Posts Tagged ‘marathon training’

Yesterday, I was good maid of honor and went to get my fingers & toes painted.  Whenever I get a pedicure, I am certain to tell the “stylist” (is that what they are called?) not to remove my calluses because trust me, those are there for a reason.  And not the reason of I have never gotten a pedicure  but more of a if I run on fresh feet I will be tender for days.  Yea.  Graphic, huh?

 

Anyways, immediately after work I stopped to get my toes done and thought I should get my nails done as well.  I have been experiencing some toe pain.  My left middle toe to be exact.  Painful to the touch.  Not as painful to run on, though I did just switch out my shoes.  More on that below.  Turns out, I am missing a toenail.  Well, about 75% of a toenail.  Go figure.  She just painted right over it which is kind of gross, but with my sisters wedding coming up, you all realize my bum toe will be in every photograph so I would have rather just hide it.

I also got my fingers a nice light lavender.  It is all the rage this year, you know?

 

So I switched out my shoes…

I am fitted for the Nike Air Pegasus, however decided that I would try a new shoe.  Note: I never pay $85 for my running shoes…

 

 

 

I thought I would give these bad boys a whirl.  The Nike Air Max Run Lite.  Wow oh wow.  I love the feel of new running shoes and these have not been disappointing.

 

Also, I know most runners out there rave about their Mizuno’s, New Balance, etc.., and I used to, too.  However, after being fitted for a neutral pronation and being told to look for a lighter shoe, I have not been happier with Nike.  Barefoot running is in my future?  Probably not!

Yesterday after the race, I quickly showered, wrapped a gift, and headed to Monroeville to meet my mom.  We had a wedding shower to go to!  It was a little rainy, and the Turnpike is always nerve wracking, but the drive gave us an opportunity to chat which I always enjoy.  I need to see my mom more often for girl time!

The shower was lovely and we sat with old neighbors and admired the gifts.  I also “won” the wine word scramble.  Go figure, huh?  This bride-to-be is getting married the weekend before my sister, which is next month! 

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Sunday was uneventful.  Actually, I started to tear down part of the falling retaining wall this morning.  I wanted something to do and this is our next “project”.  Needless to say, this is a big job, but I got about half of the wall torn down.  My schedule isn’t terribly hectic this week (at night), so I should have the remaining pieces down by the weekend.  Then: excavation!  The wall will be quite the project.  In fact, I expect it will take about 2 months of weekend work to get it all re-built…

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Marathon Training Week #1:

 

My weekly miles this week will be around 35.

Monday I will do some type of XT at the gym.  Not really certain what it will be, which is the fun of XT, no? 

Tuesday is speed work.  I will do repeats at 5k pace (not Saturday’s pace!) of 1000M (.62 miles).

Wednesday will be easy run day.

Thursdays will be my worst days.  I will do  5-6 mile tempo runs for the first few months.  Over time, I’m sure I will increase those naturally, however, I can already tell Thursdays are going to be tough.

Fridays and Sundays will alternate.  I will either do some XT or rest.  So, this week, I probably will do XT.  I think I am in good enough shape now to do the tempo and a day of XT.  Sunday I will rest because it’s after the long run. 

My marathon goal is 4.5 hours, so, I will train with my long runs alternating between pace and pace plus 50 seconds.  This weekend will be pace. 

Revamp & Good News

 

I may have just lost my mind…  Yes.  In fact, my illness has made me go crazy.  So crazy, in fact, that I have exciting news…

 

I changed the layout of my blog..  Quite a bit.  In fact, I changed everything about my blog.  Including giving it as focus:  I will be running the 2011 Walt Disney Marathon.

 

Say what?

I will be running the 2011 Walt Disney Marathon!

Um, say that again, please…

 

I will be running the 2011 WDW Marathon!

 

Whitney, that’s not for, like, another 6 months…

 

In between now and then, I will be running countless races, two (2) half marathons, and maybe quite possibly, a full mary before WDW!

 

Please join me, as I train, live, and celebrate what it feels like to “go all the way”.  Well, running that is. 

I swear if it rains in Pittsburgh one more day this week, I am going to freak!  The transition from summer to a rainy fall is not one I look forward to!  Though, it’s not that bad, Jared and I  hung out on the couches last night and watched the Penguins game.  I forgot how much that boy has gotten me to love hockey!  I think it helps that I understand it more now that before.

 

This weekend should be a lot of fun.  We are going to the big city of Johnstown, PA to visit with his dad and stepmom.  It’s his stepmom’s birthday, today, and he father is using us visiting as an excuse to surprise her with all of her friends at a dinner.  What fun!  We will be staying over night which should also be a nice little escape from the normal weekend routine. 

 

I’ve got an eight mile run planned for this morning, which I am really looking forward to.  I haven’t run a “long” distance since the half, for various reasons.  I cannot honestly blog and say I am looking forward to it, but I know I need to do it.  Once I’ve got a good cup of coffee in my system, that should all change

 

After that, I’ll hopefully get some laundry done, a gift bought, and we’ll be packed and on our way.  Oh, and we don’t know yet what we are going to do with the dog, but I have an hunch my dad will come by and let him out tonight, tomorrow morning, and hopefully tomorrow afternoon.  Better than keeping him in the cage at Jared’s parents (who aren’t dog friendly).

In my busiest of moments, I am able to think of great things…

 

Homemade Hot Yoga!

With the french doors closed,

 

Ambrose relaxing,

and the heat on (with addition heat coming from out heated fan,

I am able to do some yoga.  Relax (until Ambrose get curious and sniffs all over), and attempt to rejuvenate.  Not a bad idea, I must say so myself.  The heat adds some intensity, and yoga helps me clear my mind differently than running.  Pretty good for an off day!

Tuesday I ran, I conquered speed work on the hills, thanks in part to me being tired of saying I can’t do speed work on the hills.  I can it just isn’t fun.