Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Thoughts on this Training Cycle

I'm just under 2 weeks out from my triathlon and about 9 weeks out from my marathon so I thought it'd be a good time for a "check-in" post about how the training is going.  For my other marathons, I did weekly training posts but this time around I decided not to do that.  Truth be told, I don't feel like I'm 100% focused on either race, or not as focused as I was in other training cycles.  That's not to say that I am not working hard, because I am.  I just think that training for 2 different races at the same time has sort of taken away from my ability to really focus on either event. Plus, I've had other distractions like moving and starting a new job.

Maybe some of my lack of obsessiveness over my training plan has to do with the fact that this is my 4th marathon.  That's certainly not a high number of marathons but I'm at the point where I've done enough marathons to know how training works.  Plus being in a running club takes some of the planning out of my control as I trust that the coaches are putting together workouts that will get me to the starting line healthy and ready to run my race.

In an attempt to put some thoughts together on training, here's what's different/interesting about this training cycle:

1.  The long runs got long fast.  Because this has been a busy summer for me, time has gone by especially fast, which means that the long runs got long real fast.  I mean, our first 20 miler is in 2 weeks (but I will have to miss it as that is the weekend of my tri and there's no way I am going to run 20 miles and then do a triathlon the next day).  My body has handled the higher mileage well but it just boggles my mind that I'm already doing 16+ mile long runs!

2.  Different fuel.  The last time I ran a marathon, I totally bonked at the end because I physically could not force myself to eat another gu which meant I did not have any calories for the last 6+ miles - which is NOT good.  So this time around I have been using these single serving applesauce packets.  You know, the ones designed for kids.  They have 60 calories/pack whereas the gu has 100 calories/pack so they are in the same ballpark.  They are a little bit bulkier so it's harder to carry 3+ packets on you, but it's worth the hassle because eating real food > sucking down super sweet gu.

3.  I'm so tired...  I forgot how tiring marathon training is.  Throw in triathlon training on top of that plus a new job, which is going great but is mentally fatiguing as I learn the ropes and that = tired Lisa.  This might not have been the best time for me to also go off Ambien as that's contributing to my exhaustion as well but I thought maybe my exhaustion from training would offset eliminating the sleep aide.  I'm tired during the day and I am also tired during some of my training runs/bike rides.  I'm hoping to see an improvement once I am done triathlon training as I am planning to go from 1 rest day to 2 rest days after the triathlon is behind me.

4.  ... but not ridiculously hungry.  In past marathon training cycles, I had many weeks where I felt like I had an insatiable appetite, but that hasn't really been the case thus far.  I am definitely eating a bit more than I usually would but I don't feel as ravenous after my long runs as I did in past training cycles.  I've been trying to eat something with protein right after my long runs so maybe that is helping!

5.  Swimming will never be my strong sport.  Even though I grew up swimming in lakes and feel comfortable in the water, it's never going to be my strong sport.  I've done quite a few open water swims and while it's getting a little easier, I don't come away from any swims thinking, "dang I killed that!"  My mindset on race day will be to just get through the swim part so I can focus on the sports that I enjoy/feel comfortable doing.

All in all, I'm feeling healthy and on track to do well at both of my upcoming races.  Maybe the distracted way I've been feeling is good as I haven't really had time to obsess over how my training is going.  And sometimes a lack of obsession is a good thing!  I guess we'll find out on my race days...

Are you training for anything this summer? 

13 comments:

Karen said...

My training is going pretty well, though I've not yet hit the LONG run phase of my training just yet (it's coming up fast, though). As far as being always hungry - I sometimes feel it, but because I've been doing my weekday runs after work, I had a full day's worth of fuel to keep me going. I find that's a lot easier to work with than trying to stuff in some sort of fuel and run first thing in the morning. But as the Long Runs approach, I'm definitely going to need to work on what I want to use as fuel while running.

Gracie said...

It's got to be difficult to train for a marathon and a triathlon at once. Especially the time - that's just so much time spent training.

Marlys said...

I will be happy for you when your triathlon is over so you have one race behind you! Trainging for two while starting a new job and all has to be taxing, so I hope you start sleeping better and have less training! Time to "smell the roses"!

Marisa A. said...

