I have run and completed two full marathons and each training cycle and plan had its unique features. This training cycle, however, has been completely unique. Training for Boston is a unique experience all it itself.
For me, my life circumstances leading up to this event during my training… have definitely made this training a unique experience for me. As I was foam rolling a taper induced quirky muscle I reflected on how different this cycle has been.
I thought I would share with you how training for Boston 2015 has been different for me.
I am not sure if these differences will make me a stronger runner in the end or just remind me that I am human… but the past few weeks sure have been a whirlwind adventure in the life department apart from marathon training!
solo parenting
I was solo parenting the three monkeys the majority of my training. My husband was working in Kansas City while the boys and I lived in Sacramento from September through the end of January (when we moved). He would return home every 1-2 weeks, but this made getting the runs in while homeschooling extra challenging. Balancing motherhood while training for a marathon was the real challenge.
I had to embrace the #WYCWYC philosophy and be flexible with my training. Fitting in runs when I can… and as many miles as I had time for. Running with kids, chasing bikes, or just hiking and exploring were all part of the game.
cross country move
Yes. My husband, the boys, and I had finally had enough of the missing Daddy and solo parenting thing that we finally made the leap to move. This exciting news gave the added stress of all that moving brings: packing, moving preparations, finding a new home, closing the deal on our current home, and saying sweet final goodbyes.
We moved from Sacramento, California to Kansas City, Missouri in the middle of my training… in the middle of winter. It was during the going further stage of the training.
Nothing like going from a California winter to a Midwest winter (end of January) in the middle of marathon training season. Our family was now adjusting to our new home, new town, new school (we no longer are homeschooling) and new climate. Oh the changes and adjustment that this move has taught us… but we are stronger for it.
training in cold, snow, and ice
It had been years since I have run in temperatures below freezing, snow and ice! I was not acclimated and I did not have the proper running gear. It took me a few weeks of chickening out and freezing my tail off before I got the hang of it.
I learned to embrace the snowy runs and relish the beauty and calmness of running in the snow. I think it has also made me a stronger runner, both physically and mentally. Running in the snow/ice is hard work… you have to watch your step and think on your toes. Plus the beauty of freshly fallen snow on the trail was something that I loved.
hills!
The past 2.5 years, I enjoyed the increase running speeds of living in the flat lands of the central valley of California. I used to long for and search for hills… but always would come up short. My hill in Sacramento was running the walkway that crossed over the highway. God granted me my desire to run hills when we moved to North KC.
I know these hills that I run on are no mountain climbs but they are fantastic rollers! The first few weeks of running these hills (and my favorite running trail) I died. I gasped for air. My heart rate did not like me. I thought I had lost all my endurance and running ability… and speed!
Running hills was a huge reality check for me. It made (and continue to make) me humble.
I still do not like running hills… but I know that running them will make me a stronger runner.
solo training. no training partner. no running coach. solo.
Training for Boston has been a solo… lonely… road for me. I have no running friends to run and train with (part of moving to a new area). I was following a training plan, loosely, that didn’t give me the accountability with a running coach that I thrive with. All my running and training was solely dependent upon me forcing myself out that door to run the prescribed plan and miles.
It was boring. It was hard. It was lonely.
It was refreshing. It was time to think. It made me stronger.
no gym membership. all runs done outside. all mid-week runs while pushing jogger.
I guess I can’t honestly share that I was super lonely during my training, because all my mid-week training runs were run while pushing the jogger. We do not have a gym membership. I do not own a treadmill. I had to find a way to get my mileage in each week, with the jogger, even when the weather was not so pleasant.
I did try out two local gyms twice. So I guess I can say all my runs and workouts since the end of January have been at home or outdoors, except twice.
not enough strength and cross training
I didn’t have a gym membership. I am still living out of boxes. Still unpacking and finding my running gear and workout DVDs. Those excuses are why I didn’t do a lot of strength training and cross training this cycle.
I think I lifted weights and did BodyPump a handful of times. I KNOW I needed to do more… but it just didn’t happen. I guess I will call the hill running with the jogger my cross training and strength!
no injuries. no black or lost toe nails. no serious aches and pains.
I am blessed and shocked to say that this training cycle has been relatively pain-free! I have had few minor aches and pains: plantar fasciitis flair up, tight muscles, and a wonky butt muscle ache that won’t go away.
