So I know that I was all gung ho about attempting a marathon last year. As some of you may have noticed, I basically fell off the face of the earth with the training. Unfortunately, I realized that the marathon was NOT for me, as my training got super off schedule (and getting sick with a stomach bug didn't help), and I was afraid of risking major injury and stress if I had attempted to continue to train for the marathon. I honestly found the mileage quite intimidating, and, I came to realize that my heart really wasn't into it.
As for the half marathon I did back in the spring, I did well under the conditions (again, it was cold and raining, but at least no storms this time), although I personally didn't feel as prepared as I ended up skipping a lot of the shorter runs. However, I did manage a PR of 2:17:56, which was quite shocking for me. Since then, I've been continue to run, although generally shorter distances, and had worked some on increasing my pace for a 5k (averaging a 9:30ish pace, according to my last timed 5k in August). I am still going to most of the "fun runs" with the running club here once a week, along with going to speedwork on a regular basis. I have not ran any timed races since the 5k in August, and I'm okay with that, as I generally don't run that many races during the year. However, as a whole, I haven't really been that consistent with my running, although I have tried to make goals of running 10 miles a week. It just hasn't been happening. I need some sort of plan to gradually increase the mileage, but without the stressfull thought of getting hurt.
Yet...funny enough, I've had the slight idea of attempting the Illinois Marathon here again. I honestly don't know if I can seriously commit to it, but I have came across a plan that sounds much more do-able in terms of very gradually building the mileage. IF I were to attempt the full marathon "for real" this time, I would have to start with my first long run tonight. I have ran one other time this week, totalling four miles, so skipping the first few miles won't kill me. What I'm considering using is Hal Higdon's Novice 1 Supreme program, which is over the course of 30 weeks. If I start this plan today, I would have about 3 weeks leeway, in case something was to come up, as the race is on April 22 (and hopefully, we will have good weather this time). Ideally, I would like to have at least a god week or so where I don't run at all, except for a few short "shake out" runs, so that I can be well rested, fueled up, and all that good stuff.
So, in the meantime, what I'm thinking is attempting at least the first few weeks of the program (say up to week 6 or so), and decide from there if I want to continue on with the training. That way, at least I'm gradually gaining some mileage, Even if I decide to not do the full, I will at least have some decent "base mileage" under my belt again to make the training for the half a bit easier. If I do the half again, I do not know at this point which program I will use, but it will most likely be a slightly more advanced option through Hal Higdon again.
Cross training wise, I'm still figure skating and taking gymnastics. This is where the thought of getting injured concerns me, especially as my mileage increases as I'm still very active in both sports. I'm often skating at least 3-4 days a week, with being in gymnastics one night a week (just a hour though). With that much demand on my body, I may not get a lot of pure rest days, which is a bit of a bothersome thought. What I might have to do, especially later on in the training, is potentially cut down a bit on the skating to allow for better rest with my legs. However, that is a decision I will make further down the line, when and if I get to that point.
In the meantime, here's the link to the training plan that I am considering, and we'll see what happens!
http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51143/Marathon-Novice-Supreme-Training-Program
No comments:
Post a Comment