Fiona will be 8 months old tomorrow. Eight months?! I sound so cliche but time really does pass in the blink of an eye. I wish the same was true for training.
This is definitely my longest training cycle so far. By the time the marathon rolls around I will have racked up 20 weeks of training. Totally necessary but daunting at the same time.
Here’s a little look at what I’ve been doing…
The first 10 weeks (when I thought I was doing the 50K) included lots of slow miles, lots of hills, and some trail running. This is exactly what my body craved (it still does). I ran my first 50+ mile week when Fiona was 6 months old. A slow and steady comeback. Structurally I feel great – I’m still religiously doing pre-hab 3 times a week – but I’m exhausted most of the time. Which brings me to the topic of “total work”.
Pre-Fiona, when I was training, I would get solid sleep and sit on my ass for 8 hours a day at work. I recovered as hard as I worked. Now I get less sleep, run around all day, and carry 20 lbs on my hip (alternating hips, of course, to balance out the inevitable imbalances that will result). So my “total work” skyrocketed and 50+ mile weeks knock me on my ass. Too bad I can’t spend some time there and rest.
So this parenting thing is exhausting and coupled with marathon training, it’s really exhausting. Maybe I’ll adjust (has anyone adjusted?) but for now my weekly mileage will remain around 45 so I don’t fall asleep at dinner. And I realize that doesn’t sound like much of a decrease but it seems to be my sweet spot these days.
Since I decided to run the marathon instead of the 50K you would think I would begin to do some type of speed work. Nah, I’m too exhausted for that! In all seriousness, I just don’t want to do any type of organized speed work. I have picked up the pace on a few runs and I do coach a track workout on Tuesday nights, where I run with all different pace groups…well, the ones I can keep up with. My goal for the marathon is a “solid effort”. I’m not in PR shape – nor should I be at 8 months postpartum – so a PR would be an unrealistic goal. I just want to get out there, enjoy myself, get used to marathoning again, and see what I can do.
After the marathon I’m running the Philly Half Marathon in November. I definitely want to race it (and would love to PR) but I need to see how the marathon goes and how recovery goes.
But before all of that I’ll be running the Philly RnR in 2 weeks. That kinda snuck up on me. So I guess I’ll see where my speed is (or isn’t) very soon.
I guess what all of this means is that 2014 is my rebuilding year. Exactly what I intended it to be and exactly how I’m training. It may be a year without any PRs but my engine will be strong for 2015 – and ready for a PR.
Ha, I was surprised that a marathon here is in two weeks, like totally flabbergasted – I guess my mind is totally in other places because DUH it’s race season! It sounds like you have your head in the right place, and I’m super impressed that you are even thinking about a marathon so soon! My goal is to just not get fired and stay out of the Looney bin. Hopefully you’ll be running a great marathon and I’ll be having a baby in two weeks!
You might be surprised! I heard many moms are super fast after giving birth.
Fiona is a cutie and look at that smile! Sounds like you have a solid running base – 2015 is right around the corner! Eeek! I got exhausted reading what our schedule is like – motherhood is no joke.
Oh Fiona is a cutie! I feel as though time starting going so much faster since the boys were born, it’s crazy. I like your line-up for the fall! Long runs and hills are good training, you might surprise yourself. Parenting really is exhausting, it’s a big job. You’re smart to look at your “total work.” Good luck with your races 🙂