Best Laid Plans

LA MARATHON COUNTDOWN: 1 month and 26 days

I woke up today feeling like something was missing. I ate breakfast, walked the dogs, got a coffee...what was I forgetting? Then it came to me. I realized I was so busy with training (and not training), work (and the work I wish I got paid for), and my trip to Michigan for the holidays, that the last time I wrote a blog was...three months ago! To the very day! That's no good. With eight weeks left until the big day (yikes), I vow to blog at least once a week leading up to the actual race on March 20th. For my seven faithful readers, here's an update on my training (using the 18 Week FIRST Marathon Plan) to get you up to speed.

For those of you unfamiliar with the FIRST Method, the basic idea is that you run only three days a week, at a pace related to your 10K time. This way, you won't wear out your legs before marathon day, but the pace ensures that every workout counts. Since I've never run a 10K, I decided to base my pacing on the time I'd like to finish the marathon; four hours. I had heard from other runners that the magical four hour time was what separated "real" runners from "enthusiasts". As I mentioned in October, all my research suggests a runner should have at least one year of running three to four times a week before attempting their first marathon. Not me. I'm a dreamer, a go-getter full of unrealistic passion.

I started tracking my progress only 6 weeks before officially starting the FIRST Method Training Program. In addition to your running days, the program includes two days of cross training and at least one rest day. Due to my unhealthy love of Tony Horton, I chose to use P90X workouts to cross train. This would've been a great idea, had I eased them into my running training. Instead, I jumped into both full force, injuring myself in the first week, which kept me from running the second week. Though I kept up with my two P90X workouts, I ran only once during weeks three and four, stopped cross training during the fourth week, and by week five and six, I had completely stopped training. As usual, I bit off more than I could chew. Classic Briana.

With 16 weeks to go, and two weeks of the FIRST Plan already behind me, it was "now-or-never, do-or-die" time. Mother Nature, on the other hand, felt differently and blessed me with my monthly womanly gift. Yeah. Awesome timing. I was quickly discovering what I was made of; excuses. I mustered enough strength to do one workout on the treadmill, a sweaty and satisfying Interval session. But the following week, I did nothing. I was starting to see my pattern and it wasn't pretty. I was disappointed, disheartened, and depressed. But you know what's good for depression? EXERCISE! It took me until Thursday of that week but I did a great five mile Tempo run, then on Sunday I ran my longest run to date; seven miles!

With 13 weeks to go, I packed up and headed to Michigan to celebrate Christmas with my family. I was equal parts excited and scared, since sticking to a training plan while traveling has been difficult for me in the past. I wasn't gonna let that happen on this trip. Running outside in 30 degree weather was out of the question, of course. My mom has a treadmill in her house, and I'm still chained to Bally's Fitness Centers thanks to my never ending membership, so there would be no reason not to run.

My mom and stepdad were super supportive and let me take over their living room for a 40 minute Interval run. Afterwards, they even asked me questions about why I had been motivated to run a marathon. Not only did I feel loved, it gave me an opportunity to reinforce my goal, just as this blog is allowing me to reevaluate my progress thus far. I told them how I wanted to challenge myself by setting a big goal, something that would show me what I'm really made of. This led to a conversation about their fitness goals. They've both been inspired by my journey over the last couple of years, from P90X to Insanity to running a marathon. That's when I realized that pushing myself really had set an example for my loved ones, and that reason felt better than any other to keep moving forward.

Just when things were finally looking up and feeling good, I had another set back. My monthly gift arrived again, giving my resolve a run for it's money. This time, instead of backing off, I pushed myself even harder. I wasn't going to let Mother Nature drag me down again. Unfortunately, giving it my all only got me halfway through what was supposed to be a ten mile long run. My body was weak, cramping, and more dehydrated than normal. I guess it's just as important to know when to stop and rest because two days later, my immune system was shot; sore throat, dry eyes, and full body aches. I was heading back to LA with a good old fashioned Michigan cold, one that stuck with me for three long weeks.

Which brings us to the past few weeks. It took me almost two weeks to feel well enough to run again. When I did, I found out I hadn't actually lost that much progress. My body wasn't ready to push forward, and this time I listened. I tried not to think about how much further I "should" be in my training. I just drank lots of water, laced up my shoes, and did the best I could, averaging about 10 miles a week. This past week, I added a pilates class to my training, with the hope that it will help strengthen my hip flexors and core. It was a killer workout and I'm interested to see how pilates will help shape my body and effect my running.

That's what this journey is all about, testing my body and finding out what I'm capable of. I don't know how long it will take me to cross that Santa Monica finish line. Five hours? Six hours? I sure hope not. My new goals are to do my best, each and every training day, to finish my first marathon, all 26.2 miles, in an upright position, and to try not to die.