1 PhD and 2 Marathons in next 8 months pretty please!!

MarieC

Hoping this thread will help/inspire/motivate me along my way to completing Connemara and Paris in 2009. 18 week training schedule for the first one starts this week.

Gonna stick with Hal Higdon Novice 1 as it suits my routine etc. So this week is meant to be 3 x 3milers with a 6miler at the weekend. Trying to juggle that with some intense work deadlines at the moment, not easy.

Need to sort out when suits best to run - morning or night, and stick to it. As it is I come back to college in the evenings to study so my time is valuable.
I need to get back to the gym too for some serious core strengthening. I hope I can manage to handle final stages of PhD with marathon training, I think if I get organised it is possible. the running is worth it for the stress relief.

Tue 18th Nov:
3mile run @ 9.3min pace. Will get back to my sub 9min pace. Niggle in hip.

MCOS

Hi MarieC! You are not asking a lot of yourself are you?! Welcome to the most updated bunch of fitness logs I've seen and best of luck with the training and studying

Peckham

Best of luck. A point comes to mind that Pfitzinger mentions in Advanced Marathoning that is particularly relevant to you. He wrote that there is absolutely no reason why life should be getting in the way of scheduled training sessions - if life does get in the way of the sessions, then you're following the wrong plan and you need to go for a less intensive one.

I guess what it's recommending is to only take on board what you really feel you can achieve.

Krusty_Clown

Best of luck with your three goals, MarieC. Have you signed up for Paris already?

MarieC

Thanks for the encouragement!!

Signed up for Paris on Monday night so only just got in on time! Will take the training one week at a time, and your right Peckham, will bend and mould the programme to suit.

Thur Nov 20th:
Stressed leaving college, needed punch-bag. Did 3miles @ 9.36min pace. 6 seconds slower than Tue but felt better. Run done, stress gone.

P.S - I like this training log already

christeb

Great to have another gang member in here - g'luck

Abhainn

The very best Marie C in your goals for the first half of 2009. Your a brave one.
The one great thing about setting yourself a spring goal (well you have 2 running wise) is that these short dark days should move by quickly. You can look forward to the beginning of nature life again soon.

Slogger Jogger

Good luck MarieC. You've some great targets there. Its a tough proposition in one way training through the dark and cold days of winter, but its good to get the new year resolutions of running off the mark straight away. Personally I've trained for Conn for the last 4 years and the early year training was something I've come around to, even down to a few ticking over runs during Christmas You did well to get your registration in for Paris. The marathon there is a great experience.

MarieC

Fri Nov 21st

3miles at 9.28min pace. Nice to see it creep slightly down in the right direction. Could feel hip at me a bit during run, bit of nausea also. Nausea whilst running seems to be something I just have to accept. Hip still sore today.

Im tired, have coldsore from stress and just in college now for the day. Taking today as rest day, 6miles tomorrow. Spirits actually fine even if energy levels a little low.

chatoon

Well done on training so far MarieC - keep it up! I've also started training for the Paris Marathon (it'll be my first!) and I'm finding energy a bit low too...about the hip pain, are you wearing orthotics? I got them and have never had hip pain since...highly recommend them. Enjoy the long run tomorrow, I'll be doing one myself...(I'm wondering now if I made a mistake signing up for Paris!)

Odysseus

They are some serious goals Marie, I'll look forward to reading your log as you get there. Best of luck with it.

MarieC

Monday Nov 24th

After the last 2 days of rest I had a 6miler to make up from last weeks plan. My average pace for my three 3mile runs last week was 9.32min/miles. This evening was beautiful and crisp. I was like a giddy goat with excitement before my run I did the 6 this evening, felt alot better than last week and managed a pace of 8.97! lovely to be under the 9 again.

Hip was fine all day, feeling bit dodge now after run. Oh and IT band on left knee has decided to act up. Very sore going down stairs.

So plan is: alot of stretching tonight, nip into town tomorrow and get new runners (Asics Nimbus) and off I go. Only a gentle 3miler tomorrow evening.

Pain or no pain, tonight I love running

ike

Great feeling isn't it! Well done..

MarieC

Wed Nov 26th

Lovely 3 mile run this evening. Felt really good doing it. Fitness definitely coming back already. Ran it at 9min/mile pace. Being completely honest it was 9.05min/mile pace :rolleyes:

ITB and hip issues deffo related, have found a few stretches that are working a treat!

MarieC

Thur Nov 27th

Id just left college to go home and wallow in my stress when 3 lads out running passed me and unknowingly made me turn around and go back to the gym from where I run. 3 miles in 27:50. felt great and that Id pushed myself so was surprised to see I ran at 9.27min pace.......

Still glad to have braved the temptation to go home, as well as the wind, rain, cold and darkness!!

kingQuez

Hey MarieC, Well done with the training so far!

My experience with PhD/marathon at the same time was very positive. They seemed like crazy goals to run together, but for me it worked really well. Normally when I get very stressed and throw myself into things I loose my appetite and up the working hours, and let that vicious circle of spending all your time working but being unproductive kick in. When I was training for the marathon it forced me to take breaks form work for training, get adequate sleep and made me ensure I didn't skip meals or live (entirely) off junk food etc.

