Full Marathon Training: Week 4 and 5

The last couple of weeks have been very full and busy between work, school and running. Since I have been so busy, sleep has been cut back. Sadly, in an attempt to catch up on some sleep, I have slacked and haven't done any core or strength training in the last two weeks. That is my goal for next week, at least one day of core or strength training. Still not drinking enough water through out the day but not feeling as dehydrated as I use to. Diet has been better, eating smaller portions, healthier food and not as many sweets. Sweets are my weakness. Last couple of weeks have been a mental roller coaster. Running is a mental thing. During challenging runs I sometimes allow my negative thoughts to take over, I doubt being able to run a full or even a half. And other days runs seem easy and positive thought make me feel like I can totally dominate this full. Such a mental game. Here is a little recap of the week 4 and 5 of training:

Week 4:
Monday- 4 miles run followed by 20sec/2min sprints. Totaled 4.7 miles. Felt very slow. Legs were still a little jelloish from Saturdays long run. Ran an old Woodbridge course and missed Cara and Jen running with me. Miles go by a lot slower when you are running alone. 4 miles paced out at 12:17, I did 10 minutes splits, didn't time my walks but didn't walk more than a minute each. Sprints where much slower than in the past but still helps to train my body that I can physically go faster when I set my mind to it! Running is such a mental thing.

Tuesday- Lazy day :( 

Wednesday- Alarm set for 5:30am wake up and 5:50am run...  ended up not running till 7pm. Hated sleeping in and missing a morning run but had to listen to my body! There is a drastic difference in outside temperature from morning to evening! Did 6 total miles. Walked the first mile in 16:13. Ran the next 4 miles straight paced out at 10:46. So great! Can't remember the last time I ran 4 miles with out walking. It was challenging but it was a great accomplishment! Walked the last mile in 16:39, I was tired! 

Thursday- Back to early morning running despite my bodies desire to sleep another hour or so! 4 miles. Wanted to run 10-1s but couldn't do it. First mile I drug my feet a lot. Long 4 miles. Finished in 49:36, paced out at 12:23/mile. Might have been slow mileage but it was mileage. Nearly stepped on an armadillo, I didn't see it till it scurried away since I was too close for comfort. I've seen more living armadillos in this training than I have ever seen in my entire life. Running 10 miles (6 Wednesday night + 4 Thursday morning) in less than 12 hours was not wise. I need to no do that again. No armadillo sightings but I did see a skunk! Thanks to Marley, I learned to run super faster past those bad boys. Apparently, you smell awful for a while after getting sprayed. Yuck! 

Friday- Lazy day :(

Saturday- Due to working all weekend, I was unable to get in my long run, 12 miles. Little worried that missing it would effect the following weeks run. I was hoping to get up at 4:30am again to squeeze it in but thought I better now. I've learned a very important lesson: sleep is important. Runs wont be successful if you're well rested.

Week 5:
Monday- 4 miles plus sprints. Ended at 4.7 miles. Ran 4 miles, with an 11:50 pace, ran 6-1's with Katie. Changing up our route was nice. Also running with someone was nice. I usually run in the mornings so I don't get to run with Katie during the week. Fastest sprint was 6:27. Crazy how my sprints are getting faster. Slowly able to see the effects of training.
Tuesday- Lazy  day :(
Wednesday- 6.88 miles with Jill. Walked the first mile, ran 6min-30sec (challenging!) for 4.8 miles, finished with a mile walk. Overall pace was slow due to the walking. But with walking a full 2 miles out if 6.8 miles, a 13:00mpm pace isn't bad at all! Our running portion paced out close to 11:14. Despite the speedy pace, I was hard on my self. Doubt was setting in. I was struggling.  It was a hot morning and a challenge to get use to new interval but it proved to be well worth it come Saturday's run!
Thursday- 4 miles with Jill. 10:34 pace. Ran 6min-30sec splits. Still challenging but it was a little cooler than the day before. Finished with a mile cool down walk around the neighborhood.
Friday- Lazy day :(
Saturday- 13 miles. Paced out at 11:00. Ran the first 4.5 straight and alone. Then, met Katie to run her 7 miles with 6-1 intervals (feeling spoiled after 6-30's). Caught up to Bethany, Michelle and Sarah about a mile before the turn around point. Used a hammer around mile 6 and a guu at mile 11. Ran the last mile straight with more strength than I was anticipating on having. Slowest mile was mile 7 with an 11:36pace, walked a little more during that mile to take the hammer. Fastest mile was mile 13 with a 9:33 pace. Good two minute difference between my fastest and slowest miles. So blessed by this run. Just a .10 miles short of half marathon distance. In the past, after running halves I am exhausted and don't want to walk any more. That was not the case today. Had no plain, no discomfort. I was tired but that could be from not getting a tons of sleep the night before. My body is going to have to get use to longer long runs over the next couple of months. Feeling great after today's run!


It's been a full two weeks.Only 11 weeks left of training till the Dallas Marathon. Registered this week for 2 half marathons and my full. I'll finish this year with 6 half marathons and 1 full under my belt. Some days I still can't believe how far I've come. One of the greatest feelings is the realization that I just ran X amount of miles. It is an overwhelming and breath taking feeling. 2 and a half years ago I struggled to run 20 minutes with walks built in. Feeling so accomplished and blessed.