Take the Long Way Home

As I've mentioned a few times, I have started my training for my first marathon, the Chicago Marathon in October. 

Monday's Run

I certainly have the luxury of time on my side as there are over 100 days until the race, which gives me the option of trying a couple of different training plans.  My plan is to initially use a training plan which focuses on building distance and stamina…basically giving me the confidence that I can handle the distance of the marathon.  For this plan I scoured the internet to try and get a sense of what was free out there and then I took the bits and pieces of the various plans and put them together into my own plan.  I chose to focus on simply building mileage at this point ion my training, with runs planned for 4 out of 5 weekdays as well as a long run on the weekend with an optional 5K on the other weekend day.

My Training Schedule

I tried to make sure I didn't add too many miles on a week to week basis, and so far the only real mileage boost has come from the increased distance of my long run.  My weekday runs have consisted of 2 10K's and 2 13K's (6 and 8 miles roughly) and my weekend long runs have jumped up from 15K (was actually a 15K race), to 22K, 25K and 28K this past weekend.  Well, it was supposed to be 28K last weekend.  I set out on my run with a loose plan in mind as to where I would run, but then a little ways in I decided to change it up a bit and try out something new.  I knew that it might be a little bit longer than my original intended route, but it would still be close…if anything I had thought that my original route may have been a little short of the 28K goal, meaning a few extra laps around the neighbourhood when I got home.

Saturday's Long Run

As you can see in the lovely Nike+ representation above, my route change certainly did get me my 28K…and an extra 4K for good measure.  I ended up going for 32K (20 miles!) in some crappy weather…it went from hot and muggy to pouring rain and then back to hot and muggy.  It was also 7K longer than I had ever run before in my life (my previous long was 25K the previous week)…not the best idea.  I was just beat by the time I was done, and if it weren't for the fact that I was so far from home I would have quit the run at the intended 28K.  Lesson learned…know your route.  I also got to experience some of the chaffing that I've heard so many runners talk about…thank you sweat and rain!  I was pretty sore around my armpits and later on in the week discovered I had also suffered the famous chaffed nipples…

Need This Shirt

Body Glide to the rescue this week!

As you have probably already seen this week in the girls' posts, we have started a June Plank Challenge along with Jacqueline at SkinnyChickBlog.  Feel free to join in, just follow us on Twitter and/or Instagram and use the #plankaday hashtag.

Plank On, Planker

Do you use a training plan when preparing for a race?

 

What are the best running-related shirts you have seen?