Training Update: Week #3
Just a quick update today on last week’s running progress. (Again, thank you so much to everyone who chimes in with advice and words of support – love all your guts so, so much; without you, I would have quit on mile one.)
Week #3’s Workouts
-Monday: ran 3 miles on the treadmill (Cam only screamed for 20 minutes this time so we are slowly making progress)
-Tuesday: early morning PiYo DVD workout (my muscles were sore and the stretching was lovely)
-Wednesday: was supposed to run 2 miles but it didn’t happen thanks to an insanely busy schedule that left me feeling really burned out by that night
-Thursday: swapped the cross training day for a 2 mile run on the treadmill (did it in the early a.m. – it woke all the kids up but it was short so we survived)
-Friday: rest day (or in other words, relieved I don’t have to run day)
-Saturday: ran 3 miles outside
Overall I Feel:
–happy that week #3 is under my belt
-a little frustrated that I didn’t have the gumption to fit a run in on Wednesday (but satisfied to make it up the next day even though it left me a workout short in total)
-a lot scared when Brian gave me this cute pack for my birthday last week. As in, will I really be running far enough to need water bottles on my person? Hold me.
–Excited that while running isn’t getting easier, necessarily, I’m not dreading it like I was in week #1 and #2.
-I know I’m only a couple weeks in but I can feel myself getting stronger and it’s energizing.
–Hopeful that I’ll start getting in the groove before that 2 mile mark (so far, it’s taken that long to kind of find my stride and get going – the last mile on my 3 mile runs has been the best (using that term very, very loosely) but wow, the first 2 miles of any run I’m pretty much fighting not to stop every second).
–Wishful for more outside runs but grateful that my loaner treadmill is always waiting for me.
This Week
-2 miles on Monday (actually already have this one crossed off thanks to an early morning treadmill run today)
-Rest/XT on Tuesday (see below for why this may or may not happen)
-2 miles on Wednesday (I’ll be out of town helping my sister-in-law with her new baby so not positive how/when I’ll fit this one in since she and her two girls are my first priority – might have to call several long walks with my sweet 3-year old niece good)
-Rest/XT on Thursday
-Rest/XT on Friday
-3 miles on Saturday (back in town, hopefully I’ll get through this one with flying colors and no side cramps)
Are you running? How are things going for you?
Also, I’ll be posting a few new inspirational stories in the next week or two so keep a lookout for those.
That is my favorite fueling belt! Yes, you will need it. You’ll be so happy you have it. You can totally do this! Kill it girl!
I’ve been running for a few years now, and if I could tell you one thing, it’s this–
Don’t beat yourself up if you miss some runs or cross training sessions now and then (or even regularly miss one a week). I went from never having run any race (not even a 5K) to training for (and running!) a full marathon in 4 months. Basically, I’ve discovered over time that as long as I consistently fit in my long runs (with 1-2 other ones within the week), my body adapts just fine, and I’m able to complete the races I want to.
Sure, I may not be the fastest runner, but I’ve now completed both a half and full marathon without having to stop to walk, and that was just with running about 3 times a week (and almost never doing cross training).
So don’t beat yourself up about a missed run/session—just make sure you’re getting those longer runs in there for sure 🙂
And keep it up! You’re doing great.
Mel, it’s your sis-in-law Mary. 🙂 I AM a runner. And the first 2 miles always get me too. I think they will always be bad. But once I get through those, running gets really enjoyable for me. (at least until mile 10. I need sugar then…) You should start to enjoy it more and more as the length of your runs increases. Way to go these first few weeks! Keep it up! 🙂 We love ya and are excited to have you come and run the race down here! 🙂
Happy Birthday Mel! I am so impressed that you do everything you do, and are still making your running and workouts a priority. In my last few weeks of doing this training, sometimes I feel ready to quit after a mile, but by the time I push through it and get to 3, I’m finally in a groove and could go a little further. And for a little motivation, in my [very limited] racing experience, the first couple of miles fly by because of the energy and excitement of the huge group of runners… Something to look forward to on June 13 🙂
Love the support, gals, thank you! Plus all the tips are great.
Sending cheers your way! You are doing a hard thing and you are DOING it! Treadmill running is hard for me too, but it can really help with speed workouts. You mentioned your pace in previous posts and you are right on track! My normal pace is about an 11 minute mile until I start upping the distance. Once I can run 6 miles pretty easily I increase my speed on the shorter runs. That builds my cardio which then allows me to gradually run faster over longer distances too. And my tip for increasing speed – take smaller steps at a faster cadence. Some people are tempted to lengthen their stride to increase speed. That’s just asking for injury. Smaller and quicker steps is so much mover effective and easier on your body.
I signed up for my first full marathon. I’ll be doing the Big Cottonwood Canyon marathon in September, so I’m getting back into my running groove after several months of laziness. I’ll be thinking of you as I run in the early dark.
