Let the training begin!
Twelve weeks until race time and the training has begun! I have been working hard on increasing my miles at a reasonable rate so that I do not cause any injuries to myself. I learned this lesson the hard way this past January when I stress fractured my tibia. I was training for a spring half marathon and was so excited for a few weeks of mild winter weather and to start training that I didn't follow the basic running rules or listen to my body when I first started having pain. It took about 7 weeks off of running, x-rays, and an air cast for me to learn that you must slowly increase your mileage and definitely take rest days in between running days while doing so.
This past weekend I ran my first practice run of back-to-back races. I ran 8 miles on Saturday and another 8 miles on Sunday. I was really surprised that the opposite of what I expected to feel happened. Saturday's run was really hard, likely due to the high temperatures, mid-day timing, and near choking humidity. I had many mental conversations with myself on Saturday and had to really push my mind and body to keep going. Sunday, although I thought it would be the harder of the two runs, actually felt great. My pace was really similar to Saturday's (at about 9 minutes exactly per mile) but I made sure to run earlier in the morning so I enjoyed less crippling temperatures and humidity. I do need to keep working on getting my pace down a little more, but with 12 weeks still to go, I should be able to shave off a little time still.
All in all I am really happy with my first practice run. It is nice to have a comparison level established as most of the time when I have run 8 miles, I usually have taken the day after off. As I train for the I-35 Challenge I will need to keep working on getting my mind and body ready to run a farther the next day. Every three weeks from here on out I have scheduled practice back-to-back runs, increasing my mileage by one mile per day per weekend, reaching a final practice weekend of two 11 milers.
Last week's mileage; this included 7 miles of walking.
Are you running in the IMT Des Moines half or or full marathons? Are you attempting the I-35 Challenge? Have you come up with a training plan for yet? Have you started training?
I'd love to read your comments below.
About me: Although I am a Kansas Citian now, I was once a North Iowa girl, hailing from a little town called Rudd near Mason City. I am a runner of about three years, although I have always enjoyed being active through walking as well as participating in boot camp and other similar classes. Through running I have discovered a love that I did not know existed. Growing up I was never the most athletic person on the team and I always had to work hard to be average, but as an adult I have realized that I have skill in endurance running and I absolutely love it. I am not the fastest runner out there, but I am not the slowest either. In addition to being a runner, I am a college instructor, wife and mother to three children aged 3, 5, and 7 years. I have a personal blog at www.mamagottarun.blogspot.com and can also be found on Twitter and Instagram @mamagottarun. This is my second year participating in the IMT DMM races
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