Marathon Training 2018 – Week 9 (of 26)

The next several weeks involve “easy” weeks and “long” weeks. This was an easy week of 15 miles total. The coming week is a longer week, with a total mileage of 25 miles. In the coming weeks, we will have totals up to 50 miles.

Last week, we completed four runs and two cross-training workouts. Saturday was a rest day. This week we will do the same plan, but add an additional cross-training work out on our shortest run day. We will see how it goes.

We worked on breathing and running form this week. We’re also getting more dedicated to proper post-run stretching, as well as doing some yoga-type stretches throughout the day.

On the weight front, I was pretty unnerved last week to step on the scale and see that I had gained a little less than a pound. That really bugged me, but I decided to refrain from pushing the panic button. Instead, I reviewed my food logs and looked for things that might be improved. I reminded myself of the principles I now try to live by, and I committed to better planning.

This morning at my weekly weigh in, I had lost over 2 pounds, so I’m glad I didn’t fall into trying anything radical. I did have one wheels-off eating experience at night last week. I caught myself and regrouped. It was weird – it was one of those times when I thought I “should” be hungry based on how long it had been since I had eaten anything. I didn’t have a plan, and I felt cheated – like I wasn’t getting everything I imagined should be coming to me. Bottom line – I ate when I wasn’t hungry, and I immediately regretted it. This would have been a perfect time to dig in and resist the urge to eat when I’m not hungry. I didn’t pass the test. However, I didn’t get into any kind of spiral either. Rather, I moved on from it.

This bridge is on the running trail between my house and Steve’s house, so we cross it a lot. I like this picture of it. It reminds me of the journey I am on. I started crossing that bridge in January, when running for 15 minutes with walk breaks seemed really difficult. I cross it now, anticipating an enjoyable run of an hour. It’s the same bridge, but I have to keep moving across it. It’s been a part of the journey nearly every day for nearly 6 months. It will continue to be. Same basic decision daily. Slow and steady progress.