Marathon Journey Update

February 20th

Two weekends ago, I competed in the Mercedes 1/2 Marathon in Birmingham AL. This race was simply a stop on my training plan, so I did not have any pre-race jitters because I had run this distance several times before the race. I had a goal to run this race at a 9:30 pace, and I finished the race at a 9:27 pace/mi. Right where I need to be heading in to the toughest part of my plan.

This past weekend was a real challenge for me. 16 miles was on the training plan, and my mind really tried to convince me that I was not ready for this distance. I simply had to remind myself that my training plan has set me up perfectly for this distance, and all I had to do was focus on my pace and keep my mind clear. And after about 3 miles, I really got into my running groove and had my pace at a very consistent level. My goal is to train right around a 10:00/mi pace, and I finished this run at a 9:59 pace. No real soreness other than some joint pain in my knees, which is to be suspected after running 16 miles.

I have also started eating a plant-based diet about 80% of the time. Eventually I will be 100% on a plant based diet, but there are certain things I am not ready to give up, like pesto sauce and cheese pizza. I was initially concerned about how a plant-based diet would effect my energy and strength levels, but after several weeks, I feel faster on my runs and have not lost any strength in the gym. I am sleeping better at night, and my anxiety levels are down from where they were a few weeks ago. I am very optimistic about a diet that is a complete 180 from where my diet was only a month ago., eating meat at every single meal. I honestly didn’t even consider a meal a meal if meat was not on the plate.

This weekend is 17 miles. I know it is only 1 mile past where I went last weekend, but the in-week mileage is increasing to the point where I am running 18 miles during the week, not counting the weekend runs. I am committed to a positive mindset even when my mind is trying to convince me that a rest day is needed and that I shouldn’t go out on this run. This journey is more than just about 26 miles; its about hardening the mind and winning the battle between my ears.

My Marathon Journey

January 22nd

Last weekend I ran 13 miles, which 100% tells me I am ready to run a 1/2 marathon right now. I actually had one of my best miles of the run on the last run, which means I am not pushing myself as hard as I should in the middle of the race. This week’s training schedule has been a little off. Typically I go on medium distance runs on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s, with my longer runs coming on Saturday. I add in weights 1-2 times a week and a bike ride or spin class 1-2 times per week. It just depends on how I am feeling. No matter the schedule, I always do my workouts in the AM because it gets my day off to a great start, and I sleep much better at night.

But this week I’ve been off. I have been feeling under the weather lately, so I haven’t had time to complete my workouts in the morning, which means I have to fit it in at some point during the day. This leads me to truncate the workouts or miss the day entirely, which is perfectly ok just not in my nature to do so. For example, I slept in this morning and did not workout in any capacity. Instead, I did an HIIT workout in the garage. This consisted of a 5 minute warm-up followed by a 5 minute circuit, doing 2 power cleans and 5 kettlebell deadlifts every 30 seconds for a total of 10 sets. I repeated the same interval workout with front squats and kettlebell power cleans. Still a very solid workout, but when I go in the morning, I have much more time to add in other movements and complete a proper warm up and cool down.

My upcoming weekend run is set at 14 miles. This will be the longest run I have ever accomplished, in-training or race day. I know i am fully capable of completing this run, I am just fighting the conversation with myself that tells me, “you’re going to get injured”, or, “you are too big to run a marathon”, or, “that’s too far. You are going to be in so much pain during this run.” Like so many things in life, the success of this run and all runs hereafter will depend on the nature of the conversation I am having with myself.

Weekend after next, I am off to Birmingham, AL to run in the Mercedes Benz 1/2 marathon. Birmingham is my hometown, so this race carries a bit of nostalgia as well as being a stop on my training cycle, and I am really looking forward to running in front of family and friends.

More to come…