Advanced Marathoning It Is!

I'm feeling a blog post in me.  It's there.  Right on the surface.  Quite a bit going on in my head actually and I can't seem to decide if I feel like expressing myself on a deep level right now or keeping this light and breezy.  I have even been tagged a couple of times in a blog post going around where I am supposed to tell you some random things about myself and answer some questions.  Don't worry Lindsay and Beth, I haven't forgotten.  I've just been a little mentally tired.  Perhaps this kind of "busy head" calls for a random bulleted post instead of a well thought out "beginning middle end/deserves a title" post.  Bullets it is!  

• I'm officially starting the 12 week marathon plan in this book above.  Yes, yes, I know...I was reading the book Run Faster by Brad Hudson and planning on using one of his plans.  However, I was just feeling a bit lost.  I hadn't even completed a full week of his training because at the beginning I was base building, then I switched things up so that I could try out a 10k, and then I was injured and now I just need a fresh start.  It works out perfectly.  Pfizinger happens to have a 12 week plan which means this week is a perfect week to start since it was 12 weeks to Boston.  I also love the way the plans are laid out and I'm finding the book very easy to breeze through.  Even his writing voice seems to click with me.  Plus, I hear lots of good things about it from others so this makes me happy. There are so many great plans out there and all of them should get you to your marathon ready to race.  For me, it meant finding something that just "felt" right.  I'm a feelings kind of person and this feels right so I'm going with it and not looking back.  Now if I can just stay injury free then I'll be all set!  
• Injury.  Thankfully, my strains were not too serious and I haven't lost much time.  I caught them before they turned into a monster of an injury.  They feel much better right now even though I'm aware that I still need to be careful and continue to strengthen those areas and keep going to see the doc (more on this in another post too).  Unfortunately, the other side of my body has taken a hit as I mentioned in some of my previous posts.  I've still been feeling some pain and tightness but the past couple of days have felt really great. 
• Being able to run 8 miles today at a relatively normal pace without too much discomfort (except for this weird foot pain that I won't even bore you with) felt so wonderful.  
• Tomorrow I will be doing a threshold run of 10 miles with 5@15k-half marathon pace.  Not sure what that 5 miles will look like until I'm doing it.  I will go by how my body is feeling.  If it gives me the green light then I will GO GO GO with it.  
• I should still hit 50-60 miles this week despite my bumps.  I'm thinking that sticking to the 55-70 range for the duration of my training will be smart.  No need to go a bit higher.  I'll even take it down if I need to.  
• I'm not sure of my goals for Boston.  Honestly, I will need to really think about this one.  There is a lot that goes with this and I might be addressing it in another blog post.  For now, I'm going to keep my priorities straight, focus on keeping my body healthy, enjoy running because I love to run, train hard, keep things in perspective so that I don't lose sight of the life all around me that is so much more important than running and just enjoy the process.  

There are so many things I'd love to write about right now. But my bed is calling me.  Gotta get up early to fit my run in since my son is no longer taking naps and the chances of him doing anything remotely calm and quiet for the length of time it would take me to run 10 miles is just hilarious.  

Thank you for all the e-mails, personal comments, and overall support I've felt from so many of you lately.  I know I've been really lame at e-mail and blog reading but thanks for understanding.  

Happy Wednesday,
Amanda

Your Advice, Wisdom and Encouragement Please. For M and Other "Somewhat New to Training" Runners!

Hey Guys!  So, I got this e-mail from an old friend who I've recently reconnected with after she found Runninghood.  She has just started running again and is wanting to train for a half marathon!  She is ready to take charge of her life and start getting back in shape and reach some big running goals! I'm super excited and inspired by her new goals!  Her e-mails to me have been uplifting and encouraging and it has been wonderful to see her makes the choices in life that say "I'm in control here and I can do it!"  

She has come across some pains/injury recently and feeling discouraged about continuing.  She asks some common questions about shoes, injury, steps to keeping going and staying healthy...some questions we've all had at some point.  I especially wanted to post this e-mail because she is not alone...any beginner/returning/seasoned runner could have written this and I'd like to ask you for some of your wise words for her (and anyone else out there who is in the same boat)!  So, if you would, please share some advice, and words of wisdom and encouragement!  I know that so many of you have many GREAT things to share...I've learned TONS and been inspired by you so I thought I'd share you with my friend.  Sounds like she could use some advice on shoes, injury, realistic race goals (timeline), and getting back in shape without feeling discouraged.  Thanks!  

Hi Amanda,

I am writing to tell you that I've been avoiding you.  I'm super bummed.

Don't ask.

Okay.  I'll tell.

Weeks 1, 2, and 3 of the Sara G. 5-k plan were going great (trying to build my running base)

Week 4 - hit a HUUUUGGGE wall with a fancy injury that I can't name/pinpoint.

So week 4 is a wash and I'm supposed to be doing some active recovery to keep motivated and active. 

But. I. just. want. to. give. up.

It's Wednesday already and I haven't made it to the gym once.  I'm so discouraged and feeling like that Oct. 1/2 is way out of sight.

The fear: I don't know if this week off will be enough or if I get back on the trail only only to find the pain return when I hit that first 1/2 mile mark again.

The injury/pain: I think it started 2 weeks ago when I pushed myself to finish running up a darn hill by my house.  I pushed myself because I knew I could cover the distance and felt the "burn" in my calves was an indication of good work.  The following 4 runs out were marked with this same calf pain (sometimes in one calf, sometimes in the other).  Eventually (when I kept pushing it), the pain wrapped around to my shin and now I have a shin splint to ice each night.

Oy Vey.

Since when is it so dangerous to run up a damn hill in your average neighborhood?

The culprit?  You will cringe when I tell you that I think I hurt my lower legs because I did my first 3 weeks of training with cross-training shoes and not running shoes.  I thought nothing of it since I was covering such small distances.  I also forgot (after visiting Runner's Roost) that I actually require a slight stabililty shoe (for over pronation).

I need some serious advice.  Are my running days over?

I feel dreadful

XOXO,

M

Also, thank you so much for all of your warm messages about my marathon on Monday.  I've loved all of your comments on my race report/highlights and my mini recap.  I hope to get a chance to respond and catch up with you soon!  

Amanda