The real fun is about to begin...

Training has been going fairly well the past few weeks, mostly steady runs of 6 and 10km for a weekly average of 38kms. I'm finally getting past some of the discomfort I was having in my left shin through physio and massage, also doing alot of foam rolling which is BRUTAL but really works out those deep muscle knots. This week will be a real test, since it's technically week 1 of 19 of REAL training, so now the weekend long runs start to increase, and weekly K's start averaging 50+. If I get through this week, I think I will actually be able to do this:)

The running room program is good, however I decided I needed a little extra 1:1 coaching so I'm meeting with a well known local running coach this Thurs. Even though it's my first (not sure if i'll do another, but we'll call it "first") marathon, my goal is to run well and finish with a good time, not "just finish". Not sure if this is a realistic goal or not, hence feedback from a coach on my program and goals. Right now i feel pretty slow, but i know that speed will come once I lighten up a bit more (it's coming!) and hills and speed work starts near the end of July. I have to keep reminding myself not to be in such a rush.... it's a process!

..... yeah, good luck with that, hehe:)

OK, here goes....

Well, it's official! I've signed up to run a marathon... the NYC marathon Nov. 1, 2009. I was searching for something, another goal since I decided to take a break from competing in Figure and got the "crazy" idea that I should train for a marathon.... but not just any marathon, the NYC marathon! Am I on crack???? There's no real reason that I need to do this, I mean what's wrong with just fitness for the sake of fitness? I've been training and dieting hard the past 3 years for figure, why not take a break??? I have no idea... I just know that once I get an idea that I want to do something, I just have to do it. Anyhow, there's no turning back now, I'm going through a travel group and already paid in full (not cheap!). So now the fun begins.... training! I've been running off and on for years, and more so in the past 3 years as part of my prep for figure. A lot of physique athletes avoid running for fear of losing too much muscle, but I've never found it to be a problem. And I did run quite a bit, especially in 2006 which I believe was my best year (2006 North American's - 2nd masters B, 3rd open B). My running that year was awesome! I remember feeling so light and feeling great during my runs..... mind you at the time I was 112 - 116 lbs, so I've got a bit to go before it starts to feel good again.

So here's the plan; I've signed up for the Running Room 1/2 Marathon Clinic (didn't have enough people for the full, apparently I'll get a training plan for the extra K's), starts this Tuesday, June 9 at 6pm. Once I get the plan I'll structure my weekly training. I plan to do my runs in the morning and train with weights afternoon or evening, pretty much what I've always done. I will add in some extra cardio, either powerwalks or elliptical/bike at the gym until the K's start to get higher. I'm currently running 30-35 km/week but expect this to gradually increase into the 40-60km range, at that point who needs extra cardio! The only reason for it now is to drop 10-15lbs of pudge in the next 4-6 weeks so that I feel more comfortable running and can actually train. I know, sounds weird that I want to drop weight to run, alot of people run to drop weight, but if I've learned anything about dropping weight over the past 3 years its that for me, diet plays a HUGE role and I need ALOT of cardio to get the fat off my butt! So during the week I will be keeping the diet super tight, and save the extra carbs for the weekend longs runs.... we'll see how it goes. By mid-July I should lean and mean again and ready to run like the wind!

Happy training!

Michelle:)