Marathon Madness with a rant on top.

I'm two weeks into marathon training. This is my third marathon I have trained for. Inconspicuously, I've only ran in one marathon. Hm.... How is that possible?

Oh, I know! *BEWARE, SHE'S IN RANT MODE* Once upon a time I had a boss. When I set up my work schedule for my 1st job, I told him I NEEDED that day off as I was running a marathon. His response, "Welcome to nursing, sweetie. You're working that day. In fact, I'm switching you to night shift that day. So you may want to reconsider your little race."
 
Yep. I had completed the entire Hal Higdon training program by that point, did my 3 20-mile runs, and was told I had to stop. Anyone who's ever trained for a marathon would understand the utter slap in the face this was. I think I stopped running for about 2 months after that meeting.
 
Want to know the real "kicker"?! My schedule ended up getting switched around, and I didn't even end up working that day.

**Insert blood curdling scream here*

So in hindsight, I realized that life did go on even if I didn't get to do the race. I've now chalked it up that "Maybe God placed that jerky boss in my path for a reason". Maybe something really bad would have happened during that race.

Okay, so back to the point.

Marathon madness, round 3. I'm taking a very "lax" approach this time. Why?

#1 -I love too many sports to just focus on running.
#2 -Too much focus on running, and I'll end up with a stress fracture or hip bursitis (like I did last time)
#3 -I always gain weight when I just run. So I need to keep things interesting.

So here is how I'm doing it. I have Rules and I have Goals. I have written my own program using a combination of resources. Hal Higdon overrules my "long runs" (as does my travel & work schedule). I have built the weight training, cross training, and nutrition myself.

Here are the rules:

1. I must complete one "long run" weekly. I used Hal Higdon to make this schedule. I can't follow "normal" training schedules where long runs are on the weekend, because I sometimes work weekends. So I fit it where I can!
2. I cycle every other week doing what I like to call "Muscle Building Runs". One week I will do a sprint workout, the next week I will do a hill-repeat style workout. I will try to post so examples of these. This week my long run was a hilly one!
3. I must do 1 run weekly at goal pace (give or take a few seconds) that is 5-8 miles.
4. Must lift weights 3 days weekly minimum. Plylometric days count, with all the pushups and jump squats!
5. 1 cross training day weekly.
6. 1 rest day weekly.
7. Will work out 4 days weekly minimum (5 is my goal). (Every week, I will post my schedule to show how I made this possible)

The Goals:

1. I really want to keep this goal private, but, I figure the best way to attain your goals is to make them public. I have a goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. I currently run between an 8-8:15 pace on a good day (this humidity has skewed my times though, I'm slower in the heat). In order to qualify, I need to complete 26.2 miles in 3:35. Which means I need to have an 8:12 pace. I'm not going to kill myself to attain this goal, but know it's in the back of my mind!
2. To gain 3 pounds of muscle, and lose 2 pounds of body fat. (bodybuilding.com game me my recommendations to attain this). Yes. I have a goal of gaining weight?! How will I do that? I need to cut back on my love for 3 Musketeer bars, Twizzlers, Salt & Vinegar chips, and Gouda Cheese. And Pizza. And Oreo cookies. 80% of the time I'm a health nut, the other 20% of the time I put a lot of crap in my body!
3. The most important goal -- HAVE FUN! I have 9 other girlfriends back in Tucson doing this marathon with me. My husband is doing the half. And my Father in law (and possibly his wife) is doing the half, too! Race day will be filled with many hugs, laughter, and good energy!

 Here is my training schedule for weeks 1 & 2 (to catch you up, and for me to look back on)
 
Week 1:
Monday: Bike 20 miles (xtraining day) (total time: 1:20)
Tuesday: Rest day (aka worked in ER, was on my feet and walking all day)
Wednesday: 4 mile run - goal pace (total time: 33 min)
Thursday: Rest Day
Friday: 8 mile run + 30 minute weight training (shoulders, lunges, and core) (I normally wouldn't do this, but hadn't lifted weights all week (total time 1:40)
Saturday: 30 minutes weight training (focus: back) + 30 minute speed work (1 mile sprint, 4x400, 1 mile sprint) (total time 1:10)
Sunday: 6 miles moderate pace (total time 50 min)

Week 2
Monday: 5 miles moderate pace, 30 minutes weights (focus: biceps & triceps) (total time 1:30)
Tuesday: Rest Day
Wednesday: 4 miles goal pace (added sprints to the last 2 miles), abs + pushups for 5 minutes at end (total time 40 min)
Thursday: 1 hour weight training (legs, chest, triceps), 20 minutes stairs (total time 1:20)
Friday: 9 mile run (long run) (total time 1:15)
Saturday: Rest Day
Sunday: My plan is to do plylometrics after I get off work for 40 minutes (pushups, resistance bands, burpees, ect). We will see how I feel come Sunday night at 8:00 pm......


 A little humor.....

Love this! I am pretty sure I fantasized about my Dirty Chai at Starbucks during my 9 miler today. (Chai Latte with espresso. So yummy). Never got to enjoy it, because I got locked out of our hotel room for 1 hour. By the time I got in the room, I was ravenously hungry and thirsty and smelly.

 

I try to be careful about this....

 

This is so crude, but funny.