Happy Sunday! Well it’s that time of the year again – marathon training! I’m excited/nervous to start another marathon training cycle. This summer I’m training for the Chicago Marathon. I ran the race in 2017 and had an awful race so I’m going back this Fall for redemption (hopefully)!
Here’s how my workouts went this week:
Monday, July 8
4 mile run + core work (15 minutes).
Nice run to kick off marathon training!
Tuesday, July 9
Peloton All For One Cycle (45 minutes) + 2 mile run + core work (10 minutes).
This was such a fun cycle class! All 12 of the Peloton instructors taught (they each did one song) and I really hope they do more classes like this in the future.
Wednesday, July 10
Boot Camp (60 minutes) + core work (10 minutes)
This class focuses more on abs and core which was much appreciated since my legs were kind of tired.
Thursday, July 11
OrangeTheory Fitness – Strength Day (60 minutes) + core work (10 minutes)
I think strength days are my favorite at OTF because we hit inclines on the treadmill and I get to lift heavier!
Friday, July 12
Finally a rest day!
Saturday, July 13
10 mile run + core work (10 minutes)
Firs long run, and double digit run, of marathon training is complete! I was super thankful that it was way less humid so the run wasn’t as bad. It was still warm, but having the low humidity made a huge difference. I also tested out a new Nathan Hydration Waist Pack to hold my water and fuel and it was perfect! It had plenty of room for all of my items (fuel, phone, car key) and no bounce! I also appreciated that it was on sale for 50% on Amazon π I have previously used the Orange Mud HydraQuiver Single Barrel and while I like it, sometimes it feels a little cumbersome and it can chafe my arms when I run in the summer since I typically wear sleeveless shirts. It’s perfect for the winter though!
Sunday, July 14
OrangeTheory Fitness – Endurance (60 minutes)
Today was an endurance day and it kicked my butt! We had a longer block of work on the floor – all bodyweight exercises – and I was a hot sweaty mess before I even got on the treadmill. Another great class with my favorite coach as always!
Total Weekly Mileage: 20 miles
Marathon Training Miles: 20 miles
Summary: 5 runs, 1 spinning classes, 3 strength training workouts
Grade This Week β A
Week 1 of training for the 2019 Chicago Marathon is in the books! Overall, it went very well. I’m still doing the #CrushYourCore program and eventually I’m sure I’ll see one ab, LOL. As this is my 4th marathon training cycle, I know a few things that will work for me which may seem ‘different’ from typical marathon training cycles. For one, I won’t have a lot of high mileage weeks. My body doesn’t appreciate multiple high mileage weeks. My highest mileage week will probably tap out at 40 miles. For me, it’s more about maintaining my cross training and strength training which I plan to do 3 times a week. Also I am counting the miles I do during my OTF classes so that is why you’ll usually see 5 days of running. So basically I run during OTF 2x a week and then I have 3 other days of running. This worked out fine this week but if I need to adjust, I will – it’s all about being flexible!
I injured my right calf muscle during my OTF class on Thursday. We did super high inclines on the treadmill (9 and above) and I ended up slightly pulling my right calf muscle. It didn’t hurt until later on that day. It’s SUPER sore and it bothers me when I walk down the stairs, but it feels fine when walking. Running on Saturday was fine up until about the last 2 miles but I think that was a combination of the injury and just having tired legs. As of today it’s feeling better but I’m sure it will take a few days before it’s completely gone.
One thing that wasn’t so great this week was my blog. It was down for several hours on Monday and I spent my entire lunch break at work trying to work with Go Daddy to get it back up. It’s back up now temporarily, but it still needs to be fixed on the back-end. Apparently, it’s a ‘script’ issue (whatever the hell that means) and I need a developer to look at it. The only issue is that I don’t have a developer. If you have any good developer recommendations, please let me know! One other option is for me to upgrade my plan and purchase more storage, but I don’t do many sponsored posts on my blog so I can’t justify continuing to pay more for the blog when it doesn’t make me money. It might be time to go back to blogspot (for free)!
That’s it! I hope you had a great week π
Iβm linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down.
In Case You Missed It
Tuesday Topics: Tips for a Strong Training Cycle
Science in Sport Product Review and GIVEAWAY!
Marcia says
I need a “developer” too. Seriously I want no part of the technical backend of blogging. Writing is enough. Sorry to hear about your calf. Hopefullyi it’ll heal up and not be an issue. Cheers to training week one in the bag!
kookyrunner says
Same! I really have no interest or time to play around with all the backend stuff on my blog.
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy says
Strong week! Sorry about your calf; I hope it heals up very quickly.
I don’t think that there is really any one way to train for a marathon. Every body is different. And you know your own body best!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Judy! It’s feeling much better today – thank goodness!
Deborah @ Confessions of mother runner says
You are really off to a strong start to your training! You are looking so fit right now. Maybe summer running does agree with you! That Peloton class is on my schedule for Monday morning. π I just started a second round of the core program and I think I see a difference for sure
kookyrunner says
Awwe, thanks so much for the kind words! I’m trying to hang in there when it comes to summer running.
