Can I tell you how happy I am NOT to be training for a marathon??

[tigger2esq]

Ok--I ran my first Marathon in 2006 after about a year of training. I then began training for Disney 2008 after only a short break. It seems like I have been doing 10, 12, 15 mile runs for an eternity. After Disney last month while I did NOT pack up my running gear--I decided to instead focus on training to run SHORTER races FASTER. This year will be the year I get that 5K time back in the 27 minute range. (Since I started running long distances I havent seen the underside of 30 minutes...). The first time I went to do my "Tuesday run" (which during marathon training was a minimum 60 minute run) and I was back in 30 minutes I thought My DH was going to go into shock. This weekend I did a "long run" and it was 50 minutes. it is SOOOO nice to be able to run 5 days a week and still be able to get other things accomplished (Like scrapbooking!! seriously I started a book I wanted to give DH for our anniversary LAST OCTOBER.. now maybe I might actually get it finished...) and I also no longer get that feeling of dread about my runs because I no longer have to block off an entire evening or morning to get it completed. Indeed I have been running while watching Season 1 of Friends. each episode runs 25 minutes. add a 5 minute warm up before hitting play and its the perfect mid-week workout!

 

[Cruella de mom]

Good for you!

Last summer my dh was in Europe all summer so I was forced to keep my distances short because of childcare. From May until August, I never ran a single run over a 10k. It was very liberating after months of long long runs.

I think it is important to take breaks from endurance training. It gives you balance.

Enjoy!

Cecilia

 

[wilbur]

Could have written this post myself.
I also trained for the 2007 and 2008 marathon. It's a huge time commitment. My family is very supportive in my running endeavours but it does require some sacrifices.

'07 was my 1st marathon and I survived. '08 was a personal high. I worked sooooooo hard. A year of cross-training (pilates and weights) and really sticking to the training program.

I was so conflicted when the '08 race was over and I had time to reflect.
My long term goal is Goofy in 2010. But should I do the mickey or the donald in '09. Put both into a hat and had my husband pick. It's settled. The Donald.
With the focus on another year of good solid cross-training and working on a strong finish time.

Going for speed in '09.

 

[Duanerice]

Good post. You are right, I was so tired of marathon training. I ran my first marathon in 2008 and basically trained from April 07 on. Didn't get into serious long runs until probably October, but by December 22 when I ran my 22 miler, I had enough!

I have a half marathon coming up in 2 weeks so my LR's are only 10 - 12 miles right now. Not too bad but I still have to get up before the sun on Saturday's because once the sun comes up it still gets pretty hot.

I am looking forward to a few Saturday's of sleeping in until I ramp up for the Goofy. Figured that if I was going to do it, I better do it this upcoming year. If I put it off for a couple of years, I probably would never do it. But, I can honesty say that I am not looking forward to the last 2 months of training.

enjoy,
Duane