This is my final marathon training recap. That is so hard to believe and so scary all at the same time.

It’s hard to believe that 21 weeks ago, I had just begun my training for my upcoming marathon. I had high goals but a lot of doubt as well.

I’ll be doing a full post in the upcoming week on my final goals and thoughts about the race. I also will be doing a full review and my throughts on using Hanson’s Marathon Method. I want to do that post-race though.

There are so many thoughts going through my head right now I really hope that this post even makes sense. Here were my runs for my final full week of training:

 

Monday (12/1)

8 miles easy

 

Tuseday (12/2)

Warm up
6 x 1 mile repeats (7:47 pace) with 400 recovery
Cool down

9.5 miles total

 

Wednesday (12/3)

7 miles easy

 

Thursday (12/3)

1 mile warm up
6 mile tempo (first 3 miles at 8:00, last 3 miles at 7:53)
1 mile cool down

8 miles total

 

Friday (12/4)

Off

 

Saturday (12/5)

8 miles easy

I ended up selecting a hill workout on the treadmill and let it vary the incline from 0.5 – 3.5% throughout the run. I kept it between a 9:13 – 9:22 pace the entire time, but the hills add a little extra.

 

Sunday (12/6)

8 miles easy

 

That leaves me at a total of 48.5 miles for the final week of my training. As I mentioned in my post on Monday, I have edited the week a little bit. According to the Hanson’s plan I should have been at 55 miles this week. I feel more confident with what I chose to do at this point. I want to make sure my body is ready come next Saturday.

Plus, all the work is done now. It is very rewarding to think about that. All the early 4:00 am mornings, all the tempo runs and workouts – it’s all done. All the benefit that I am going to get out of those runs is done. Now it is more about mental preparation.

 

I’ve been quietly stalking the weather for quite some time for my marathon. I know there is no reason to even look at it yet, but I will have absolutely no problem if it decides to stay this way for race day.

Low of 44, high of 59 and 0% change of rain?! Yep you can’t get much better than that.

 

How am I feeling?

This is the most common question I am getting from family and friends right now. In all honesty if you asked me this week I would say I’m feeling tired.

I don’t know if it is the adjustment to a new job or just trying to juggle several things right now but I have felt wiped out all week. I thankfully have been able to drag myself out of bed to get my runs in, but at night when I get home from work I have no energy.

I’m really hoping I can get on a better sleep schedule because I know it is vital for recovery and for going into a marathon. That is a BIG goal of mine next week.

 

What am I most nervous about?

I don’t think the true nerves have set in yet. I doubt they even will until we are in the car driving down.

I know my training has prepared me for what about to take on. I’ve never used this plan before so that does make me a little nervous. Hanson’s doesn’t have you doing anything longer than 16 miles for a long run. The reasoning makes perfect since but that still is a little nerve racking going into a 26.2 mile race.

I’ve never ran a marathon for a specific time or time range. I’ve always run to complete, and that is a different mindest.

All that being said, there is so much unknown when it comes to marathon race day. It’s exciting and terrifying all at the same time. I just hope for the best, give it my best and the outcome is what it is.

 

All that being said on a side note, Christmas has officially come to our house!

Friday after we both got off work we went to get our Christmas tree and spent most of the night decorating and enjoying the season!

 

Have you decorated yet?

What is your biggest fear going into a race?