Good luck on your marathon, Nicole! I wouldn’t have thought that about shorter, faster steps instead of lengthening stride. Thanks!
I love running! Most of the time, on those days I am happy with a long walk 🙂
There is an edge that you reach when you are training where the sore, breathless miles at the beginning all seem worth it because you transition to a place where the miles feel easier and you can actually feel the runner’s high rather than just your throbbing feet. You can do it! Go Mel!
Not that you asked to be inundated with suggestions, but I just thought I’d share since it was a game changer for me!: The thing that helps me through the first part of a run is being very rhythmic in my breathing. Inhale on the right foot for three steps, exhale on the left for three steps. (RLR–in, LRL–out, RLR–in…) Sometimes right at the start of a run before I’m winded I’ll do RLRL–in, RLRL–out, but the three and three is my favorite. All I think about is my breathing–no music, no audio distractions until I’m in my groove and no longer hate running.
Before I started deliberately breathing during my runs it was like I was a fish out of water flopping around and gasping for water. Starting out with my breathing in the groove gets my body in the groove so much faster because I don’t feel like I’m going to die right from the get-go. Give it a shot–it might be just the ticket for you!
And hang in there with the days that you hate the run through its entirety. That happens even to seasoned runners. (I think… I wouldn’t know!) Tomorrow will likely be one of those running high days. 🙂
Wait – so when you are inhaling on the right foot for three steps, you aren’t exhaling inbetween? Like three short inhales and then three exhales on the left foot? Just trying to make sure I understand so this can help me. 🙂
I’m not sure I understand Annie correctly but I think we are doing the same thing. I describe it more as you inhale and exhale on opposite foot strikes. I’ve read this also helps keep one leg muscle from becoming stronger as when you exhale you’ll use more force. So back to describing the breathing technique: You’ll inhale as your right foot strikes the ground(then depending on how fast you are breathing and running) that you’ll hold the inhale while your left foot strikes and then you right foot again. Then as your left foot strikes you start you exhale and hold the exhale while your right foot strikes again. Then your left foot strikes and you start the inhale(now having two inhales and you’ve done the first on your right foot and the second on the left foot). I call it a 3-2 pattern. When I first started running it was so complicated for me to think about this breathing technique. I ended up adding a day of a short run(maybe a mile at most) at no pace keeping where I focused solely on breathing. Once I got the rhythm down, I don’t even have to think about it anymore. It comes naturally. Since I’m more of a distance runner than a sprinter, I haven’t had a side ache in years running with this technique. When I’m playing around and do fast jaunts, chasing children or just goofing, I will develop them. I truly feel it is all about the breathing.
Ah, I think I get it now. But I agree, I think I’m going to have to dedicate one (or more) runs to focus solely on breathing to get this down because it makes my brain hurt to try to figure it out without actually running. Thanks for clarifying!
Hi Mel! Stick with it. You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish. I have been a “fun and fitness” runner for 10 years and am planning for my first half marathon in May. I just turned 40 last week and found out today that I need a pace maker. Fainting episodes started in September. When it gets hard, run your next mile on my behalf, please! I’m local and would love to take you to a hot yoga class on “Free Friend Friday” sometime. It’s my favorite non- running day workout. Good luck! You’ve got this girl!!
I’m sorry to hear about your fainting episodes, Jessica – I hope the pace maker helps and I will definitely think of you as I run every mile. Seriously! We’ll have to get in touch about the hot yoga class. It scares me, not gonna lie, but I think I might like to try it!
Good for you! I’m still trying to figure out how to go past a mile on the treadmill without feeling like dying. I’m not sure at what speed I should be running at either for the best results – I try though. 😉 Keep up the good work!
I agree, it always takes me a few mikes to warm up and usually by Nike 3 things are clicking. So therefore sometimes runs shorter than that feel pretty crappy for me. Love the hydration belt. My advice is to start running with it now so you can get used to it. I used to do the belt but became so frustrated by it I had to switch to a hand held. But I’ve seen plenty of people be very happy with a belt. But train with it during short runs so its comfortable and you ate used to it during the long runs when you need it!
You are super woman! But reAllt one day at a time
You mentioned side cramps in your post… I am sure you’ve heard to breath in through your nose and out through you mouth when you work out. My track coach in high school took it a step further and this has worked for all the VB team’s I’ve coached over the years when we are doing cario intense work outs or when I am running my miles. You let your mouth hang open (a la “catching flies” style), you’ll end up relaxing your jaw and it hangs open while you run. Then keep it relaxed to the point of letting it bounce in rhythm to your steps, continue to breath in your nose/out of your mouth. This relaxing of the jaw does wonders to prevent side aches/stitches/cramps.
Those early miles do get easier as time goes one, but I still feel as if the entire first mile of every.single.run I just want to quit. After that I’m feel much better and am always happy that I laced up my shoes and headed out the door. Keep the updates coming, I love reading about your journey!