26.2 here I come again!
In August I did a guest post for Healthy Happier Bear on Marathons and Moderation. The post below is part of that post and was originally published here.
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My first marathon experience was not the greatest and I think it’s because I did not take the “moderation” part of training seriously enough. I was too stuck on my training plan and ended up over training.
During my first training cycle when I got an injury in my back/hip/side I continued training through it for six months before finally seeking help! This ultimately resulted in me getting a torn tendon in my foot at mile 24 of my marathon (I still finished, but barely!)
I will be running my second marathon on May 6, 2012 and below is how I plan to treat the training cycle differently:
What I did: Stuck to the plan, 100%. If something got in the way of a planned run I would freak out and figure out some way to make it up even if it meant burning myself out by doing a 10-mile run, 18-mile run and then a 20-mile run all within 10 days of each other (oh yes, I stupidly did this!)
What I plan to do: Be flexible! A plan is there to guide me. During my next marathon training cycle I’m going to take each week in stride. If I don’t feel well I will listen to my body. I’ve learned that getting a few quality workouts in each week is better than doing several junk runs.
What I did: Ignored the signs my body was sending me. I ended up having a chronic pain in my side from over training for SIX MONTHS before I finally got it checked out. I literally would have pain in my side CONSTANTLY and I ran through it. Stupid.
What I plan to do: Listen to my body and what it tells me, back off and seek treatment at the first sign of injury or pain.
What I did: Trained alone. Well, I was training “with” Lisa (and we started the marathon together) but since she lives 1,500 miles away I did every single training run alone. Don’t get me wrong, I could not have done Portland without her long-distance support but it did become hard to motivate myself near the end.
What I plan to do: Train with a group. I’m thinking of joining a marathon training clinic that my local Running Room is putting on to train for the Vancouver Marathon
What I did: It wasn’t the best day out there during my marathon (pouring rain the entire time) and I was so focused on a time goal that I didn’t truly appreciate the fact that I was running A MARATHON. When I crossed the finish line I immediately burst into tears because I was in pain, cold and wet and felt completely defeated. I also missed my time goal by 15 minutes.
What I plan to do: Enjoy the day. Smile. High-five people who are cheering. Cross the finish line with a HUGE smile on my face even if it’s an hour slower than my last marathon time! Finishing happy = a PR in my books 
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So this is my way of announcing that I am doing another marathon. I’ve wanted to do another marathon since I first finished Portland but I’ve been scared to. Scared of failure, scared of finishing a race injured again, scared of not enjoying myself or having fun on the course.
But when the BMO Vancouver Marathon premiered the brand new point-to-point course on October 5 I found myself signing up almost immediately. I had been considering doing my second marathon in Vancouver for a few months. I wanted to do a spring marathon so I wouldn’t have to train through the summer again and I wanted it to be close to home. Vancouver was perfect and the beautiful new course was just icing on the cake!
So in Mid-November I’ll start building up a base for marathon training and starting the first week of January I’ll be training for my 2nd marathon! I’m already so excited about it
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Have you learned your lesson about moderation during a training cycle? How did you make sure to apply the right amount of moderation to your next training cycle?
I am excited to see how this training cycle goes! I think it will go much better for you. My 2nd marathon training cycle was so much better than my 1st one. The runs were all alone, but I had you to keep me motivated and I felt healthy on race day. I know that is going to be the case for you! I really hope you are able to join that running clinic as it will make a world of difference to be out there with others.
When I train for my next marathon, I will do it with my runnign club. I will probably *only* run 3 days a week. I never thought that would work, but clearly it worked for my half. I like that every run has a focus, whether it’s hills, speed, or tempo work. There were no junk miles and I want to apply that to my marathon training!
YAY! So exciting! I think you learned a lot from your first marathon and having a group to train with will definitely help you!
How exciting! I’m thinking about doing a May marathon too (it would be my first). I just have to decide if I’ll have time or motivation to train during my last semester at college.
Yay! I knew you had another marathon in you – and it seems like you have the best attitude about it too!
I’ve learned to listen to my body too – especially when it comes to exercising and chronic pain!
I’ve actually only done 2 marathons. The first one I was only trying to finish, and at 5:07 that’s about all I did.
For my second marathon in 2010, I used the FIRST run less run faster plan, switched from 5 days of running to 3 days of running/2 days of cross training every week, and finished that one feeling much better, had a better training cycle, felt better, and crossed the line in 4:31.