MarieC

Wed Dec 3rd
Was planning on getting big deadline done before Christmas but its gonna happen now due to things way beyond my control. V.frustrating cos running has been neglected since last week cos of it and now I havnt ran since Friday and deadline wont be done for Christmas!

Gonna run tomorrow.... Hate not running......:(

Woddle

Hey Marie don't worry too much about the running, you have a good fitness base from DM so just do enough to keep it topped up while you concentrate on the important stuff and in the new year you can go about setting new pbs and stuff. Well done so far

MCOS

MarieC wrote: »

Wed Dec 3rd
Was planning on getting big deadline done before Christmas but its gonna happen now due to things way beyond my control. V.frustrating cos running has been neglected since last week cos of it and now I havnt ran since Friday and deadline wont be done for Christmas!

Gonna run tomorrow.... Hate not running......:(

Yep it feels awful when you haven't run in a few days. I'm not focussing on running and I still miss it if it goes more than a few days. I've been training well but now behind on studies which means I have to tip the balance the other way for a while.

Responsibilities! Ultimately you need to get the studies done, you have your whole life to run

MarieC

Tue Dec 9th

Back to the gym this morning. Have'nt been there since start of DM 08 training.Updated my program and its now a lovely program concentrating entirely on core strengthening. Consists of leg raises, pavlov's twist, swiss twist, medicine ball crunches, captain crunches, press ups, arm wheel, and more but cant remember them.

Going to concentrate on gym for next week or two with a few runs sprinkled in. Gymming suits my daily routine more at the moment.

MCOS

MarieC wrote: »

Tue Dec 9th

Back to the gym this morning. Have'nt been there since start of DM 08 training.Updated my program and its now a lovely program concentrating entirely on core strengthening. Consists of leg raises, pavlov's twist, swiss twist, medicine ball crunches, captain crunches, press ups, arm wheel, and more but cant remember them.

Going to concentrate on gym for next week or two with a few runs sprinkled in. Gymming suits my daily routine more at the moment.

Thought I saw you there last night, but when I went over to say Hi alas it was your lookalike!

MarieC

MCOS wrote: »

Thought I saw you there last night, but when I went over to say Hi alas it was your lookalike!

Hehe! Im a morning gym person so you'll never see me there in the evening, too busy for my liking.

Alicano

No problem sticking with the sprinkled runs for the mo mariec.you've heaps of time to up the miles before the big day.18 week training programs etc can get very tedious and seem like a job at times.I'm in for the ultra again looking to beat this years time and i wont be getting serious til early jan?..its only running..a phd is far harder!!
Dont be too hard on yourself..smile and enjoy the runs.
You'll smash connemara!..:)

MarieC

Tue Dec 9th

Ended up going for 3mile run this evenin with friend. Was a lovely evening for it. Did some nice fartlek spurts. Pushed her more than me but sure it all counts.
Clock in gym not working so no idea of pace. doesnt matter once i ran and enjoyed it

MarieC

Wed Dec 10th

Another morning gym session. Only day 2 of gym but really enjoying this program, nice and intense. Wont have access to the gym over Christmas so can switch back over to more running then.

MarieC

Fri Dec 12th

Gym this morning for core work-out. Only day 3 of this program and already finding it easier. Lying leg curls not really working for me tho, need to find alternative.

hunnymonster

MarieC wrote: »

Fri Dec 12th

Gym this morning for core work-out. Only day 3 of this program and already finding it easier. Lying leg curls not really working for me tho, need to find alternative.

marieC, this might be an alternative. Looks simple but you'll feel it towards the end!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czf-1snzG2c

--amadeus--

That is why I don't do gym's. If I tried that I would break my neck!

MarieC

Sat 13th Dec

Gym session again. Program tough but like it. Can already lengthen number of reps in each set and extend time for lateral and front bridges. Hope to do a few runs this week and plan then is the 4.3mile fun run then on Sunday!!

zenmonk

MarieC wrote: »

Sat 13th Dec

Gym session again. Program tough but like it. Can already lengthen number of reps in each set and extend time for lateral and front bridges. Hope to do a few runs this week and plan then is the 4.3mile fun run then on Sunday!!

where's that race?

MarieC

Hi Zen monk, found out about it from post about limerick races over Xmas.
If you go on to the main page of Limerick AC the details are there.

Its the route the mini-marathon used, 4.3miles sunday morning at 10:30, starting and finishing in UL.

MarieC

Mon Dec 15th

Gym again for work out. Surprised at how fast this programme is getting easy. Not going to change it until I can do full 1 minute of the lateral and front bridges, will jazz it up a little then. Hope to get a few runs in this week with friends. They will only be short and prob slow but better than nothing.

Up until this week I had been a morning gym person but Im pasted to the bed the last while, and in bed since before 11! Just knackered.

Finished that dreaded report too - all 51,997 words of it!! Virtual High 5 anyone??

