Running Talk: Long Run, Marathon Plans, and Strength Work (natural butt lifter)

I woke up this morning with that tight and kind of sore feeling in my body from doing some strength work yesterday.  I've been trying to add some sort of strength circuit work into my week.  Sometimes it means breaking it up into shorter workouts over multiple days but I'm sticking to my goal and my body is happier for it--at least it's looking more defined.  It's not all about the definition though--it's about being stronger! Stronger = healthier body for running.  The ab, arm and leg definition is nice too!  Ha!  Especially the slight butt lift from the squats and lunges.

After the NYC Marathon this weekend, emceeing the Happy Girls Half and 5k, and starting to read about people's fall marathon training starting, I opened my eyes today with a bit of a marathon training itch. A very subtle itch but stronger than my desire yesterday and over the past weeks.  This is a good thing since I'm pretty sure I'll be in Boston in April to run the marathon.  Having the DESIRE to at least put in the mileage that it takes to run a marathon (and not hurt yourself) makes a huge difference.  Desire...Motivation..Drive...this is a HUGE piece of the puzzle when it comes to training for a marathon.  Glad to smell that desire just a bit more today.  I hope it grows!

Long Run Tuesday
Speaking of long runs and marathons, I'm heading out there today for a long run. Long run for me right now will be anything over 10-12 miles.  I'd like to shoot for 13.1.  Why not? Then I can say I ran a half marathon today.  I might die though.  Instead of making it all trail, I actually want to get out on a flatter stretch of road for a change.  I want some sort of time test (even just a 2-3 mile tempoish portion of my run) to let me know where I'm at with running fitness.  Gaging my time on the trails just doesn't work for accuracy.  I'm not sure what to expect with pace since I don't pay much attention to it anymore.  I know I won't be finding 7:30 pace easy right now but I certainly hope for some 7:40s to 7:50s when I try to pick up the pace and focus on form.  I predict my base easy pace on road right now would fall somewhere between 8:00 -8:30 pace at this point.  But really, I don't know.  We'll see today!

What I'm most excited about for running longer today:

• Time to think and get some ideas flowing
• Endorphins and Energy
• Inspiration
• Help with building endurance base
• That overall tired but satisfied feeling that can't quite come from anything else

Post Run Picture (added later of course):  

Yes yes yes to a Tuesday Half Marathon Run!  First 5 miles on river trail and rest on road for a change.  Mostly easy with some faster (for me right now) miles in middle and a pick up at very end.  Add on about 1:30  to make up for a few 30 second stops to stretch (and breathe between pick ups..ha!)  Woowee, a 7:2x mile doesn't feel like it did in spring!  Slowly but surely!  So thankful for running and endorphins!  8:04; 8:34; 8:33; 8:28; 8:46; 8:17; 7:26; 7:23; 7:53; 8:11; 8:22; 8:16; 7:54; 7:39 for last little bit.  

Marathon Plans

I'm still flipping through books trying to decide on a plan for marathon training.  Right now, Pete Pfitzinger's 18 week Advanced Marathoning plan is at the top of my list.  I've also heard from some of you about the Greg McMillan plan.  And a few of you have emailed about the Hanson plan--not sure what to think about this one.  I think no matter what plan I go with, I will tailor it to me and I will follow it loosely.  Byron Powell, author of Relentless Forward Progress, also has a loose plan (mostly about logging mileage) for ultra marathon training.  So, that is the other one on the table.  The final option is just to log 50ish miles a week and make my own plan up as I go as long as I'm remembering to have a long run and some tempo/faster paced/marathon paced stuff in the mix.  After 20 plus years of running and racing, I think I'd be just fine with an Amanda Plan!  I have plenty of time to mull over these options and even stay open to others  It's only November!  

Next Post:

Much to say in the next post about how being an emcee for a race changed my perspective about a few things.  It definitely gave me an entirely new window from which to see the FINISH LINE.  Wow.  I left inspired and energized by each and every finisher that crossed the line (all 4 plus hours of the half marathon).  There were some especially cool stories and moments from the day... a team running in honor of their friend/wife/mom that died this year, a familiar name and Runninghood friend/reader that came to say hello (she's all the way from MN!),  seeing moms in the community that I know from school, watching little kids run up to their moms to run them in... and lots more!  Excited to write about it.  

Okay, about that long(er) run!  I'm heading out.  I'm still new to Bend so here's to finding a good piece of road to explore.  

1.  I'm still open to hearing your input about marathon plans you'd recommend.  
2.  What's your "LONG RUN" distance right now?  
3.  Do you prefer training for races:
a). Year- round (always want to have something on your race calendar to keep you going)
b).Summer (for a fall race)
c). Fall/Winter (for a spring race)
d). None of the above.  I just like to run to run without an specific training.

Amanda

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