It's week THREE of our official training and we are on track. We have just been too busy to blog! We have some more interesting ideas for the blog coming up and how to keep everyone up-to-date... so stay tuned.
In the meantime, we're running 4 days a week, about 20 - 25 miles a week. We're following different plans (both Hal Higdon), so that should be interesting.
Rich had to buy new sneakers, he's having an Achilles problem. Hoping it won't be a major issue. I'm just dealing with a) gaining weight, not losing it and b) too many people scaring me with stories of how training takes over your life... as you know, if you've been reading, finding the time to fit everything in is the hardest part for me - although I like pressure, and I have found that knowing we're on this schedule has helped me to find the time to run - even to the extent of finding a sitter who can come at night if need be so I can run after work (as opposed to before).
This week's questions:
1) Do you run with or without headphones?
2) Where do you find your best running music lists?
3) How many races do you try to do before running the actual marathon?
Any other tips or advice? Please let us know and thanks for reading!
Yes, we're here; we're running
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5 comments:
1) Do you run with or without headphones?
I spent a bundle on an iPod and find I don't use it that often. When I do, it's for shorter runs. I'm trying to keep longer ones "pure" so I don't rely on anything but my own thoughts come marathon day.
2) Where do you find your best running music lists?
There are some decent ones on iTunes. I usually slap together a bunch of stuff I like and try and mix up speeds. I have one I'm going to post soon on http://sugarandsproutsblog.com I put together from iTunes.
3) How many races do you try to do before running the actual marathon?
I don't know. I am going to attempt a 10K and a half before if I can find them in the area.
1) Do you run with or without headphones?
During training, I almost always run with headphones. During races, I never do. It makes me feel lighter, I can be more mentally present in the race (not distracted from it), and many of the races in the U.S. have banned headphones.
2) Where do you find your best running music lists?
Often, I either listen to running-related podcasts (like the one Jeff and I produce) or I stick to my standards: Foo Fighters, Black Eyed Peas, and nearly any dance music from modern club mixes to disco. I love Radiohead and Bjork, but not all of their music is good for running.
3) How many races do you try to do before running the actual marathon?
Before the Flying Pig, I did two 5K races, but I had to add additional miles either before or after the race to equal my long run distance. Between now and the Philadelphia Marathon (late November), I'm going to be at least running: a 10K this weekend, a 4-person 50-mile relay in October, and a half-marathon in early November. Anyway, I think running races during your training cycle can keep things interesting. Just don't kill yourself trying to win them (and get injured), taper before them (which will kill your long-term marathon training), or use a race as an excuse to skip your long run distance that week.
Hey guys, thanks a bunch for the advice. It's great to hear how others approach marathon day and training. I was worried about training with headphones but not using them during the race - good to know others do that.
S&S we'll check the blog for you list - cool!
I think it is awesome that you are both doing the race! Having someone to do it with will make such a huge difference. And, I'm confident that anyone can run a marathon if you train. I managed...and I'm the same girl that was cut from the middle school track team.
I used my iPod here and there for training. Sometimes I felt like I needed it but other times the "natural" sound was good enough. I carried it with me when I ran NY but didn't use it til the very end. The crowd noise was plenty. I did use it more when I ran 22.5 at the bay state marathon for my last long run. that was a good practice.
I used Hal's novice 1 and that was plenty for me. I did a 1/2 marathon in the spring, took a little downtime, then started training again in July.
Training can over take your life but it can be done in a good way. I managed to do more last fall/summer than ever before. I worked, took three grad school classes and trained. I was either really productive or insane. Either way I survived.
My best advice is: drink beer the night before (one or two for the carbs :), eGels are awesome, and get the electrolyte tablets that you can put in your water...way better than gatorade, and use the body glide stuff...huge help.
Keep the faith. Let injuries heal. And if you slip up, its okay. You can recover. I took a two week vacation in August last year and only ran twice. Whoops. I needed a break (more mental than physical) and I still managed to finish in NY.
Good luck! I'll be keeping an eye on your blog!
1) I run with headphones - many times with instrumental relaxing music or a Podrunner podcast mix to keep my pace up. I turn it down so I can hear the traffic sounds around me.
2) I make mine up with the music we have.
3) I don't ever plan a number of races - I just look for my local favorites and make sure they fit in with my training plan. I usually plan to run a half marathon before running the full. I don't do so many of the local 5K's since that distance generally doesn't fit in with my training.
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