Happy Sunday! I hope that everyone is having a great long weekend. It rained here all week but we’ve been blessed with sunshine this weekend π
My AirBnb Brooklyn Half Marathon training may be over, but I’m now training for the Chicago Marathon! My coach and I opted for a 20 week training plan this time so that I could slowly introduce tempo runs and hill repeats. When I trained for the NYC Marathon last year, it was all about getting in the miles. This year I want to PR in Chicago, so training will be a little different. As long as my IT band cooperates, I think everything will be okay!
One week down, 19 more weeks to go!
Monday 5/22
45 minute walk. My legs, specifically my hamstrings, were very sore and tight so I opted to kick off marathon training with a walk.
Tuesday 5/23
2 mile run + 30 minutes of recovery Yoga. My hamstrings were still pretty tight so this run was slightly uncomfortable. I decided to do Yoga for Recovery from the Runner’s World Yoga for Runners DVD. It really helped! I followed up with some foam rolling and my hamstrings felt about 90% better.
Wednesday 5/24
55 minute Boot Camp class. The instructor focused a lot on legs – ouchie!
Thursday 5/25
First tempo run in over a year! 3.5 miles total (2 miles easy, 0.5 mile tempo, 1 mile easy). This was a great way to slowly incorporate tempo runs back into my training. It’s all about baby steps!
Friday 5/26
Rest days are the best days!
Saturday 5/27
First long run of this new training cycle and my first time doing hill repeats in a LONG time. 6 miles total with 3 hill repeats in the middle of the run. I was happy with this pace but the hill repeats were hard! Hopefully it gets easier with time.
I also tried out Vega Clean Energy. I believe this product has been out for a while, so it’s not necessarily new, but it’s new to me. I really liked it and I did feel that it gave me some energy, especially to help with the hill repeats. Also I didn’t have any GI issues. I think I’ll continue to use it before my runs.
I’ll be trying out different fueling products during this marathon training cycle. Nothing wrong with my go-to brands (Nuun and Honey Stinger), but I want to test out a few other products to see if they might work better for me.
On Saturday I also received my two grab bags from Pro Compression! Of course I already had most of these socks, lol. If you also ordered a grab bag and want to trade, just let me know!
Sunday 5/28
60 minutes Spinning + 30 minutes recovery Yoga. While I loved my double workout Sundays, I won’t be able to do that during marathon training (it’s just too much). I’ll alternate each week between spinning and the weight training class. Adding in Yoga on Sundays is great to stretch everything out before another week of training!
Total Weekly Miles – 11.5
Total Training Cycle Miles – 11.5
Grade – A+
Overall I think week 1 of training went very well. For some reason my quads and hamstrings were pretty beat up from the race. I used Sunday of last week and Monday to recover from the half marathon.
The tempo run and hill repeats went pretty well this week. I haven’t done any speed work in a long time because whenever I would try to run faster, my IT band would get cranky. So far, so good, but I’ll be on the look out for any issues with that. My knees were a little sore when I started my long run yesterday, but they didn’t hurt during the hill repeats so that’s a huge win in my book!
Totally unrelated, but there are two sales I wanted to mention before signing off.
Pro Compression is having a buy one, get one free sale this weekend. It ends tomorrow (details below)
Honey Stinger is offering 25% off all products until May 30.
Also, donβt forget to check out my charity fundraiser giveaway for Hope in Motion β Each $5 donation = 1 raffle ticket! Entries are low, so if you buy a ticket there’s a good chance you will win a prize!
Did you have a good week? Are you training for any Fall races?
Iβm linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap, the Jessβs, (Jess Runs Atlanta and Jess @ The Right Fits) and Courtney for their Training Recap Link Ups!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
Look at your jumping right into the next training cycle so quickly! Looking happy too. Thanks for the heads up on the honey stinger sale I like their chews for my bike and runs. Have a great rest of your weekend
kookyrunner says
I was a little worried about jumping right into another training cycle but thankfully the mileage isn’t that high yet so it’s going well so far! No problem – always happy to share a good sale on products!