I am not sure why this is any different than my previous training cycles where I have lost multiple toe nails, blisters, and constant aches and pains… but I will take it. I enjoy rolling my tired feet with a tennis ball while wearing my ProCompression socks for recovery and mobility.
trained in Mizuno Wave Rider 18s
This is a new-to-me change in training. My first marathon (CIM 2013) I ran and trained in Saucony. My second marathon (LAM 2014) I ran and trained in ASICS. Both companies, brands and shoes were fantastic. However, this round I found myself running in and loving the Mizuno WaveRider 18’s!
I received my first pair last fall as a FitFluential Ambassador and instantly fell in love. I love the support and cushion of these lightweight shoes. My feet are happy… and I haven’t had any injuries or ugly toes/feet from running in them! I call that an instant win!
heart rate training with the Polar M400
I am a Polar Ambassador and I used heart rate training for my long runs. Running and training with heart rate, on the hills, often resulted in a slower pace and lots of walk breaks. This frustrated me to no end, not going to lie. I walked a LOT. My pace is/was slower than I was accustomed to.
It made me mental and I began to doubt my ability to run at my desired goal pace and time.
I made the conscious decision to run using my heart rate, but focus only on my distance traveled… rather than speed. This helped.
I also added must recover walk breaks every mile. I liked the mental break of running and then recovering… my heart did too.
10-15 pounds heavier NOW than I was when I ran my previous marathon
This one I am not proud of to share, but it is the truth. I am running with more weight NOW than I did for my previous two marathons. Perhaps it is winter weight? Or stress eating from the move? Or just plain old poor eating habits. Either way… I will share that it is much harder to go faster when you are carrying extra weight (that is not muscle).
Losing weight while marathon training is frowned upon. So… that being said, I look forward to focusing MORE on nutrition and strength training (to hopefully get back down to a healthy weight) post marathon.
I do love running and training for full marathons. I love the time away from my little people to run. The time to think, gather my feelings and emotions… and just.be.Rachel.
Every season in life has its ups and downs. Life is one big adventure. Training for Boston 2015 has been a whirlwind adventure for me because of all of life’s great lessons thrown in the mix. I am blessed to be able to run Boston on behalf of Team Stonyfield. This is a dream come true and I am ready to tackle 26.2.
Will these challenges and differences I faced this training cycle help or harm me come Monday? I do not know. I know that I am a stronger (mentally) runner for enduring and overcoming those challenges. Yes.
Annmarie says
HUGE props to you for training while parenting three kids solo. I have NO idea how you managed, I have my husband home (at least before 7am) so I can at least fit my runs in then. Best of luck to you on Monday!!! So exciting!
Rachel says
Thank you! My husband leaves for work at 5AM and returns around 6PM… no early morning runs for me. :sigh: Thank you for the well wishes. 🙂
Melanie says
I loved reading this!! It sounds like despite challenges and changes, you had an amazing training. I can feel the excitement as I was reading this. Best of luck this Monday!! You got this!
Rachel says
Thank you SO much! Yes… I will have to remember my struggles and trials as things get tough come Monday… I am strong. I can overcome. 🙂
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
As I read this, all I could think about is how determined you are–you trained during a really tough time in your life! You should feel really good about that. You got it done and you are ready. So inspirational!
Rachel says
Thank you so much! :blush:
Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says
so well written. i hate running alone so i can only imagine how hard that was. you are so much stronger, mentally and physically for pushing through the training cycle. that being said, i’d also like to lose a little weight before i start marathon training this summer – so let me know what your plan is to lose the weight. good luck on monday – i’ll be cheering you on from dc!
Rachel says
Thank you. 🙂
After Boston I plan on “losing the weight” following Bob Harper’s new Hot Like Fire program on Daily Burn. I am going to be following it and sharing my progress on here… starting the end of the month. I’ll keep you posted! 🙂
Ash Diamond says
Such an awesome post! GOOD luck!!
Rachel says
Thank you!!!!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says
Wow, what an eventful training cycle! You had so much going on, and I’m sure it would have been easy to give up at some point. Kudos to you for following through and still preparing for Boston!
