Couch to NY marathon

ellie_sun

After reading lots of the training logs for inspiration I've decided to start my own.

For some background, I'm 29, female and have always wanted to run a marathon. So this is the year, I've signed up for New York 2012 which is on November 4. I would say I'm unfit and I'm definitely not a runner. As an idea of where i am starting, I've never run more than a few mins without stopping. Ever!

I've decided to start on the treadmill to try and work on being able to run for longer without stopping and then I will move on to the park.

ellie_sun

So yesterday off I went with my new Garmin F60 and tried my best:

Distance: 2.00 mi
Time: 24:12
Avg Pace: 12:00 min/mi
Calories: 187 C

Avg Pace: 12:00 min/mi
Best Pace: 8:30 min/mi

Avg HR: 160 bpm
Max HR: 180 bpm

I managed to run 10 minutes at 5.5mph without stopping but then my heart rate was at 180 so I slowed down to a walk and then ran at 5.5mph for another 5 minutes.

Today:

Distance: 2.05 mi
Time: 25:22
Avg Pace: 12:30 min/mi
Calories: 196 C

Avg Pace: 12:30 min/mi
Best Pace: 7:54 min/mi

Avg HR: 157 bpm
Max HR: 180 bpm

I ran for 10.5minutes at 5.5mph without stopping but my heart rate was 180 again so I walked and then did another 3:15 at 5.5mph.

pconn062

Good luck with the log. Don't worry too much about the HR at this stage, it's going to be hard at this start. Just worry about getting time on your feet and slowly extending the distance of each run.

ellie_sun

Thanks pconn, it said 180 was 96% of my max heart rate so I was worried about going over it.

Day 3

Distance: 2.00 mi
Time: 23:59
Avg Pace: 12:00 min/mi
Calories: 188 C

Avg Pace: 12:00 min/mi
Best Pace: 8:42 min/mi

Avg HR: 162 bpm
Max HR: 182 bpm

Ran 12 minutes 15 seconds without stopping but then I found it hard to get started again so only managed a few short sprints.

red face dave

Best of luck enjoy the training and the marathon. You will love the marathon experience.

alitoast

Best of luck with the log and training.....and marathon

ellie_sun

Thanks guys.

Didn't manage any training over the weekend but back to it today and managed 15 minutes without stopping at 5.5mph.

Distance: 1.46 mi
Time: 15:49
Avg Pace: 10:49 min/mi
Avg HR: 160 bpm
Max HR: 179 bpm

I know its not a lot compared to the massive distances everyone else here can run but I'm pretty sure its the longest I've ever gone without stopping! The day I make it to 30 minutes without stopping I'm going to throw a party!

I feel I could have gone on a bit longer but in my mind I was saying stop. I need to figure out how to switch off from clock watching. Am planning to move to the park soon but its 20 degrees here at the minute, I have a feeling running in the sun is going to be tough.

ellie_sun

Had a rubbish run today, my garmin graph looks like the outside of a castle. So annoyed, just couldn't get my stride right and i felt hunched over or something.

Distance: 2.05 mi
Time: 25:26
Avg Pace: 12:30 min/mi
Best Pace: 6:48 min/mi
Avg HR: 144 bpm
Max HR: 172 bpm

ellie_sun

Distance: 2.00 mi
Time: 23:13
Avg Pace: 11:32 min/mi
Best Pace: 6:48 min/mi
Avg HR: 154 bpm
Max HR: 174 bpm

Have arranged to do the lower loop in the park with my much better running buddy on Saturday morning, its 2.7km and I'm going to do it without stopping! That's the plan anyway! Am looking forward to going outdoors as the treadmill is getting old fast.

ellie_sun

Ran for 21 minutes without stopping Delighted as it is my longest time ever. Now for a day of rest before my big run in the park on Saturday morning.

Distance: 2.00 mi
Time: 21:51
Avg Pace: 10:54 min/mi
Best Pace: 9:38 min/mi
Avg HR: 168 bpm
Max HR: 184 bpm

ellie_sun

Did my first run outdoors today, did the lower loop in the park, it was hard. But I made it round without stopping. I almost got sick at the end, there was a little gagging :eek: but I was ok after a few seconds. A sign of my complete unfitness I'm sure. There were some hills which I found hard coming off the treadmill.

