Long Run Regret

Yesterday I posted about my 18-mile turned 13-mile long run. I knew that I would regret it when I threw in the towel at mile 13 and sure enough the regret is hitting heavy today. I’ve been dwelling on my failed long run all day. It didn’t help to look at my training schedule and see that I have less than seven weeks left until race day.

Rather than continue to stress myself out, I formulated a plan.

• I’m getting serious. One of the things I have enjoyed most about training for this marathon is that my training plan is very manageable and I’ve had a lot of flexibility with my runs. Running three days a week has really helped me avoid burnout and injury and has kept me feeling excited about marathon training. I will admit that while I haven’t missed many runs, I have altered quite a few. It’s time to get serious about training – no more missed runs and no more modifications. I am determined to finish my training strong and ready to line up to run the Marine Corps Marathon on October 31.
• Revised long run schedule. I really want to fit in two 20’s and I’m a little off-schedule with long runs so here is my new plan of attack:
  – Week 7 – 18
  – Week 6 – 20
  – Week 5 – 14
  – Week 4 – 20
  – Week 3 – 12
  – Week 2 – 8
  – Week 1 – RACE DAY
• Slow down. My long runs have been done at a faster pace than my training plan calls for – anywhere from 45 seconds to one minute faster. I need to slow down and take it easy. The time on my feet is more important than speed and the faster pace is harder on my body. I need to trust that my tempo work is getting me ready to run at race pace. That said, I still plan on picking up the pace and shooting for negative splits if I’m feeling good in the second half of my run.

I’m already looking forward to this Saturday’s long run. I am going to OWN it!

Moving on. (Sorry – you are going to hear lots of marathon talk over the next six weeks!)

Sunday night we went over to my brother in law’s for a cookout. As always, we had a great time.

We spent a lot of time outside enjoying the beautiful evening. While we were hanging out my brother in law, Reade, cooked up a feast!

I loaded my plate up with grilled sweet potatoes, cole slaw, potato salad, corn, collards, fruit salad and pulled barbecue chicken. It was all so good! Reade is an awesome cook!

I brought a hummingbird cake for dessert.

For those of you who haven’t experienced the deliciousness that is hummingbird cake – it is basically jazzed up banana bread (with the addition of crushed pineapple) with cream cheese icing. So good and so moist!

My niece, Emerson, couldn’t get enough of the cake!

I taught BodyPump this morning and was feeling really sore from my long run yesterday. It was definitely a challenge but I am always so motivated by the member’s enthusiasm and dedication to a  hard 6 a.m. workout. I had overnight oats for breakfast when I got to work.

Lunch today was an Amy’s veggie burger with fun toppings.

I topped my burger with havarti cheese, cherry tomatoes, avocado and mixed greens. I had a few barbecue kettle chips and cantaloupe on the side.

And dinner tonight was comfort food!

Homemade marinara sauce and meatballs made with local grass fed ground beef. I used lots of fresh herbs in the meatballs and sauce and it was so tasty!

Hope you all had a great Monday! I’m off to prepare for bed and tomorrow’s workday.