Rachel says
Thank you. Keep moving forward, right!? 🙂
Betsy says
Wow! Lots of changes during this training cycle. Adapting to change is a big part of racing as you never now what will happen during the race, so I say all of it will only help you!
Rachel says
Yes. yes. Yes! Thank you. I totally agree. All the planning and preparing in the world will not guarantee what will happen on race day. 😉
Marcia says
…and when you hit those rollers in Nattick and get to the foot of Heartbreak Hill, and your quads are on fire as you pass the Boston College kids, think back to how you triumphed over all the obstacles you overcame in this training cycle and use those memories to power you through!
Rachel says
Marcia, Thank you SO much for chiming in with your words of wisdom and advice (because I really do admire your experience and advice). <3 Thank you!
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero says
Cheering you on.
Is there a way we can track you?
Rachel says
Hi Abby! Thank you! Yes. You can visit the baa.org website and search for athlete tracker. My bib number is 29414. I think I will be updating via fb along the way too (if my battery doesn’t die). HA! 🙂
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
You’ve done SUCH an amazing job adapting to all the changes you’ve faced. Marathon training is no easy feat, and to do it as a solo mom, through a move, adapt to new weather and terrain – you’re a rock star!
Rachel says
Thank you, Nicole! 🙂
Mar @ Mar on the Run says
wow… I can only imagine how AWESOME running that marathon is going to feel for you. A lot of adversity but you seem so strong through it all. I too trained with excess weight for my marathon last fall and it was not fun. I still haven’t gotten rid of it but motivated to get healthier before my next marathon training cycle!! Go Boston!
Rachel says
Thank you!! 🙂
Jen @ pretty little grub says
I’m always so impressed by moms who marathon train. I can barely get my stuff together to train so I don’t know how you do it and with all the rest of your challenges. It’s so close and you have done such a wonderful job of sticking to your training despite your obstacles.
Rachel says
Thank you, Jen! 🙂
GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth says
Wow you’ve got so much going on and still managed to get your training in. Definitely inspirational!
I’m not a runner so I don’t have any race day advice, but good luck!!
Rachel says
Thank you, Giselle! Knowing you are cheering me on is good enough for me. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Seriously awesome! You’ve learned so much and grown so much in your running and as a person! Props to beasting it out through all that! You are going to rock it! XOXOXO
Rachel says
You are too sweet. Thank you for your kind words! 🙂
Amanda - RunToTheFinish says
The change of location is so huge!! I remember when we moved from KC to Florida and i came home sobbing that I couldn’t run here. It was so flat and so damn humid!! 🙂 You’ve been amazing at getting it done.
Sam @ PancakeWarriors says
Love that you have found the motivation to rock out those long runs despite the cold and the strollers!! That’s fantastic and you should be wearing a super proud smile from that – and horray no black toenails!! P.S. I think my comments keep getting eaten by your spam.. 🙁
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free says
I’m just in awe that you’re running the Boston marathon – no matter how you train! What a huge move though – totally different environment in so many ways. I hope you’re settling in well!
Patty @ Reach Your Peak says
I also have gained weight since last year (15ish lbs) and have found it so hard to lose it =/ But running at least has been going well – same with you! I also have been running in mizuno’s for the first time in YEARS and have loved them! No shin issues or pain recently!
Carmy says
seriously, if you can train for a marathon while juggling all THAT, that totally gives me hope that I can balance training for a marathon eventually!
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious says
I’m in awe of you! I can’t even make it to the gym taking care of two kids with a father who is home and some extra help. And a move to boot. What an incredible job you have done. Congrats!
Alyssa @ Simply Quinoa says
Wow! You’re an inspiration! The fact that you could still get all that training in while balancing all that you have going on in your life – amazing. You’re going to rock it, girl!
Kelly @ LeafyNotBeefy says
Wow, that sounds amazingly difficult and I’m sure it’s also amazingly rewarding. (I’m not a runner, so I honestly can’t really relate, but I would imagine). When I am reaching towards a goal and it seems too difficult, I like to focus on what I’ve accomplished up to that point/think and remember how God has been good to me or has done for me or those I love in the past; also reading of others who overcome challenges is super inspiring.
Janice @ Fitness Cheerleader says
You are amazing! You have gone through SO MUCH but still kicked butt on Monday! You ROCK!