Week 18 - Columbus marathon training (Steph)

Sunday - 8 miles, 9:53 pace.
Monday - rest
Tuesday - 3 miles.
Wednesday - 4 miles speed work (half mile repeats: 4:18, 4:17, 4:13, 4:10)
Thursday - spinning. 2.5 mile walk at Sharon Woods with Jannelle.
Friday - 3.5 miles with a bonk. 9:45 pace, somehow. And high-fiving with some kiddos.
Saturday - walked 2.3 miles with Dexter.

Planned:  miles.  Actual: 18.5 miles.

Running Makes Me Stronger.

I have used running as my crutch. Every morning I wake up sadder than the morning before. And so, I usually run. While I'd like to attribute my consistency to dedication, the real motivation is coping with anxiety. And while no circumstances change because I run, I do feel stronger.

My running cannot solve the deep problems of any of the many people around me that I care deeply about who are having the worst times. But, it does make me stronger, physically and mentally. And that is what I need right now, so I can be strong for everyone around me. I don't know what else to do.

Week 17 - Columbus marathon training (Steph)

Sunday - rest...quite sore from the 20. Mostly my joints.
Monday - 3 miles 9:22 pace. (9:41, 9:21, 9:06).
Tuesday - yoga, 1.5 mile walk at lunch
Wednesday - 6 miles 9:44 pace (9:56, 9:39, 9:36, 9:41, 10:08, 9:27), walk at lunch 2.5 miles
Thursday - Spinning.
Friday - rest
Saturday - allergy attack. rest before Greg's b-day party. Not really...just lots of prep work.

Planned:  miles.  Actual: 9 miles.

Week 16 - Columbus marathon training (Steph)

Sunday - 8 miles 9:52 pace (10:02, 9:53, 9:55, 9:52, 9:57, 9:47, 10:14, 9:19)
Monday - nothing. Renaissance Fair
Tuesday - yoga
Wednesday - 8 miles 10:30 pace (10:34, 10:15, 10:45, 10:30, 10:22, 10:17, 11:01, 10:41)
Thursday - strength - core stuff and some self prescribed hip therapy
Friday -  3 miles 9:42 pace (9:45, 9:47, 9:23)
Saturday - 20 miles! 10:29 pace!

Planned:  22-27 miles.  Actual:  39 miles...but the long runs days are goofed up.

Core session 1

I feel like I need to write this down because it's still random to me.

Planks (elbow) = 3 x 15 sec
Planks (palms) = 3 x 15 sec
Superman = 3 x 15 sec
Metronome = hurt back so stopped
Bridge = 3 x 15 seconds. Added one legs too at the end.
Standing Side Bend = 20 each side
Standing Side Leg Lifts = 20 each side (this is for my hips mainly)
Crunches on ball = 3 x 10 reps. (These make me nauseous. It sucks.)

6 more weeks

There are approximately 6 more weeks until the marathon. That's about 4 weeks of hard training and 2 weeks tapering. And it's about 6 more weeks to get my core in shape.

I have hit a plateau with my pace. I got a lot faster all of the sudden, but now every run is the same. I'm happy I'm faster, but I know I can get better too.

I have realized how weak my core is...and conversely, how important a strong core is for running. At least that's what I've read from blogs I follow and random Runner's World articles. I believe it. And when I think about my physique and my running ability...well those two things add up to my lackluster speed. I can't hold a plank very long. I can't really do more than about 2 pushups. That's really weak! So...maybe, just maybe...if I got some strength in that area, I'd be a stronger runner. If nothing else, I won't be hurting so bad come mile 22 of the marathon.

So I've started doing some exercises. I took all the vinyasas in yoga on Tuesday (they have a pushup built in). I did planks this morning (bent elbow and straight arms like in yoga): 3 x bent elbow for 10 - 15 seconds each. And 3 x straight arm for 15 seconds each. That was hard. I tried a side plank but really just couldn't do it without hurting myself. Guess I'll do some standing side bends to help there.

The difficult part is knowing how much to do. I have no clue. I guess I'll just do stuff every day and see what happens.

Next up is some ball stuff and the exercises below. The Superman is kind of done in yoga (holding verses just repeating). I know for a fact that that one has helped my back.

Week 15 - Columbus marathon training (Steph)

Sunday - nothing. Still letting my back rest from crazy spasm injury.
Monday - 4 miles 9:52, 9:21, 10:15, 9:38 (9:46 average)
Tuesday - 3.1 miles 10:15, 10:16, 10:06 - took it easy (10:12 pace)
Wednesday - 5 miles at Sharon Woods (10:10 pace)
Thursday - spinning
Friday - rest - did some strength exercises for the first time in a long time. Arms, legs, core.
Saturday - 2.5 easy. Knee hurting so didn't want to overdo it for 8 the next day.

Planned: 30-33 miles.  Actual: 14.6 miles.