Chicago Marathon Training Week #2 Update

Week 2 of my Marathon training.  I've spent time pondering what the training keyword and motto will be.   I've come up with the following:

1.  Motto: Stick to the Plan
2.  Keyword:  Limitless

Last weeks plan was the following:

Day:             Plan                        Actual                   Comments
Monday:      50 Minute Run       50 minutes            4.5 miles 11:02 pace, training session
Tuesday:      Track 2.0                Track 2.0              3 miles, bike to work
Wednesday: Cross Train             REST
Thursday:    50 Minute Run       35 minute              3.1 miles, Duane's B-day
Friday:         40 Minute Run       50 minutes            4.3 miles, (swapped Thurs and Friday)
Saturday:    Cross Train             15.6 mile ride, group session
Sunday:       8 miles                   8.1 miles                 11:34 pace (no major pain)

Overall, this was a pretty good week of sticking with the plan.  After bike to work day, I was feeling pretty dead.  So I decided to take Wednesday off.  Normally that would be my swim day.  Due to Thursday being Duane's Birthday, I opted to swap Thursday and Friday's runs.   Saturdays group training session was core intensive.   Which ended up transitioning to a sore stomach and side aches through out my run.

Funny Story on my Friday night run,  I ended up running down by Redondo Beach Pier.  Towards the end of a the run, I ran past of a group of ladies who looked like they were headed out for a girls night out.   One of the girls, turned around and started running with me, turned to me said "Hi, how far are you running today?", I responded, and her response "That's awesome, keep it up" then turned around and joined up back with the girls.  Made me smile and also made me want whatever she was drinking in the pre party:)


This Week's Grade for training:  A
This Week's Grade for nutrition:  B+

Nutrition Grade was alright.  Overall I did pretty good making good decisions.  But could have made better decisions.  Yummy cake,  donuts,  fries, burgers, burritos.    That is just some of my less positive food choices for the week.   But I've already gone grocery shopping and prepped for lunch  next week.  

Monday- Post Trainer Run

Tues Track 2.0

Thursday Evening Run 

Friday- Happy Hour Run

Sunday Long Run

Chicago Marathon Week #1

Mile 3.5 on my 7 mile run

So last year I entered in the Chicago Marathon lottery, and ended up being one of many who got the lucky ticket to participate in the Race on Oct 7.    I have been running with South Bay Running Club, and they have provided me with a training plan to reach my race goals.  

#1 Race Goal: Complete the Chicago Marathon in under 5 hours.

I plan to use this blog to reflect on the previous weeks training, to help keep me accountable.

Last weeks plan was the following:

Day:             Plan                        Actual                   Comments
Monday:      50 Minute Run       40 minutes            3.5 miles 11:10 pace, training session
Tuesday:      Track 2.0                Track 2.0              3.3 miles  (1x800 2x400)x2
Wednesday: Cross Train             Swim
Thursday:    50 Minute Run       43 minute              4.0 miles
Friday:         40 Minute Run       REST
Saturday:    Cross Train             30 minute         LAtri Series-Express (300m swim, 7.5 bike, 5k run)    Sunday:      7 miles                    7 miles                 11:15 pace

Overall, this was a pretty good week of sticking with the plan.  I had a lot of stress at work creating negative energy, but was able to turn it into positive energy.  

Note: hamstring felt better this week.  It still isn't felling 100%, especially on uphills.   But its not longer bothering me at a steady pace on a flat surface.

Race Completed

This Week's Grade for training:  A-
This Week's Grade for nutrition:  B-

Nutrition Grade was due to some comfort food eating due to a stressful work at week this week.  Hoping next week will be better.

Morning of Race,  Liquid Sunshine

Princess Peach Racked for her first Race

New Gu Flavor to try-  Super Yummy