Marathon Training Peak = More Sleep!

Marathon training is kicking my butt right now. Yes, I said it. I'm starting to remember when I got to this point last year. The tiredness and the life suddenly devoted to running - and running LONG miles. Yesterday I ran 7 miles - 3.5 of which were straight up a hill. Today I had a speed workout on the track and tomorrow I have a 6 mile run. Today I got home and I fell asleep, on the floor. I didn't even have the energy to make it to my bed and it's a nice bed! I have to say, it was some of the best sleep ever. Much needed! I'm excited for the marathon and it is now less than five weeks away, but these are always the longest weeks for me. 

My track workout this morning

Today I didn't feel like going to the track, but I did it anyway. I went early in the morning before it got too hot and I got it done! It wasn't the speediest I could have gone, but I was running on tired legs. In my marathon I will be running on tired legs, so it was good training and helped me learn how to pick up the pace even when I am feeling exhaustion creeping in. I shared my run with Nike Running on Twitter and they were able to give me a pick-me-up. The showed me that focusing on my training will get me to my PR goal. A big shout-out to them for giving me an extra push right when I need it.

Personalized poster from Nike Running

This evening I did some yoga and it felt amazing. If there is one thing that I have been slacking on recently it would have to be my yoga practice. I am starting to feel the tightness creeping in, so it was high time I took to the mat. After 45 minutes of yoga with Leah Kim on the Nike Training Club app, I feel much better. I don't recommend skipping yoga or stretching, trust me, you'll pay a price! 

Marathon training is hard right now, but I am going to push through stronger. I'd love to know if you have any tips for pushing through the tough weeks of training. Let me know in the comments below!

~Happy Training!

My Second Week of NWM Training

The view from the back of my car after I washed and polished my Nike Swoosh! 

Week two as a Nike Women Ambassador went amazingly well. It started off with an incredible inspirational run on Sunday when I had the chance to run with Jason Lester on the Journey for a Better World in Petaluma, CA. He was such an inspiration and showed me that anything is possible if you work hard at it. Goals in life, race results, fitness, work, if you can dream it, you can do it. 

This week I was able to get all my runs done in less than 9 minute miles. I am really working on taking my time down and this week my 4 runs were all between 8:30 and 8:45 minutes per mile. This is encouraging to me and I hope I can keep taking speed off and get my runs much quicker. 

Friday was my first track workout and it went better than I expected. I did 12 x 400 and was able to really push my pace. I feel like these sprint drills are helping my speed already. Track workouts are something I enjoy and I am looking forward to many more. I was even able to beat the guys I was training with on the last 3 laps. My fastest 400 was in 1:17 seconds. I hope to take that down to 1:15 this coming Friday. 

I also was able to do some great NTC workouts working on my legs and plyometric work. I also did some great Ab workouts and am working on strengthening my core.

This week I am working on setting up my sleep schedule, training days and times and preparing a food journal and menu. I have started a binder divided into sections:

• One for my training plan
• One for recipes
• One for exercise drills and stretching guides
• One for inspirational quotes, Nike ads, etc.

I am looking forward to what the next few months will bring as far as training goes. This is my last week before my official training plan begins so I am enjoying my last few moments of freedom and taking this time to plan out my schedule. 

As far as this week goes, after a great night of sleep I was able to hit the exercise hard today. My 4 mile run, tennis and Ab workout all earned me over 5000 Nike Fuel. It was a very energetic day. What does your week look like?