Monday, August 3, 2015

And so it begins… First Marathon Training, Day One


I feel like I have prepared for this day for quite a while.  I have been running for the past 2.5 years and have been getting stronger, faster overall, more confident in what I feel I can achieve.  Today marks the beginning of my journey to become a marathon finisher. 

I am following the Hal Higdon Intermediate 1 Marathon Training Plan.  It is an 18 week plan that has two 20 mile runs.  I have used Hal Hidgon for my half marathon trainings and his plans have worked well for me.  My goal is to complete the marathon in 4 hours.  That would equate to about a 9:09 min/mile average pace.  I ultimately will be happy to just finish the race, but my secondary goal is to finish under 4 hours. 

Now the crazy thing.  I have had foot pain in the back of my heel for the past few months.  It does not stop me from running, but it definitely painful for the first few miles of any run and I have had Achilles tendon tightness off and on as well.  It is also really bad at night.  I have had to stop and stretch my calves at times during my runs.  I saw the Podiatrist and he put me on a heavy duty anti-inflammatory (7.5mg. Meloxicam) for the next 4-6 weeks.  I also have to run with Superfeet insoles to add a little bit of a lift to my shoes.

Here is what my first week consists of.

Monday: Cross train (Les Mills Body Pump Class)
Tuesday: 3 mile run
Wednesday: 5 mile run
Thursday: 3 mile run
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 5 miles run (at race pace)
Sunday: 8 mile run

I am really excited to start my training and am very grateful that my beautiful wife is behind me in pursuing my dreams.  I know that I will do fine and can’t wait to share my journey with you.   






8 comments:

  1. Looking forward to reading about your journey to your first marathon in December. I know you can do whatever you want if you put your mind to it.

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  2. Looking forward to reading about your journey to your first marathon in December. I know you can do whatever you want if you put your mind to it.

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  3. When I saw the title in my RSS reader, I thought you were starting down the FIRST Marathon training program, but now I see that's not the case. I've used the FIRST 5k and 10k programs to good affect, and did the interval and tempo days of FIRST Marathon with a friend (he did the long day without me each week).

    Good luck with the training.

    Good luck with the pain management and recovery - heel pain (plantar fasciitis) has put a big damper on my running this year.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Jim, Luckily I am just dealing with Achilles tendonitis and not Plantar Fasciitis. I have seen what that did to my running friends. I will have to check out the FIRST plans.

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    2. Hi Jim,

      I hope the Plantar Fasciitisis getting better and that you are back to normal running. I just started the Run Less, Run Faster (FIRST) Half Marathon plan and love it. I hope all is well. If you already havent, I would appreciate it if you could follow my blog'site Facebook page at www.facebook.com/runningwithoutinjuriesblog.

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  4. Replies
    1. Thanks Derrrick. The marathon training and race went well. I didnt hit my goal, but enjoyed my first marathon and already sigbed up to do it again in 2016. I appreciate your support.

      If you already havent, I would appreciate it if you could follow my blog'site Facebook page at www.facebook.com/runningwithoutinjuriesblog.

      Delete
    2. Thanks Derrrick. The marathon training and race went well. I didnt hit my goal, but enjoyed my first marathon and already sigbed up to do it again in 2016. I appreciate your support.

      If you already havent, I would appreciate it if you could follow my blog'site Facebook page at www.facebook.com/runningwithoutinjuriesblog.

      Delete

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