First long run of Marathon Training

This past Sunday marked the innaguaral long run of my marathon training for the Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon.  I am embarrased to say that this was only my second 10 mile run since the 2009 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon Last November. Following the race last year I cut my miles way back and just have not been able to get my long runs back to where they were even pre-marathon training last year.

Last year before starting Marathon Training using Hal Higdon's Intermediate II Marathon Training Guide for the 2009 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon (My first 26.2) I was regularly running long runs up to 13 miles. This year I have built my shorter runs and started running 6 days a week (much more than I was running last year at this time) but my long runs have not been over 7.5 miles more than a few times.

As I have mentioned before, some of the reasons I believe that I have not gotten the long runs where they should have been before now are:
  1. Not getting enough sleep making earlier Sunday mornings even harder.
  2. No race goal over 10k, so no compelling reason to train much further.
  3. Running Sunday's long runs with my girls and just don't keep going like I should.
Now, before you say anything...... I do realize what these are..... just excuses.  Even though they are just excuses they were still very effective in keeping my long runs short.  I am pleased to announce that I have effectively banished the excuse machine with the new Marathon Training Plan.  As I have mentioned in a previous post, I am using Hal Higdon's Advanced I Marathon Training Guide for this years marathon.

Sunday's 10 miler was much better than I anticipated.  I knew my body could do it, but mentally I just didn't know what to expect.  I ran an out and back to keep from trying to cut it short if I came too close to the house at any point during the run. 

My plan was to pace it between 9:30 and 10:00 minute miles since last year I ran all my long runs at a 10:00 minute/mile pace. The first 5 miles were kinda tough, but then it slowly turned fun as I did the turn around and started to head back home.  I was finally feeling in the groove and loving it. 

The pace ended up being under my low range at an overall pace of 9:19.  I now know I can do it so I have broken down one mental road block.  I will probably shoot for a little lower pace next time and try to get it down around the 9 minute mark. 

The starting temperature was a cool 74 degrees, but the 93% humidity was a kicker. By the time I got back home the temperature was a sunny 76 degrees with a new lower 85% humidity (if you can call that low)  Just one more bit of proof that I am crazy, I was more comfortable when leaving then when getting back.  Most people disagree with me (See the discussions on my Fanpage and DailyMile) but I would much rather run in humidity then the heat, especially the direct sunlight.

You can see my splits at my RunningAhead running log here.

How is your training coming along?  Have you started training for any upcoming races? 5k to ultra or anything in between.  I would love to hear about your upcoming races, goals, and training.

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17 comments:

  1. Congratulations! Sounds like you are off to a good start - both mentally and physically.

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  2. Congrats!! I have my first night time 5k Saturday. I am currently training for my first 1/2 marathon. It's in May 2011. Training is going great. No injury yet (knock on wood).

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  3. Congratulations on the long run - that first one is always the toughest after a break. Every time I attempt a new distance, the first half is the toughest due to the mental aspect. Once I turn around and head home, I get a spring in my step. Keep up the good work.

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  4. Great job on your run. I think in the mid-70's, the direct sunlight would have more of an impact on how hot it feels than the humidity. I don't think I really notice the humidity so much until it starts getting into the mid or upper 80's.

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  5. Nice job, Tim. I substituted a sprint triathlon for my first long run, but I'll be running 11 miles "with" you this coming Sunday. Looking forward to seeing how it goes.

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  6. Hi Tim, Hal's Advanced I plan is a good one, carried me to a <3:09 in Cleveland this spring. Good luck as you ramp back up the long runs, they are certainly the most dreaded in advance but the most satisfactory in completion (and, the most important). I'm up to 17 on mine now, my marathon is a bit earlier (9/25), this is a stepback week and I'm looking forward to putting in "only" 12 this weekend. I'm using Hal's Advanced II with modifications to address more hillwork (plus, some extra miles on short runs to get to the rec center and back for strength training).

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  7. The first one is always the hardest - great job!

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  8. Thanks everyone for the comments. For those of you training for a 1/2 or full (or any other distance) good luck with the training and the race.... keep me posted!

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  9. Tim....Great job....I really enjoy reading your blog..You help keep me motivated...Keep posting,we look foward to them...

    Jeff

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  10. Thanks for the kind words Jeff! :)

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  11. Way to go Tim. It's good to get out there.

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  12. Great job getting that long run in!

    I'm training for 2-10Ks, 15K, and a full marathon. Since starting this running thing (Nov 09), I have race fever!

    My races:
    http://catholicdomesticengineer.blogspot.com/p/races.html

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  13. I enjoyed your blog (and your honesty). I have a goal of running a 5K in less than 30:00. It is taking a long time to get there, but in the meantime I am benefitting from the elevated moods! I also plan to run a half marathon with a friend in October -- doesn't fit in with the "faster 5K" plan exactly but the additional conditioning will do me good. :-)

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  14. Thanks Andrew!

    Orange: I think you do have race fever! Good luck! :)

    Paula: Great plan! You will do great! Good luck with your upcoming half. Which one are you doing?

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  15. Tim....Great job....I really enjoy reading your blog..You help keep me motivated...Keep posting,we look foward to them...

    Jeff

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  16. Way to go Tim. It's good to get out there.

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  17. The first one is always the hardest - great job!

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