Marine Corps Marathon Training – Week 8
Marathon Training rolls on!
After week where my mileage topped 48.3 – this past week was on the lower side (40.8 for week). I kind of wish that the mileage was a bit higher because the weather was so glorious! I had almost forgotten what it was like to run in capri’s and a short sleeve shirt without sweating to death. I even had to add a jacket when I walked Harley on Friday morning.
This past week also helped build my confidence a little in terms of my pacing. In a summer where I have struggled to run comfortable and easy, I was able to get my average pace below 9 minute miles. I felt like I was flying this morning and re-confirmed that even in the heat I am gaining fitness.
Unfortunately the 3H’s are back on tap for this week – Yuck!! Not looking forward to the upcoming conditions to say the least.
In other news – my GI issues continue and it’s definitely not been fun. So far, of my tests have come back negative which is very frustrating.
I told her I would try the low FODMAP diet (which is not a long term solution thank god) but I really need to get to the bottom (HA). It’s been an eye opener to say the least – I can’t believe how many food items contain wheat, enriched wheat or some type of sweetener. Even my beloved garlic, onion, mushrooms, peaches, apples, and beans (to name a few) are off the menu for the time being.
I have talked to other runners and I know I am not alone in this struggle but I will say it again – it’s frustrating to have such a stomach of steel for years only to be knocked down by my gut.
I will keep everyone up to date as I know more and hopefully get some answers soon.
So without further ado – the 8th week of my Marine Corps Marathon training log
Weekly Marathon Training Log
Monday – 6.04 Easy
I slept in this morning – so it was an after work run for me. Does anyone else besides me HATE running after work. I always feel so clunky and heavy and it usually takes me a couple of miles before I get “in the groove”. These runs are also the “I did not want to run but glad I did ones.”
Tuesday – 6.5 miles Easy
Glorious cool weather the first run with my headlamp – that means Fall is right around the corner
Wednesday – Quality Session (2m warm up; 2x5min at 8:06;1min walk recovery; 3×3 minutes at 7:28; 2 minute walk recovery; 4x1minute at 7:04; 1 minute walk recovery)
I tend to love this “quick” bursts of speed workouts
Thursday – 5 miles
With Mark out of town for the next couple of days – 5 miles is my limit in the morning. Giving me enough time to run, run back home, walk Harley and make it to work on time.
Friday – 5 miles
It really felt like fall this morning and I actually debated wearing long sleeves on my run. If the weather could only be like that ALL YEAR LONG.
I also took advantage of tax free week and bought – SOCKS. Don’t worry I had a method to my madness – replacing some that were on their way out.
Saturday –OFF
This worked out great – I had a lot of running around to do but I made time to head to the dog park with Harley in the morning for a tiring (for him) game of fetch.
Sunday – Wethersfield 10k (2 mile warm up; 10k; 2ish mile cool down)
Coach decided to use the Wethersfield 10k to test my pacing and speed – it was a perfect race for this “test” because it’s a flat course. Also good for me because when I am not at the track I have a 2 mile loop through Old Wethersfield that I use for some of my quality workouts.
The plan was to not go out too fast (not a problem because my hami was starting to act up again during Friday’s run. And come in under 50 minutes. I don’t know about you but when I have a niggle (what I call a start of an “injury”) I tend to hyper focus on that. Even though my hami was taped by Mark before the race – I was concerned it would start to bother me. My other concern – my gut – would I be able to run the whole race without having to “run” to the port a potty.
I am happy to report – on both counts – that I did well. The oatmeal that I had before stayed put and my hami for the most part was just a nagging part of the run. I felt great endurance wise and was it not for the hamstring I probably could have done some more.
Total time was an average of 8:04 which would have been faster if I did not grab some water at the last water stop.
I also appreciated that the rest of the family came out and supported me – especially since Mark was literally going on a limited amount of sleep. Harley was in his element, helping me with my warm-up run (I wish I would have gotten a picture and licking all the salt off my legs at the end of the race.
I also told Coach that I think that I this is the last “race” until the Hartford Half – I want to spend this month developing and honing in on my marathon pacing.
So until then – it’s all about development AND getting my gut in order.
Onward we go!
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