With one marathon under my belt and in training for the next I find myself comparing the two training cycles and the affects of training "in the know".
What I mean by this is, when I was training for Chicago I was a newbie to long distance and all things marathon training related. Sure I had trained for a Half but taking on the Full was a whole new beast and my longest run pre-marathon training was 14 miles. Each week as I counted down to Chicago and ramped up the miles I experienced uncharted mileage, aches never felt and plenty of toenails lost. Every week was a new learning experience. Every week I pushed the limits my body as I knew it, was capable of. I became an O.C.D. FREAK about my routines, I planned every detail; clothing, fuel, run, etc. down to the "T" and basically became obsessed with all things training. It was all I could think about. It consumed my life. If I wasn't running, I was talking, blogging or dreaming about running. If running had been a real person I'm sure it would have broken up with me and filed a restraining order.
Yet now here I am, still absolutely, hopelessly in love with running but I have a more healthy respect for it. This training cycle I'm more relaxed. I KNOW I can run the distance. I KNOW I can handle the training. I KNOW if I miss a run it will not make or break my training. This training cycle, while far more aggressive than my last, I am more confident of myself. I haven't had a crazy freak out. I haven't felt especially burnt out. I haven't been running around in pain and not telling anyone. If anything I've enjoyed almost every single run. Sure I've had a few that sucked for whatever reason and yeah, I've totally had some FAIL's with all the holiday's, traveling and getting sick but nothing spirit shattering. This go around I've realized sometimes life just gets in the way and we have to put on our big girl pants and deal with it. (Although admittedly this sentiment is mostly thanks to Spike & Coach EK)
It's not that I didn't have fun training for Chicago, ya'll know I absolutely did! It's just that I ran so much more restrained and cautious. This training cycle however, has been like a breath of fresh air, there's been so much freedom too it because I KNOW I can do it!
So what do ya'll think? Did you find that after that first initial marathon training cycle you trained better cuz you were "in the know"? How has running/training "in the know" affected you? Very curious to see what ya'll have to say on the matter so please weigh in!
That's it for me, I'm off to B.o.B's tonight for our 20 miler in the a.m. Have a great weekend and as always, rock those races and long runs! Good luck to everyone racing/spectating Phoenix!!! Catch ya'll on the Flipside!
44 comments:
Yay I'm so happy you are able to loosen up and truly enjoy the process this time around.
Could be now you have pretty stellar distraction from all the marathon business :)
It's a great question. When I ran my first marathon a year ago (and I hadn't even run a half before that) it was all about just finishing and hopefully not walking. I was so enamored by the idea of covering the distance that I had no clue about all the other stuff. The beauty in that was that I was completely present in the expreince. No Garmin, just out there giving it my all and taking it in. I have run so much since then and learned so much, that I hope it has not become too much about pace/distance/fueling/recovery. That stuff is so important, but I don't want it to take too much away from the expereince. Wow, does that long winded answer say much of anything?? Good luck with training in the know.
You are so right, the second time around you can let your hair down and really enjoy the process so much more. I have the courage and the strength now to know that I can cover the distance successfully and now can get excited with each one about pace and time. The first one you just hope to survive!
Good luck on the 20 miler - enjoy your time with B.o.B! Happy Friday!
I feel like I could look back at this in a few months and feel the same thing. Have fun on your 20 miles!!
I'm so there with you. My first marathon I tried to follow all my training runs to a T. The second one was much better because I was starting to understand my body, training and the tools I needed to succeed (that and I relaxed a bit). Although my 3rd one was a train wreck, because I did not respect the distance, let me tell ya...if you don't respect 26.2 it'll kick your a**!
But after training for Chicago and now #5 (coming in April)...I feel like I'm starting to get in the swing of it...
I to, am feeling a little more relaxed about the training because I know that I can do the mileage. I find it easier this time around.
I am however, more anxious about actually getting to run in this one after I trained for San Antonio and wasn't able to do it! I am so worried that something with throw this one off too! I want to be a marathoner!
I think I learn something about myself and my training with each and every marathon I've ever done (15 I think) but there's nothing like the "unknown" with that first one. Sounds like you're having a blast out there and that's key. How many can run their brains out and enjoy it so much? A very elite club!
Happy Weekend!!!
I know exactly what you mean! I feel 100% better (we'll see if I say that after my 16 miler on Saturday--I've been slacking on the long runs!) at this point in my training than I did last time. I know I can finish a marathon--maybe not as fast as I'd like, but, I know I can do it. I'm much less stressed and have gotten back into a routine of "just do it" for lack of a better term--get out there and run!
My next marathon will be a total butt kicker (Catalina Island!), but, I know I can do that too--sure it'll be HARD and it'll probably take me 8 hours (I kid you not), but, I don't care because I know I can tackle 26.2 miles.
I absolutely agree with you. The first marathon training is so nerve racking! "Ok I just killed myself to run 13, and you're telling me in a few short month you want me to do that TWICE???" Ugh! But, it is much more relaxed and fun after... you have more confidence and you are much more in tune with you body.
