California International Marathon Training Week 14
Hi! How are you? After three 50 mile weeks, I ended up cutting my mileage down a bit this week. We took the opportunity for one last long hike of the year and I cut back to 45 miles to balance that out. I have one more week of peak mileage before the sharpening/taper period! I’m excited for this coming week of training and for the race in just under one month!
Monday: 10 mile tempo run
This workout was hard but not as awful as I anticipated. After a 2.5 mile easy run to warm up, I ran 3 miles at marathon pace, 2 miles at half marathon pace, and 1 mile at 10K pace (with 5 minutes easy between each segment). The workout itself wasn’t too bad, but the rain came down harder with each harder segment of running – it started out at a drizzle for my warm up and was pouring by the 10K pace mile.
I am excited about the time when training returns to 10 miles being a long run. I enjoy marathon training, but it can be simply tiring at times to run 10 miles on a weekday plus a long run later in the week.
We didn’t do anything exciting for Halloween (we got a grand total of one trick-or-treater) but we did dress up Charlie and Ollie in some of their random toys/clothes. Charlie was a prisoner and Ollie was a frontiersman for a few minutes until he ripped off that hat.
Tuesday: AM: 5 mile easy run; PM: 25 minutes strength training
Rather than run in the dark and rain, I decided to run on the treadmill. By 1/2 mile into the run, I wish I had just driven to one of my routes to run. Nowadays, the treadmill only works for me if I’m doing a hard workout or it’s my absolute only option. Even with a varying incline, my hips felt tight. I got my run in, however, and also remembered why I always choose the rain over indoors.
Wednesday: 7 mile easy run
Back outside into the dark and rain, which felt so good after running inside. I dug out my Knuckle Lights for the first time this year and used them on the first half of my run. Other than the late sunrise (8 AM!), these easy runs sort of blend together during marathon training.
Thursday: 20 mile long run
A break in the rain! The sun even came out, which actually made me feel warm on my run. This 20 miler wasn’t as comfortable feeling as my first one a couple weeks ago, but those tough long runs are valuable in training. Progress comes when you push yourself beyond your comfort zone – which is a very uncomfortable process.
I had considered running 22 miles if I felt good, but 20 miles was enough. There will be future marathon training cycles where I can push my long runs more. Right now, I’m trying to achieve that balance of training hard but staying healthy and remembering that this is only my second marathon.
Friday: 11.2 mile hike
Ryan and I could not pass up a sunny, mild day to get in one last long hike of the season. We had done part of Pratt Lake Trail in September and decided that Friday was the perfect day to hike the entire thing.
This hike was fun but challenging. The hike out to the lake gained 2300 feet and then descended into the basin – which meant the return hike had to climb 670 feet before our descent through a boulder field. The hike took us just over 5.5 hours, but we took a break for lunch and to rest a bit in the middle.
Also, we finally found out how to tire out our cattle dog labrador mix: hiking up a mountain for 5.5 hours. This is both good news and bad news.
Saturday: Rest Day
I originally intended to run today, but after the long run and the hike, my body needed a complete rest day. I’d rather be slightly undertrained for CIM than overtrained, and hiking miles take a toll on the body just like running miles. I felt the fatigue of the past couple days on my body, but no crazy soreness which I attribute to eating a high amount of nutritious foods (including lots of starchy vegetables and whole grains) on both long effort days.
Sunday: 3 mile run
After watching the New York City Marathon, Ryan and I went to for a short and easy run to shake some life back into our legs. I love watching the big marathons on TV, but right now the huge races have little appeal to me. Both Portland and CIM have about 5000 runners, which is crowded enough for me – enough people to provide that adrenaline and group effect, but not so many where I’d feel claustrophobic.
How was your week in running?
Do you prefer big races or small races?
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24 Responses
While I think it would be really exciting to be a part of a big race like Boston or NYC, I do think they seem more overwhelming and a small race would be better. I can’t believe you hiked 11 miles the day after a 20 miler! You definitely deserved a nice easy weekend. Great job this week!
