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Pensacola Marathon Training: Week 17
Posted on November 20, 2012 2 Comments
Week seventeen wound up being an extra week of taper to carry me through to Pensacola Marathon on November 11. Wrapped up training feeling strong and healthy. Who would have guessed the outcome of the marathon, then? Thus proving that even when training’s spot on, a good race isn’t necessarily guaranteed. Monday: Rest day. Tuesday: […]
NYC Marathon Training: Week 16
Posted on November 5, 2012 4 Comments
Week sixteen was meant to be the final week of NYC Marathon training, ending with 26.2 miles through the five boroughs. Hurricane Sandy swept in on Monday, devastating neighborhoods, causing flooding and power outages. After the storm subsided, the NYC Marathon was announced to be on-schedule, as planned. I picked up my race bib on […]
NYC Marathon Training: Week 15
Posted on October 27, 2012 2 Comments
Week fifteen was full of crazy taper emotions. One minute excited, the next full of nerves. Cut back on some cross-training, and have poured all energy into keeping my speed work sharp. Am starting to get my gear and plan organized for next weekend. You see that? I said, “next weekend.” One week until RACE […]
Tapering With Gratitude
Posted on October 26, 2012 8 Comments
“Rest and be thankful.” William Wordsworth ~ With the longest training runs behind me, taper is in full effect. It’s now just over a week until race day. The past week’s been full of emotions that undulate much like the NYC Marathon course. One moment is electrified by nerves and a tightening of the gut; […]
NYC Marathon Training: Week 14
Posted on October 21, 2012 4 Comments
Week fourteen was the start of taper. Speed work and tempo runs maintained their intensity; long run shortened but required marathon pace. Time to let the body rebuild, and get race day necessities in order. Most importantly, time to appreciate the journey that began in the July heat. Excitement for race day is starting to […]
NYC Marathon Training: Week 13
Posted on October 14, 2012 6 Comments
Week thirteen finally ushers in taper! Increased final long run from 20 to 22 miles. Overall, coming out of this week feeling accomplished! As they say: all the hard work is done. Now it’s time to start lowering mileage, keep up pace, and rest up for race day. 20 days and counting. Monday: Rest day. […]
NYC Marathon Training: Week 12
Posted on October 7, 2012 2 Comments
Week twelve was an excellent running week. Some faster paced runs are making training fall into place. This was the second to last long run before taper. Over all, my body is feeling good with the mileage and the pace. Monday: Rest day. Tuesday: Intervals. Running commute in the form of mile repeats to get […]
I’ve Changed My Mind
Posted on October 4, 2012 12 Comments
“You have to want it, you have to plan for it, you have to fit it into a busy day, you have to be mentally tough, you have to use others to help you. The hard part isn’t getting your body in shape. The hard part is getting your mind in shape.” ~ Amby Burfoot […]
NYC Marathon Training: Week 11
Posted on September 30, 2012 6 Comments
Week eleven brought September to a close in the most fantastic way. It was an incredible week in which I met or exceeded training paces for all three running workouts. That’s a first for this training cycle. I’m encouraged to see evidence of progress. I feel more capable on my long runs lately. Sure the […]
NYC Marathon Training: Week 9
Posted on September 17, 2012 Leave a Comment
Week nine was basically a mini-taper in preparation for the Philadelphia Rock n Roll Half Marathon. The half marathon was meant to be used as a tune-up race to assess how full marathon training is progressing. The race went very well and I wound up running a PR! It felt good to replace speed and […]
NYC Marathon Training: Week 8
Posted on September 9, 2012 1 Comment
Week eight was a decent training week despite contending with the humidity. Ready for cooler, drier running weather. Happy with both tempo and long runs. Next Sunday (Sep 16) is the Philadelphia Rock n Roll half marathon. Will be running this as a tune up race for NYC Marathon. To accommodate the race, am shifting […]
NYC Marathon Training: Week 7
Posted on September 2, 2012 4 Comments
Week seven was an intense training week. It capped off August and my first full month of 2012 NYC Marathon training. Running-wise, I totaled 141.35 miles. This is the highest monthly mileage I’ve had in any marathon training cycle, thus far. I realize Dean Karnazes runs this mileage in a day; but I’m pleased with […]
Long Run Redemption
Posted on August 27, 2012 3 Comments
“We can be redeemed only to the extent to which we see ourselves.” Martin Buber ~ Run long enough and bad runs are bound to surface. They’re certainly not subtle when they do. Last Saturday I had one of the worst runs of this training cycle, thus far. My schedule called for 20 miles; I […]
NYC Marathon Training: Week 6
Posted on August 27, 2012 2 Comments
Week six of training had its highs and lows. Some runs were better than others. It was a strong, rather intense, workout week. Thankful it ended on a good note. Lesson of the week: bad runs happen, regardless of physical conditioning. And just as surely, those bad runs are followed by the good ones. As […]
Arming Myself
Posted on August 23, 2012 7 Comments
“Before you begin a thing remind yourself that difficulties and delays quite impossible to foresee are ahead…You can only see one thing clearly, and that is your goal. Form a mental vision of that and cling to it through thick and thin.” Kathleen Norris ~ Form a mental vision of your goal and cling to […]
NYC Marathon Training: Week 5
Posted on August 19, 2012 4 Comments
Week five went very well. Made it to spin and yoga, so training feels a bit more balanced. Solid running made training paces feel like they’re coming together. Speed work is finally feeling more manageable; oddly enough, it’s from running intervals on the treadmill. Have to go with what works. Keeping close eye on some […]
18 Miles: A Celebration
Posted on August 17, 2012 11 Comments
“I don’t believe people are looking for the meaning of life as much as they are looking for the experience of being alive.” Joseph Campbell ~ This Saturday is my birthday. Being a glossy Leo, it easily remains one of my favorite days of the year. That may seem childish for a full-fledged adult; but […]
NYC Marathon Training: Week 4
Posted on August 13, 2012 4 Comments
Week four introduced the first of five (5!!!) scheduled 20-milers, according to Run Less Run Faster. A hectic schedule, including weekend travel, meant I couldn’t attend spin class; also, rearranged my long and tempo runs. Body is actually feeling good and cooperating with the increasing mileage. Happy to report no noticeable soreness in legs the […]
20 Miles: Risk for Progress
Posted on August 9, 2012 4 Comments
“If what you did yesterday still looks big to you, you haven’t done much today.” Wid Matthews ~ There’s a saying – in one of its various incarnations – that goes: If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have received. Accepting this truth, I opted to use […]
Visualization: Like An Athlete
Posted on August 8, 2012 3 Comments
“Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things that escape those who dream only at night.” Edgar Allan Poe ~ Sweat is rolling. I’m inward-focused and forging the last hill. My body is paradoxically energized and depleted. The day before, I ran 17 miles in 87 degrees. Now I’m in spin class. I […]
NYC Marathon Training: Week 3
Posted on August 5, 2012 6 Comments
Week three was the highest total mileage I’ve run in nearly 12-13 weeks. Body’s worked through some kinks, but overall legs are holding up. First time trying an advanced marathon plan, which means long runs are hitting major mileage early on. Monday: Reverse ladder intervals. Moved this session up a day. Incorporated workout while assisting […]
NYC Marathon Training: Week 2
Posted on July 29, 2012 4 Comments
Week two of training was a bit slower for me. Wacky schedule and achy hip flexor meant I spent more time resting than cross-training. Probably not ideal, but that’s how the week played out. Monday: Rest day. Tuesday: Repeats. Confirmed early morning interval sessions don’t work well for me. Muscles don’t have enough time to […]
LV runs NYC 