Kimberly Hatting says
I might check out the Honey Stinger sale! I’ve been experimenting with gels, and the HS seem to be the only ones that don’t leave my tummy in distress after running. I’m also gonna be waiting for another PC grab bag sale…featuring compression sleeves. I got some last year (I think?), and was pleased with what showed up in my mailbox π
kookyrunner says
Yes their gels are pretty good, and they taste good (they aren’t too sweet). If I hear of a PC grab bag sale on the calf sleeves I will be sure to let you know!!
Coco says
I just ordered white procompression socks with that deal – I should have gone for a grab bag, but I ordered a fun pattern too. I love your picture of the bean – I had a hard time finding it the first time since it’s sort of hidden in a park! You will be in fine shape for Chicago!
kookyrunner says
With the grab bag you just never know what you’re going to get, lol. I was definitely hoping for more patterns, but it’s okay! The only reason I found the Bean on my first trip to Chicago was because I walked there with a friend from the city, lol.
Katie Shepherd says
Great job on your first week of training for the Chicago Marathon! Glad you had some sunshine over the weekend. I’m sad the rain is headed back down south for us all week :(. I’m not training for anything specific right now but I ran 6 miles Saturday just to keep up my long run base. Hope you have a great Memorial Day!
kookyrunner says
Ugh, this weather is so wacky! That’s so smart to keep a great running base even though you aren’t in training. That way when you’re already in great shape for whenever you start training! Hope you have a great Memorial Day as well!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
I’m so excited for you to run Chicago! I swear, if someone gave me a free entry, I’d jump right in. It’s just the best!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Wendy! I’m super excited to run the Chicago Marathon! I really love the city.
Zenaida Arroyo says
Yay to a great first week for you!!!
kookyrunner says
Thanks! I always like the first weeks of training when the mileage is low, lol
Marcia says
Congrats on kicking off your Chi training. You are wise to back off a touch after your half to let those hamstrings recover. Thanks for the Honey Stinger heads up. I need to restock!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Marcia! I just love Chicago and can’t wait to get back there! My hamstrings have never been an issue for me, so when they felt so tight/sore, I knew I needed to back off training a little. Hope you’re able to order lots of Honey Stinger goodies!
vicki says
Great week! I’ll be starting Chicago training soon too!
kookyrunner says
Awesome! I know so many bloggers running the marathon this year π
Clarinda says
I’m so excited to follow along with your marathon training. My last full was in 2014. I definitely want to run another one, but for now, I’ll live vicariously through you. Great job on week 1!!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Clarinda! I’m sure you will run another marathon one day and I’ll be excited to follow your journey!
Teresa says
Look at you heading straight into marathon training! You go girl! I need to check the ‘clean energy’ mix out. I need all the “boost” I can get! lol
kookyrunner says
Thanks Teresa! Definitely try out the clean energy – they have two flavors to choose from!
Lisa @ Mile by Mile says
Great job this week! It so important focus on recovery after a race and not jump back in too quickly. My Stridebox shirt arrived this weekend too! I need to remember to take a picture in it.
kookyrunner says
Thanks Lisa! Even though I didn’t technically have a break between training cycles, I still wanted to ease into marathon training this week.
How cute is that shirt from Stridebox? I love it!!
Fairytales and fitness says
I hear ya with the IT band. It’s always a gamble not know what will aggravate it. What do you do when you get a flare up?
kookyrunner says
When it flares up I do a lot of foam rolling, like a ton of it! I also do PT exercises like one legged bridges, etc.
Debbie says
Good luck in your marathon training! I have to say I’m happy you honored your half marathon recovery this first week. Smart!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Debbie! I figured better to start off slow than to make an injury worse!
HoHo Runs says
How fun to be starting marathon training for Chicago! I have a little unfinished business there (not falling next time!). I love your picture of the bean at night. My hammie keeps getting sore — that’s a new one for me. Let me know if you have any good tips for that. Thanks for linking, Kim!
kookyrunner says
I’m really looking forward to Chicago. I got the photo of the bean from Google, lol. We’re both been blessed with weird hammies this past week (insert sarcasm, lol). I did a lot of stretching in downward dog to help with my hamstrings last week.
Jess @ Jess Runs ATL says
Holy cow I am tired just reading this recap! Nice way to kick off marathon training, I’m glad to see you took it easy the first few days to recover from your half. Way to go!
kookyrunner says
LoL, thanks Jess! I was more than happy to ease into training at the beginning of last week!