I just finished week 3 of the #CrushYourCore program and I totally agree with you. I can see a difference already and am looking forward to repeating the program once I finish next week. The 15 min class this week almost killed me though!
Jessie says
Exciting kickoff for another marathon training cycle! Its nice to read about how you’re customizing a plan to work for YOU! Every runner is different, and it sounds like you’re using your previous experiences to ensure you can training smart and safe π
kookyrunner says
Thanks Jessie! I just wanted to explain my plan in case anyone was confused that my mileage wasn’t too high, lol.
Laurie says
The first week of marathon training is always so exciting! I think you are smart to customize your training plan. You are experienced enough to know what works for you. Good luck with your training.
I am glad I have a free WordPress blog and don’t need to worry about technical issues. I don’t want to do sponsored posts, I just want to write what I want to write. I hope you get your issues resolved!
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Laurie. So far, so good!
melissa says
This is a great week of marathon training! I always semi-customize my trainings – you know your body the best and as long as you have the basic mileage down ( and the mental stamina) you can do it! Good luck!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Melissa! I think I finally know what will and won’t work for me when it comes to training.
Coco says
Yay for your double digit run and all those other great workouts! You do have to be careful at OTF. I back off the pace when they call for steep inclines. Have you tried Tiger Balm or something similar to soothe your calf? Sounds like it’s on the mend but a little more TLC might help!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Coco! Yes, lesson learned on those inclines at OTF. Now I know to lower my pace if the incline is super high. Thank goodness it feels a ton better today. I’m hoping the soreness will be completely gone by Tuesday. I do have Tiger Balm and I used some yesterday and today – helps so much!
Cari says
Boo on your calf, but congrats on an amazing week. We’re going to kick ass this fall.
Ugh re: blog. The cpanel update is about to get me and I might ride out the cost — moving everything might be more trouble than I save, but curious what the increase is because, like you, I make no money on it.
kookyrunner says
Yes! We are totally gonna kick butt this Fall, that’s for sure!
Kimberly Hatting says
High five to you, #KimTwin!! Looks like we both had busy weeks (is it the name?) π Knock wood, I’ve been ob Blogger from the beginning (5-1/2 years) and I have had ZERO problems with anything…like I said, knock wood. I’m busy enough working (almost) full time at me regular job and just writing the posts, I really don’t have time or interest in using my blog for income. That may eventually change, but that’s what has worked for me, so I’m sticking with it LOL
kookyrunner says
I totally agree with you. I feel like I devote enough time to the blog and social media. I really don’t want to have to spend even more time doing sponsored posts!
Wendy says
Nice week Kim! I think you are definitely on the right path, following the OTF marathon training plan. I know I told you before, but I had the most success when my CF coach trained me. Low mileage for the win!
I know Blogger isn’t a glamorous platform but it is reliable. I’ve definitely made it work for me.
kookyrunner says
Thanks Wendy! I did notice on my Saturday run that my endurance was actually pretty good so I think that the OTF classes are helping.
I may be going back to Blogger if my blog crashes again.
Michelle @ Running with Attitude says
Fantastic start to your training! Sorry about your calf – hopefully a little rest will help. Have you tried a compression sleeve?
It sounds like you’ve put together a great training plan that will work for you – and that’s really the key, isn’t it?
kookyrunner says
Thanks Michelle! I ended up wearing tall compression socks most of the weekend and that really helped with the calf issue.
Black Knight says
A very good start of training. 10 miles with this temperature are a good achievement.
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much!
RenΓ©e says
whooo hooo Week 1 !!! seems like it was a good one, too, Kim! I’m like you; I can’t run super high mileage, my body just doesn’t appreciate it at all and then there is no added value for the actual race. I’m struggling though with endurance; I didn’t think I’d lost so much since my operation but now that I think about it, I haven’t done a lot of mileage/ long runs since Las Vegas RnR Half (November). This week my long run is 10 miles and I will probably run/walk it. In fact I may run/walk the marathon… (in a structured way).
Hopefully your calf is OK for training this week!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Renee! Luckily my calf is feeling a lot better now. I gave it tons of compression and TLC over the weekend.
Darlene says
I sympathize about calf. I had that for 5 weeks but I had ART done by a chiro and it healed.
Hope yours is minor.
My last double digit run was May 18. Not another until August. My plan starts pretty slow.
kookyrunner says
Thanks Darlene. Luckily it was minor – after a lot of TLC this weekend the soreness is finally subsiding.
That sounds right for your training plan since your race is in November.
Laetitia says
Congrats on a great first week!! I’m dealing with some pain this week as well… very frustrating…
kookyrunner says
Thanks! Sorry to hear that you are also dealing with some pain π Hope you start to feel better soon.