2011′s only marathon for me is in the ironman, but I’ve got 3 marathons already lined up for 2012 where I’m going to try and break 3:30. Should be fun. I’m going to run 4 days a week and swim twice every week, and focus on speedwork a lot more than in the past.
Remember this time your body will have a higher capacity after finishing your first full and all of the halfs and tri’s you’ve done this year. Use the expanded aerobic capacity to your advantage and keep your expectations realistic. What broke you for your first marathon can do something totally different this time around. That could mean breaking you worse or it could mean being much better. Personally, I can’t wait to see what happens in this training cycle! I know you’re going to totally rock it.
I remember wondering how you were ever able to finish that marathon in the rain like you did- I give you crazy amounts of props for that!
I think finding a plan to base your training off of helps- that way, you know how off-base you are at any given point as to what the “status quo” is.
Well I am glad you posted this because these are probably ALL of the mistakes I would have made when I start my marathon training. I am really nervous because I dont know what to expect and I wont have anyone to train with.
How do you come up with your training plan? I have been doing a lot of reading and Im a little overwhelmed with the 26.2.
I used Hal Higdon for my first marathon. His plans are pretty basic and always work well for me
I love this post as I am seriously considering running a marathon next year. Just trying to figure out which one I want to do!
I am wondering the same thing as Heather…what training plan are you using? I haven’t started to look at them yet, but aren’t sure which direction I want to go in
I used Hal Higdon for my first marathon. His plans are pretty basic and work well. If I do the running room clinic I think they give you a plan and if I don’t I might look into the run less, run faster plan as I want to run 4 days per week max this training cycle.
Wow, we must have running telepathy or something, I’ve been seriously considering this marathon as well. I have yet to sign up but maybe we’ll both be there! (It would be my first marathon
. I look forward to seeing more about your marathon training as I will be training as well!
Yes! You should! Sorry I missed you in Victoria, we’ll have to see each other in Vancouver FOR SURE
Exciting! I can’t wait to follow along on the journey with you.
Woohoo!!!! another marathon!!
What I’m about to say will be in an upcoming post (I promise!) but I’m feeling so/so about my training… First off it started a week later than I wanted but was still 16 weeks. Then I took a week off because I was crazy busy at work and with the move. Then I had to take 1.5 weeks off because of my foot – and really my foot is still not 100% resolved. So part of me is afraid that I have undertrained but the other part of me is actually kind of happy with what I did because I didn’t push myself when I shouldn’t have and listened to my body. And really, my foot is doing better so *knock on wood* things are looking good!
I’m very excited to see how your training goes! When does it start?
January 3 is when it officially starts but I’ll start “training” (aka building a base) in mid-December!
yay good luck! can’t wait to read about it! quick question.. were you blogging back in the beginning when you first started running?
I was! Here are a few posts from when I first started running:
http://girlwiththeredhair.com/2008/11/ouch/
http://girlwiththeredhair.com/2008/12/3-miles-why-i-love-running-today/
http://girlwiththeredhair.com/2009/01/21-minutes/
thanks love! i miss glamour blogs of 2008!
So exciting!! I think you definitely learned some important lessons from the first marathon, and going into this one with them will really help. You’re going to do great.
Oh my gosh, that race is going to be SO pretty!!!!!! What an amazing route!
The running club worked so well Lisa, so I think it’s a great idea for you too! I can’t wait to see what you think and how it goes for you!!
I learned SOOO much from my first marathon, I’m still piecing it all together and figuring out what I will do differently next time ( yes, next time
). I think what made my first marathon so successful is everything you mentioned above. I didn’t stress out about missed runs, or try to make them up. I fit in what I could, I rested a TON, and I was flexible. I threw my time goal out the window two days before the race started (mainly due to weather, but also because I realized I was putting too much pressure on myself).
I learned a ton from my first half, and was able to improve so much for my second one, so I have no doubt that my next full will follow suit. I think this will be the same for you! I’m excited you’re going to run another one and aren’t letting fear stop you! : )
Yay! How exciting that you signed up for another marathon! It’s like crack! Once you run a race, you want to keep running and running and running! Good luck to you! Like I said on FB, if I don’t keel over in Dec, maybe I will join you?! We will see….
