As I mentioned on Monday, I recently passed the halfway point in my marathon training. With 8 weeks down and 8 more to go, I thought I would take a few minutes to reflect on what I have learned so far- thinking out loud style.
1.BODY GLIDE!!!
I have been running for over a decade but still had to learn this lesson the hard way. Last week I did my long run in a pair of shorts that I don’t wear very much and I guess I got a little sweaty because around mile 12 I knew I was in trouble with chafing. Let me just add that it’s extra rough to wear a dress to a wedding all night following this. I am ordering lots of mini body glides to bring with me on all my runs and I will be putting it on every inch of my body that could potentially chafe from now on.
2. Recovery
I’ve figured out a good balance of what works best for me, which has been a little different than other training cycles. I have actually preferred to be more active following long or hard runs.
3. The Other Stuff
I wrote a post last year about how other factors impact our training, and this is still true. I notice how things like sitting too much or wearing uncomfortable shoes will impact my running or make my muscles tighter than usual.
4. Stress
Over the past few months I have had times that were extremely high stress, and when I looked back on the peak of that time it is when I got really sick. Running is a type of stress on our bodies along with emotional stress. When we have too much of one or both (or something else) it can cause our bodies to break down. I’ve been working on managing my stress but I am also aware that I may need to cut back on running when I am feeling outside stress.
5. Eating
I think this time around I have been more laid-back with my nutrition, but I have still incorporated when I have learned in the past works that well for me. I’m aware of what doesn’t make me feel great so I can avoid those foods as I progress with my training.
6. Sitting
I mentioned this above, but it deserves a bullet point of it’s own. Sitting makes my hips tight. In particular, sitting the same way all day long makes my hips tight. I’ve been making it a point to sit differently throughout the day and get up whenever I can.
7. Working with a coach
I am already so glad that I made the decision to work with a coach for this marathon. I haven’t had to question what I am doing or worry about making changes on my own. When I was sick, Kristy was able to modify my training whereas that would have been one more thing for me to worry about. It’s also allowed me to focus on coaching others without having to think about my own training.
8. Running in the dark
It is dark out here in the county. I don’t think I ever realized how well lit it was when I lived in the city! It’s gonna be a long winter of dark runs and I guess I will need to get used to wearing my headlamp every single day.
8 weeks down, 8 weeks to go, and 8 thoughts about my training so far. That’s a good place to stop, I think!
What are some things you have recently learned or been reminded of while training for a race?
Is it dark where you run? Or do you run indoors/during the day to avoid the darkness?
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I get used to running in the dark but it is sort of weird when I think about how much I actually do it. Knowing the routes really well plus a great headlamp helps! I agree with all these thoughts 🙂
Do you wear the same headlamp as me? I think I picked mine out because I saw it on your blog, but I cant remember. I find it moves around quite a bit and I was wondering if you had that problem. I also feel like it only lights up one small area. Really, I just wish we had better street lights in my neighborhood!
Mine is the Petzl tikkina – looks similar to yours! Mine doesn’t move at all though and I forget I’m wearing it. Make sure it’s snapped into place though that could be why it moves?
I hate how dark it is. I try to only run when it’s light out but I find myself out there when it’s still slightly dark before the sun rises. My neighborhood is well lit but still, it’s dark! Agreed on sitting, even if I am tired after a long run, I do much better overall if I don’t lay around afterwards. Moving and staying busy feels much better.
It’s crazy that now it’s still dark out even when I am finishing my run. Last year I was able to run a little later because I didn’t have a commute. And I’m probably noticing it even more this week because it’s been so rainy!
Great post and all so true! I’m at the halfway point in my training now, 9th week of 18. Hope your training continues to go well. I’ve enjoyed following you in the Weekly Wrap.
Congrats on reaching your halfway point too! Exciting to get past that milestone:)
My problem is the motivation of getting out and running in the dark. I’ve actually got decent gear, especially since Ragnar, but I don’t usually have to run in the dark, so I don’t. And you should do my little at desk workout to cure the sitting blues 😀
I will definitely be trying your sitting workout:) I have actually considered running after work to avoid the dark, but I know I will regret that decision. I’m such a morning runner and find it so hard to get motivated later in the day.
