Welcome to week 10 of marathon training! Here’s how this week went for me! I’m having an internal conflict between wanting big muscles and just running! I am not enjoying P90X as much as I used to, so I know I need a change. I’m just not sure what I want to do. I’m afraid if I stop altogether I will lose the muscles I have now. (Realistically, it’s not going to happen, I’m just a freak and these are the things I worry about!) I want to keep lifting because I know it will help with my running and burn more fat. I just am not sure what method to use right now with marathon training. So for right now marathon training is taking priority and I will work in lifting when I can. Friday’s will definitely still be Arm day, but Sunday is going to be more of an actual, real rest day; and Monday will be running or legs.
Sunday 9-6
Today I slept in after being super busy out in the heat at the fair all afternoon yesterday. My body so needed to rest today. I had a wonderful time hanging out with my family and drinking coffee all day! It was the best! I even had time to redo my Jamicure!! Aren’t these beautiful?? These are retired wraps, Soiree! I’m totally in love with these!! I wish I would have ordered more!!
Monday 9-7
Ok to today was supposed to be Leg Day. I decided yesterday that I was going to run instead of doing legs because I didn’t have to work and I would have more time to get in more miles. Well, I stayed up later than I would have thought I would (Maddie and I didn’t go to bed until midnight!!), so I slept in longer than I really wanted to, but oh well. I ended up getting out the door by 7:45. I was trucking along, realizing how hot and steamy it was getting, so I realized my plan of running 10 miles today was out of the question. I ended up taking one of my old routes to get in 8.5 miles. I had a pace of about 11:47 which was pretty good for the heat and humidity I was under! I came home completely drenched and dripping, but it was so worth it. Not sure if I will run again tomorrow or do legs. It depends on the weather. We shall see.
Tuesday 9-8
So I woke up today, looked at the weather, and decided I wanted to run! Big shocker, I know! However, I was not anticipating the heat, humidity, and lightning! I mean I know it’s been ridiculously hot and humid, but this morning it was stagnant! It had rained overnight and I knew there was more rain coming so I just wanted to get out there and get it done. I had my heart set on 8 miles, but I didn’t get out the door in time for that and the weather has really been doing a number on my speed. I knew it was going to be pushing it a little too far to get to 8 today. And then I remembered that I did 8.5 yesterday and I could do 7.5 today to even it out. Well that was before the lightning started. At first the lightning wasn’t so bad, but the closer I got to home, the worse the lightning became. I decided to cut my run short as soon as that happened and I picked up the pace. I was about 3 blocks from home when I heard the first boom of thunder. I knew I had to book it even faster! I managed to get a block away from home before the next thunder boom happened. Still no rain so that was good. It wasn’t until I was at my house that it started to rain. And almost as soon as I walked in the house, it started to downpour! Boy was I glad to be inside. I managed to run 7 miles today, despite the threat of the weather. I’m feeling pretty good about that and I’m looking forward to the cooler temps coming at the end of the week!
Wednesday 9-9
The weather for my run this morning was a lot better than yesterday!! Temps were cooler and the humidity didn’t seem to be quite as bad. I was worried about my time today and my legs feeling heavy since this was the third day in a row running, so I cut it short to only 6.5 miles. I wanted to make sure that I evened out my numbers. I didn’t want to wait until this weekend when I have 17 miles to run! I felt really good about this run. I am not feeling good about myself, however. I have gained 8 pounds this summer and I am not sure why. Granted I have been splurging on summer goodies, but mostly I have been trying to eat as healthy as possible. I thought it would be easier when school started and I wasn’t at home to snack, but it’s not. I feel fatter than I have in a very long time. My clothes still fit, but they are a little tighter than they used to be so that is frustrating. I don’t know what is going on. I’m trying to drink more water and eat more veggies. I’m sure my carb choices are still not the greatest. I know I need more carbs as a runner to fuel my body, but I’m wondering if that’s why I’ve gained weight. I’ve been trying to add in more carbs for my marathon training, but I think I need to go back to low carb and really focus on protein and veggies. I’m thinking about going back to my smoothies in the morning also. Hopefully I can figure this out and drop a few pounds before November! I’m sure it will help my speed!
