It’s official! I stepped down my training schedule from Hal Higdon‘s Marathon 3 to the Novice 2 program. I really wanted to have a good race and not “just finish” but with everything going on, I have to accept the fact that just finishing is a good goal right now. As the race gets closer, if I feel I can add a little extra mileage during the week or maybe add in some extra speed work, then ok, but I’ve changed over my calendar to the Novice 2 program:
(Today is Friday, Week 1)
It was between this one, Novice 1 and Intermediate 1. The Novice 1 had significantly lower mileage. I decided I could handle the Novice 2 easily. The difference between Novice 2 and Intermediate 1 was that there was an extra day of running added in (only 1 rest day) to do speedwork. Otherwise, it was all the same. I figure that as time goes by, if I feel that I can add in that extra day, I will but I don’t want to feel too pressured to have to do it!
I also plan on adding in plenty of strength training. I’m actually just going to use DVDs which are mostly circuit training based (i.e. cardio AND strength together). I can only see it helping! I don’t want to lose muscle while I train.
I think this schedule will work a lot better. I think I was getting overwhelmed just looking at the other training plan. Looking at this on my calender seems much more doable and I’m feeling a bit more excited!
Post Marathon
It seems silly to be thinking about it already, but what do I want to do after the marathon? For the last 2 years, I’ve done the 10 Mile Broad Street Run in May in Philly. Do I want to do it again? (I will if Kristen wants to come visit that weekend and run it!). If I do, I have to basically jump right into training again after the marathon. I’m doing the AC April Fool’s Day run too (7K or 11K, have to decide still). And do I want to do AC in October again? Should I do the full that day? Or maybe something shorter? Basically, do I want to continue to focus on running? Then I have the ACS Bike-a-thon in July and Rob and I have talked about doing the Delaware Amish Country Bike Ride in September. I also want to try some mud runs too! How about a triathlon? At the same time, I want a break from training too. Just do whatever, have fun! Zumba? Spin? Cross Fit? TRX??? Oh decisions…
Looks good to me! I’d say stick with the 2 rest days…and as the mileage starts increasing, if you find you have a hard time with the 3 days in a row, just move the rest day around if you need to do 2 days on, a day off and then 2 days…you’ll know what your body can handle! Just make sure that you don’t ramp up the miles too fast, or make a big jump…following a tried and true schedule at this point will be better than trying to do it on your own…and maybe it will hold you to it better! I’d say that finishing is a great goal! And finishing with a smile on your face will be even better! I’ll be there for the photo op! 😉
Thanks Tiff! My longest run recently was 8 miles and I felt good the whole time so I think this is a good place to start. I will slowly add in those weekly runs and then add in the circuit training later as I go. Don’t want any overtraining injuries!!!
~Ang
I really want to do a run with you! Or maybe one of the mud runs or a triathlon! Tiffany you want to do one w/ us!
(seriously. we have to find something- I need to make it to the east coast! haha)