I like running in the dark but I can’t get out of bed to do it in the morning! (I sit here putting it off…). Are you able to get a standing desk for when you’re not with the kids at work? I know a lot of people are liking those!
I’m actually in a transition period right now between projects, so I’ve been stuck in an office all summer which isn’t where I will be working permanently, so I can’t do any sort of standing desk yet. But hopefully when I get situated I can make some adjustments!
My hips tighten up from sitting as well. I’m grateful I don’t have a desk job. It’s very dark here. No street lights at all except on the road that’s too busy to run on. I rarely run in the dark for that reason.
We have some street lights but not everywhere. I have found some decent routes, but it’s still a big transition from living in the city!
Toms are always my preferred shoe. I got off pretty easy in the heels department because my husband and I are the same height. Instant excuse to always wear flats!
That bodyglide! I’ve heard good things.
I have no desire to wear heels anymore! They are just too much work and not comfortable.
I need to invest in a headlamp…dark early morning runs await me this autumn and winter. Any suggestions?
The brand I have is Petzl…I think its ok but it’s definitely an adjustment to wear it every day. I might try out another kind just to see if there’s a better option. But this one is good enough if you just want to try it out!
It is dark in some parts of my neighborhood. I should probably get a head lamp but I really like the dark.
I wish I liked the dark! I have terrible night vision (which Rob tells me as I walk into walls trying to find the bathroom at night) so its not exactly safe for me to run in the dark without a headlamp.
I recently discovered Ruby’s Motion Potion thanks to Stridebox and it’s been a godsend! I think I will be using a gallon of it this weekend with all the rain!
I will need to look into that!! Thanks!
I sometimes run in the dark for early morning long runs. It doesn’t get dark too early here at night yet, which is nice. I a few weeks it will though. I love running at sunrise:)
Sunrises are the best, but it’s been so rainy here lately there has been no sunrise to be seen!
I’m with you on sitting being horrible for our muscles. I always thought that because I ran in the morning, my legs would rest and recover by sitting all day, but really all that happened was my legs would get tight, stiff, and feel more fatigued than when I stand all day. Sometimes I feel lazy and just want to sit all day, but having a standing desk option really makes me break the day up to keep my legs loose. It’s so dark where I live… missing summer sunrises already!
Its so great that you have been able to do a standing desk! I am hoping I can eventually figure out a way to make that happen. But when Im at home after work I try to sit as little as possible.,
You’re brave for running in the dark. Do you see little rodents scurrying around the road? YUCK. K but seriously, you’re pretty hardcore there, Lisa! I’m impressed.
No but I see deer and foxes! I saw more rodents when I lived in the city.
I don’t know that I could ever run in the dark like that — kudos! I’m a wimp and usually only run when it’s light outside, or I’ll hit up the treadmill if I’m really craving a run but the sun isn’t cooperating with me. Or the weather. We have pretty hardcore winters up here, and I can’t really see myself running in all that snow and ice.
Once its icy here there will be no way I can run outside, especially in the dark! That’s just too dangerous for me.
I always get up and stretch at intervals, walk down the hall or go to the bathroom. I really feel it the day after Pure Barre workouts because my muscles are sore and I’m more in tune to how they’re doing. It’ll still take a little effort to stand up because they’re so sore.
Yea, I hear ya! Its definitely good to move around throughout the day when possible.
I used to run in the dark all the time when I lived in Indiana, but now by the time I get Ryan off to work and drive to the trail, it’s light outside, which is really nice. I need to get some body glide – my sports bras have started chafing at my ribs and it hurts!
I think ideally I would like it if I could run right around sunrise! And definitely look into some body glide. Or Vaseline which I use for my HRM and works pretty well.
We recently moved to the country too and it is SUPER dark! I miss my well lit running trail and streetlights! But I do enjoy running on gravel and seeing deer and turkeys – so I guess I have a better deal here!
My favorite running shorts caused chafing on my 12 mile run too. I’m blaming the balmy weather, but I feel your pain – ouch!
Sorry to hear you have had chafing issues too! And there are definitely nice things about living outside the city, I try to remind myself of that on my dark morning runs:)
I have something like 7 pairs of TOMs? Because I’m crazy. I haven’t worn heels since before I met my husband, so like 5 years. I still have them because I like to look at them, but I don’t ever wear them..
