NYCM Training: Week 5

Hi, all! So, another week of New York City Marathon training is in the books, and I am very, VERY happy to report that week 5 was DEFINITELY an improvement over last week. Which is a good thing, because there’s no WAY I would have survived 10+ more weeks of the monstrosity that was week 4.

I told you guys in my last post about a bunch of things that were making my runs a total SUCKFEST, like the fact that I was waiting until, oh, 11am to start my long runs, or the fact that I wasn’t making enough of an effort to drink throughout the day (water, that is…my coffee and wine consumption seem to be just fine…). ;)

Wine tasting on the weekend? Yes, please. :)

Wine tasting on the weekend? Yes, please. :)

Last week I tried to make an effort to right my wrongs in the hopes of being able to survive long enough to see November 2. Plus, I definitely did NOT want to spend another Sunday afternoon curled up on the floor in the fetal position.

Mon., July 28: Strength training (Although I’d say it’s technically “rest” because I feel my “strength training” is a lot less working out than it is watching Todd play on the machines at the gym…and whining when he tells me what to do, LOL)

Tue., July 29: 3 miles and Thai kickboxing class

Wed., July 30: 3 miles

Thur., July 31: 6 miles

Fri., Aug. 1: Taekwondo class

Sat., Aug. 2: Cycling (This was supposed to be a rest day, so I made sure it was more a leisurely bike ride than all-out effort)

Sun., Aug. 3: 12 miles

Total weekly mileage: 24 miles

I know I technically skipped my official “rest” days this week, so I’m still working on allowing myself at least 1-2 days per week to be completely and 100 percent AT REST. However, I do think I balanced karate and running a little better this week — and my legs are definitely thanking me for it. They’re still tight and sore, like, all the dang time…but each step didn’t feel QUITE as brutal as it did the previous week, so I’ll call it a win.

It probably sounds more than a little obsessive-compulsive, but I really do feel as though I NEED to do something active every day. I know I physically can’t run every single day (nor would I want to!), but I always end up feeling like some sort of “bum” when I don’t work out…especially if it’s more than one day in a row. I know it’s ridiculous. I guess I’m one of those “former fatties” who swapped an addiction to food with an addiction to exercise, and it was made even worse when I realized that I actually put on a few pounds during my most recent marathon training cycle (it just doesn’t seem fair, RIGHT?!)

So now I’m not only in marathon training mode, but I’m in “how many calories have I burned today?” mode to get back to where I was. But I know my body needs the rest, so if that means squeezing in a little more couch time between runs, well…I guess I’ll just have to manage. ;)

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12 miles down…and still standing…

As far as my long run this week, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the weather gods for providing me with a cloudy and drizzly morning in the high 60′s/low 70′s on Sunday morning! Yes, it was still humid, and, yes, I was still sweating like a pig, but the drop in temperature and the fact that I could easily maintain my old “slow,” comfy long run pace around a 10-10:30 minute/mile (for the majority for the miles, anyway) was enough to give me my confidence back after last week’s DISASTROUS 11-mile run. And let me tell you, I NEEDED that confidence boost. I was starting to think there was no way I’d be able to finish this training plan in one piece, not gonna lie.

I know I still have a long way to go in terms of building up my speed/stamina to where it used to be, but seeing how much even that minimal drop in temperature (and the lack of the blazing sun beating down on me) affected my performance really helped remind me that I’ve been struggling for a reason lately…and, presumably, that issue will resolve itself when cooler temps return in a couple of weeks.

I will also admit that pulling myself out of bed by 7:30 helped a LOT — the sun was starting to peek out in the last few miles, so I really could tell the difference between how I felt at 9am as opposed to how I was feeling closer to 11am. I was finished with my run by the time I’m normally just getting started, which was also a good thing. So I guess I’ll put on my big-girl panties and get up earlier for long runs.

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Oh, and I’ve been making an effort to drink a lot of water. Not just immediately before working out, but all the time. I spend a lot more time in the bathroom, but when I’m running, I don’t feel like the kiss of death…so, all-in-all, I’d say it’s a fair trade. Not to mention I think I’ve definitely been confusing thirst for hunger for awhile, because when I increase my water intake, I notice my head isn’t in the ‘fridge nearly as often. Score! :)

Do you feel you take enough “rest” days?

Have you ever tried to lose weight while training for a marathon?

Comments

  1. I am SO glad this week was better than last!! I was thinking about you over the weekend and hoped every step wasn’t killer yet again. I wouldn’t be able to get through the remainder of training that way either!

    Crazy how much hydration helps huh? lol ;0) My coffee and wine consumption are going just fine as well hahaha! I love me a glass of moscato in the evening!

    As for losing weight during training, I’ve definitely done it, just not during marathon training. I was in weight loss mode when I was training for my first half. Losing weight for a full marathon training would be so much more difficult! Good luck!

    • Jennifer says:

      Aww, thanks, Lauren! I appreciate it! I guess it’s the bad weeks that really make you appreciate the good ones, though, right? Or something like that…? :)

      Hahaha, yup, I’m with ya — gotta have a glass of white wine with dinner. I’m more of a Chardonnay kind of gal. I guess because it makes me feel classy or something? lol

      Oh. it’s going to be a royal PITA — I’m basically just watching what I eat and hoping that all the increased physical activity does the trick. I’d just like to be back where I was before the Dopey Challenge consumed my life. Is that too much to ask?! :-D

  2. I love reading your blog – makes me feel so reassured that there is someone else out there going through the same issues!
    I’ve NEVER lost weight when marathon training which is so annoying and just like you I’m counting the calories to lose a few pounds gained after Dopey!! I’ve also not enjoyed my runs so much either but I’m signed up for a 50km ultra in October so I’ve got to keep moving forward…….

