Two weeks until official start of marathon training

The FIRST marathon training plan is 16 weeks, so I officially start training in two weeks.  There is a novice plan and experienced plan, and I really wish there was something in between.  My first two marathons I followed the novice plan.  I think it was perfect for my first marathon (the Twin Cities Marathon).  Starts out week one with an 8-mile long run, has only one 20-miler, and one 18-miler.  I followed it again last year for the Spinx Marathon, and honestly I think I needed more long runs.  I think one 20-miler wasn't mentally enough for me.  My two marathons were vastly different, so that might have played a part too.  The Twin Cities Marathon was exciting, full of crowd support, I had tons of family members all along the course, and I always had other runners near me.  Spinx was local, smaller race, run on the same course I did all my training on, and there were multiple spots on the course where I couldn't see anyone in front of me or behind me.

So this time around I looked at the non-novice FIRST plan.  Instead of one 20-mile training run, it has FIVE!  I think that is probably too many for me, but since one didn't feel like enough, I'm considering improvising the plan and doing three 20-mile runs.  This plan also starts with a 13-miler, as opposed to 8.  Definitely more aggressive, but still the 3 quality runs per week, which is perfect for me.

Until my training officially starts I am just trying to keep up my endurance and do a variety of workouts.  I had to be in Clemson early yesterday so I got up with a friend and we did hill repeats in the neighborhood.



When we want a flat, easy run we hate the hills where we live. They come in handy when we need to do hill workouts though!



We stopped for water before our recovery run and ended up bringing this guy with us.  He was so happy!



Taking a rest day today, unless it cools off tonight and I decide to go with Bill and do an easy run around the lake.