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy says
A very solid first week! A long run with hill repeats is a tough workout.
Tempos — I definitely love to hate them.
kookyrunner says
Thanks Judy. I was so out of breath after my tempo run and after doing the hill repeats. I know that I need to work on those two things more and hopefully it will get easier!
courtney @ eat pray run dc says
Yay marathon training! We’re on the same timeline – my race is just a couple weeks before yours π Cheers to a great training cycle.
kookyrunner says
Thanks Courtney! π
Tracy says
I’m starting a new training cycle this week, so I love seeing all these fall race training plans kicking off! Sounds like you had a great week! Focused workouts should serve you really well in your quest to PR. I’m also in the market for different fueling so I really liked hearing your thoughts on the Vega! I’ve used their protein powders in the past and have been thinking about trying it out the Clean Energy for a while.
kookyrunner says
That’s awesome Tracy! I use Vega protein powders and recovery accelerator and love both. The clean energy was really goo and I’m looking forward to using it before my runs. It comes in one other flavor as well.
Rachel says
Sounds like a great week of training! 19 more to go and it’s going to breeze by…!!!
kookyrunner says
I don’t know if it will breeze by, lol, but hopefully it will be a pain-free training cycle!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says
I’m intrigued to compare how your training goes vs. mine. I’ll be kicking off my 18 week plan next Monday, and am excited, nervous, and scared all at the same time about training for my first marathon. Eek!
Jessie says
Oh my gosh, I LOVE your I like to Party shirt!!!
I wish I would have purchased the Pro Compression grab bag, you got some awesome ones!
Interesting to hear how you like Vega- I know a lot of people who love it, but I haven’t tried it yet.
Strong week Kimberly!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Jessie! That is my new favorite shirt – who doesn’t love to party?! lol
I’m sure that Pro Compression will have another grab nag at some point this year – I’ll give you a heads up if I hear anything!
I use other Vega products but the was my first time using their Clean Energy – it’s really great!!
Steff says
Okay, only because I suffer from the IT Band as well, when was the last time you had your gait checked? Sometimes the smallest tweak of the shoes helps a ton. Good luck this training. You’ll do great!
kookyrunner says
I haven’t had my gait analyzed in a while, probably over a year – great idea to get it checked!! I’ll definitely look into that.
Chaitali says
Sounds like a great kick off to your training! You have a lot of variety in your weekly workouts π I love the Runner’s World yoga stuff on their website. I had no idea they had a DVD too. I’ll have to look into that.
kookyrunner says
Thanks Chaitali! I like to have a lot of variety in my workouts – it helps me from getting bored, lol.
The Accidental Marathoner says
I have been procrastinating on getting my Chicago Marathon training started, but I guess it’s here! I’m looking at a 16 week plan, so I still have a little time to formalize things. Thankfully, the nice weather has finally arrived…hopefully here to stay!
kookyrunner says
That’s great that you are also running Chicago. It seems like a very popular marathon for many runners that I know this year π
Amy @ Life to the Full says
Woohoo!!! Enjoy your training and running Chicago! I would LOVE to do that race some day – definitely a bucket lister π
kookyrunner says
It’s a bucket list race for me and I love the city so I am hoping it will be a great race!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says
It looks like you’re off to a great start! I look forward to following along your road to a marathon PR!
kookyrunner says
Fingers crossed! I feel like I had some unfinished business in NYC so I would love to redeem myself in Chicago.
Wendy says
Great first week! I’m training for Chicago too! I’m looking forward to following your journey. π
kookyrunner says
That’s so awesome! I love that so many runners are tackling Chicago this year!
Abby @BackatSquareZero says
Amazing first week of training.
kookyrunner says
Thanks Abby! π
Mindy @ Just A One Girl Revolution says
I’m running Chicago, too! My training starts on Monday!
kookyrunner says
That’s awesome! I keep meeting so many runners that are doing Chicago – it makes me so excited!
TJ from TJ Tells It says
I’m excited to follow your Chicago training and the different products you try! Is the Vega Energy a pre-run or during run product? How was the taste? Good luck with getting your PR.
kookyrunner says
Thanks! The Vega Clean energy can be used pre-run but can also be used as a “pick me up” during a workout. It didn’t taste bad at all – not too sweet and I loved the citrus flavor.