1. MarathonRookie Plan
- 10-week program
- Longest distance run during training = 12 miles
- Days per week to run = 4
- No cross training days
(*I am definitely not an advanced beginner, but this plan is still an option)
- 12-week program
- Longest distance run during training = 12 miles
- Days per week to run = 4
- 1 CT days
- 11-week program
- Longest distance run during training = 12 miles
- Days per week to run = 4
- 2 CT days
So obviously the differences between these are minimal (total weeks and CT days). I think I prefer a plan with 2 cross training days worked in, because I have been going to spinning classes on Wednesday and Friday mornings. The 3rd one would be great because it already has W/F as the cross training days, so I wouldn't even have to tweak it.
Any advice?
Here's the second place that I need your help: I can't find a half-marathon in the NC or SC area (or somewhere within 3-4 hours driving distance) around the end of April/beginning of May. There's Charlotte RaceFest on April 10th, but that's a little soon. Does anyone know of any races around that time on the east coast, preferably NC or SC?
Even if I can't find a race to register for in that time frame, I think I still want to start training. I think it will give me a little more structure and motivation for my workouts, as right now I'm feeling a little lost! We also are planning to run the bridge run on March 27, so it will help prepare for that (last year before the bridge run, I went out a week before the run and ran (and walked) 6 miles down to the beach, then the day before went out and ran 2 miles--that was the extent of my "training").
One potential obstacle: Somehow, like the clumsy klutz that I am, I have hurt my leg. By running? Nope. Spinning? Nope. Something at least remotely exciting? Nope. I was sitting at lunch with my husband last week and reached down to scratch my knee. When I did this, a horribly painful shooting feeling went up my thigh. Since then, my thigh fills like someone took a baseball bat and beat me until I no longer had use of my right leg. But only when I sit on my knees, bend my right leg at a certain angle, or put pressure over that area. But when it does hurt, it HURTS. And there's some sort of knot under the skin. I don't think it will hurt when I run (although I've been paranoid to try for the past couple of days), but my mom has me unreasonably suspicious that I have a blood clot that's going to shoot to my lungs and kill me (extreme, I know). I think I'll just take it as it comes and see how it feels. Best case scenario, it doesn't hurt at all. Worst case scenario, I die from a pulmonary embolism (let's all cross our fingers that worst case scenario doesn't happen!). Most reasonable scenario, it stays like it is now and eventually goes away on it's own. I don't have a doctor in Charleston and refuse to go to urgent care unless it's actually urgent (which obviously this is not, as it's now been hurting for 5 days). But I do have a doctor's appointment in Charlotte next Monday so if it still hurts then, I'll have him check it out.
In other news, we celebrated Jett's birthday last week.
Happy 26 years to my wonderful husband!
Turning 26 has me a little freaked out ... seems so close to being out of my 20's forever. Ahh .. but more on that when it's actually my time to turn another year older (which in just 2 weeks away--again, a little freaked out).Everyone have a happy Superbowl Sunday ... we don't have a team in the game, since the Panther's didn't even make it to the playoffs this year. But I guess I'll be rooting for the Saints, since Jett says I should support the team in our division.
I don't know much about those plans you have listed.
ReplyDeleteHal Higdon has some wonderful plans, though. This is the one I used for my first half: http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice.htm
I really liked it and I didn't get burnt out. His training plans are pretty popular. Sometimes, if you start "training" too early, you can burn out your legs and your enthusiasm.
Since you don't have something to train for, you can work on building up a base. That's what I had to do the last two months: short runs, 3 mile and long runs 5-6 miles. Hal Higdon's site probably has some good suggestions.
Hope this helps. Good luck!
I like Marathon Rookie or Hal higdon. But I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend running 13 miles prior to your race, it helps so much with confidence.
ReplyDeleteI use runners world and active.com to look for races, have you tried both those sites?
SOOOO WEIRD about your leg! I sure hope you dont die of an embolism..
On April 23rd they have a Greer Earth Day run. That is the race that I am contemplating! It is in SC. Also, you can look up greenville track club and they will give you a list of races around the South Carolina region. Good luck :-)
ReplyDeleteI was following the marathonrookie.com program. I really liked the easy progression of miles. That being said, once I come back from this injury I'm going to look for one that has some cross training in it.
ReplyDeleteAnd happy birthday to your hubby! When my birtday came around (in Dec) I was kind of depressed to be turning 26. I was no longer "mid-twenties" I felt more "late twenties" and it kind of sucked. But what sucked even worse was when my hubby informed me that I was NOT turning 26 afterall. Apparently I was turning 27. Yep, I went a whole year not realizing I was 26 already. So I aged two years on that last birthday. It still irks me :)
Okay here I am a month late to the game, but I loved Hal Higdon's program for my first 1/2! This time around, I am just listening to my body and doing my own thing. We'll see where that gets me in April, haha!
ReplyDelete