Week 1 of Chicago training: bitch slapped!

Or whimsically pushed aside with a limp wrist. haha

Hey guys!!

This is my first time training for a fall marathon. Initially, a "fall marathon" sounded so cute and brisk and a great idea. Well, shit. I needed to back those thoughts up 16 weeks. There is nothing brisk about summers in NC.

It's no longer me vs pace. It's me vs pace + humidity/heat. Double the work. Oddly, it's very rewarding. It's one thing to run tempo in 42 degrees and it's another to do it in the summer. So, in a way it's another level to defeat. I'm all for that! Or at least it sounds good as I type this on the couch in my 73 degree living room. haha

So my weekly is still at 75 miles. Plus 5 gym workouts and also, I've added a few days of freestyle swim.

Monday: 8 recovery on treadmill due to having to run at like 4:30am

Tuesday: 10 @ 7:24 pace

Wednesday: 12 miles. middle 8 tempo-ish. started at 6:50 pace and descended to 6:38 pace. It was my first tempo since Boston. I was shooting for 7 flat and shocked I could move faster. But then pissed it wasn't 6:10 pace. lol

Thursday: 10 @ 7:30 pace

Friday: 10 @ 7:30 pace

Saturday: 7 @ 7:33 pace

Sunday 18 @ 7:04 pace. Goal was: 2 warm up, 6 miles at 7:06 pace, 1 mile at tempo, 5 more at 7:06 and 1 @ tempo then 2 cool down. Some to the 7's were 6's and some of the tempo's sucked but it was sickening out.

I am obsessed with my sweat. sorry. lol

So, party is on...it's time to ROLL!! Chicago is in 15 weeks.

oh ps. I've started using these and Nuun. I feel a huge difference from water alone.

I hope your training is going well. Stay strong!!

Laura

The humidity expert

Hey all!!

I'm having severe guilt from not updating my blog a lot lately. I know most of my east coast followers know the current drill. It's pretty much survival of the fittest to even move in this weather. Here is NC we have humidity no less than 98% every morning. The temperature is okay in the mornings. Low 70's to low 80's. It's all about the dew point but that's almost as high as the temp...so forget it!

But WTH??! Seriously, my running zaps me. I get all geriatric around 3pm and need a nap. Then I wake up cranky because I'm starving and thirsty. Ugh, this is called DEDICATION TO THE FALL MARATHON!

Hang tight with me! I refuse to cave to mother nature! I've been doing 75 miles a week for a little over a month now. Also, I immediately go to the gym for stretching and strength training 5 days a week. This mileage is pretty much the same everyday. 8-14 miles during the week and Sunday is 15. Paces average out to 7:00-7:20. I'm not going to Chicago train until I have to. Probably in 10 days or so.

So, in dealing with this stifling weather I have some handy tips:

1. Do not wear a hat. I know, you have $200 color and want to protect your locks from the sun. Get sunscreen hairspray. I use redkin. The hat retains your heat. A visor is okay but I prefer spray.

2. Carry a water bottle on every run. Ration it out so you have some left for the end of your run. Duh....but also squirt behind your neck and on your head. It helps so much.

3. Wear really thin socks. We don't always think of socks but it makes a huge difference for me.

4. I pack a post run nutrition bag for every run. It has an ice pack with a protein bar, more water, and glutamine chews. Every run. I am taking extra precautions to keep my body healthy and happy as I abuse the $hit out of it daily.


UPDATES:

I know I start new gimmicky types of things often.

Squats: I did this squat challenge last month. AWESOME results. My thighs and gluts are much stronger. It hurt for the first week but after that it was like building a power house to run with. I did them while brushing my teeth or during some other mundane domestic activity. I'm doing them about every other day now.

Abs: I still crunch myself to death. I've added many leg lifts and roman chairs to my routine to hopefully get that inch below my belly button. I won't let go of my carbs so we may never see this washboard that I'm sure is under there!

Balance ball: Still love abs on it. I do some arm weights too.

Diet: No refined sugar. Tons of protein, no junk food, lots of carbs.

I think that's about it.

Keep running guys!! It's gotta get better, it can't get any worse! I'll check in with more Chicago training details when I get them. If anyone else is doing 2:55 in Chi-town holler! I like to know what you guys are doing too!!

Laura