    • Jennifer says:

      Thanks so much! Glad you found me! That’s EXACTLY why I love blogging/reading blogs…running can be such a solitary activity, and it’s nice to know that others are dealing with the same stuff.

      Ugh, it’s SO annoying — glad to know I’m not the only one! People are always like “how can you possibly gain weight when you’re running so many miles per week?” and all I know is that it is SO easy. I didn’t even realize it happened until I tried on my capris from last summer and was met with an unpleasant surprise, haha.

      WOW, go you! That’s awesome! Best of luck with your training…an ultra is something I’d totally consider doing…someday… :-D

      • Thanks Jennifer! We’ve been on a similar journey so I totally know how easy it is to gain weight. Wine and coffee – no problem, plain water not so much! I’m so glad I didn’t have a marathon planned after Dopey like you did but I’m finding the ultra training tough!

        • Jennifer says:

          It is RIDICULOUSLY easy to gain weight. Just one of the many ways life is not fair, haha.

          Yeah, it definitely wasn’t a great idea to run another marathon 2 months after Dopey — meanwhile, I’m running NYC and signed up for Goofy in January like a moron. ;)

          I’ll bet the ultra training is killer…but it’ll totally be worth it. What an awesome accomplishment!

  3. I’m so glad that you got a bit of nice weather and kicked butt on your long run!

    I am totally with you … taking 2 rest days in a row always feels so wrong! Before marathon training I used to do something active every single day, but now with the increased mileage (plus weight training) my body is like, “HELL YES IT’S REST DAY!!!” Aside from stretching and foam rolling, I’m pretty sedentary on Sundays :)

    • Jennifer says:

      Thanks, Kristina! At least it gave me a chance to see that it’s actually the WEATHER that’s kicking my butt, not the mileage, haha.

      YEP — my thoughts exactly. I try to take at least ONE fully sedentary day…and it does feel damn good, not gonna lie. :)

  4. Don’t you LOVE rainy summer days? I had a cooler rainy day last week and I used it to get to the track and do some speed. It put me in a fantastic mood! And teh early mornings do pay off. I used to have no problem getting up that early, but after I met David who loves to sleep in, it was much, much harder to wake up when he was still sound asleep. But the cool morning air does help a lot.

    • Jennifer says:

      YES! It saved my life this weekend. I needed to remember what it was like to run on a day where I’m not breaking a sweat just walking, for crying out loud. I’ve definitely been trying to pick up the speed on days when it’s been a little cooler, which is helping to boost my confidence, if nothing else!

      This is my EXACT problem, too! I actually LIKE getting up early, but since Todd would sleep for 12 hours straight (if I let him, haha) it makes it so hard to get up and do my thing. It’s a sacrifice I have to make, though, because running earlier did make such a huge difference!

  5. Even this heat and humidity loving girl got beat by the heat this weekend, so I can SO feel your pain. Glad to see it all resolved itself. :) And YES, IT’S OKAY TO HAVE A COMPLETE REST DAY. So say the running gods. :)

  6. What a week! So glad to hear that week 5 went much better than week 4 did. Like you, I feel guilty when I take rest days, but just remember that rest is just as important for your body as workouts are, especially when you’re pushing your body as much as you are.

    • Jennifer says:

      Thanks, Kathryn! I know you’re 100% right. Glad to know I’m not the only one struggling with “resting” though! (Sounds a little nuts, right?) haha

  7. Way to kick ass and take names! I’m so glad that this week went better for you and that you were able to try and right some of your “what I was doing wrongs.” Keep up the awesome work! :)

    Right now I think I’m taking too many rest days, but I know that will change once I (hopefully) get back into the swing of run training again.

    • Jennifer says:

      Thanks, Kellie! It was nice to see improvement, I’ll say that much. I definitely took my share of rest days, too, before I started training for NYCM — believe me. Haha

  8. I think rest days are so important during marathon training. We are putting our bodies through a lot of grueling work, so a “bum” day won’t hurt. I try to have two rest days a week: one where I do absolutely nothing and then another one where I walk or do yoga.

    • Jennifer says:

      You’re totally right! I would really like to get into yoga — I tried it in my pre-running days and didn’t like it, but I’m wondering if I’d appreciate it more now!

  9. Great job on your training for the week. Love your Princess shirt! I have the same one:) i wonder what color they will be this year.

    • Jennifer says:

      Thanks, Lacey! Appreciate it. I’ll be missing out on Princess 2015. :( Wasn’t crazy about the 2014 designs, I’ll tell ya that much, haha.

  10. Glad to hear this week was better than the last! When I make a point of drinking more water I east less too. It’s like magic. I think I could with fewer rest days. I’d love to workout more like 5 days a week than the 3-4 I manage.

    • Jennifer says:

      Thanks, Karla! It totally is — I’ll feel like I’m getting hungry (even though I ate, like, an hour ago, haha) but then I drink some water and magically feel fine.

  11. Way to go Jennifer! I read your post and the same things are running across my mind! I am hoping to lose some weight this training season, but I know I’ve been overindulgent during vacation + not as much mileage as I like. My normal routine should resume next week

    • Jennifer says:

      Glad to know I’m not the only one! Here’s hoping we both kill our training (and maybe even shed a couple of pounds along the way). :-D Vacations were designed for being overindulgent, IMHO. ;)

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