Glad you're loving the marathon... people either love it and can't stop (addicted!!!) or they hate it and will never do it again. Glad we got another one on the dark side :)
-Stephanie
I've never been one who could choose a plan and stick to it, or plan things out as carefully as you wrote about. Training for my first was kind of... fly by the seat of my pants. My second training cycle, I imagine, will be even worse! haha. I wish I could be more careful... but I guess I'm more of a trial and error kind of person...? I guess I just like to throw myself into things and see how they turn out. But I will remember to eat MORE during runs. That's one thing I learned
I think I suffered the sophomore slump, thinking I was "in the know." I didn't train better until my third year of marathoning. Good luck to you. Cheers!
It seems to be a lot easier to have more fun with the training when you have a handle on things.... sure, every training cycle will be different with changing goals and obstacles, but there is a sense of 'been there, done that' that helped me to keep my cool the next time around.
For Disney, I had SUCH a laid back attitude, didn't follow any of my usual 'rules', took it easy and enjoyed myself... and look, I had the most fun running a marathon EVER and the whole thing felt pretty easy, even having run a half the day before.
Anyhoo - have a great weekend!!
Well, I haven't run a marathon so i can't really weigh in and i think i'm going to stick with the half marathon distance for awhile. But I can't wait to experience all of the new distances and battle wounds when I do start training for a full!
Excited to read about your second training cycle! Good Luck!
Now you have latitude in your training to run wider, that is to add more quality tempo efforts and MP finishes on the long runs to simulate the race. Your confidence will take you to amazing places!
I definitely experienced a shift in attitude between my first and second marathons. When I trained for #1 I was alternately thrilled and scared both with what I was doing and facing what lay ahead. When I trained for #2, I was more relaxed when it came to running the longer distances because I knew I could do them. For #2, however, I was totally focused on training well enough to BQ, and that kind of sucked a lot of the fun out of it.
It wasn't until #3, New York, that I really felt great about what I was doing, and the race itself was a total joyride. I admit I wasn't as dedicated to training for NYC as I should have been; I missed a lot of scheduled runs.
Now I'm on to #4 (BOSTON!) and once again, it's different. This time, I'm training without a firm schedule. I have my midweek runs and interval work and my long run on the weekend. There's no piece of paper pinned up on the wall in my Command Center (aka the closet). I feel more relaxed than ever. I think I have a firm handle on how I'm supposed to do things, and I'm going to let my body guide me. Last night I ran 6.5 miles with my regular gang, and I felt fantastic (it may have helped that the temperature was a balmy 34). ;)
Having coached marathoners for several years, I find that many people learn more about themselves and their running after they have one marathon under their belt.
Soon you too will be a wise veteran!
My first 3 marathons were less than 6 weeks apart so I never really come down from the high after that first one. Training was just keeping a mileage base and getting alittle speed work in.
I do agree that once I had complete the 26.2 within a race, I was able to relax a bit knowing that I could run that far.
I hate training plans and don't use them, but I did notice a big difference in training for my first and training afterwards. I think it was to my benefit to have no clue what I was doing the first time around. Ignorance is bliss with me!
Considering my first marathon was only 6 days ago I don't have much to add, except for my next marathon I won't fear the distance at all considering I had no issues going at a snails pace injured in 26 degree weather last weekend completely unprepared and untrained. I want to get the full experience for the next marathon including the training most of all!
I've only trained for half marathons so far, but just knowing that you've covered that distance before takes a lot of the pressure off. Have a great 20 in the morning!
I'm in that first training zone, so couldn't tell you! LOL ... in a couple of weeks I'm hitting the higher miles, and will be hitting the never run before distances, I'm excited but scared too. I'm also in that "first training" stick to it completely, live and breathe it zone you talked about (ask my family, they're probably ready to boot me out or beg for a different topic! LOL).
Really interesting post! I am such a newbie marathoner that I can't add much here but I do know that I will definitely go into training for #2 with SO much more confidence. Now that I've done 26.2, I know I can! That feeling will allow me to relax a little next time around, I'm sure.
so so so true, its so different the second, third, forth+ times around. you know what you did last time so what can you do to make it better this time? its more about challenging yourself, tweaking your training, taking what you have learned from the times before and incorporating it, its always a learning process. each training cycle i take things from the previous one and change it somehow. its a work in process always, but its fun to KNOW you can do it, compared to the first time where you hadn't done it yet. i dont know if that made any sense at all, but YAY :) haha
Yeah, I am right there with Tara. Although when it came to my marathon last fall, I turned out to be "everything-but-all-the-way-girl", I still feel like I am more confident this go-around and not so worried about whether or not I'll make it to a marathon. I know I can do the training, that if I miss something here or there, it won't break me, and that I'll make it to raceday. And that if even after all that, if GOD FORBID something happens again and I can't run my planned upon race, life will go on and I will live to run another day (and another race). Like anything in life, I think the first marathon training experience makes you wiser. Enjoy the 20-miler!
