A LOOK AT MY PLAN FOR BOSTON
- By loramarie03
- 28 April, 2012
- 13 Comments
So how did I run a marathon in 87-degree weather in Boston a few weeks ago? When I woke up this morning, temperatures were in the high 30s. I had to break out the winter running gear — capris and a long sleeve. Oh, Mother Nature.
I ended up doing an eight miler, which was really nice. Except I hit the park two hours later than usual and it gets so busy, which means a lot of maneuvering around people (good practice for race day?)… but it also means I don’t have to worry about seeing this guy. It was nice; I had an extremely frustrating day at work yesterday so I felt like I pounded out a lot of that stress. Always a great way to start the day.
I meant to post this last weekend, but things got crazy. I wanted to share what my training plan looked like for Boston. Keep in mind that I didn’t follow this very well because of the IT Band injury, but this is the plan that I was going for.
It’s one that I created on my own based on previous plans that work for me. I’ve learned that if I do a run — even an easy run — the day before a long run, my long run will suck. So I always have that day as a rest day. I PR’ed at NYC in 2010, and that was the craziest time in my life. We had just moved to New York, I started a New York job (which means later days and longer hours) requiring me to adjust to running in the morning and my grandmother passed away. I only had nine weeks of training (coming off little training because of Florida summer heat), but miraculously pulled out a PR by 10 minutes. I tried to build what I did during that training plan into this one. Plus, since Boston was my third marathon in three months, I felt like I had a strong base to build from.
I guess I’ll never know how effective this plan was because of the weather. When I train for my next marathon, I’ll probably step it up a bit during the week runs only because I won’t have a base like I did for Boston. But, the long runs will be similar.
P.S. Don’t forget to enter my latest giveaway!
How do you build your training plans? What are you doing this beautiful Saturday?
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Since today is cloudy with a chance on freezing rain and snow showers, YUCK! I am cuddling up with my family and having a wear your pjs all day kind of day.
That sounds like a GREAT way to spend an icky weather day!! Enjoy!!
I'm intrigued by your plan. I used Hal Higdon's plan for my race, but there were things about it that had to be adjusted due to time constraints and the kids only being in school 3 days per week.
I'm wondering for Miami if I should do something more similar to your plan 5x per week, running M-Th with the long on Saturday. That will be do-able in the fall, but I wonder if four days in a row will tire me out.
One question for you, since I can't remember, did you run solo or did you run with friends? I love solo running, but maybe partners would be beneficial?
I run solo, but I know people like running with friends for extra motivation. I used to use Tuesday as a rest day which was nice to break it up during the week (that's when I did a slow, short run on Friday). I think the most important thing is to find what works for you and what will keep you motivated.
So Miami for sure?! Exciting!!
That's funny that you can't run the day before your long run, because I'm the polar opposite. I feel like crap the day after I don't run. You did awesome in Boston with the IT band injury and the heat!
Thanks! And that's so funny. My legs were so mad at me at the race this morning for running yesterday!
Thanks for sharing! I am so impressed that you did three marathons in three months!
Today I had an exam :/ so it didnt feel like Saturday at all. I did hit the gym afterward to get out all of the gittery stress nerves out.
Hope your exam went well!
I ran the Chicago 2007 Marathon, where it was upper 80s/90s, similar to it how it was in Boston. I was disappointed with my time and signed up for another marathon in Philly 6 weeks later. I was no better trained, but because the weather was so much better, I ran 35 minutes faster. Weather can have a HUGE impact.
Wow, that's amazing!!
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That looks like an awesome plan! Do you ever do speed work?
I haven't done speed work on a track since we moved to NYC since it's too hard to work it into my schedule… but I will bring it into my runs and do telephone poles or tempo runs when I do distance. It's just not as exact.