Training Plans

Grandma's marathon is sneaking up and I've decided that it's time for me to figure out my training plan. My search for a training plan has become something I refer to in my day job as "analysis paralysis." I've read too many plans and can't make a decision on the one that I want to use. I often find myself wishing I could combine the components of a few of them and blend them together, except that it's easy part of each schedule :) I once read a quote where someone referred to the marathon as a 26.2 mile victory lap for all of the hours and hours of training you put in, in preparation for that event. I really agree with that statement, and think that's why I don't think I've truly completed a marathon. I did the victory lap, but I didn't put in the hours.

The training program is much much harder then the actual marathon. You have company on the race course, you don't have to miss a family activity or time with your kids for the race, but to train you do. You don't have to race in the dark and that's the main theme in training. You certainly don't have to race on a treadmill....but again that's familiar territory in training. Most importantly you have to make tough decisions to prioritize training ahead of most other things.

The things I want in a program......I want to find a plan with balance. I love running, but I like to do other things too. I see myself eventually doing more multisport activities once I'm physically fit. I want a training program that pushes me and makes me better, "no pain no gain" right? Yet, I want a forgiving training program that doesn't leave me discouraged if I choose my family over my Saturday long run and postpone it to Sunday. I'm also scared of the dark, so I'd prefer a training program that dosen't have me running for hours on end in the wee hours of the am or pm.

After my searching I've decided to start with Jeff Galloway, largely because his program has already started. I think it'll be great going through the holidays with a training plan. However, the early weeks of his plan are TOO easy. It's nice exceeding my goals each workout, but I want to push myself too. I lose interest in jeff's plan towards the end when he tells you to EXCEED the marathon distance during training.... Nope not interested. So right now my plan is to use Jeff's plan until mid-Feb and then switch... To what? I don't know yet. I'll keep you posted..... Any suggestions are welcome.


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Running shoes.....

Well to say I love shoes is an under statement....I REALLY love shoes. So it's inevitable that one of my posts be devoted to shoes. I've also learned to respect a good running shoe. The first time I tried to train for Grandma's I was running in a stability shoe and it turned out to be too much correction or one of my feet, the stress on the side of my foot turned into a stress fracture during my 18 mile training run (one of my last long runs during the marathon training program). Now that I'm into the groove and getting a solid base of miles in each week I've been noticing foot pain again. This time the other foot and in my arch. So once again I decided it was time to go on the search for the perfect running shoe. After a couple of "trial pair" and a few returns to the store I think I've finally found them! I've always insisted that color isn't a factor and I'll buy what's comfortable..... This time that strategy has really lead me down a wild path!! Here's the new shoes:



So if you're ever trying to spot me in a race... Just look for my feet!

I also had to share my early Xmas present from Marty, a new pair of Nike Doernbecher project shoes. This is the 3rd year I've gotten a pair from this line and I'm completely in love with them and what they are about. Nike gives a few kids a chance to design their own shoes that are sold in this collection each year and 100% of the proceeds go back to the children's hospital. So here's my shoes that were designed by 16 year old Claire:



Yes, the swoosh sign is supposed to be fuzzy cowhide :)

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