Marathon training is a go

After feeling less than prepared for my first marathon last year (the Stillwater Marathon - a truly wonderful event for my first 26.2-miler) but still making it through, I've been thinking a lot about how to go about preparing for the next one (the Twin Cities Marathon - pretty fitting for a year that saw me moving from Minneapolis to St. Paul).

I didn't use a specific training plan for Stillwater for a few (not great) reasons. Lame reason #1: I didn't think I could follow a rigid running schedule and figured it would be too discouraging to see how many runs I had missed. Pitiful reason #2: I couldn't find a plan I liked, so I decided not to use one at all. I was disuaded by the track work most marathon plans have. I know it's very useful in training, but I just want to run. Weak reason #3: I was constantly busy with classes, clubs, lacrosse practices, and trying to figure out what to do with my life (I was a senior in college). My schedule was so all-over-the-place that I didn't think a strict schedule would work for me.

Reason #3 probably should have had me post-poning a marathon altogether, but I'm quite stubborn when I get my mind set on something, and I had my mind set on running a marathon. I had run quite a bit the summer/fall leading into senior year, with my longest run being 15 miles (though heading out the door, I was planning on 8, maybe 10). After cheering on my roommate at the Walker North Country Marathon - I also ran (and won my age/sex group) the 10K and ran about 7 miles in the middle with her - I figured a marathon was something I could handle. I just didn't really anticipate to be quite so bombarded by life my last year in college.

Anyway, I was quite undertrained. I ran a lot, but rarely more than 5 miles at a time. Then, to make matters worse, I strained my calf a little more than a month before the marathon during a lacrosse game. It hurt bad enough to keep me from running for at least a week (at this point, I'm really not sure how long it was), and I decided to hold off on the marathon. I already knew the entrance fee was non-refundable, but I was a little surprised I didn't have the option of running the next year. I didn't want the money to be a waste, so I decided I'd run as much of the marathon as I could and at least get something out of it.

Of course, once I decided I would start the marathon, I knew that I was going to finish it. I did a little math and figured I could easily finish within the 6-hour limit; I would just have to walk more than I had originally anticipated.

Considering I didn't injure myself further and managed to finish the marathon (5:24:17), I like to think of the calf strain as a little blessing in disguise. Because I didn't feel prepared enough in terms of training, I really focused on other factors to make sure I felt my best come race day. I started going to bed early a full week and a half ahead of time, figuring just one good night's sleep wouldn't be suficient. I started focusing on hydration a couple weeks early - not going overboard, but making sure I was paying attention to it. I also focused more on nutrition, and not in terms of a large carb-filled dinner the night before. I did some research and increased carbs (though not insanely) the week before to start building energy stores. I have no idea if I interpreted all my research correctly, but I felt amazing the morning of my marathon.

If I hadn't been so concerned about not having trained enough, I'm not sure I would have focused on these other important factors quite so much. Now I'll always have sleep, hydration and nutrition in mind while also making sure I train properly.

So back to my current marathon training. I found an 18-week plan I really liked that doesn't involve looking for a nearby track and feeling awkward working through exercises I've never done before. This plan includes two easy runs, a tempo run, a pace run, a long run, a cross-training day, and a rest day each week. I swapped the Monday cross-training and Tuesday easy run since I have dance Tuesday anyway. Otherwise, the plan mostly fits my week well, and I really see myself sticking with it.

I'm only two days in, but I already feel a lot more focused with my training. I have a separate calendar with the schedule up by my door where I can see it, I've been telling a few people about it to help hold me accountable, I have a training log already in full swing (something I didn't have last year), and I have my own apartment, so I don't have to worry about my priorities (running) clashing with my parents' priorities for me (chores). Not only that, but my new apartment is just over a mile away from a lake, and there are plenty of park trails and quiet neighborhoods to explore. I didn't quite have that luxury while living in NE Minneapolis, and I got into a bit of a rut in Winona.

Most importantly, I have a goal. I suppose I had a goal last year: finish the marathon within the 6-hour time limit. It didn't feel like a very challenging goal though. I felt like I could easily finish within 6 hours, so I didn't really push myself. This time, my goal is to finish closer to 4:30. That's a LOT faster than my previous 5:24 finish, but it will certainly keep my rear in gear in terms of training. I'd rather aim too high and work my tail off than shoot too low and get complacent in the weeks leading up to the marathon.

Fingers crossed I don't go straining anything else this time!