Monday, January 14, 2013

A Real Rest Day

Temperatures here in southwest Ohio have returned to their normal frigid state today, just in time for my 3 mile training run tomorrow, and I am mildly okay with that. Don't get me wrong, I love me some warm weather in January, but it is also a bit of a tease. I need to just get out there and have to work for every mile in the cold, and then I will get used to it. If it gets warm, it is awfully hard to get used to anything!

Obviously I will talk more about my training later this week, but here is my schedule going forward in week 1 of my 16 week cycle:


I am not too intimidated by much that is to come aside from the cold and the impending long runs. The farthest I have ever gone is 18 miles, so 20 will be a whole new area for me. Luckily, it should be warming up a bit at that point. Other than that, I already do intervals, speed drills, and other assorted training-type runs. I am very excited to be guided through the process, and then be able to discuss it with all of you. I can't wait to see what kinds of things work for me, and what kinds of things I will change in order to suit my own tastes. I am also looking forward to turning quite a few of those rest days into weight-heavy cross-training workouts. I plan on having my whole body be prepared for the rigors of 26.2 miles. Finally, I am looking forward to incorporating barefoot running into my training to increase my foot, ankle, knee and calve strength.

Today though, I am going to do next to nothing. I wrapped up my pre-training training with 102.94 total miles during the first two weeks of the #chillychallenge - I wanted to make sure that I was entering training with a killer mentality, and a no quit attitude. I also wanted to tell my body that marathon training is just one step in a much longer journey in my running career. Some people train for a marathon and then they move on with life, and I intend to do the opposite. Rather, I want this marathon to be the first of many, and I want to be able to go even farther and accomplish more things on my "impossible list." If I can come away from the training and the race stronger and healthy, I will have the confidence to work towards becoming an iron man; I just need to take that first step.

A note on my dietary exploration: chia seeds are going well! I have used them in my morning oatmeal, and I tried them in my yogurt for lunch today. I thought the added texture would throw me off, but it really wasn't a big deal, and it didn't ruin or alter the taste. These seem to be a super easy way to incorporate some seriously bad ass nutrients into my diet. I put about half a tablespoon into each thing, and the serving size is one tablespoon. I think more than that in a little bowl of oatmeal or a cup of yogurt would be too much.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

25 comments:

  1. I like your attitude with training! Although I don't think I'll be aiming to do marathons for the rest of my life, I do want to keep being able to run long and increase my distance/stamina and not just have this be a one time thing!

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  2. I'm with you on the whole "this is just the first marathon" mentality. I know some people just do it for bragging right and then stop running -.-

    Super interested to see how your training progresses :)

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    1. Seems like a lot of work to just let it go to waste.

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  3. I love having a training plan all scheduled out. It's amazing to see where you will be in 10 or 12 weeks, huh? Glad you're enjoying the Chia seeds. I think I would want to cook or bake them in something. Probably because I love to cook and bake!

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    1. I can bake pre made cookies, but that is about it for me. ;)

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  4. Good luck in your training, you are going to do awesome! I have never ran past 13.1 miles but my training will push me to 14 this time. My real goal is 15 miles and then one day a marathon.

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    1. No matter what comes along, we can do it! I am looking forward to hearing all about it.

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  5. Good Luck! I am sure you are going to do great!!

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  6. Cross training is something I adore, and I think you'll enjoy it as well. It's SO hard for me to take a proper rest day - I sneak in something, even if it's with the dog.

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    1. I already love it, so I had to make sure to keep up with everything weights-wise. I also wish that I had access to a pool, but I may do some rowing, especially on chest/back days.

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  7. Good luck with week 1 of marathon training! It is an exciting journey, and I think with your attitude you will do amazing. Hope you enjoyed your rest day yesterday!

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    1. It was great! Thanks! I always try to maintain a solid attitude because let's be honest, there are already enough shitty ones out there.

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  8. Rest days are super important so I am glad you realize that!

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    1. They are also great excuses to catch up on TV. ;)

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  9. Sounds like a solid plan. I love the rest days. Too many people think that you have to run 7 days a week! Anyhow, looks like you're on your way!

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    1. That just sounds like a good way to get injured! Plus, we all need time to mentally and physically recover!

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  10. I totally agree with you on the running more marathons (half marathons for me) approach. I love finding new ones and making them a girl's weekend. Hopefully I will be doing this well into my old age!!

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  11. Keep up the great work!!! I look forward to reading about how you like barefoot running. I am definitely hesitant to try, but it is intriguing.

    Last week, I picked up chia seeds from the store and have been adding them to my oatmeal and yogurt as well. I like making my oatmeal breakfast the night before with the chia seeds mixed in (and then putting the oatmeal with the chia seeds in the refrigerator) as opposed to doing so in the morning. I find that the chia seeds absorb more of the liquid (I cook my oatmeal with milk)...it's almost a cookie dough texture.

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  12. That isn't a bad idea. I just make my oatmeal with water because I already have dairy elsewhere in my diet (yogurt and protein shake).

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  13. Chia seeds make great smoothies, and great pudding...take a banana mush it up add it to milk with chia toss in the fridge for a bit and it will come out like pudding. Chia is a natural thickening agent. I started using them when I was training for 9 miles...goodluck they also make good jam.

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