I can’t believe I am already finished with my second week of marathon training. My marathon is going to be here before I know it! However, lets not get ahead of ourselves.
I had another great week of training. My body seemed to recover a bit better than it did the previous week, and I was able to hit both my workout and my tempo run. That is a sign of a good running week for me!
My long run went really awesome on Saturday. I woke up a little earlier in hopes of making sure to beat the rain, and besides a little mist it was a perfect day for a long run. Overcast, a slight mist, and in the high 60’s. During August in Virginia you don’t get much better than that.
I still need to work on pacing, but for the first time in a long time I went out on my long run without a course mapped out. I ran down various side roads, up and down a few back roads and just tried to avoid doing an out and back. It ended up making the run go by much quicker.
After my run I changed my top and headed out to find Wes along his 20 mile route to give him water. Thankfully he had a great run too which means a great start to Saturday for both of us.
I made sure to keep my PRO Compression socks on even after I was done to help my legs recover some. Even though I felt good I know how fatigued my legs can feel the day after a long run.
Here is a break down of my workouts for the week:
Monday (7/28)
6 easy miles
Tuesday (7/29)
1.5 mile warm up
5 x 1000 meters (400 meter recovery)
2 mile cool down
Wednesday (7/30)
7 easy miles
Thursday (7/31)
1/2 mile warm up
6 mile tempo run (7:54 average)
1/2 mile cool down
Friday (8/1)
Rest Day
Saturday (8/2)
12 mile long run
Sunday (8/3)
6 easy miles
What I’ve Learned This Week
Still Need to Work On Pacing
I did better this week but one of my prime focuses is pacing. Most runs went fine, but my long run this week still ended up being quicker than I was set to run. I averaged an 8:27 pace when my training pace called for around an 8:40. Not a huge difference, but with Hanson’s cumulative fatigue it is important that I stay as close to the set pace as I can. I don’t want a small difference in pace to affect a tough workout further down the road.
Foam Rolling
The foam roller has been my best friend this week. I had a really tight muscle deep in my glute I’ve been having to foam roll really good every day this week. It finally seems to be settling down, but I seriously don’t know what I would do without that thing!
Toughest Run
This is a tough one this week. I actually had a really great week overall when it came to training. I guess if I had to pick my hardest run it would be the easy run on Wednesday. I could feel the fatigue in my legs and there were a few parts that I remember being tough, however if that is the toughest run I have in a week then I am OK with that.
Best Run
I have to say that my best run this week was my tempo run on Thursday. It wasn’t easy by any means, but I felt very much improves from my first tempo run and felt strong almost the entire time.
Pro Compression
Finally, I am excited to announce that I have been chosen to be a 2014 PRO Compression ambassador! You all know my love of PRO Compression socks and so I am honored and privileged to be able to help represent this company!
If you haven’t already, you should head over and check out their website.
What was your best and toughest run this week?
How far along are you into your training?
Good job on your training this week. I have a half marathon over labor day weekend in Va Beach. I don’t have a time in mind. I’m just going down bc I love the race weekend and miss my friends down there since moving to phl area.
Thank you! Good luck on your half! That sounds awesome. Sometimes it is nice to go and race without any time goals, it is a great time to just relax and enjoy.
Hi Sara! I, too, have been having a glute issue. Right at the top of my leg/bottom of butt. I have a foam roller and will start using it. The soreness only seems to be after I run as opposed to during my run, thank goodness. Great job this week!
Glad to hear that I am not the only one. Mine is a little higher up, but the foam roller can REALLY help! Give it a try 🙂
Glad you are loving Hanson’s!
Whew – I did 47 miles this week too. I spent a lot of time this weekend eating pasta and napping. How was your overall fatigue on Sunday? I am wondering how those 60+ mile weeks are going to feel…
– Run with joy!
I actually felt pretty good. Which I was surprised, we will see when it catches up with me!
I just turned 50 this year… I am finding that my recovery is longer and speed is slower 🙁
Looking back on my Hal Higdon Novice 2 plan from earlier this year, I had 2 rest days a week and the mid-week runs were not much to speak of. I hope it will become easier as I go along with Hanson’s plan. But I am seriously sleeping 8.5 hours a night and have taken naps a couple of times in the last week!
Sleep is one of the best things you can do to recover! Keep up the great work!
Awesome runs this week! It sounds like your training is going really well. I need to spend some quality time with my foam roller, too. And congrats on being named a Pro Compression ambassador–their socks are great!
My foam roller is my absolute best friend these days!
Phew, that marathon training plan scares me! Great job! And congrats on your ambassadorship! I have a pair of PROcompression and they’re great!
Thank you – I love them as well! You could do it, anyone can do it!