)
ReplyDeleteYou don't have to be a mommy to read the book....there are some mommy insider jokes but overall it's a great read for any woman runner. Lucky you being a run coach!
DeleteLove that you are getting yourself pumped! You can do it, you can train for it... you can own it.
ReplyDeleteI always have a goal in mind and train towards it. My schedule is never set in stone, it's like water, keep it fluid. But that is advice from a running veteran. Trust in your training and listen to you body. Great combo!
I'm trying to get pumped! We'll see if I can perform. :)
DeleteYes - the plan has to be fluid. If I'm too rigid about it, I'll just drive myself crazy and everyone else!
Good luck with your training! I like to make my own training plans because, like you, I always have a bunch of little races I want to throw in there! I'm a race junkie...it is NOT GOOD for my bank account!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read about your training!
I get what you mean about not being good for the bank account. Ward actually told me that we should set a race budget because are both soooo bad about racing too much!
DeleteGood luck with your training and your marathon! I am looking for a good training plan but tend to change it up to meet my busy schedule!
ReplyDeleteI've already done some swapping in the schedule today! Crazy! Gotta fit in the running in our crazy filled lives!
DeleteOh I am sooooo excited for you :) that's amazing!!!!!!! and I want to read train like a mother so bad!
ReplyDeleteYou would LOVE it!!!!
Deletehaha dont you just love how day 1 is a rest day? that drives me NUTS!! now that i am three days into week 12 (holy crap!) of my marathon training, i can honestly say i have loved this plan im using (pfitzinger advanced marathoning). ive tried it before but a lot of life got in the way... this time around i have been focused and really put everything i have into it. sure, i have given myself a break if/when i needed it, but overall i am feeling strong and confident. you absolutely can take a LOT of time off your first marathon time, just trust yourself. MDI is gorgeous and challenging but absolutely a great course to run fast and strong. you can do it! and im excited ill be there to see you conquer it.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your training. Now that I've found your blog I will enjoy following along with you.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely one of the keys for qualifying for Boston is picking the right race, and climbing mountains generally are not a quality of such a race.
Good luck Jen! That sounds like a great goal and one that I am confident you can achieve!
ReplyDelete