Confession: marathon training is not going as planned. It’s not going not as planned, but it’s definitely not going as planned. Did you catch that?
Last week was week of juggling because I was traveling on Thursday. Plus with being in a new location, I knew a long run wasn’t going to happen, so my coach and I tried to plan ahead as best we could.
Marine Corps Marathon Training: Week 2
Tuesday — 6.2 miles
The beginning of the week was a major swamp fest. O.M.G. I was technically supposed to run hills on Tuesday but as soon as I walked outside I knew this run was going to be about just gettin’ it done rather than speed or hill work. I was literally dripping sweat while standing still. It was incredible.
Wednesday — 7.7 miles
Wednesday was supposed to be my long run of the week but I could barely get to 7.5 miles. It was such a messy run. Within the first mile I had a creepy encounter with a van (not cool, guy who turns on the hazards as he approaches a lone female runner) and then once I mentally got over that excitement, I was about four miles in when I realized how incredibly dehydrated I was becoming. Rookie mistake: I didn’t carry any water with me. It was hot and humid (even worse than Tuesday) and my run was longer. I should have run with water. Lesson learned.
Pre-run and pre-sweat.
I had about a mile left and decided to take my dog and my son for a quick run. My son is excited to be training for his first 5K and I need to train my pup to run with me, so it worked out. By the end, this run was a battle of the wits — I won but by threads only.
Friday — 5.12 miles
Friday was a fun run. My sister-in-law and I ran a couple miles together in her parents’ neighborhood (and yes, got lost — which was not my fault!) and then she and my husband switched and he ran with me for the second half of the run. It was a treat to run with her and then with my husband as well. It’s a rare opportunity I get to see her and a rare moment when my husband and I get to work out together at all.
Sunday — 2.04 miles
Sunday was an amazing run on all counts. I am so sad I don’t have any pictures to share. I’ve been making a really conscious effort to be present for all family time and activities and to pick up electronics as little as possible while on vacation. Sadly, for my run on Sunday, I opted to leave my phone at home when in reality, I definitely should have taken it with me.
Since my son has officially begun training for the 5K, Sunday morning was a perfect opportunity to train. I told him to lace up his shoes and we went out for a quick run.
We ran together for almost two miles. We ran through the little side streets of where we’re staying, then onto the main road, and then found ourselves on the beach. It was a cool morning with some morning mist. We watched the waves gently roll onto the sand. It was so quiet, no one was out. Just us. It started to rain a little bit and after my son inspected a few shells, we ran about halfway down our beach and then turned back.
It was my favorite run I’ve had in a long, long time. I really hope we can recreate the magic but it might have been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I didn’t get to capture. The one time I wished so badly I had taken my technology! Sigh…
I hope my son keeps those 25 minutes of running and shelling alive in his memory for a long time. I know I will.
I’m not gonna lie — week 3 of marathon training will likely be a bust. I’m trying to be as present with my family as I can, and it’s hard motivating myself to head out for an hour at a time in a strange place without them. It’s also been quite overcast the last few days which has also played into the motivation factor. My fingers are crossed I’ll get a few solid runs in, but even if I don’t, I’ve been swimming quite a bit so at least I’m keeping my fitness up.
Looking forward to the rest of this week and next!
xo
TALK TO ME!
Do you have a hard time motivating yourself on vacation?
Do you find it easy or difficult to drop the technology and be present with loved ones?
Linking up with My No-Guilt Life, Marcia’s Healthy Slice, and MCM Mama Runs for Tuesdays on the Run, and HoHo Runs and MissSippi Piddlin’ for the Weekly Wrap. Also linking up with Nicole, Annmarie, Jen, and Michelle for Wild Workout Wednesday.
