And so it begins again…
I started training for my second marathon last night! I ran the Portland Marathon in the fall of 2010. You can read ALL about my first marathon training experience here.
Last night my training cycle officially started with an easy 6 km (3.8 mile) run.
I’m doing things a little bit differently this time around. I’ve joined a marathon training clinic at the local Running Room! One of my least favourite things during my last training cycle was running by myself all the time – especially during the long runs. I’m really excited to train with a group this time around and the other 6 people in the clinic are really nice.
There is a training program on the Running Room’s website but I’m not printing it out and following it religiously. Something that worked really well for me when I was training for my last half was taking it week by week. So, for now, my plan is to run with the Running Room three times a week and then do one more run each week on my own plus 1-2 yoga sessions a week and 1-2 bike sessions on our new spin bike. I only live one mile from the Running Room so I can easily add on extra mileage by running to the clinic sessions if I need to!
I’ve been doing really strong power yoga lately so I’m counting it as my strength training for now but may fit in occasional full body strength training from time to time too.
I absolutely refuse to get worked up about training like last time. I will be fitting training around MY life and not the other way around. I feel way more relaxed and laidback going into training this cycle and I think that mentality will help me a lot.
Since I’m training with the Running Room group two out of my four weekly runs will be in the evening. This is a huge change for me as I’ve always been a morning or right-after-work runner and these clinic runs aren’t until 6:00 pm. Last night I had some greek yogurt with kashi cereal at about 4:30 PM and was ravenous by the time I got home from the clinic at 7:30 PM. But I think eating supper beforehand would leave me feeling too “heavy” during the run.
Overall I am really excited for this training cycle and to run my next marathon. I love running so much and I’m really excited for this new challenge. It will also be good to keep me busy since Eric is really busy with school and last semester I was feeling a little bit bored when he was at school all the time. Now I’ll have my own stuff to keep me busy 
Oh, and I’ll be starting my weekly training recaps again this Sunday!
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Question of the day: If you’re an evening runner do you have any advice for me on the eating thing?
How exciting!
I find that eating a Greek yogurt or half a cliff bar about an hour before I workout in the evenings helps with the hunger issue. I’ll always love the morning over evening runs though!!
I’m definitely not an evening runner, probably the latest I’ve ever run is like 5:00… but I find the eating thing difficult with night exercise in general. I never really know what to do. With other exercise I find I can eat a light dinner like a tuna sandwich and still exercise after, but I have no idea if I could do that with running. Looking forward to following your second marathon training
I can’t run in the mornings, because I can’t run on empty, and I just can’t get myself up early enough to give myself a couple of hours to digest breakfast before heading out. Really packing in a decent lunch (especially if it’s carby) keeps me going well until dinner and means I can run right after work – otherwise I often can barely drag myself home over the rumbling of my stomach before attacking anything that looks like a snack! I would much rather overestimate my lunch appetite than underestimate it – have made that mistake too many times in the past.
Okay I’m not a runner at all so I have no advice, but I think your attitude approaching this is really great!
Good luck on your new training! I think mine may start sooner than I realize- just switched it up with the half marathons I’ve been looking at and now my training is going to start two weeks earlier… yikes!
Awesome! I have found now that I vary the times I work out, it has really helped me not get bored during a training session. It has taken me awhile to get used to be able to workout at night and what to eat before I go. Last night was a 55 min interval run so I tried something different and had 2 rice cakes with a bit of PB…worked well. Have a great training session!
So exciting! I just started training for my second half, and I’m pumped. Maybe try eating a little later than 4:30 to see how your body handles it? I think that’s what the shorter runs are for – figure out what is right for your body prior to taking on those longer ones!
I run in the evening all the time, but it’s usually after the kids go to bed at 7:30. Eat at least an hour before the run, no sooner than that. everything else is cake.
Oh, and be sure you allow some recovery weeks in your week-by-week marathon plan. the long runs don’t have to be incredibly long every single week.
Good luck! I think it’s good to not be so nervous about the training plan this time around. That’s the beauty of not being a marathon rookie anymore.
I did 2 night runs/week when I was training for my marathon. I would come home and have a snack, but usually not very much, maybe some almonds or something like that? I think for me it was different because it was so hot out, I would often come home with no appetite and would force myself to eat… But I think that was totally because of the heat! Maybe make sure you are eating something in the mid-afternoon and then again before you run? Hopefully you get the eating thing down!
You’ll be busy, that is for sure! Do you plan to take some rest days each week?
Yes, good reminder! I will definitely take at least one rest day a week. In these early weeks that will probably be the day I go to yin yoga (very slow, deep stretching that doesn’t get your heart rate up or break a sweat at all) and as the weeks progress and my mileage climbs I will take a full day off of everything each week and also one “active rest” day of yoga!
Good for you! I am excited to read your posts and live through your training since this is my first year in 3 years I haven’t trained!
On the eating thing, funny thing I did not go to my weekend group runs because of that reason! But I would try a larger snack about 4pm, then a smaller supper after your run.
I usually run right after work so I try to eat a good afternoon snack about an hour before I leave for the day. A Luna bar or some almonds, something with protein in it. That usually works pretty well for me. Good luck!
The few times I’ve run races I have, like you, worked the training into my life rather than making life revolve around the training (a lesson I learned after one of my larger race training experiences… which annoyed me cause then I got injured and couldn’t run.) Anyway, I find that it works better for me that way!
