Tuesday, August 11, 2015

TOTR: Fall Racing

Happy Tuesday! We're one day closer to the weekend, one day closer to students coming back... one day closer to my MARATHON!

Linking up today for Tuesday's on the Run!



So, last November, on a whim and a KILLER deal, I decided it was time I signed up for my first full marathon. Let's go back about 5 years when I said I would never, EVER run 26.2 miles for fun. Funny how things change.

Anyway, it's now the second week in August, my marathon is LESS THAN 100 DAYS AWAY, and it's about time I got my butt in gear for training.



I've been putting it off for a several weeks now--a combination of being "lazy" (aka, not wanting to do structured runs), not finding a training plan I particularly liked, and letting loose for a few weeks--something I desperately needed for my sanity.

Well, last week I finally decided it was "time". I've done some research and found a plan that works for me, that I'm comfortable with and still has me running 6 days a week. I'm a creature of habit and enjoy my early morning runs before work and wanted a plan that would still allow for those--albeit structured a bit differently. It's challenging, it's scary, but most of all, I feel confident with this plan that when November rolls around, I will be ready for whatever Richmond throws my way.

On the docket this week--
Monday: 50 minute "easy" run. I pushed it a little longer so that I could hit the 8 mile mark
Tuesday: Speed workout (2 minutes full out sprint, 4 minutes recovery, 7 x's)
Wednesday: 45 minute  run
Thursday: 50 minutes
Friday: 40 minutes
Saturday: 14 miles

I like that there's no mileage attached to the work week runs. It's the first plan I've seen do this and I can appreciate it because a lot of my morning runs are done on the treadmill. I push myself a little harder on these because I want to get as much mileage in as possible during that time frame.



I'm a little nervous about my 14 miler this weekend but I'm hoping I can recruit a buddy to run at LEAST a few miles with me.

So obviously, my marathon is the biggest item on my fall calendar but here are a few other races that I'm either a) doing b) signing up for or c) considering. I'm a very go-with-the-flow kind of person and tend to sign up for races on a whim (like my marathon) so this is ALWAYS subject to change.

Saturday, August 14th: Guest River Gorge 5k

Saturday, August 22nd: Virginia Super Spartan @ Wintergreen

Saturday, August 29th: Bluegrass Half Marathon

Saturday, September 12th: Eastman 10K Road Race in the AM, Glow Run in the PM

Saturday, October 3rd: Highknob Hellbender 10K

Saturday, October 10th: Fall Fling 5k

Saturday, October 31st: Haunted Half Marathon

Saturday, November 14th: RICHMOND MARATHON!!! 

Lots of good ones in there! I'm looking forward to a fun and exciting season. Summer races are my favorite but I can't knock a good fall, cool weather run.

What races are on your calendar this fall?!

Sarah

5 comments:

  1. Richmond is still potentially on my list. I'm running MCM in October and am trying to decide if I want to run another full this winter. You will love Richmond - it's a great race!

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  2. Very exciting! I can't imagine running 6 days a week, but I have never trained for a marathon! All of your races sound like they'll be a lot of fun!

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  3. You have a ton of great options there! Good luck on the 26.2 and I'm still in the "I'll never do that nonsense" camp... even though I've signed up for one. HA HA HA. I'm sure you will rock yours!

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  4. Your calendar definitely looks like it's got a good amount of stuff leading up to your big race :) woohoo!!

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  5. Good luck on the Richmond Marathon!! I'll be there running the half, it's such a great race!

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