Oh, and let's not forget the exceptional upper body workout I've been participating in daily, called "pick up the food, stuff it in the mouth". You should see these biceps!
The week of rest and indulgence has been a welcome one. Coincidentally, my youngest picked this week to also start sleeping through the night. Not even waking up once for a bottle. After two sleepless pregnancies, and two night owl babies in the last 3.5 years, this is comparable to winning the lottery. SLEEP! Oh how I missed you!
So friends, with a week of staying off my feet, and very restful sleep, tell me why on earth I'm SO flipping EXHAUSTED?!?! Like, falling asleep in class exhausted. You'd think I spent all night at a frat party, when in reality it was just a little Blues Clues and a 9:00 pm bedtime with the cutest little brothers in my house.
Perhaps my body is protesting. "Excuse me, Heather, but we don't sit around anymore. Gastrocnemius over there has been pouting all week. Don't even get me started on the quads, all 8 of them have threatened you a miserable Monday if you don't let them play this weekend. And you just weaned us off the junk food...what's with that powdered donut you just shoved at us? We're shutting down until further notice. And taking the brain with us."
Ok, ok, I give in. I'll give you 3 easy miles on the treadmill after class today (because let's face it, this 50 degrees, windy, and wet weather is not my cup of tea.) I read on someone's twitter (and for the life of me I can't remember who) something along the lines of "I missed my workout and I'm miserable. No wonder inactive people are so cranky". Isn't that the truth!!! I'm rested, I'm ready. Let's get back into it!
It is a welcome relief to be at the beginning of a new training cycle. In addition to slowly getting my feet wet (literally) in the world of the triathlon (yaaay!) I am hoping to run the Myrtle Beach half marathon in February. That is, if I can get a slot before they fill up. Money really throws a wrench in my plans sometimes, haha. The race is 13 weeks away, and my goal is a 1:50 (8:23/mile pace) or better. My current PR is a 1:59. I've decided to use the following F.I.R.S.T. half marathon plan
Week Monday Wednesday Sat/Sun
1 4x400 3-mile tempo 6-mile long run
2 4x800 4-mile tempo 8-mile long run
3 3x1600 5-mile tempo 10-mile long run
4 6x400 6-mile tempo 6-mile long run
5 3x1600 4-mile tempo 10-mile long run
6 4x800 8-mile tempo 8-mile long run
7 6x400 6-mile tempo 10-mile long run
8 4x1600 8-mile tempo 12-mile long run
9 3x800 3-mile tempo 6-mile long run
10 4x400 2-mile tempo Half Marathon
(I know that hurts the eyes, blogger wouldn't let me put spaces in there for some odd reason)
Speed work Times:
400s--HMP, minus 75 seconds, divided by 4
800s--HMP, minus 65 seconds, divided by 2
1600s--HMP, minus 45 seconds
Tempo Pace: HMP minus 15 seconds
Long Run Pace: HMP + 30 seconds per mile
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and whatever other day I decide not to rest will be for biking and *gasp* swimming. It's weird for me to even type that!
Those "long runs" almost make me jump up and down with glee. I never thought I'd see the day when I said "ONLY 12 miles? no problem!" Yes, it is quite apparent I'm due for a mini vacation from full marathon training. And I'm excited.
Happy running this weekend my friends!
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23 comments:
Looks like a good training plan! 8 miles tempo at HMP-15 will be a good challenge!
Ha Ha! That upper body workout sounds Oh too familiar!! Have fun training for Myrtle Beach!
My FAVORITE work out is your upper body work out - I've gotten quite good at it too. I've been tapering this week - but it still sounds funny to say, "only 6 miles" - I remember when I'd need a 2 hour nap after 6 miles. Good luck with all the training! By the way, I didn't post a comment about your recent marathon run - but I LOVE your honesty and it really motivates me. I look forward to future "Tri" reports.
SO true about inactive people being GRUMPY!
Glad you were able to get your run on again.
Good-looking schedule.
This weather is just big old suckage.
Looks like a good training plan.
MCM Mama
I did the F.I.R.S.T training for my first half marathon and experience with running and I loved it!
You are so funny! Enjoy those shorter long runs and all that cross training on your way to Tri-hood!
Sounds like a fun half! Congrats on the little ones sleeping through the night.
I soooo feel your pain with the weather!! I live in Europe, and the weather here has been sucking majorly lately! I don't mind being cold, but cold and wet are awful!! Your training plan looks good! You will definitely be able to hit your goal with all of that speed work!! Triathlon training has definitely helped me with my speed on the road!! :)
I definitely think when I don't exercise I have less energy. But then again, you really needed some rest!
Yay for full nights sleep again!
FIRST is the best plan I've encountered. If you suck it up and stick to the workouts (they are tough) you are going to do great! Also, if you need to take a break during the tempos, that is fine, particularly at the begining, but stick to the average pace. Oh, I am very excited for you. Plus, you'll have time to swim and bike and I swear those made me a healthier and stronger runner!
Great training schedule! You'll rock it!
Oh, and you just HAD to post a pic of powdered donuts, huh? Drooling on my desk at work is not something I wanted to do today...
:) Hee hee. Happy Friday!
Enjoy a new training plan. Um ye aI feel worse and way more tired on the days I don't work out.
With what you're doing, the FIRST plan is awesome. When I did Broad Street in 2007, my coach at the time had me on a modified version of it. It makes the running make sense, and left me enough time to get tri training in as well. The only down side is that there are no days to "just run."
My training partner got a bit fatigued with it, but I did a solid PR at Broad Street, and got hooked on tri a month before that. Good luck with it!
Love the training plan! The swimming you do at the same time will be a WHOLE new upper body work! I was kick'n around the idea of the myrtle beach marathon!
I'm really late to the commenting around here, but congrats on finishing B2B despite all the issues!
The new plan looks great!
I like the FIRST plans - challenging, but very rewarding if you put in the work. Good luck!
Sounds like you've been sleep-deprived for years. No wonder you're tired! I'm still tired and my baby just turned 16!! Good luck with your training
Congrats on the sleeping... I remember being sleep deprived. Looks like you've got a good training plan going. Good luck on those bike and swim days!
love starting a new training plan, and don't worry, i bet you'll love the swimming in no time...! Yay for sleeping through the night though!! :)
I know, you're talking about training, HOWEVER, those junkie white powdered donuts?? LOVE THEM! ;)
You crack me up... I am the same way 13 milers seem like nothing.. funny how Marathon training changes your mindset.
Looks like a GREAT plan!
Haha! My dream is to someday think, "oh! only 12 miles today!" Yay!
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