Man can I relate to #2. I remember hitting mile 20 and KNOWING that I was on empty and I desperately needed something. But the thought of choking down another gu packet made me heave a little. So I thought better to just keep going on empty than throw up so close to the finish. Hoping to mange my food/gel intake better this time and be more proactive. Last race I didn't take anything in until I knew I needed it because I could feel it. Probably not the best approach. Good luck on your Tri! I've always wanted to do one, but admittedly the open water swim scares me. Swimming in lakes also scares me though...

Amber said...

You know I was thinking while we were texting the other day that sometimes I forget you are training for a marathon because your run club routine is so typical for you in the summers anyways! Plus you've been so busy with the new job and your move earlier in the spring that the marathon hasn't been at the forefront, but I definitely don't think that's a bad thing! You will probably do even more awesome at it than ever before since you're not so focused on it!

I really hope your sleep gets better soon. I can't imagine doing such heavy training on such little sleep :(

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

No, I'm not into racing ... well, maybe a 50 m sprint!! Haha! I'm fast, but I don't have the stamina for long distances.

Kelly (She Wears a Red Sox Cap) said...

I'm sorry you are so tired and sleep sucks (I can definitely relate), but it sounds like your training is going well and I think you are going to do great in both races!
I signed up for my first tri in 2 years last week. So I guess I'm technically training for that. But.... really I just do any workouts I actually can do at this point. I'm in a good schedule of actually working out 4-5 times a week these days and that is fine with me even if it's not necessarily specific sports with specific distances or times attached. Hopefully the tri won't kill me!

Carolina John said...

Fortunately the swim is the shortest part of your tri, it will literally only take a couple of minutes. marathon training rocks.

Jenny said...

My mileage isn't anywhere as close as yours but I still get hungry after exercise and in the afternoons so I'm going to try the protein thing and see if works for me too. I'm currently taking part in a run series that builds up to a 12k in November and I'm doing an Ekiden relay race with friends in October which will be great fun!

Kyria @ Travel Spot said...

I am definitely a fan of the applesauce, although it IS a lot bulkier. I cannot stand Gu though, so it's 100% better than that. I also found that if you get tired of the one flavor, you can buy the Target baby food packets for a little variation.

I am sure that you are tired! That is a lot to take on at once. However, I think you thrive in an environment which is a little more busy, so I am sure this is actually pushing you to work harder than you would if you had a lot of extra free time.

Emilie said...

You are the second person who has mentioned using fruit packets in place of gels. Do you have a SpiBelt or anything like that? I wonder if you could tuck them in there to make carrying easier? I don't know how secure or comfortable that would be since I've never tried it. During my full I grabbed a gu fairly early on the course and stuck it in my sports bra. I had no room in my belt for it but wanted an extra just in case I needed it towards the end. I wound up not taking any fuel after mile 14ish, if I remember correctly, due to horrible nausea so I ran almost the whole race with it in my top. When I got home I realized the packet rubbing against my skin created a massive sore that took almost 4 weeks to completely heal and left a lovely scar. I will forever be more mindful of how I carry fuel!

I think you will notice a big difference for your energy levels once you are able to take 2 rest days per week. Mental exhaustion is tough, too! Hopefully this will also improve as you acclimate more to your new job. I bet the extra protein following your long runs does help your hunger! I am going to try that next time I train for a full. My body usually wanted carbs but they digested so fast and I was constantly hungry. I can't speak for multiple marathons, but now that I've run 7 or 8 half marathons, I am not as obsessive about how I'm training or eating. I think it is due to knowing what to expect and confidence in my ability to complete the distance. I don't have the same confidence with 26.2 yet :)

The Many Thoughts of a Reader said...

So sorry about the lack of sleep. My july was sleepless and it was not fun. Would it help to even try benadryl once a week at least? I know it's another sleep aid but man, sleep is glorious.

San said...

Can I repeat myself and tell you how impressed I am with your training? I've seen quite some improvements in my running, but a 16+ miler sounds like a long way away.

Which leads me to another thing: the 'fuel' for longer runs... I am thinking about a drinking bottle and have no clue on other fuel (gu sounds disgusting and I love that you found an alternative that could work for me!). I need to pick your brain sometime!