Week 2 will have me running in my home state of NC and finishing with my long run in Arkansas. The plan this week is to continue proper nutrition while increasing mileage and time running. I will start to incorporate the TENS device into recovery in the evenings along with strength training during my non-running days.
I am running the San Antonio Rock & Roll Marathon with my friend Nick. He just completed a 10K race this weekend and had a great finishing time. It looks like our training plans are aligning properly so we can run the entire Marathon together. Our only goal in December is to run the entire thing and finish. I’m certain that is going to happen but it’s too ambiguous a goal to define training parameters and be able to measure progress. We both decided to train for a 9’30” avg mile resulting in a 4hr08m Marathon. I hope our training allows us to run a sub 4hr but again, our only goal is to finish.
Regardless of the pace, I need to condition my body to be running for 4 hours straight. This is a different training metric than simply adding miles. As my fitness improves my pace will get faster, thus reducing the time needed to complete more mile. Therefore I must take into account training time and start conditioning my body and mind to 4 hours of non-stop movement.
It takes preparation and the proper gear to continue on my feet for increased time. In the picture above you see some of the tools I use to complete my training. Heart Rate strap, watch, shoes, glasses, handheld water bottle and a running belt and shoes. Depending on the heat and distance, I may add in my running vest that holds 1.5L of water along with edibles and more.
Week 2 Training Plan
The training plan should result in completing about 22 miles this week.
Run 1: 5KM Run for time. (Monday)
Run 2*: 10min Warmup + 6x repeats of 3min at pace (9:30) and 2min slow + 10min Cool Down. (Tuesday Morning)
Run 3: 30min Run for Distance. (Thursday)
Long Run: 8 miles and a comfortable pace. (Sunday)
I will start to incorporate more stretching and strength training on non-running days.
Just Keep Showing Up
Possibly the best thing I’ve ever heard when it comes to running or fitness in general. The principles behind it is discipline and consistency. When you have discipline you continue to do what must be done to reach your goals, even when you face adversity or lack of motivation. When you care about something, you find a way to make it happen. When you have consistency in action, you start to build a pattern of behavior that sustains your trajectory to obtaining success. Have the tenacity to keep going, regardless of what roadblocks that present themselves.
Thank You
I appreciate each of you who continue to follow my adventure by reading this blog. If you have a subject or topic you’d like me to expound on or tackle, comment below.