New Feature: Marathon Training
Well, I’m back. What a fabulous weekend of camping and spending time with fellow trail running junkies at the Impossible 2 Possible race in Gatineau, Quebec!
I am kicking off this Monday with a brand new feature surrounding the Toronto Scotiabank Marathon that I will be racing this fall on October 19. I will be discussing my training, gear that I am using, sports nutrition and answering any marathon questions you have. Basically, what I write about all the time anyways…
Back ground: I signed up for the marathon a number of months ago because I want it to be fast. My last marathon was run hard, but it was a difficult course – I know Scotiabank is flat so I am looking for a scorching PR. I am hesitating to put a number to it at this point because I want to make sure my training goes well, but I will keep you posted.
The Toronto Scotiabank Marathon and I both celebrate 25 years of being in existence this year so I am thrilled to run it to celebrate. It was my first marathon in 2013 and I am looking forward to going back. It is a well-organized event and a fun course to run.
Training:
· Because I am dealing with a mere 8 weeks to train for this, I am doing another aggressive marathon build. I was careful to rest up last week and truly treat it as a week off. I taught a spin class and ran 10 KM at the event this weekend. That is IT.
· This coming week, I am beginning gently with 30-50 KM depending on how I feel and building my mileage to 95 KM before doing a 3 week taper.
· Despite the amount of time I spend running, I do my best to get 10 – 12 hours of cardio in, which is where my road bike and pool come in. I will be doing a special feature on my road bike (I got a new one!) and some of the workouts I use to mimic running.
Nutrition/Wellness:
· This past week has been so strange. For the first time in months, I have gone from 6-7 meals a day to 3-4. I am not as hungry and eat a lot slower. Nothing hurts anywhere and it feels weird.
· I have kept my meals more or less exactly the same as I do when I am training, just scaled back on volume.
· My heart rate has stabilized at an all-time low and I have been sleeping like a champ. Basically, I have been babying myself this week because I know what is coming and it isn’t pretty.
Gear:
· Pillow. I’ve been logging a solid 7-9 hours a night this week.
· Flats. I’ve been avoiding the heels at work this week to keep inflammation low and healing high.
· TV. ‘Nuff said.
Are you running Scotiabank marathon? What is your game plan?
What did you do this weekend?
My god is it 8 weeks already?! I spent the last two weeks easy because of a minor hio flexor injury and have been so restless thinking about how I might not run a PR for the half because of that! My weekend I spent working and “resting” by doing only 10k 🙁
Except sometimes rest IS training. That is what I am trying hard to remember right now. Fingers crossed that you heal quickly!
I’m doing the half again this year – looking forward to seeing you there! Interesting that you mention your meals have gone down. Would certainly be helpful to see a “what I ate on a long run day” post as part of the marathon training series. Here’s to catching up after the long weekend at 5 Peaks!
Hey Allegra. That is such a good idea, I will be sure to fold that in as part of the feature. (Warning, I DO have the appetite of a 12 year old boy!)
Let’s go out for brunch after the race! See you next weekend!
Would LOVE that 🙂