Marine Corps Marathon: Training with Hansons

Thank you to Bob’s Red Mill and Fit Approach for sponsoring this post. 

Here we go again: time to kick off training for the Marine Corps Marathon. And Virginia has been doing her best to remind me why I always say I’m done with fall marathons. I mean, who likes to run in 90% humidity? I looked like I’d gone for a swim!

But, I ran 17.75 just to get into the Marine Corps Marathon, so you know I won’t be dropping now. So, I’ve cracked open my trusty Hansons Marathon Method book and placed my runs on the calendar. For those who are curious, I’ve put both the Advanced and the Beginner versions on my calendar. I aspire to complete the Advanced, but I’m a realist and acknowledge the fact that sometimes I get lazy and other times life gets in the way (and I hate running in the summer). So, if I land someplace in between the two programs, I’ll be a happy girl.

I’m also doing a few different things this go round. I’m tired of gaining marathon weight and I’m tired of finishing a training season with a weak core and no upper body muscle. Everyone keeps telling me that cross training will make me a better runner, so I’m going to do my best to keep the cross training in my schedule.

Also? I’m trying hard not to eat.all.the.things. I’m notorious for thinking that just because I run I can eat anything I want. Yeah, maybe when I was in my 20s and 30s, but certainly not now. My body has become very efficient at storing extra calories. Ahem.

Here are some of the things I’ve been doing:

1. Limiting the hours I eat – I found that to stop evening snacking, I needed to just stop eating in the evening. I don’t eat after 7 most nights anymore. Not sure having a specific “stop eating” time is working, but right now it is.
2. I’ve added more fruit to my diet. I tend to forget to eat fruit, but now I have “fruit salad” in the fridge at all time. I add some nuts and it helps me not eat as much between meals as I used to. Plus, with the summer heat, extra water from fruit is a good thing.
3. Along those same lines, I’m drinking more water. It’s not uncommon to feel “hungry” when you are really in need of more hydration, so with the heat these days, my first step is to drink a glass of water before I decide I have to eat.
4. Eat more protein. I love carbs. They are my favorite. I choose carbs over protein way more often than I’d like to admit. So, I’ve tried to prep more meat and have hard boiled eggs available for easier eating.
5. Fill in with Bob’s Red Mill Protein Powder. I’ve never been a smoothy girl. I don’t even own a blender. But I’ve been finding that adding a scoop of powder to my favorite liquids (ok, often this means iced coffee, ahem) with some ice gives me just enough calories to get me between meals. I also dig it after a hot run when I don’t actually want anything to eat. My newest combo? Orange juice, ice, and the Vanilla Protein Powder. Tastes just like a dreamsicle!

Are you starting your fall marathon training right now? What are your tips and tricks for getting through a hot summer of training? Want to try the Bob’s Red Mill protein powders? Click here for a coupon.

Disclaimer: I received Bob’s Red Mill protein powders to try and was compensated for this post. All opinions are my own.