After two glorious trips (Cali & Miami) the past two weekends, I am slowly finding my way back to my real life schedule. And surprisingly (after glancing at my Countdown App) I realized I have only 12 weeks until the Eugene Marathon. YIKES.
For past marathons, I have used 16 to 18 week training plans, so I am semi-freaking out about a 12 week plan. Thank goodness I had a heart-to-heart with Sarah on a run in Cali where she told me, she had only ever followed a 12 or 10 week Training Program. Phew, it can be done!
And don’t get me wrong, I’ve been running. Last week I ran 44 miles (!) BOOM. Although, I have NOT been running very fast. In fact, I have been running much slower (like wayyy slower) than some of my paces in the Fall. I’m not worried about it because I love running for the sake of running. And being able to spend time running with friends…
Carrie & Elise / Sarah & Margot / Gia & Meggie
However, I really want to document this training plan on this blog. While I don’t think that will mean writing something everyday (hold back your tears, people!), however I want to remember the next 12 weeks (what worked, and what didn’t work). Would I like to qualify for the Boston Marathon one day? I think so…but am I putting all my eggs in the Eugene Marathon basket. Heck No! I realize that taking 15 minutes off of my marathon PR is no joke (especially in less than 12 weeks). Therefore…
THIS IS HOW (I AM GOING TO) ROLL [RUN]:
1. FUN TIMES. Marathon Training has always been fun for me…and that is what it will continue to be. No diggty, no doubt. Truth be told, I actually like training better than the actual Marathon (and that is saying a lot because I loved running Chicago and Philly last year.)
2. Getting Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable. “You need to change something for something to change.” (DUH.) Basically, I can’t go to the Eugene Marathon expecting to run 20 minutes faster than my current Marathon PR without making some serious changes now (aka running outside my comfort zone). I learned during the Fall that running faster means being uncomfortable. The heavy breathing, sore muscles, gasping for air, hurting legs/feet/hips/etc, wanting to throw up 99% of the time…I don’t love those feeling. It’s uncomfortable! But if I truly want something, I gotta work for it. Which means embracing the uncomfortable feelings.
3. Hopefully Run Faster? Specific Time Goals TBD.
4. Did I mention I want to have FUN? Boomshakalaka.
Any advice on a 12 Week Training Plan?
{ 18 comments }
Yay for Eugene training!
Exciting!! Can’t wait to hear how it goes for you. I’m working on trying to brace uncomfortable too, as I work toward a half marathon PR. Good luck!
Good luck! My advice would be to listen to your body throughout your plan. Don’t overtrain! (been there, done that waaay too many times before!)
I don’t think I trained more than 12 weeks for many of my marathons..actually I think Boston is the first I am actually doing a “full plan.” However, I guess it is all how you define “training.” Like you I was running fairly consistently beforehand or had just run another marathon. hah. I look forward to seeing what you are up to. I like people’s training posts and people seem to be doing less of them!
Yea for spring race training! It will help the winter go by faster. I’m just getting started with mine as well. Looking forward to *virtually* training together
Hope you are doing well Jocelyn!
Best of luck with training! If I could run my marathon over again I’d definitely have a shorter training plan. I’ve never done a 12 week plan but I think if it were me, I’d have the tendency to over train during those 12 weeks to make up for a shorter plan. My advice would be to trust the plan and listen to your body : )
So excited to read about your Eugene training, Jocelyn!! Love goals #2 and 4 especially.
Looking forward to following your training, Jocelyn! You’re so right about being able to handle being uncomfortable; it’s almost like being comfortable with–and even welcoming–pain. Good luck!
Yay for having a BLAST while we bazinga the pants off of Eugene! I think you will be JUST FINE with 12 weeks. Running slower really does help you run fast – I’m running slower now on most of my runs than I have EVER, but my “workouts” are the fastest times (for me) that I’ve ever seen!
“Being comfortable with feeling uncomfortable” has been one of my mottos since college gymnastics. It’s so true, once you just decide to be OK with that “uncomfortable” feeling – in life or in sport – good things happen.
Let’s do this! I’m so excited to read about your training!
Other than you’re awesome and you can totally do this?! Enjoy every minute of it. Feel good about what you’re doing. Feel good about yourself! Have fun!
I am so excited to read more about your training! I’ll be training for my first come summertime
I can’t wait to follow your training. I really enjoyed my Disney training cycle so am finding it enjoyable to read others’. I love the mention of getting out of your comfort zone, because that scares me so much. I really need to get comfortable being uncomfortable.
I guess I’m technically doing a 12 week plan since I didn’t start any earlier…it’s nice because you don’t have to FOCUS for so long, but you still have a solid base.
With your base you’ll easily kill Eugene. I went into my 10wk plan last year with a good base (mid 20/wk), first LR was 15mi, and I felt 100% completely ready by race day. So essentially it was an 18 week plan, but the first 8 were easy, care-free, no stress running, and then really got to work the last 10. Loved it.
(and then of course there was the 5wk LA plan and 6.5wk Long Beach plan… those don’t have quite the same success stories, though)
12 weeks already?! Thanks for keeping up with the math, yo. Let the good times roll!
I am so freaking excited to follow your training plan for Eugene. Not stalker scary excited
more like I want to follow it one day as well. You killed it in Chicago and had such an awesome Fall half marathon time…it’s inspiring.
I think you’re so right about being comfortable being uncomfortable. That was my big learning about last year – running fast wasn’t going to be comfy but it would bring great results! I need to remember that again in 2013!!!
you can totally do it! i am now readjusting my goals too. by hoping to even do the marathon and possibly doing just the 1/2. only time will tell. i had a great base but will be at 0 and may have less than 10 weeks-so who knows. I DO KNOW that you will kick some A and i love your idea. that’s what I am telling myself-this needs to be fun and no pressure and there will be many marathons in my future. love it.
I’ve totally been uncomfortable, which is the opposite of human nature, and I’ve been seeing some strong results! Hopefully we can have fun together! I secretly want to do a runners photo scavenger hunt,,,,