Thank you! I agree – that many people in one place seems overwhelming! They do seem exciting, but sometimes too exciting.
How is it that CIM is so soon?!?! I remember those marathon training days of when you hit 10 miles during a weekday run in addition to a long run. That’s when I started wishing marathon training was o-v-e-r!! You are crushing it. And those hiking views…jealous!
Thank you! The midweek long runs are what make marathon training so rough. And you should come out here to hike! There were several lakes like that off the main trail we were on!
I can’t believe the marathon is like a month away for you! this is getting so exciting! I watched the marathon and maybe just maybe I will run it next year with your help!
Yes, you should run it next year!
I prefer smaller to middle size race. Twin Cities was literally my perfect race. I would do it over and over and over again (my hip flexors say screw you about this, but they can deal)
They can deal! Smaller/mid size is my favorite also. I’ve heard awesome things about Twin Cities and if I ever do a Midwest marathon, it would probably be that one!
Looks like a great week of training for you! It will be weird to go back to 10 mile long runs after the marathon but that is a good thing, you can maybe work on another goal like a half or a shorter distance. It looks like you had a great 20 as well and I am with you on that, I probably won’t run more than 20 in training either. Best not to push it sometimes. Glad you got to go on a hike as well before the weather gets too cold!
We didn’t do trick or treat this year… we did Hallo-we-aint-home and went out to eat!
Thank you! I am probably going to do a spring half and then have off season in the summer when hiking is good. It will be weird to go back, but in a good way – 3 hours is a long time to be out running for even long runs!
I feel the same about big races. It seems like a great atmosphere, but the fact that you have to wait around so long and the race starts so late and it’s super crowded the entire time kind of ruins the experience for me. I’ll stick to my smaller races!
I agree! The standing in corrals for hours would make me feel stir crazy.
Alright, I’ll be the one to break the trend in the comments: I like the bigger races. The downside is that the logistics can be a real headache, but I feed off the crowd energy and the atmosphere and excitement of bigger races. It can be hard to get my adrenaline pumping at smaller races, even if I like the extra intimacy. I’ve run both small and big marathons, and they each have their own advantages and disadvantages. I don’t think I could only do one or the other for my entire running career.
I can’t believe you only have one week until taper! I’m so excited for you, you’re going to crush CIM and I can’t wait to hear about it.
Thank you! I think my own preference is mid-sized marathons – not the ones so small that there’s no one spectating or own the course, but not so big that it’s overwhelming. A few thousand is a good number!
I miss the days of being able to go on long hikes like that! But wow, in the middle of marathon training, that’s pretty intense! A bit of a cut back definitely sounds wise – like you said, better to be slightly under trained than over trained. You’re getting so close!
Thank you! It was intense for the training of the week, but worth it for getting in a long hike before the snow.
I definitely prefer smaller races….I hear that there is a “great atmosphere” at NYC etc. , but my definition of great atmosphere just doesn’t include that many people 😉
Oh yes I agree! I like a few runners around for camaraderie, but not so many that people are bumping me every couple feet and I’m locked into a pace for the whole race.
SMALL RACES! Small races all the way. You’re doing so well with your marathon training! That 20 miler is no joke. The first 10 mile run of the week sounded tough too. I’m glad the rain didn’t start out heavy though. I kinda like it when it starts raining once I’m really working hard. It feels like a movie scene! AND I’M THE STAR.
Thank you! The rain is so much easier if it starts when you’re already running. Because then you’re already out there!
You kicked butt!!! An 11+ mile hike the day after a long…You bad ass!!!!
Thank you!
I know what you mean about wishing 10 mile runs were long ones again…your training cycle will be over soon enough! Props to you for doing that high mileage during the week. I know it will pay off for you!
Thank you! I feel like the first 10 mile mid week run is fun, but it’s when it’s week after week that it’s wearing. Congrats again on your marathon!