This year I’m going to be a Mama Marathoner.
I’ve run only one marathon, the NYC marathon in 2010. Back then, I was married but child-free, working full-time as a personal trainer at Equinox Fitness. That summer of 2010 when I was getting the bulk of my training done was BRUTAL. It was so hot and sunny and humid. Since I trained clients all morning from 6am to about 11am, then again in the evening from 5pm until 9pm, my only window for getting my running done was also the hottest period of the day. I don’t know how I did it. I remember on more than one occasion seeing Facebook updates along the lines of, “Why are there people out running right now? They will literally die in this heat.” Not the most encouraging thing to read when you’re about to pop out and run for 3 hours or so. UGH.
So, while I am nervous about how marathon training is going to fit in with my life, I’m encouraged that back before I had Roman, I was constrained for time in a different way. Yes, I had a big block of time in the middle of the day to myself, but it wasn’t a good timing for running, given the NYC summer.
I could have written my own marathon training plan, but that just seemed like one more thing I had to work on during my short window of time to write, when the rampaging one is napping. So I paid and signed up for the NYRR Virtual Trainer training program, beginning July 15. I swallowed my pride and opted for the conservative training plan. That was tough for me to do – I WANT to be the supermama who can juggle work, writing, motherhood, and marathon training with her eyes closed, but I KNOW I can only realistically squeeze three days of running into a week. Even then, I’ll probably have to ditch one day of strength training to make it happen.
I also ordered one of these super-girly training journals from Believe I Am.
It’s not my usual style, but the reviews from runners are awesome. And while I love looking at all my stats online and comparing runs with the click of a button, there really is something about putting pen to paper, you know?
As well as having the journal to document my training, strap in for me oversharing my tales of marathon training, with all its fun, pain, joy and frustration. (Seriously, only a runner could string those nouns together and think they’re all synonymous with training!)
Now – I’m asking you to please help keep me accountable and encourage me along the way…
I’m going to need all the moral support I can get!
The weather in NYC has been brutal lately but I think that means it will be better as we get into summer (getting all the humidity out of the way now) or so I hope.
Good luck training! I’ll be in Central Park circumnavigating ad nauseum until November as well!
Thanks Eric! 🙂 Oh, the interminable park loops! I forgot how much I started resenting Prospect Park last time, ha ha! Good luck to you, too.
So glad you got the journal! There definitely is something great about having a paper record of my training, not just the miles but the emotions as well. I am very impressed that you’re going to be a Mama Marathoner and I know you’re going to be able to fit it all in!
Thanks, my lovely! 🙂
Out of curiosity, did you use virtual trainer ‘plus’ program for marathon training? Or just the virtual trainer?
I just used the regular virtual trainer. Now I actually work with an online coach and I think if I was doing it over, i might go for the ‘plus’ because it’s that much more personalized. I loved it, though. I also used the forums/comments section if I had a question & from memory thy got back to me within a few hours. It definitely helped me PR. If you check out the NYC marathon training posts (in the header under running) you can get an idea of my weekly workouts.