I think the BIGGEST thing I learned in my three half-marathon training cycles is IT'S OK TO WALK and it WON'T MAKE ME LESS OF A RUNNER! Had to capitalize that.
I think taking walking breaks when my body asked for it has helped me avoid an injury and has made me faster considering I ran my third half (with abotu 5-6 walking breaks) 15 minutes faster then my first half with no walking breaks!
Well, I believe in a self-derived concept I have dubbed 'body evolution.' The idea is that once your body gets used to running distances (ie: a marathon) you no longer need to do crazy training runs. I tested it out at Disney by not doing any training at all aside from an occasional 5 mile run. Most of all I think its all in your head, so once you bang out the 26.2 once, you know you can do it again. Did that even make any sense?!
I totally get where you are coming from. My first ever marathon was in May last year. I am not training for my second and it just feels more comfortable, more "in the know" as you say. Keep up the training. I look forward to hearing more about it.
I did not relax more for my second marathon because I chose a much harder (BQ) plan and really had to pony up to hit my paces, etc. However I did relax a ton more for my marathons since because I know I can cover the distance and the pressure is off. My goal always is to run for the joy of it.
I'm stil fresh off the first, but know that I know I can do it, I'm not afraid of those "long" runs. I want to see how much better I can run them, instead of just get through them. Make sense?
Though I haven't conqured the big M yet, I feel the same way about my HM. I was so much more lax and settled when I was training for my second HM than my first. I also had a lot more information the second time around and that really helped!
What a great approach! I was pretty crazy about training for my first marathon too, having to get in all my miles, on the right days. Hopefully if I run another, I'll be relaxed and more confident. I think you're right - since I hadn't run such a long distance before I had no idea if my body could handle it. But now that I know I can cross the finish line, there's a whole new level of confidence!
Have fun & enjoy the journey! And thanks so much for the kind words and encouragement! I really appreciate it!
actually I thought my first marathon was so perfect I didn't want to ever do another one...I waited 4 years to sign up again!
I've never ran a marathon (I'm training for my first one right now) but I definitely know what you mean about being "in the know." I always like doing things the second time around because I've know I've done it before and I know exactly what to expect.
Yessssss! I'm training for my 2nd this morning and I was just this morning talking about this to my crew. SO much more relaxed, no stress! (yet!) I love knowing what to expect and what I'm capable of.
It's like you know what you're getting yourself into this time around so know you're more prepared. You know what you are capable of.
I absolutely, 100% agree with what you said. I was insane the first time around. The second time, even though I was going for that BQ (BQ BQ BQ hee, hee) I was ok if I missed a run or two. The year before, no way would that ever of happened. And I think I trained smarter and better the second time around.
I am totally with you on this. But for me it took 2 marathons before I learned to train IN THE KNOW. The first I ran through an injury and wound up sidelined with a stress fracture for months on end. After that experience you think I would have learned, but no! I wanted that BQ so badly I wouldn't let myself miss a single speedworkout or long run. I again, ended up injured and had to skip the marathon. Now, I'm much smarter and actually train in the know.
I love this post. Week 1 of training for Marathon #2 was rough as I was too sick to stand. But I am not stressed I know I can do it.
I am hoping I have the same experience.. Love it! CONFIDENCE is the BESt..
Hugs and Love,
Mel
What a great motivational list.
Training in the know.
I'm going to have to write that down and stick it to my tennis shoes every time I feel like being lazy!
I've kinda always have been the fly by the seat of my pants kinda gal...and unlike most runners have never adhered to a plan until last year... odd i know...but, it has worked for me...now, i'm just more knowledgable.
I'm commenting here but I really was looking at your profile and your book choices. I love a lot of them. I have read The Hobbit many many times. I teach third grade and now I read it to them. I thought it might be a bit lengthy for them but they are captivated by it. This year we get to go see a theatre production of it.
I like a lot of the other books too but have not read The 13th Tale even though I have looked at it. Should I? I love Ken Follett - I assume you have read The Pillars of the Earth. That is one of my all time favorites. I also like some of the fun authors like Jennifer Weiner and Emily Griffin. Do you read Sophie Kinsella? She is one of my favorite chick lit authors. A recent book I liked a lot was Sophie's Key. LIke you said, I could go on and on.
I do run and have a running blog but the books caught my eye! (My running blog is Age Group Rocks.) Happy running and reading.
there's def no need to overanalyze it. just run the miles. however you can run a marathon with only a 14-mile training run. it doesn't feel good for the next week, but it's doable.
i'm glad you've enjoyed this training go-round. perhaps it's because you have burning flame of love this time?
Right now I'm comfy in the 1/2 mary distance and can't wrap my head about training for a full. That said, I love the challenge and running them is addictive!
What a great list of comments on this post!
Training in the know is totally a leg up. You aren't scared of the distance so you can focus your mental energy on good form, good pace, and having fun!... And looking cool, 95% of running is all about looking cool.
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