Yes, yes and yes, Lisa!! I’ve noticed many of these things myself (sitting is horrible, which nutrition works best, staying active after long runs) lately and I’m glad that I’m not alone! I think it’s wonderful that you are aware of these positives (and negatives) and are using them to your advantage as your training progresses. And, even though I often run in the city, it is just plain dark out there in the morning; I wear my headlamp most days of the week now…long winter of darkness, for sure – ha! Great post!
Glad you have learned these things too! It’s gonna be a long, long winter…but at least we get a break from the heat and humidity, right?:)
is this your first time using a coach? i have been toying with the idea lately just because i dont feel like im making any time improvements and its frustrating. i totally need to get a headlamp, its not really dark where i am but crazy drivers dont really pay attention so that would probably help out a lot!
Yes, it’s my first time using a coach! After coming back from an injury this sprig plus coaching my own running clients I didn’t want to have to worry about my own training. It’s really nice to not have to do much of the thinking!
I end up running in the dark a lot in the winter, just because there are so few hours of sunlight! My in-laws got me this insanely bright, light-up vest which I wear at night, and I have a head lamp so I can see where I’m going. I try to stay in populated areas though because if I go run out where there aren’t many houses/cars, I start to freak myself out. 🙂
I need to get one of those vests! Do you recommend the one you have?
Hmm I do like the one I have because it is SO bright, but it might actually be a little too bright haha. Also, I got it last Christmas, so for the first few months that I was wearing it, it was over several other layers…when I wore it in the summer with just a tank top on, it wasn’t super comfortable! Not sure if that would be true with all vests or not though, so if you want to check it out, here’s the link:
http://www.amazon.com/Cycling-Traffic-Outdoor-Safety-Warning/dp/B00VYQD394/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1443753011&sr=8-7&keywords=running+led+vest
I’m already noticing how soon it is getting dark out. Oh the days are shortening as we speak. I need to get used to running in the dark again….I at least feel better now about doing it because I don’t live in the city anymore. Shady things can happen anywhere, but it was a constant worry in the city.
Happy halfway point!!
That’s true! It’s kind of sad how much shorter the days are getting. At leas the sun is still out for awhile in the evening!
Congratulations! These are all such great lessons. I don’t run much but I still can’t sit around a lot. I get SO stiff!
Thanks! I think anyone can feel the effects of sitting. I do notice though that after a longer/harder run I get more stiff than on a rest day/easy run day.
I actually don’t mind running in the dark, but when I do I leave my headphones at home. And I am all about the Body Glide–my last half marathon was in the rain and I rubbed that stuff all over my body beforehand. Toms are the best shoes too 🙂 So comfy!
It’s a great idea to leave the headphones at home when running in the dark! And lots of body glide is so necessary in the rain.
The worst thing about the fall/winter is having to run in the dark in the evening! I hate having to adjust to it! I should think about getting knuckle lights since I wear my visor all the time (even when it’s dark out) to catch the sweat!
It’s definitely an adjustment! The knuckle lights sound like a good idea.
Oof, I’m sorry to hear about the chafing situation! No fun. I think about once a year I get a painful reminder to be more aware of chafing, either because I ran longer than I meant to or I didn’t realize how hot or rainy it would be, or I just was feeling rushed/lazy and thought I could take a chance. It never ends well.
It doesn’t happen to me much either, but this time around was a lesson I will never forget!
Sounds like you’ve got it under control! I find myself getting sick when I get stressed as well, and wouldn’t you know with 5 weeks of single parenting my body is now rebelling and giving me a cold 3 weeks out from my marathon…kind of freaking out.
Well maybe you can get sick now and get better in a few days, rather than right before your race. I feel like its inevitable to get sick during the fall!
I recently went on a run right before sunset in Ohio, and I was surprised by HOW DARK the streets where when I had to turn around head home. At least in DC, there’s always enough street lamps/light from homes to keep the sidewalks well lit even late into the evening! It does make a difference!
i’m glad you made the decision to hire a coach too 🙂 i love having you as an athlete! you work hard, even when i throw crazy, tough workouts at you. that will all pay off, i promise! you are going to do great!
Thanks for everything Kristy! You have definitely pushed me to do things that I never would have tried on my own:)