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Marathon Madness: Where I'm at....

Last time I talk about marathon training, it wasn't the most positive post. I was having foot pain, that I assumed to be a stress fracture. (When it comes to sports-related injuries, it is much better to overestimate than underestimate).

Well, I finally got x-rays upon my return home to AZ, it turned out to be bone spurs. I have oddly shaped feet with high arches, which affects my gait. He gave me some orthotics, and it's honestly helped.

A few things I've changed up with my training plan, since I "went forward" with it:

  1. I almost never run on consecutive days. Prior to this injury, there were times where I'd run 3 days in a row. If I had it my way, I would run 7 days in a row - for running brings me such joy and release. But discipline runs marathons.
  2. In the past, my marathon training included gradually increasing my mileage weekly and then scaling back every 3rd week. (ex 12, 14, 9, 15, 17, 12). Now I'm building steady and slow. So I did 8, 8, 8, 10, 10, 12, 12.... next week I plan on doing 13-14 and will do that for 2 weeks.
  3. I'm making sure to stretch, foam roll, and take care of my body .
  4. 2 horse-pills of glucosamine-chondritin, 2 horse-pills of Calcium + D are part of my breakfast every day. Gulp.
  5. I've stopped plylometrics until I'm done with marathon training. I love plylometrics, as they make me fit and strong. However, plylometrics is all about jumping, leaping, jumping, pounding, burpee-ing, and more jumping. I don't need any additional high-impact....
  6. I've continued the weight training. In fact, I do more weight training than running. 1 day a week I do super-high-rep leg workouts where I'll do like 200 leg presses, and 100 hamstring curls. I feel like it's made me a stronger runner!
I've been running my long runs at about a 9 min/mile pace. My training runs are about an 8:30-8:40. I'm happy with this, for I am happy to be running. But I think I need to let go of my goal to qualify for Boston. It makes me a little sad, because before this injury I was running a 7:40-8:00/min pace. But, I'd rather run this race strong than sit on the sidelines January 19 injured!

Sorry to bore you with my running talk. Have you ever had to change your approach on a goal you were working to?
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Comments

Marlys said…
That is quite the routine! I am impressed! Your legs must be super strong with all those presses. I think your pace sounds good and you don't want to injure yourself by pushing it too hard. Good luck in the days ahead! Stay healthy!
November 4, 2013 at 8:35 AM
Lisa's Yarns said…
I am glad you are feeling better and more upbeat about training. You have a huge PR in you! I know it's not the same at training for Boston but a huge PR is always fun! And finishing a marathon feeling healthy and great is a good goal in and of itself! Happy trails!
November 6, 2013 at 3:35 PM
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