First Marathon – Hard Lessons Learned

It’s three days post-marathon, but my memories of the race feel like a dream. And I’m not talking about the type of dream  you wake up from, smiling. I’m talking nightmare, shuddering when you recollect the pain endured. Normally after races, I’m exultant, so overjoyed I end up signing up for additional races shortly after crossing the finish line. This time, not so much. I’ve been asked by coworkers and friends, now that you’ve done your first marathon, will you do a second? And I quite honestly don’t know the answer.

7 Week Marathon Training Plan: Marathon Week!

The prep for this marathon has been so short, I feel like I’ve barely had time to get all antsy and excited for it. But here it is; it snuck up on me and now I’m only a few days away from the Marine Corps Marathon. Part of me is so thrilled for my first marathon, and part of me is dreading the 4+ hours of pain it’s going to take to finish it.

Why I’ll Never Buy Hoka One One’s

What swings one way to the extreme, surely must swing back just as hard in the opposite direction. This pendulum rebound is overtly (or covertly) expressed in every aspect of life. If you’ve been around long enough, you can really notice it happen in the fashion industry. (Since when are chokers cool again??) Maybe it’s just me, and my interests, but it’s also shockingly transparent in the running shoe industry.

7 Week Marathon Training Plan: Week 5 (and Week 4 Re-Cap)

So week four started off with a bang. And when I say bang, I actually mean a splitting headache, runny nose, and low-grade fever. I have been fighting this cold for the past week, and my workouts have been almost non-existent. I was feeling better and got a run in on Thursday, but felt slow and sluggish during it. And I managed to overdo it (typical) and set my healing back by a few days, as I woke up sick again on Friday morning.

7 Week Marathon Training Plan: Week 4

I can’t believe I’m already halfway through my condensed marathon training plan. Time flies when you’re…having fun? I don’t know, this marathon training hasn’t particularly been “fun” for me.

7 Week Marathon Training Plan: Week 3

Week 2 of marathon training went fairly well. I was able to get all my key runs in, and only neglected one easy run (in favor of an impromptu rest day). I had to shift my running plan around slightly because of working late. My five mile tempo run at the end of last week was incredibly tiresome, and I had to do it on a treadmill because of location and timing. But, no excuses, I got it in and got it done.

Things I Hate About Running

There are a few things I really like about running. But then, there are things I really hate about running. Hate.

Standard Leg Day Workout

Besides all of the running I’ve been doing for my marathon training, I’m also attempting to maintain any muscle I might have. I really enjoy weightlifting, and while it’s playing second fiddle right now, I’m still trying to fit it in whenever possible, without negatively affecting my runs. So here is a leg day workout that I struggled through this week.

7 Week Marathon Training Plan: Week 2

Week 1 of condensed marathon training went surprisingly well. I made some mistakes, but managed to hit all of my runs and most of my lifts. My long run on Sunday was…rough. Rough in that, I thought I could do the nine measly miles without water.

Keto, Triathlons, and Some Science

Keto, short for ketogenic diet, is a type of eating that limits carbs and lets fats run with abandon. Carbs are generally kept below 50g total, but true keto-ers keep it around 20g net carbs per day. Protein is kept at a moderate level, depending on your fitness goals. In order to maintain as much muscle as possible, about 1g of protein per pound of body weight should be consumed. And fat, well, you can basically go to town on fat. Avocados, cheese, heavy cream, fatty cuts of meat, fat is what will keep you full, functioning, and sane when you cut those carbs.