Training Update: Week 3 of 24

Today kicks off week 3 of 24 for Chicago training and unfortunately it started with me having to sit out this mornings run.  While that is the bad news, the good news is that we're still so early into training that it's ok!  I've been working with my coach and we've dedicated the first several weeks of training to just base building.  Plain and simple base building.  I also opted to change shoes! I've been loyal to my Brooks Ghost for the last several years and they've served me well....up until the Ghost 6 came out.  There was something about them that was different and I never really "loved" them.  I've been wanting to switch to a lower drop shoe for quite some time now so I figured that now would be the best time as my body was getting used to running again so why not throw in the adjustment to a new shoe as well.  I went with the Saucony Ride 6 and so far I am very pleased.  They are incredibly light weight while still providing a good amount of support and they hug my large and oddly shaped feet in all the right places.  I wear a size 10, have extremely long toes, wide toe base and narrow everywhere else.  The struggle is real y'all.  

Ohhhhhhhhh Ahhhhhhhhhhh

My Mom sounded a little baffled the other day as to why I'm up so early every day.  Sometimes it's hard to explain why I'm tired all the time, so I thought I'd lay out what my training has looked like so far:

Monday: Run

Tuesday: Strength session

Wednesday: Run

Thursday: Strength session

Friday: Run

Saturday: Run

Sunday: Praise the Lord for a REST day.

This schedule will continue and I foresee a 5th day of running being added onto my strength days as the weekly mileage numbers start to creep up.  In true base building fashion my first week was a cumulative 15 miles, week 2 was 19 miles, and this week is supposed to be another 19.  I'm working through a few of the minor aches so we will see how it all shakes out and adjust accordingly.  This week I also have an appointment for a full blood work up to make sure everything on the inside is looking alright and that no supplements are needed.  This is something SO many runners neglect to think about and do, but I think it is so important.  A deficiency in any area can wreak unnecessary havoc on your training so if you have the means, always get these things checked out as you embark on training. (as well as a few months in if you're not feeling "right")  

Marathon training always presents it's share of troubles along the way...  

There will be days you don't want to get of bed.

There will be days your body just shuts down in the middle of a run.

There will be days you are so hungry that you consider eating the post-it notes on your desk.

There will be days that the thought of having to walk down a flight of stairs just makes you want to cry.

Those days are quickly forgotten on race day when the real fun happens!