MCOS

MarieC wrote: »

Hi Zen monk, found out about it from post about limerick races over Xmas.
If you go on to the main page of Limerick AC the details are there.

Its the route the mini-marathon used, 4.3miles sunday morning at 10:30, starting and finishing in UL.

Is that part of the xmas turkey run?

MarieC

Not sure at all MCOS. What is the turkey run???

MCOS

Not sure yet Marie, cant access Limerick AC site in work. The date and time just rang a bell with me. I'll ask at the club session tomorrow night. I think the Tri club are doing a cycle that morning and then joining in the run afterwards

Bally8

MarieC wrote: »

Finished that dreaded report too - all 51,997 words of it!! Virtual High 5 anyone??

Wow thats excellent. Running was the furthest thing from my mind when I wrote my dissertation (which was only a measly 15,000 words).

Major virtual high 5 for that

MarieC

Tue 16th Dec

Lovely 3mile run with friend who is only getting into the whole running thing. She did great and it was a beautiful night for a run. I hit the gym then for my Core workout. Deffo shaking it up alot after Christmas, its got easy v.fast.

Birthday today so before I meet friend for 3mile run Im treating myself to a run on my own with my new Asics Nimbus!! Quite excited I must say. Love the feeling of enjoying a run, and looking forward to it, not just cos Im scheduled a run, but simply because I want to run.

Its all good

Woddle

Happy birthday Marie and well done on the before and after progress

MCOS

Happy Birthday MarieC and good stuff on getting the report done.. sounds epic! Now for some festive fun and/or running

MarieC

Wed Dec 17th

Ran 4.2miles on my own and then 3.9 with friend. felt really rough I must say, must hav eaten somethin dodge. Felt like a lead balloon for the entire run, very nauseous after, didnt ease off til 24hrs later.
Wore my new asics nimbus. deffo felt different to the nike air pegasus. dunno did they cause niggle on side of knee, and hip. Teethin issues perhaps??

ditpoker

Hi Marie, chose your log to have a read through cos I'm looking into getting into a phd, and will be starting hal higdon's 18 week novice 1 plan on Mon 22nd Dec, ahead of London on Apr 26th.

noticed you having issues from your ITB... have a look at stretches 2 and 3 on http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=6099 , were recommended to me by an Ultra's runner who posts on boards and since I've been doing them my knee has been "ok", still feels a bit weak at times though. I had to miss last years London marathon on account of my ITB so dont just ignore it. Also, but 2 ice packs and wear them religously after a run on BOTH knees, no point in protecting one if you just let the other one fall apart.

BEST OF LUCK!!

MCOS

Hi MarieC did you do the 4.3mile Charity run yesterday? I was there but didn't see you and you may have not recognised me with mud all over my face! Nice run though especially the last 2 miles out the back of UL.

MarieC

Mon Jan 5th

Well Im back to reality Did a few nice 4m runs over the Christmas and that was about it. Im starting my Paris Marathon training in earnest this week (t minus 13 weeks to Paris). I have decided to knock connemara back to a half as dont want to risk not enjoying paris 2 weeks later.

So plan for this week is: 3m 5m 3m and 7m at weekend.

Last night I did the 5m in 46:32 - 9.3min/mile. There's work to be done!!!

MarieC

Tue Jan 6th

Short 2.5mile run with friend getting back in to running, nothing too hectic but v.enjoyable.

MarieC

Wed Jan 7th

Lovely 4.92mile run on new route. Did it at 8.76min/mile pace which I was v.happy with - a 0.54min/mile faster than Monday evening.

MarieC

Fri Jan 9th

Core workout session in the gym, did everything on program bar the pavlov twists.

MarieC

Mon Jan 12th

Had missed a run at the weekend so took care of that this evening. 7.2miles. stopwatch gadget malfunctioned, it read 4hrs57min after run! Really need to get a proper one....

Anyway run was good. Felt good for most of it and that I pushed myself. Asics Nimbus giving definite teething issues which should be sorted by now. Had blister this evening from them. Finished run 3hrs ago and still nauseous after it. Porridge was all I could stomach for dinner.... All said a day with a run is all good

kingQuez

Hey MarieC, sounds like you're going well with the running and the PhD - keep up the great work!

MarieC

Tue Jan 13th

Im looking forward to the day when I can look back on this training log/diary and smile. Day from PhD hell today that resulted in me sitting at my desk not even having the energy to go out to the bathroom to cry. Enough said.

Went for lovely 6mile run then at 8.86min/mile pace.felt better during and after it, and no nausea. I think the gym work on the core is paying off.

Running is great, at least I have control over that.

MarieC

Wed Jan 14th

Today was meant to be my easy run, just 3miles. Found it definitely harder than the 6 yesterday evening. Did it at a 9.3min/mile pace which is up half a min/mile from yesterday evening. Wind was very strong along the entire run, Id had my dinner at lunch time today which I never do so dont know if it was fully digested and plus I felt really tired (cos I am).

MarieC

Fri Jan 16th

Nice 3m run at a good pace. Stupid gammy "stopwatch" gadget thing didnt work so I think its time to crack open the piggy bank.
Felt good during it and after.