Happy first day of September! It’s Friday so of course that means I’m linking up for Friday Five 2.0 with Rachel from Running on Happy and Lacey and Meranda from Fairytales and Fitness.
I have to say that overall this has been a pretty good training cycle. Sure, I’ve felt fatigued and dealt with some minor injuries, but I think that’s expected when you’re training for a marathon. I believe that with every new training cycle you learn more about yourself, and this was certainly true for me this time. Although I have a few more weeks left of training, I’m ready to share five things I’ve learned during this training cycle.
I’m not a summer weather runner
I know my strengths and weaknesses when it comes to running, and I’m definitely a cold weather runner. Sure, it requires more layers, but it just works better for me. Training during the summer is HARD! I’m not saying that I will never run in the summer but it would be nice to run because I want to and not because I have to. I’m looking forward to just “running for fun” next summer.
I will not run a Fall marathon next year
This lesson goes hand in hand with my first statement. There’s no need to suffer through long training runs in the heat and humidity if my heart isn’t in it. I think you do yourself a disservice if you start a training cycle but aren’t really committed to running that race distance. For that reason, I definitely need a break from running a Fall marathon. I actually don’t plan on running any marathons next year (unless I get into the London Marathon).
Experimenting with fuel/hydration is important
I experimented with some new fuel and hydration products during this training cycle. While some were a miss (Generation UCAN), others were a a big hit (Tailwind and Huma gels)! While I still do use Nuun and Honey Stinger products, I’m happy that I decided to give other brands a chance. I’m finally figuring out what products work for me, especially during my long runs. While I’m still working on my pre-run fueling, I feel comfortable with my running fuel and hydration choices during this training cycle.
It’s OK to modify workouts
I’m very Type A and I like to stick to a plan. This applies to a marathon training plan as well. I was very focused on making sure that I got in my strength training workouts to help avoid injury this training cycle. That worked well for a few weeks but then my knees started to get very sore/achy. It got to the point where going up and down the stairs was painful. I was icing my knees and using KT tape but it wasn’t helping. After some trial and error, I realized that the cause of my pain was lack of consistent PT exercises and too many squats/lunges in my strength training classes. Now that I’m doing my PT exercise routine almost daily and modifying certain moves in my classes, my knees feel SO much better. A little bit of modification might have just saved my training cycle.
Don’t doubt yourself
You always hear “Trust the process” and guess what, you should! When I as struggling during my long runs in the beginning of my training I was getting frustrated. I didn’t know what I was doing wrong and I was doubting if I could even run the marathon. As the weeks went on, the runs weren’t always pretty, but they were better. I just think that my legs got used to the increase in mileage week after week and I learned how to hydrate more on my runs.
Are you currently training for a race? What have you learned so far?
Lisa @ Mile by Mile says
You’ve been doing so great with your training this summer! Its definitely tough to train through the heat for a fall race. I saw some posts pop up on time hop from past years when I was training in the summer and complaining about the heat. The one good thing is hopefully you will have nice weather on race day!
kookyrunner says
I have checked the weather for the marathon already, lol. It looks good so far, granted its over a month away so anything can happen!
Cyndi says
20 milers during the summer I’m sure are a challenge. I avoid lunges and squats during training as I’m afraid of hurting my knees! Glad the PT has been helpful. Trusting the process and your training is an important point to remember!!
kookyrunner says
Definitely agree on the squats/lunges. Like an idiot I forgot that fact this week and did way too much in both my strength training classes. I’m paying for it now!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
I agree and wrote about how much I hate summer running too. I don’t know how you all do it all summer for these long fall races.
kookyrunner says
I trained for NYC last year, but my training didn’t start until mid July so I was able to avoid some of the summer heat. This year I started training for Chicago in May, so I think that’s why I have hated summer running so much!
Meranda@Fairytalesandfitness says
I say I’m a summer runner just because I love summer and have more time to run but i’m starting to believe that I am NOT a summer runner either! But, i’d rather struggle outside than run on a treadmill!
kookyrunner says
I also have seasonal allergies, so that mixed with running in the heat and humidity is horrible for me. Running in the dead of winter isn’t enjoyable, but I prefer it over the sweltering heat!
Kimberly Hatting says
Isn’t running (and training) a humbling process? Just when we think we know all there is to know (at least about OUR quirks), something happens and all the tried & true things either don’t work anymore or need tweaking. That’s why I am always trying new fuel, as well. I know what works, but my needs change for almost every situation…so the learning in ongoing.
kookyrunner says
Is is SO humbling! Sometimes I feel like I take one step forward and two steps back, especially when it comes to training for a race!
Megan @ Meg Go Run says
Wow, all good things to learn. I slow down a lot in the summer, and I am okay with it, but then again I am not training for anything, just plodding along… Yeah, definitely have been plodding lately! From our necks of the woods, it’s like if you run a fall marathon, you have to train in the heat, but if you run a spring, you have to train in the cold!
kookyrunner says
It seems like a no win situation right? LOL. I am actually looking forward to not training for a Fall marathon next year.
