Monday, January 19, 2009

Week One of Marathon #2 Training

So here I go again..this time I have a much different perspective AND a specific time goal. I spent lots of time last night after the kidlets went to bed planning out my training strategy. I have to consider not only my goals but also my life and how to fit everything in it. I think I once gave the advice to someone that you have to consider your life schedule when planning your training goals otherwise you are only making this hard on yourself...I am trying to accept that advice for myself. :)

A friend gave me the same book that I think Marci and Aron have both used so I spent a long time looking through that. It was a bit complex at times but it made a lot of sense. The mileage is pretty hefty so I am taking a piece of that training plan, a piece of what I learned from the Running Room and a piece of what I know of myself personally (as well as the demands of my life). From this I have developed my customized "Run Mommy" schedule! I even charted it out in a spreadsheet and posted it on my fridge with specific instructions for each day. So begins Week 1.

Some major considerations with my new plan are that I want to improve my overall time (significantly) and I would like to have full confidence going into the marathon (May 24th). This marathon is in Ottawa which is not necessarily local but also not thousands of miles away so it is not piggy backing on a family vacation. Another positive is that the really long runs are still a few weeks away so hopefully the bulk if this nightmare weather will be on its way out.

I also will be a little more strict on making sure I follow the plan but won't beat myself silly if things get a little muddled up. Life is going to happen and unless someone wants to pay me to stay home and train full time while also covering the expenses of a full time nanny, housekeeper, cook, driver and wife (oops...I think that last one might be illegal and not in my best interest), I have to accept that it is what it is. My husband is being fully supportive so onward march!

Lastly, I will not sacrifice my other activities for running all the time. I will return to my once a month tennis tournament and I am playing soccer again for the first time since the birth of baby number 2. It is not exactly as competative as I used to play but I am pretty excited about it!

I do feel a lot "cooler" now that I can contribute to other chats on the blogs with little things like "...when I did my first marathon..." and "...here's the advice that I can give..." Its like I finally graduated. :)

19 comments:

joyRuN said...

I need to hire a wife as well :)

Are you doing Pfitz?! I'm officially scared of you now too.

Mel-2nd Chances said...

congrats on your graduation :D and good luck with your next marathon training!

Natalie D said...

This sounds like a great plan with flexibility built in! Can't wait to read about your progress!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you have a good handle on things. Best of luck with training.

Denise said...

You sound perfectly ready for the training to begin!

Marlene said...

I know what you mean - it's like you're a member of this special club now. :) Welcome!

I can't believe you've started training for number 2 already. Ottawa should be awesome. Go for it!

Kim said...

Congratulations on your graduation!

Janice {Run Far} said...

You are to funny. GOod luck witht the training.

Velma said...

Thanks for the comments on my blog. I am training for marathon #2 as well. I will post more on my training plan soon so stop on by!

Unknown said...

Maybe one day I'll 'graduate' too, but for now I'll just have to live vicariously through those of you tough enough to run marathons! Thanks for taking the rest of us along for the ride!

rinusrunning said...

Congrats to run the marathon and the next marathon go's good in a fast time.
Rinus.
www.rinusrunning.punt.nl

Meg said...

I can't believe you're already on to week 1 of marathon two! awesome! ha, although it does sound like a marathon is great base training for pfitz.

Alexandra said...

You graduated big time! WOW to you for getting right back into the training and already have a plan in place to attack! Good luck with your training, I will be following you to see how your progress goes!

Stacey said...

Sounds like a great plan...flexibility is key when you are the Mom. Good luck. I am excited to read about your "adventures" in training.

Heather said...

You are so smart to be thinking about being flexible up front - keeps you from getting as frustrated when the little things get in the way! Good luck the second time around!

Felice Devine said...

It's illegal to hire another wife? What the -- ?!?!

Good idea building in flexibility. That's what I'm trying to do, too.

Anonymous said...

I've often said our life would be better if we could hire a wife, but yeah, those are hard to come by. ;o)

Good luck with training for your next marathon! I hear you on having to balance life and running (that's why I'm only doing half marathons these days).

Lindsay said...

congrats on "graduating". such a true statement though!

your plan sounds intense, especially since you have so many non-running things going on. you are a super woman!

Anonymous said...

Oh, I can relate! I must balance my running with my life better! But, I'm in training for #1, and maybe this is one of those lessons I'll carry forward.

I much enjoyed your Disney race report. Reading about others' first marathons as I get ready for my own is great; thanks for sharing your story with the world at large.

K (mom to a monkey, age 3, and a lamb, age 5)