18 Weeks of Marathon Training; Now What?

18 Weeks of Marathon Training; Now What?

by | Mar 19, 2020 | 1/2 marathon, Marathon, Marathon Training, Running

18 weeks of training for a marathon cancelled due to the COVID-19!  18!  You’ve rearranged your schedule, skipped family events, missed out on all the fun and for what?  Notification of a race cancellation or a postponement.  Anger, frustration, hopelessness, relief, gratitude.  You name it; you’re probably feeling it.  In fact, you may have felt them all and considering the hard work and sacrifice you have made you should.  The same feelings can occur when sickness, injury or emergency derail your marathon training plans.

I know the feeling of disappointment is hard to shrug off. My favorite running event in April was postponed.  Training for this event is what gets me through some of the winter blues. We must acknowledge those feelings and then let them go. Take this advice from Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge’s Instagram post, “To the thousands of runners who with me, have devoted the last months of our lives towards this goal I would like to say: Be proud of the work you have put into this journey, keep smiling and seek your next goal on the horizon to continue running in a smooth and positive way. I hope to join the starting line with you again soon.”

Gratitude allows us to focus on the positive and appreciate what we do have and it affects your health in a positive way.  COVID-19 may have cancelled your marathon, but look for ways to be thankful.

 

Be Grateful
  1. Be grateful for your health and be proud of your accomplishment through training.
  2. You’ve shown an amazing level of commitment so don’t let the fact that there is no medal define you.  Your training defines you.  Embrace the thought that you went out and did what most people won’t. You are a badass.
  3. Be grateful for your new level of fitness and keep running.  Just not at the high intensity training level you have been doing.
  4. You have an open date on your calendar. You’ve reserved the race date; celebrate in some fashion.

“If you practice gratitude on a daily basis, then your motivation to run will last a lifetime.” Michael D’Aulerio

1/2 Marathon Training in Cold Weather

1/2 Marathon Training in Cold Weather

by | Feb 22, 2019 | 1/2 marathon, Marathon Training, Running, Uncategorized

Baby it’s cold outside and you are training for a 1/2 marathon in this cold weather.  Brrr!  For me, the worse the weather the more I feel like a badass.  In fact, this winter is no exception.  It’s been frigid!  Stay indoors and get those miles in on a treadmill, but if you prefer the outdoors here are some tips to make your outdoor training miles more bearable.

Cold Weather Running Tips
Protect your skin

Not just your exposed skin, all of your skin.  My first layer is always moisturizer.  Lubriderm all over, heavy lotion on my face, and Burt’s Bees on my lips.  It’s very windy where I train and I find that this first layer keeps the wind from cutting through to my bones. (more…)

Why You Should Run Your Next 1/2 Marathon With a Pace Group

Why You Should Run Your Next 1/2 Marathon With a Pace Group

by | Feb 13, 2019 | 1/2 marathon, Running, Uncategorized

Currently, my training is focused on my next event; Martian Invasion of Races 1/2 Marathon.  The big day is April 13th in Dearborn, Michigan.  The most thrilling part is that for the 5th time I will be running a 1/2 marathon with a pace group.  Why this event? For me, I do well with big goals to keep me on track with my training.  This one sits perfectly on the calendar to force winter runs.  Other reasons to run this race: the course is stellar, the earthlings are fun to run with, and the costumes are out of this world.

Why You Should Run Your Next 1/2 Marathon With a Pace Group
Run even splits

A huge benefit of running with a pace group is that pacers will run even splits. This will optimize performance for distance runs and help you run a better race overall.  To make this work for you it is crucial that you select wisely.  For instance, if you choose a pace group that is too fast, you may burn out too soon in the race and risk not finishing. (more…)

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