Zenaida Arroyo says
Oh no! That sucks about your calf. I hope you recover quickly. I also had a calf strain a few years ago and I had to take time off to recover. It hurt to run. You need a developer? I thought GoDaddy handled all of the blog needs You are off to a great start in your training.
kookyrunner says
Thankfully it wasn’t too serious as it’s always feeling a lot better – Friday was the worse day, I was basically limping around!
Yeah I have no clue what Go Daddy is good for since they couldn’t fix the issue, although it seems resolved now for the time being.
Allie says
How cool that you’re starting your Chicago Marathon training!!! At one point I really wanted to run Chicago but, after doing NYC a few years back I have to say that I think I’m done with BIG marathons…and maybe any marathon – LOL!!
That Peloton class looks awesome – what a great idea!!
As for your blog issues – I had Go Daddy and they are the WORST!!! I ended up going with an independent developer who is also a run and freelance writing friend. He is AMAZING and immediately emails/phones/texts me back whenever I’ve had an issue, which is almost never or something really small. It’s so nice having one point of contact for all your blogging needs!! His site is Up Early Designs and his name is Tony Pallotta. If you contact him, let him know I sent you π Good luck!
kookyrunner says
I can totally understand where you are coming from. The large marathons can be A LOT, but I do really love the crazy amount of crowd support!
Thanks so much for the developer contact!
Hannah says
That’s a solid first week of training – hope your calf is starting to feel better now!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Hannah! Luckily my calf is feeling much better today.
Virjinia @ With Purpose and Kindness says
I’m already getting the Chicago Marathon fomo! I ran last year and it was such a wonderful race for me. I opted not to sign up this year to try to get faster and qualify for NYC. I did hear about the crazy heat in 2017 so the cold rain was perfect for this southern girl lol. I will be living vicariously through your training and can’t wait to see you kick butt as you ramp up the miles!
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much! Yes, 2017 was pretty warm which just added to the bad race day I was already having, lol. I am praying for cooler weather this October!
Lisa @ TechChick Adventures says
Great job on the kick off of your training plan! Ugh, blog hosting can be such a pain. I ran into an issue with a really cheap host that the blog would always crash/crawl because my pictures were too big for it (exceeding the bandwidth). In the end I decided to just pay for a long term contract with BlueHost and call it a day. It’s not super expensive and I enjoy writing my blog, and looking back in history. Sadly, I don’t get paid to blog either so I know what you’re saying. Maybe we can find a sponsor π
I did end up migrating my WordPress blog on my own between host providers, so if you need any help with that, let me know. It was a bit stressful for a while, but everything landed in the right place. Phew!
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much for the insight on migrating from WordPress – I may be taking you up on that offer to ask you questions!
Montana @ Pretty Lil Mudder says
Great start to your training! Chicago and I have unfinished business. If I don’t end up doing Berlin next year I’ll probably do Chicago.
Sucks about your blog issues, I hope you get it worked out! I’m thinking of switching hosts again- it seems like every year they increase the prices and the best prices are for new customers. Doesn’t really make sense, I think they should reward loyalty!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Montana. You know I totally relate to the “unfinished business” aspect!
While I love blogging, I’m just not really to pay more money for the upkeep since I don’t make any money off it!
Jenn says
You are brave for all this marathon training in summer! However, you are making great strides and showing so much progress.
Sorry for your blog issues. I don’t know a developer but I hope you are able to get it sorted out soon. I know how hard it is to have blog issues – you put so much of yourself into it and it’s so disheartening when it breaks π
kookyrunner says
I hate summer and therefore hate summer running so it’s always comical when I sign up for Fall races, lol.
Jenny says
Sometimes technology is a pain in the butt!
kookyrunner says
Right?! So darn frustrating!
Liz Dexter says
A great strong week and doesn’t it make a difference when you know what to do and how you’ll react in your mara training. That’s why I put Liverpool in before my ultra, because I knew how to train for that. I mean, I could do more strength work but I know that! I’m sure this is all setting you up for a good mara!
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Liz! You’re so right – I feel very happy that I know what works/doesn’t work for me for marathon training.
Denise @ runheartfit says
What marathon training plan are you following? A friend’s daughter is running her first marathon at Chicago and asked me to look at her running plan.
I want to try OTF but it’s so expensive! Ugh!
kookyrunner says
I’m not following a specific plan (i.e. Hansons, etc). I just took a look at my 3 previous marathon training programs and designed a plan based on that. Also my plan is a little lower mileage than most as I do a lot of strength training.
Luckily my OTF is brand new so I was able to lock in an affordable rate as a “Founders Rate”.
Debbie @ Deb Runs says
“Itβs a βscriptβ issue (whatever the hell that means)…” I’m with you, I have no idea what that means. Of course, I don’t even know what a developer does so I certainly can’t help you there. Insert laughing emoji here!
I’m so excited for you for starting your Chicago Marathon training! My son’s girlfriend is running it, too!
kookyrunner says
That’s so awesome that your son’s girlfriend is also running Chicago!