Thanks for all the tips. These are very helpful. I think that there are already a couple things I see myself having problems with. 1) running alone, and especially when it gets dark early and starts getting cold – this = no motivation. 2) injury and listening to your body. I am totally stubborn and I would HATE to give up…so I hope I don’t get hurt or I may do something stupid.
I used Hal for my last half and am using him again for my marathon. He seems to work well, so… fingers crossed!
Awesome!! I think training with a group is so invaluable.
Sounds like you’re setting yourself up for a successful second marathon! I can’t wait to see how the training goes.
That Vancouver course looks like it will be a good one! I’m a little jealous
This is a great look back post! I sucked at cross training the first go round and quickly learned that my body feels better when I run less and cross train more. I added more of that this time around for my 2nd marathon. It’s great to learn from our own journey’s. I’m so excited for you!
Wahoo! Can’t wait to follow your training this time around
It sounds like you learned a ton from last time. Wish I could spectate your marathon in May- that is my place in the world of marathoning haha
Moderation is so important in regards to marathon training! Becuase if you don’t listen to your body….you end up injured
YAY for signing up for a marathon! I just know your 2nd race will be a different & better experience! I just know it. Good luck training!
I’m thinking about registering for a marathon during that time too. Fargo Marathon in May! Now just reading your blog, my “marathon fever” has spiked ever higher
I remember crossing the finish line in Vancouver in 2009 (you were already done the Half and on your way home to Kamloops, I think!) and thinking “who’s freaking, stupid, dumb-ass idea was this?!”…and here I sit, just days away from marathon #6! I’ve had good ones (PR last October) and horrible ones (we shall never speak of Edmonton again…) but each race is faced as it comes. I don’t over train (since my shin injury) and it may be very odd training right now, since I’m not so focused on running, but Sunday will be what it will be. I know I’ll never win these things, and a BQ is a long way out for me (but it will happen!), so for now I just focus on enjoying the experience. I want to reach out and smack those runners (yes, Amber…even you!) who say “oh, I was so bad because I was 15 minutes slower than I should have been…”. My question to you (and all) is were you supposed to win it?! Or should you just enjoy the fact that you can actually run a marathon…you are not physically challenged, you are not prohibited to run based on your gender, and if it’s something you want to do, you can because you are free to make that choice. Granted, a lot of people think we’re crazy, but to them, I say I run because I can. Period. I may not be fast, but I am tenacious! And now I will climb down off my soap box.
I will see you in Vancouver, and I am excited to prove to Vancouver that I am better than it…and we’ll see what kind of training I do come January.
In the meantime…left, right, repeat as necessary.
That’s so exciting! You’ll do awesome. I just did my second marathon on Sunday and it wasn’t at all how I had planned, so now I feel like I need to do a third one to redeem myself
We ran our first marathons within a week of each other last year and finished just a minute apart, so I’m hoping that I can follow your success in your recent sub-2 hour half marathon 
(congratulations, by the way!)
YAY AMBER!!! I love the attitude you have going into this second marathon. Just have fun and go for it! I love that your focused on fun rather than time. I find that those races end up being my best ones!
This is so exciting!!! I just signed up for my first half in November and I am hoping to run a full next year.
Looking forward to following your training.
I love that you plan on to high-five the spectators
I love racers like that, and especially ones that finish with a smile on their face.
Your new plans sound like good ones.
Good for you for learning all that you have from your first marathon (and thanks for so kindly sharing) and for going for a second! Wishing you the best of luck for a simply fantastic race.
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i love vancouver and had such a great time there this past spring. the new course is so much better than last year (so much less turns). i KNOW you will enjoy this race.
i need to sign up for my next marathon too!!!! im feeling a CHALLENGE!
Woo hoo to marathon #2! You’re right, a training plan is merely a guide. You’ve got to listen to your body to know when it really needs a break or even just a change up of activity. (your bike o’s going to be great cross training for your race!)
I’m kind of … tempted to run that! I love Vancouver and hubby and I have fond memories of our honeymoon there. I’d love to go back to visit and squeeze a little race in, too.
SO proud of you for stepping up and giving the marathon another try! And I absolutely LOVE your plans to make it happen. (Reading this really makes me feel like I want to give a marathon a shot after I complete my half in January…)
Keep it up, girl! We’ll all be here encouraging you along the way and being INSPIRED by you sticking to your goals!