So… there are a mere 9 days standing between me and attempting my first full marathon. Gah!! How did it creep up on me so fast?!
I’m officially in taper mode. Yesterday, I met up with my long lost running buddy Karen (she’s been injured, but is on the mend now – yay!) for our first run together in WAY too long! We’ve been doing some walks and yoga dates, but it was so great to get out and pound the pavement together again. Image may be NSFW.
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I had 5 miles on the docket per my running coach Mary. Karen and I weren’t feeling a hilly route, so instead of heading down towards the water/DC, we did a less hilly neighborhood loop.
Image may be NSFW.
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My legs felt a little sluggish, but overall we had a great run, chatting away the whole time as per usual. Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. I’m loving all the fall colors out there right now, too!
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Random fun fact: way back in the day, I used to be in a group on Facebook entitled “I will go out of my way to step on that slightly crunchy-looking leaf.” Lol. I totally still will. Anyone else? Image may be NSFW.
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It was gray and overcast when we started the run, but by the time we finished it had turned into a gorgeous, sunny morning. Hooray!
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5 miles in 43 minutes and 58 seconds – check!
Splits:
- Mile 1: 8:42
- Mile 2: 9:01
- Mile 3: 8:45
- Mile 4: 8:59
- Mile 5: 8:26
Aren’t the leaves behind my watch in this photo insane?!
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So – what’s the plan from now until the marathon? Here’s what I’ve got on the docket. I’m keeping all these activities very low key on the intensity/speed scale, but I think it will be a good mix of keeping my legs lightly active and resting them up:
- Today: rest day
- Tomorrow (Friday): 4 mile run
- Saturday: yoga
- Sunday: 8 mile run
- Monday: swim
- Tuesday: 3 mile run
- Wednesday: yoga
- Thursday: 2 mile run
- Friday: rest/travel to Richmond!
- Saturday: RICHMOND MARATHON!!!
- I’ve been using swimming and yoga as my main forms of cross training over the past month (with the exception of the Tough Mudder!). I had intentions of keeping up with CrossFit or kickboxing at least once per week (here’s my marathon training plan), but I just found that swimming and yoga have been complimenting all the running and my tight/sore muscles better. Plus, when my foot was hurting and then once it started to feel fine again, I didn’t want to risk it. It will be great to get back into CrossFit/boot camps/kickboxing after the race is over!
- Any tips or advice for me as I gear up for the marathon in just over a week? One more thing I have on the agenda already is to watch Spirit of the Marathon to pump myself up! I can’t believe I’ve never seen it before. I’m also planning to read a lot of marathon race recaps from fellow bloggers, so if you have any really inspiring (or really good “lesson learned”) recaps to recommend, please share links! Image may be NSFW.
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T-Minus 9 Days Until My First Marathon! originally appeared on fANNEtastic food on November 7, 2013.
The post T-Minus 9 Days Until My First Marathon! appeared first on fANNEtastic food.