Good luck on the training this go round; I’m sure you’ll kick butt
I really like your attitude this time around!
This might be bad, but I just deal with the hunger when I work out because if I exercise with food in my stomach I end up feeling sick! Might not be the best advice, sorry! :/
I love how you said “started with an easy 6km run” haha
I think after running down my street I’d be out of breath! I know, sad. I need to get in shape ASAP. It’s on my to-do list though!
Good luck with your training, I think it was a really good idea to join with other people
Great idea to join a club. Running with a group will make a world of difference, including pushing yourself harder and running faster
Good luck!
Could you eat an early dinner around 4:30, and then have a big snack after the clinic?
I know that I can’t do any form of cardio after work without eating dinner first. I get too faint.
I used to exercise at night, most of the evening classes at my gym start at 6:00 or 6:30. Mainly, I would try to eat a big snack around 4:00 to get me through the evening. I really hated it, though, which is why I’m very happy to be a morning exerciser. I don’t need to worry so much about making sure I eat enough during the day so I won’t pass out during boot camp! Haha.
I can’t wait to see how this round of marathon training goes!
Good for you lady! Sounds like you’re going into this with a strong understanding of what works for you. Looking forward to your recap posts.
I have trouble eating in the evening for that very reason. I like to run on a (relatively) empty stomach, so right when I wake up in the morning is perfect for me. I also lose motivation so fast. However, I have noticed that when I do get the eating and motivation just right, I generally have a better/stronger run at night.
I like the attitude you’re going into training with, I definitely let marathon training take over my life, which got seriously old in the last month. Good luck, can’t wait to follow along!!
Eating before a run is SO tricky! I can really only eat bananas if I’m going to be running right away, but if I have an hour or so I can so peanut butter toast or something similar. I did go for a run right after dinner last week and it worked out pretty well, but I think all I had was a salad so that could be why.
I’m definitely an evening runner! I will usually have two smaller dinners… One earlier on (like around 4:00PM) and then a second one before 8:00PM. Usually an hour and a half or so gives me enough time to digest without feeling hungry yet, but I know everyone’s different!
I might have to look into a running clinic, but I’m always intimidated by them! I imagine that everyone is super speedy and I won’t fit in running wise… I think I’m really just making excuses in my head!
so inspiring! i’m training for my first 5k (seems so lame compared to a half marathon, but you gotta start somewhere!).
How cool that you live just 1 mile from a running store. Distance is one of the things that’s kept me from doing group runs or track workouts. I don’t want to drive 20 minutes just to run for a few miles.
I’m an evening runner, but I don’t know that I really have any advice to offer. I eat lunch at noon, then typically I have a snack or two in the afternoon (like fruit or a nutrition bar), then I’ll wait until after my workout for dinner. Last night I ate around 8:45pm!
I usually run at 5:30 or 6 in the evening, before I make dinner. Having a protein snack or granola bar between 4 and 5 tides me over for my run without weighing me down – I have tried eating dinner first, and then running about an hour afterward but I felt so nauseous the whole time!
I have been running (ha!) into the same thing. I try to eat a decent snack before leaving work, but by the time I’m done running, I’m totes starving. At least it’s making me enjoy my dinner more, since I’m so ready for it.
Yay!! Honestly I do not think I would have trained as well last year if I didn’t have my group! I know this will help you run an awesome marathon! I am so excited for you! I cannot believe that training has already started! I feel like I need to get my butt in gear and get on my training and find a race and a plan!
Congrats on training for your second marathon! I’m training with a Running Room store as well, but in Ontario. Our run club it at 6:30 and our clinic night is at 7:15. Typically I have a snack just before 4 (usually an apple, babybel cheese, and a serving of crackers). I get home around 5:30, so when I run at 6:30 I have a piece of toast (usually with jam) or half a banana around 5:45-6. I probably don’t need it, but I’d rather have a little something than end up hungry on the run.
Some of my friends have PB before a run, but I find it doesn’t sit well. It’s a bit of trial and error. Maybe just try a snack size of what you would usually eat before your morning runs, about an hour before you go?
Looking forward to reading about your training!
I laughed to myself when I read that you ran an “easy 6 km” – that doesn’t sound very easy to me! When I run in the evenings (usually 2x/week) I go before I eat – mostly because it’s still light and Nathan’s home to watch Topher, not because of food not sitting well. I don’t think I run hard enough (or long enough) at this point for when I eat to have a huge effect on me!
I do track workouts on Mondays at 6:30, and I just don’t eat until I get back. I generally get home sometime after 8, so it isn’t terribly late.
How exciting for you kicking this off! As someone who is not an evening runner, I don’t have much advice for you. However, I DO eat breakfast before I run in the mornings, and I find that eating some yogurt 30 minutes before my run always strengthens it.
Can’t wait to hear how training is coming along!
When I have to run in then evenings I eat a cliff at 4:30 when I leave work and then head out right when I get home fron work, about 6ish when I can finally get out the door. Also a plus because when I get home Steve has supper ready and the baby is fed lol
I think it’s great that you feel more relaxed and laid back about training this time around!
Sounds like working with that training group will be super helpful too! Good luck with training!
Most of my runs are in the evening too. I would usually have a snack of some sort around 4:30pm (smoothie, cheese and crackers, apple and PB, etc) to tide me over until we had dinner around 8:00pm. Sometimes we would eat dinner at 5pm if we were super prepared and I wouldn’t eat a whole portion to prevent the full feeling.