Getting back into training mode!

After a crazy couple of weeks I'm back!!  I have been running and cross training regularly the last two weeks.  So I'll share with you what I've been doing and then I promise to be back to regular posting!

I started out last week with good intentions.  I was going to go outside and run but the windchill was -10!  I was not about to go out in that.  So I did a couple easy miles on the mill.  They were anything but EASY!  I was struggling to finish because I was bored. But I sucked it up and did it!

Then on Thursday I did some speed work.  I did a little bit different speed work than usual but it was fun so I may do that again.  I basically did a warm up then .25 at 7 and then .10 at 3 to recover.  I did that 8 times and then a cool down.  

On Saturday I did some long slow miles.  These aren't so bad outside but on the treadmill these are HORRIBLE!  It took everything in me not to speed up and get it done but I kept going and got it done!

Now onto this week! On Monday I did another easy 2 miles.  I had to speed up at the end to get it done.  

I have been using Piyo as a cross training. Most have not been too bad but the one on Tuesday was called sweat and it was HARD!!  I definitely felt out of shape!

On Wednesday I did a treadmill workout. It is the workout above.  I didn't think it was going to be as hard as it was.  It's all slower miles so you are walking most of the time but having the incline up so high you are really working to stay on the treadmill and keep up.  It made me think of hiking which was a good way to get my mind off of how much I was sweating! And I can tell you that today (Thursday)  I am SORE! I will definitely be using this one again!

It feels so good to get back into training mode.  I just can't wait for the weather to break so I can actually go outside and log some real miles! I'm so ready for this year and the races that I'll run, the friends that I'll meet, and the growth that I will have from all of this!

Love, Lacey

Choosing a Marathon Training Plan . . .

Choosing a marathon training plan is a bit like trying to find the person you are going to marry.  You look at LOTS of plans and try to decide which one will work best for you.  But really can you know if a plan is going to work or how it feels and fits into your schedule until you really get into it?  I'm currently looking at 4 different plans. Each has some thing that appeals to me. So here are the plans I'm looking at!

The first is one I have used for half marathon training. It's the Marathon Rookie.  They have some great plans and I think they take you up easily.  He has plans for all distances so I think it's a great site.  My problem with his plans is that they want you to run 4 days a week and some serious miles in during the week. My training schedule this year will look a little different from years past because of when I'm going to try to fit in my long runs.  But something about running 8 miles on a Wednesday, during the summer, when I have 3 kids at home doesn't seem like it would work.  Although training is what you make of it.  You will only get out of training what you put in!

The next one I'm looking at and have heard lots of good things about is Hal Higdon marathon 3 training. A friend of mine ran her first marathon last year and used this.  She said it was great.  It is only 3 days a week with lots of cross training. She said she felt strong and ready come race day.  This one has lots of potential my only fear is that I stink when it comes to cross training.  I have good intentions but I just don't have the follow through? I want to, but I don't know?!?

The next one is from a book called Run less, Run faster. Again I have heard lots of really good things about this book & training program. I haven't got a chance to get my hands on the actual book to check it out.  But its premise is to run less and do more speed work. Which I seem to really like speed work.  So I'm excited to get this book and check out it.

Last but not least is another book/program called Train Like a Mother.  I have briefly looked over this program and it seems to have lots of good things to it.  The one thing I like is that there is a symbol next to certain runs that means that if you have to you can skip it.  The thing about this program is that it is written by mothers so they understand how busy and crazy life can get.  They also have the "finish it" or "kill it" options for each distance.

Have you trained for a marathon?  What program did you use?  How did you like it? I'm so ready to just pick a plan and move on!!

Love, Lacey