Shhhedules

Let's talk about training, shall we?

I first started thinking "marathon" about a year ago. I remember talking to Darcy on one of our runs and being shocked that people ran marathons in under 4 hours! I thought that it would most certainly take all day. Darcy warned me about how the training was kind of stressful on your family, and it made me really think. I wanted to run a marathon, but I didn't want it to completely take over my whole life.

Fast forward a year.... I was registered for the Top of Utah marathon, Ragnar Wasatch Back was about a month away, and it was time to pick a training schedule. I looked and looked, but most training schedules had me running 5-6 times a week. Now, y'all know I love running, but I don't love running that much. (Heck, part of the reason why I love it is because I can be lazy for half of the week and call it "resting.") Anywho- I knew that wasn't going to fly. I also have a husband that doesn't necessarily love all of the running. (This is not to say that he isn't supportive- he's the BEST).

The search continued through blog stalking, Runner's World tips, marathon training books, etc. What did I end up using? Why, the first one I stumbled upon, of course!!!!

I feel like I've been running enough that I'm able to tailor a training plan to what I like. Which means:

1. I don't like running more than 4 days a week.
2. I don't like running much over 30 miles in a week. (40 MAX)
3. I don't cross train. I would like to, but telling myself I'm going to is just lying to myself. I'll cross train with cookies, thank you very much.
4. I wanted my specified workouts to be flexible.

This is why I landed on Hal Higdon's Novice 2 training program. The mileage is spelled out and doesn't increase rapidly, and your options for your work outs are up to you! He suggests your week consists of a long run, a run at race pace, and a recovery run. Easy peasy, yes?

This gave me the flexibility to do what I really wanted. Since I have this big BOSTON GOAL, I knew I needed to work on speed. To do that, I have 2 runs a week that are focused on speed work. I do Yasso's, and I do hills. Hills, as experts say, are speed work in disguise. PLUS, you won't want to die when you hit that big hill at mile 18 and 22 because you've trained for it (at least I hope that's the case!). Hills are my favorite work out, so I didn't want to give those up. Then I do my long run, and an easy recovery day. I try to work on my form on my recovery day. Since I'm running slower, it works out well.

Long runs are different from week to week. On the normal weeks I try to run them under a 9:00/mile pace. That way I don't stress about speed AND mileage (AND bathroom issues, but that's a whole other ball game anyway)... This has worked well for me! This is about 45 seconds/mile slower than I plan on running the marathon in. On the "step back" weeks- when you go from building up mileage for 2-3 weeks, and then take an easier week with a shorter mileage long run- I run it as a long race pace run. Our goal is to always complete these under 8:23/mile. So far we've been successful! (I'm always saying "WE" because I'm talking about Darcy and myself).

When you are first looking for a schedule I would suggest that you write down the things that are important to you- like I did at the beginning of this post- and then you can tailor your schedule to suit. Don't be afraid to cut some days out of your schedule, or add a little more to your mid week runs if you are already used to running 5-6 miles consistently rather than 3-4.

Even though I try to follow my training schedule as if it were the bible- it's not. It's okay to change it sometimes. If you are feeling particularly sore because of a hard workout, then take an extra day off to rest (or cross train if you are in to that sort of thing).

It's about getting to the start line, not about crossing off every box on your training schedule.

Below you will find a copy of the schedule I am currently using (including some of my adjustments). I've really really liked this schedule. I've never felt like I was running too much, or not enough. It hasn't made me feel overwhelmed. In fact, I feel like it has been way easier than what I do to train for a Ragnar (read- I'm not running up a mountain multiple times a day).

Marathon Training Schedule: Novice 2

Week	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun
1	Rest	3	5	3	Rest	8	rest
2	Rest	3	5	3	Rest	9	rest
3	Rest	3	5	3	Rest	6	rest
4	Rest	3	6	3	Rest	11	rest
5	Rest	4	6	4	Rest	12	rest
6	Rest	4	6	4	Rest	9	rest
7	Rest	4	7	4	Rest	14	rest
8	Rest	5	7	4	Rest	15	rest
9	Rest	5	7	5	Rest	HALF	rest
10	Rest	5	8	5	Rest	17	rest
11	Rest	5	8	5	Rest	18	rest
12	Rest	5	8	5	Rest	13	rest
13	Rest	5	5	5	Rest	19	rest
14	Rest	5	8	5	Rest	12	rest
15	Rest	5	5	5	Rest	20	rest
16	Rest	5	4	5	Rest	12	rest
17	Rest	4	3	4	Rest	8	rest
18	Rest	3	2	2	Rest	MARATHON

In other news, I had a nice conversation with my Mama on the phone today.
Mom: So, do you think you will qualify for Boston?
Me: I really think that I will. I think I'm fast enough.
Mom: Okay then. I'm coming with you. I already told your Dad that I was planning on it.
Me: !!!!!!

It's gonna happen.

I also learned today that if I run my marathon in under 3:35, then I can register for the Boston Marathon on the same day I run Top of Utah! I'm crossing my fingers and toes that it doesn't fill up or something before I get to register because wouldn't that suck.