From Here to There…

So I last was finally typing out-loud that I’m beginning the long journey to a marathon. This is definitely not going to be a short road, and even though I’m looking at either late 2014 or early 2015 – which, right now – seems like SO FAR away, we all know how time flies. I’m expecting it to come quicker than I would probably like it to.

And even though it seems so far off, I have a long way to go before I’m even ready to begin training, much less RUN 26.2 miles. So part of my training begins now in multiple ways which I’m going to touch on over the coming (days, weeks, I don’t know – whatever works!) blog posts.

First things first – getting my running back following the surgery in February. I’ve already begun the long, slow journey to “regular” running again when I restarted Couch to 5k (C25K) back on June 4. And I have a continued slow-building plan all mapped out through early next year. The C25K program that I am using is an app for my iPhone by Zen Labs and it’s pretty bare bones, but it meets the need! It lasts 8 weeks (the “original” C25K program is 9 weeks and is available at www.coolrunnings.com) and gradually builds you up to running a 5k – or in my case, running for 30 minutes straight. You might be wondering why I say for me it will be 30 minutes instead of a 5k? Well, because there is NO way that I am going to be running 3.12 miles in 30 minutes – that’s an under 10 minute/mile pace! Crazy fast in my book…hahaha

Check it out here

Following my “graduation” from C25K I will do an Easy 10k Training app with Jeff Galloway from Lolo Fitness – a company, I must add, that makes some pretty awesome fitness apps!! This program follows a walk/run ratio, which Galloway is famous for, and runs for 13 weeks. I plan on doing a 4 minute run/1 minute walk program, but you do have the option of using “just run” if you don’t want to do an interval training program.

And Check This One Out Here

Once I am done with that program in early November, I will transition over to a half marathon training plan for 16 weeks. I am currently set to use a plan developed by Runner’s World SmartCoach. The thing I like the most about Runner’s World’s plan generator is that you plug in your information, so it gives you realistic training times that gradually build your speed over the training period; and it doesn’t hurt that they build in active recovery time every fourth week. They are very smart AND efficient!

Create Your Own Plan Here

Okay, so short detour…I really like the SmartCoach program too because I have it as an app on my iPhone – BUT here’s the weird part…I can’t re-find that app in the iTunes store. So I’m thinking that they no longer support it but because I downloaded it before they got rid of it that I still have it?? Has anybody heard of this? But see – I can prove it – here it is…open on my phone:

I’m glad I have it and it’s rather convenient to be able to just open up the phone and see what is on the plan for the day without going to a printed sheet of paper. But I’ll also admit – it doesn’t have much capability outside of it giving you the exact same info that you can get on their website. You can’t rearrange days or anything and it doesn’t do any kind of tracking or actual coaching. It just provides the basics, but it was free, so who am I to complain?

So anywhoo – that gets me through pretty much February 2014…and well, I haven’t decided what to do from there! I guess I will see how I’m feeling and if I’m feeling pretty good I’ll start training for a fall marathon. If I’m feeling beat-up and rundown I’ll just keep going in maintenance mode and begin training for a spring 2015 marathon.

You marathoners or folks that have recovered from injury – what do you think of that plan? Am I on the right track?? Any advice or suggestions is more than appreciated!

Source - Thank you, Heather for this one!!