RunningFool

While the glow of completing my 50th half marathon continues on, it’s time to put away the 2012 Disneyland Half Marathon finisher’s medal and turn my efforts to the NEXT BIG THING – the 20th Anniversary Walt Disney World Marathon. This is not my first full marathon target; in 2007 I had plans to run in the 15th anniversary WDW Marathon in January 2008 but the unexpected passing of my mother in October of that year put a halt to just about everything. It took me almost a year to try a distance run again and I was content for the next few years to stay at the half distance. But anniversary runDisney events are always special occasions and even with all of the craziness of life (including a weekly 3400 round-trip air mile work commute) the 20th anniversary WDW marathon seemed like the perfect opportunity to give it another go.

So, here we are at Week One. My goal for this week is to simply get in a few good miles and get used to a regular workout cadence. I’ve been cleared by my doctor to train for a marathon (as should everyone who is attempting any distance event) and have looked at a variety of training programs to find the one that is best for me. After a lot of research, I’ve settled on a mix between Hal Higdon’s Beginner Half Marathon training program and the Beginner Marathon Plan from The Runner’s World big Book of Marathon and Half Marathon Training. Given my travel schedule, my long runs will vary from Saturday to Sunday and will peak with a single 20 mile run at week 16. Unfortunately, given my location during the week, most of the miles Monday – Thursday will be on a hotel treadmill where I’ll be doing my best impression of a hamster on a wheel.

I will also be cross-training in a variety of ways with Barre3 classes (both online at mybarre3.com and in-studio) as my primary cross-training format. Barre3 incorporates movements from yoga, Pilates, and ballet and is a surprisingly challenging workout (just ask the fire fighters in my class). It targets core and upper body strength (which will help in those last few tough miles) as well as improving flexibility of which I am severely challenged. Running (as well as a love of 4” stiletto shoes) has a nasty side-effect of tightening up calves and hamstrings which can cause a laundry-list of injuries; staying injury-free is the most important goal of the next eighteen weeks. I’ll do whatever it takes to earn that gorgeous 20th anniversary WDW marathon medal!

So, without further ado, here is my training schedule for Week One:

• Monday September 10th – Barre3 class / rest
• Tuesday September 11th – 3 mile run / Barre3 class
• Wednesday September 12th – 5 mile run
• Thursday September 13th – travel / rest
• Friday September 14th – 3 mile run / Barre3 class
• Saturday September 15th – Barre3 class / rest
• Sunday September 16th – 5 mile run / Barre3 class

Total Miles for the Week: 16

Hmmmm of the Week: I just read a quick blurb in the October 2012 Women’s Health magazine that wearing a cooling glove while running can help improve performance by sending cool blood back to the heart which may help decrease fatigue. May have to freeze a water bottle and give it a try!

Drop me a note to tell me how your marathon training is going or if you have suggestions of things that have helped you successfully get to the finish line! The more we share, the better marathon we will all have. See you on the roads!

Foolishly yours

The RunningFool