When I decided to train for another marathon, I saw a sea of preschool days stretched out ahead of me, just waiting to be filled. I imagined I could easily run two days during the week and then two short runs on the weekends and hit my goal mileage, no problem.
I apparently didn’t factor “life” into the equation. First, Mother Nature has definitely thrown some challenges my way. The snow not only cause Jones to miss 10! days of school so far this year, but has also made running a challenge, even when I can find time to do it. I’ve had to do such things as resort to running a 1.5 mile loop over and over and over and…, then hitting the treadmill to finish up. I’ve run as many as 10 miles on the treadmill and am praying that’s going to be my PR. I’ve switched runs around and begged friends to take my kids for playdates. The other choice I made was to use a more aggressive training plan than I did last time. I’m only on week 7 and I’m already up to a 16 mile long run. I have in my future a 17, 19, and three 20 mile runs. Should I need to miss one of those runs for some reason, I will still be able to finish the marathon.
So far, it’s paying off. I’m managing to hit my mileage goals every week. This week, I was supposed to run 8 today and 16 tomorrow. Shoo’s dentist called and they can get him in to fix his tooth tomorrow, so now the 16 has been moved to Thursday. And Thursday, they are calling for snow. I will get the miles in. My current plan is to run as many as I can manage outside and finish up whatever is left on the treadmill or at the indoor track. Since I’ll have a non-running day between the two runs, I tried to push my 8 miler a little faster today than this weekend. I finished the 8 miles with an average pace of 9:34. I ran the first mile at 9:49 and got progressively faster until mile 7 was 9:12. Mile 8 was a cool down mile at 9:38. All in all, a very happy run!
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you are doing an excellent job. It's hard to manage marathon training alone and then to add family life into it and things get crazy. Be proud of all you are doing!
It definitely hasn't been easy to schedule all required runs in here, either! You are so right – life just happens! Glad you've got a plan for Thursday – hopefully the weather will be kind and the treadmill and indoor track will be kind, too! Keep it up!
I think you're doing a great job of logging the miles…I thought that I would have tons of time to run this year, with one kid in preschool and the other in kindergarten, until we found out my son would be in afternoon K! so much for that!
Great job and keep getting creative. It is difficult. I am hoping it gets easier: In the Spring, I put pker on the bike and chase him.
I can totally relate. Good job getting the mileage in. I don't think I was successful. The good thing about an aggressive plan is that it gives you a little wiggle room. I had three 20+ milers scheduled and ended up with one 20 and one 19. I hope the weather gets better for you. You know I like mountains but NOT snow mountains. Yikes. Good luck with this week's runs.
I can imagine that flexibility is even more crucial to a running MOM! You do a great job of fitting it all in.
The weather is driving me nuts too! I just keep telling myself that spring will be here before we know it. You are doing awesome with your training plan! I can't even imagine 10 on a treadmill…I have never done more than 4 on one.
you're awesome. I am lacking that drive right now…the only good training plan is the one that works for you, right? So great job making it work.
Glad to hear you are still able to get all your necessary training in, despite the curve balls life may be throwing ya!
You are doing a great job. Flexibility is key. We all love to run but family first, right? They help us squeeze those miles in. Be proud of all the miles you have already gotten in!
You blogger runner moms are my inspiratioin. :o)
You should just get snow shoes…
It's rough stuff w/ all this snow! I'm *so* missing my loops on Custis and Four Mile Run Trails. When will this snow go away??
You are certainly working hard at fitting those miles in. It's amazing how we manage to do it. Let's hope the snow doesn't come yet again for you! We are FINALLY getting some here.
You're doing very well getting the miles done! Those schedules certainly don't leave much room for real life to occur- so it's up to us to be realistic and be flexible when we need to be. I'm shortening my next cycle of marathon planning myself.
Now that's dedication!!!
You are doing a superb job training in this weather we've been having. Keep it up!
I cannot believe they are calling for more snow!! Maybe we can meet up at Reagan and get the next flight somewhere tropical? Great Job staying with your training
Life always gets in the way for me too. Sometimes I just want to take a time-out from life just for a minute … so I cant try to catch up with myself a little bit.
Good work with your running.. its weird you have so much snow, we have had barely any in ON where I am!!Keep up the great work!
You've done a great job shuffling everything around so you stay on track! I'm still struggling with it, & have been hit/miss.Good luck!
You're doing a great job at not only fitting in the runs, but hitting them at a fantastic pace. All of the hard work will for sure pay off at the marathon!
I could have written this post… no really – stupid snow, canceling preschool, uhg!
I could have written this post… no really – stupid snow, canceling preschool, uhg! Great job making it happen!ps – tagged you on my blog.
I hear you on having to be flexible – way to get the training in.
Awww, thanks so much! I'll make a special point to look out for you there too.And I can DEFINITELY give you some good advice on where to get good beer after a marathon 🙂
Wow I find it hard enough to get my runs in and I'm single! You rock 🙂
Great 8-miler! It's tough to fit life in with running (ha!) but being flexible really helps. Way to go!!!
10 days of missed school! Do they have to make any of that up at the end of the school year?
I noticed from your FB status updates that you are putting in some serious miles, nice job! Yeah mother nature has been uncooperative for lots of people this year, hopefully it'll warm up soon.