Lesley says
I did my second half marathon in December, which meant training started in the Texas summer. After that, I said never again! I’d train in the spring, for fall, but never summer running. I can do short runs on the treadmill when it’s hot, but the longer runs were so mentally brutal. I keep that schedule because even in Colorado, summer temps are hot.
kookyrunner says
I can definitely relate, although the CT summer heat is probably nothing compared to Texas heat!
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy says
Well, this one I learn over & over — but I’m getting better at it — it’s okay to skip a run if you’re feeling run down. It’s not the end of the world — or your training!
And I’m always experimenting with nutrition!
kookyrunner says
I’m still learning that! I had to cut a run short this week and I was mad at myself at first but then realized how silly I was being.
Abby @BackatSquareZero says
You have been so consistent with your PT exercises. Really proud of you for that.
I too am looking forward to running for sun next summer, not for a set plan.
kookyrunner says
Thanks Abby! Just trying to get to the start line of Chicago healthy!
Marcia says
I’m so excited to see you at mile 13 in Chicago! I think you’ve had an excellent training cycle. Oh London. that’ll be the only marathon I’ll consider in 2018 as well. We’ll see….
kookyrunner says
I’m SO looking forward to seeing you on the course in Chicago!
Same for me of London.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says
You’ve been doing great with your Chicago training. I’m with you, summer marathon training is hard! It really is making me consider which, if any, marathons I will run in the future.
kookyrunner says
It’s so hard! I don’t know why I forget how brutal summer running is every year, lol
HoHo Runs says
Kudos for training through this summer! I did it for the past two summers and I knew I didn’t have it in me this year (but I would have if I were picked for NYC. HA.). It’s great you’ve found a routine to keep your body strong. The right PT is so important! I know you are going to rock Chicago!
kookyrunner says
Yup, I’m definitely at that point right now. Two summers in a row was enough for me, haha.
Rachel says
Did we write the same post? Because I’m pretty sure we did. Haha! xxoo
kookyrunner says
We are long lost twins Rachel. You didn’t know that?! LoL 🙂
allison says
I used to swear I was a fall spring runner until last summer when I decided to tackle the half for the first time. And it turned out to be our hottest, driest summer on record in 150 years. My best tip is wear less clothes! But I actually wrote a post about how I coped with it. https://getwifed.wordpress.com/2017/04/04/warm-weather-running-tips-from-a-reformed-springfall-runner/ Then a weird thing happened this summer, I couldn’t wait for the heat and running in just a bra on top and feeling the breeze on my belly. I truly do enjoy it now.
kookyrunner says
I have done a few runs in just a sports bra and it is very freeing!
Angela @marathonsandmotivation.com says
I hate running in the heat, it is such a struggle for me as well! Good luck with the rest of your training as the temperature cools down!!
kookyrunner says
I definitely will not miss it!
Vic @ dinocracy.com says
The heat doesn’t really bother us up here in Toronto or at least not this year where with the except of a couple of hot and humid days we really have had a great cool time, perfect for running.
Sad to hear you don’t plan any marathon next year. I do plan my first. My only struggle is getting on a training plan, sticking to a schedule and put more miles in. But I guess I just summarized what everyone is going through haha
kookyrunner says
I would love to visit Toronto one day. I’m actually doing a race in Montreal later this month and I’m really looking forward to it!
I do think that if you want to run a marathon, you definitely should! I just know that I won’t have the passion to train for another one next year.
Jamie says
I admire your tenacity and your focus, but girl I couldn’t do it. I’m actually putting off my full till next year after I graduate from Grad School. I just can’t fit it all in this year. But reading your progress has kept me focused on what to do and what not to do! 🙂
kookyrunner says
I think that’s smart! You know your limits and like you said, there’s only so much time in the day!
Toni says
All great points! Summer training is rough and last year after I trained for the NYC marathon I sad I wound never train over the summer again, guess what here i am training for a half……..I think my body is getting used to summer training. I have finally learned how to listen to your body.
kookyrunner says
Summer training is just not for me. I think I could train for a half marathon but not a full marathon.
Kate says
Great lessons! I’m training for my first half – this time last year, I had only run 3.55 miles. 2 weekends ago I ran 11. But it was after mile 9 that I realized I needed to start bringing fuel along. I get up, drink a bottle of water and go run – my runs have always been fasted… which was much easier when they were 3 miles long! 5 miles I can do – but I’m discovering that after 5 miles, I need to add fuel. I tried a GU on my first try… oh my goodness, didn’t consider caffeine! Had to stop 3 times to just breathe! I did buy a 2nd one at the same time – it has 1/2 the caffeine, but I’m still wary! I tried a Honey Stinger waffle on my 8 miler this weekend, it wasn’t bad, but dry, I feel like I drank too much trying to get it down, and sloshed a bit! 🙂 Soooo… TL/DR, I’m glad others try new things when it comes to fuel and replenishment!
kookyrunner says
Congrats on training for your first half – how exciting!! It’s always good to experiment with fuel during your long runs so you can see what does and doesn’t work for you!