So I have four weeks left to get myself ready to run a marathon. Scary..this would be the shortest time that I have ever prepared for a marathon so I would really be relying on my training for the past few weeks and running the LA Marathon on March 9th. I wonder if my body still remembers that?
I have so many things going on right now and I have made some decisions that are probably not the best a month out from a marathon. I actually tried out two new pairs of shoes this week. The first pair that I tried was the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 14's. I took them out on a super easy short run to see how I felt. They felt really stiff and my feet got really hot running in them so they were a big NO!
I also got brave this week and attempted some speedwork. I really do not enjoy speedwork because it is hard! I know that it is a necessary evil and without it I will not get any faster. I wanted to quit the entire time and I kept thinking that I would do less than planned but I did not allow myself to quit.
After my successful speedwork session, I decided that I needed to go for a good tempo run and really try to push the pace. I tried out the Brooks Ravenna 5's on this run and I really liked them. I felt like I was not wearing shoes and they were super comfortable. This was one of my best runs in a long time. It felt good to push myself because most of the time I do not push myself like this.
My legs felt pretty good after my tempo run which was a blessing since I was worried about being sore for my long run. My long run was 15 miles this week and I ran the first 7.5 miles at an easy pace (9:11 average) and then went for a faster finish (8:41, 8:14, 8:06, 8:10, 8:09, 8:10, 8:02, 7:57.) I have two long runs left (18 and 20 miles) and then it will be race week.
I am honestly still undecided as to whether or not I will run this marathon. My confidence level is just not where it needs to be. I have come to terms with the fact that this marathon will not result in a BQ and it could end up being my worst marathon yet. The funny thing is that the minute that I think I am ready to back out, something reels me back in like this article. The marathon that I signed up to run is #3.
http://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/escapes/go-list/The-Fastest-and-Slowest-Marathons.html
What is your shortest training period for a marathon?
Last year, I trained about 11 weeks when I ran this same marathon that I have coming up!
Nice job with the speed work! It is a necessary thing if you want to get faster. I like that feeling of pushing myself, for awhile anyway :)
ReplyDeleteI really hate speedwork. It is painful and takes me out of my comfort zone so I know that I need to do it.
DeleteI think 7 weeks is the shortest time between marathons that I've had. Brooks Ravenna shoes are a fairly new to me shoe that I like running in. I think 18 miles is the max I've run in them so far.
ReplyDeleteI am really liking the Brooks Ravennas right now. I still have a couple pairs of my old favorites but I need to transition out of them before I find myself in a stick situation again. I will be attempting 18 miles in mine this weekend.
Deletepretty nice blog, following :)
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job with your speed work! Trying out new shoes can throw me off too. I tried a pair a few weeks ago and it took me a few runs to loosen up again! Good luck this week with training!
ReplyDeleteThank You Nancy. These shoes have been the most comfortable so far. You did an awesome job in your last race!! Congratulations Speedy!
DeleteI run in Ravenna's as well. The shortest I've ever trained for a marathon is 18 weeks. But this is only my third one and I have a 23 week plan for this one (which is Sunday!!!). Great week and awesome pace work - you were flying!
ReplyDeleteI think the longest I have trained is 16 weeks so you seem like you are well prepared. I love the Ravenna's so far and hope that I can switch over to these since the Mizuno's I love are no longer made. Good luck this weekend. I know you are going to do great!
DeleteI used to only run in my Brooks Ravenna's also. Great shoe! I started having some pain in my foot and shortly after the LA marathon I bought a pair of Hoka shoes. Have you tried or heard of them? They are my go to shoe now for long runs and short easy runs also. (But I still wear Brooks Pure Cadence for speed work). Samantha F.
ReplyDeleteI have heard of Hoka's but have never tried them. If the Ravenna's do not work out for me then maybe I will give them a try. Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteI went to Boston last weekend, and I was amazed at how fast all the runners were! I didn't see one jogger the whole time I was there. In NJ all you see is joggers, rarely do you see someone RUNNING. I hope you had a great run!
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