Today kicked off marathon training. I have taken my old TNT calendar and done a little augmentation a al Hal Higdon and Bart Yasso and I’m off and… running – yeah – I’m running. This was my first run since March 1 which surprised me. It guess it really has been about the bike and the pool and not so much about the run. Might have something to do with the abysmal weather we’ve been having.
Today I was scheduled to run 5 miles assuming I am in the Level 3 group which is made up of experienced, consistent runners. Of course my hammies were still sore and tight from the bike ride so I decided to just go out and make a distance decision on the fly once I got to 3 miles. I ended up going 4 in a not particularly stellar time which is okay because today was supposed to be an ‘easy’ day. I’d like to say it was easy but it was not. It never is. My run looked like this (which you can’t probably read):
My times were:
mile 1 – 10:16
mile 2 – 11:15
mile 3 – 11:37
mile 4 – 11:53
Not the desired result but that’s what it was.
I did not wear my new shoes because the weather is ugly and I didn’t want to dirty them up right away. In fact, I picked the only time during the day when it wasn’t pouring rain so I lucked out there.
I have high hopes for this marathon season. I am going to do the miles, do the cross training and do the strength training and I am going to try to run a sub 5 hour marathon. 4:59:99 would be fine.
Oh – and I’m probably going to do another metric century on the bike on May 6. I think I really did lose my mind on that last one.
Addendum:
This came our schools Daily Bulletin Today. All I can think is WHAT??
Come to the vanilla bake sale after school on Friday March 31 to support the Women Leaders for the World program.
A bake sale for the Women Leaders for the World program?? Somehow that just seems wrong.
21st-century-mom.com 
Yeah, and let’s sell some brownies for Bill Gates while we’re at it!!I’m so impressed. I don’t care if you are or not! Sadly, despite the incessant calls from my fan club, I just don’t think I’m ready for another marathon–yet. Maybe a half in the fall.But forget me: you are AWESOME!!! Rock on!
I’d say you’re off to a good start. Good luck with your training plan and breaking in the new shoes. 🙂
I applaude your decision not to wear your new shoes in the rain! You are off to a great start – I think those times are great.
I think you’re times are great!I’m in the 12+ range and count my self proud that I am out there on the roads even if it is at a slow pace.Well done!
girl, you went out HARD for your first mile!! look at that time!HEY!! its like looking at my very OWN splits! (first mile fast… rest of miles… umm.. not as fast!!) we have the exact same goal. 4:59. ooooh if i can only break that 5 hour mark.we’ll see.looks like you’re well on your way to a great train-up!