Apr 27, 2014

Four Weeks To Go....

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.
TOTAL MILES: 34.15

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.

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!

12 comments:

  1. 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 :)

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    1. I really hate speedwork. It is painful and takes me out of my comfort zone so I know that I need to do it.

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  2. I 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.

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    1. I 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.

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  3. Anonymous4/28/2014

    pretty nice blog, following :)

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  4. You 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!

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    1. Thank You Nancy. These shoes have been the most comfortable so far. You did an awesome job in your last race!! Congratulations Speedy!

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  5. I 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!

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    1. I 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!

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  6. Anonymous4/30/2014

    I 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.

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    1. I 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!

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  7. I 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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