Thursday 9-10
Because I had already run so much this week, I only ran 5 miles today. It felt really good and it was an absolutely beautiful morning. The temps are changing and I can smell fall in the air. I still had to wipe sweat with my towel but not as much as earlier in the week! This is so much nicer!! I am really looking forward to my longer training runs on the weekends with these cooler temps. The thought of running 17-20 miles in the heat was daunting. the thought of running it in cooler temps is so much more appealing! It’s supposed to be in the 40s when I run my 17 miles on Saturday!! That is going to be perfect!! I really can’t wait for that now. Plus I’m having Menchies the night before my long run! Yeah for yummy pre-run fuel!!!
Friday 9-11
So today is Arm Day!! I have still been feeling bloated and gross, so I really wanted to push myself with lifting heavy weights. I popped in P90X Back and Biceps and I was actually excited about using it! I do still like P90X, I just knew I was going to lift heavy and not listen to everything Tony Horton had to say on the video. I want to grow these guns and really push myself. I used 25-30 lb. weights for all the bicep moves and 40 lb. weights for some of the back moves besides the pull-ups. Pull-ups I do with resistance bands from the rafters in my basement. It’s not quite the same thing, but it works for now. I can still feel it and my back is not really my problem area. It’s the least of areas that I feel like I need to work on. I lifted heavy for lawnmowers and back flys so I know I was working some muscles back there! LOL Tony usually says that to grow muscles you should do 8-10 reps, well I think the most I did was maybe 8 for any of the moves depending on what it was and the weight I was using. I did concentrate on using good form and not rushing the motions. I could feel it already before I was done with the workout. Then I used the 5X5 method to do bicep and hammer curls with the 30 lb. weights. That was hard after already lifting heavy! I’m totally going to feel this later, but I will be excited to see my muscles growing and growing. Remember, Strong is the new Sexy!! I’m going to be one sexy beast sooner or later! HEE HEE!!
I also got my new Garmin Vivoactive watch in the mail today!!! I can’t wait to try it out! FYI Menchies was delicious also!!!
Saturday 9-12
Alright, Long Run Day! I wanted to get out the door by 6:00 am, but I ended up sleeping a little later and not getting out until 7:00. Plus it was still pretty cold so I kinda wanted it to warm up a little. It was perfect running weather the whole time! I hardly had to use my towel to wipe my sweat and the sun was shining so bright and pretty! It was a glorious! Because I had to run 17 miles, I wanted to stay at pretty slow pace and just enjoy the run. For the first 10-12 miles I was consistently running at 12:00 minute miles. Slower than I normally run but it was comfortable so I didn’t push it. I didn’t even have to walk except to open my GUs. After that I started to get a little tired and my legs started to feel a little heavier. I slowed down to 13:00 minute miles and was taking more walking breaks. I still felt pretty good overall and knew that I was going to make it the whole distance! I felt so amazing after completing this run! This was my longest run to date! I have never in my wildest dreams ever, ever thought about running 17 miles! But I DID IT!!! I DID IT!!! I DID IT!!! I DID IT!!! I am so proud of myself for doing this!! And I surprisingly felt really good for the rest of the day. I did laundry, got groceries, and we had a bonfire with S'mores!!! It was a perfect fall day!! (FYI I am in LOVE with my new Garmin!! I will post more about that another time!!!)
I’m still struggling with feeling bloated and fat after long runs and actually all weekend long. I try to eat as healthy as possible so I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong. I know I need to really be conscious of what I am putting in my body and I’m going to be honest and say I know that it is not always good for me what I am eating (Menchies and S'mores, to just name a few). I know I can do better and I just have to do it instead of saying it. Help me stay accountable!! After football tomorrow, of course!! LOL
Until next time, Run on, my friends!!
And always remember:
Laura
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