Before I started in the gym I did the same run and managed about 0.5miles without stopping so its nice to see some improvement!

Distance: 1.62 mi
Time: 17:22
Avg Pace: 10:41 min/mi
Avg HR: 172 bpm
Max HR: 191 bpm

red face dave

Its a great feeling to do your first run outside. Well done keep it up

ellie_sun

Distance: 1.00 mi
Time: 10:53
Avg Pace: 10:55 min/mi
Best Pace: 9:48 min/mi
Avg HR: 162 bpm
Max HR: 178 bpm

Haven't done any running since Saturday, bit annoyed with myself. Went out after work on Monday and it set the scene for the week. Went to the gym tonight and did 10minutes but felt so sluggish.

Back to it tomorrow...

ellie_sun

Have had a rubbish week exercise wise. Gutted I haven't made any progress this week. Spent too much time having fun and in the bar on friday and saturday and drinking + running the next day just doesn't work for me.

I'm also training for an event called Tough Mudder, its a 10 mile obstacle course. Its recommended you can run over 7 miles so I need to get up to that by the start of the summer. Spent an hour in the gym today doing prep for that, need to work on my upper body strength for the obstacles. I'm not sure which scares me more, it or the marathon!

Will be more focused during April, am hoping to get a good run in tomorrow when all the alcohol has left my system!

Friday:
Distance: 1.40 mi
Time: 15:01
Avg Pace: 10:45 min/mi
Avg HR: 141 bpm
Max HR: 171 bpm

Saturday:
Distance: 1.01 mi
Time: 11:14
Avg Pace: 11:09 min/mi
Avg HR: 158 bpm
Max HR: 171 bpm

ellie_sun

Made it to 25 minutes today without stopping Was going between 5 and 5.5 mph. Baby steps....

Distance: 2.25 mi
Time: 25:02
Avg Pace: 11:08 min/mi
Best Pace: 9:14 min/mi
Avg HR: 172 bpm
Max HR: 185 bpm

Really feel like I don't have enough time to give to exercise at the moment but things should quieten down at the end of the month. Will be able to get some mid week running in then.

ellie_sun

Another 25 minutes today without stopping. Was aiming for 30 but couldn't get to it. Still, I'll take 25 for now!

Distance: 2.24 mi
Time: 25:02
Avg Pace: 11:09 min/mi
Avg HR: 172 bpm
Max HR: 185 bpm

I realized today when I was on the treadmill that my Garmin was an amazing purchase. I think its because it makes me accountable so any time I want to stop I don't because I know I can't hide it when I download my run! So glad I bought it when I started out, I love looking at my dashboard and seeing the little improvements.

ellie_sun

Only made it 2 miles today, was totally done after about 10 minutes but kept going

Distance: 2.00 mi
Time: 21:39
Avg Pace: 10:49 min/mi
Avg HR: 170 bpm
Max HR: 183 bpm

hot to trot

congratulations and well done on your achievements so far.:D
It may be worth looking at this as well, so that if you feel you cant get time to train or perhaps not fit enough to do a lot of continuous running you wont be putting yourself under pressure.
I have been doing this since I started back after long injury and can manage quite a distance already. the side effect of this is that I can now do my shorter distances continuously but at the same time , my long distances arent more than a couple of minutes slower than when I run them continuously and legs always feel great after a good time out.
Best of luck. Dying to follow you all the way to NYC

http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/marathon.html

G-Money

Keep up the good work, just stick at it.

Kinda starting a marathon build-up myself so it will be good to see how you get on also.

ellie_sun

Thanks hot to trot, I am going to follow a training programme around 20 weeks. I have serious mind issues with not stopping and walking so I'm trying to avoid anything with that. If I let myself stop I'd be stopping every 5 minutes, so I'm trying to build myself up to running for as long as possible without stopping before I start my training programme. I will look at that programme again when it comes to 20 weeks, when I have a better idea of what I"m able for.

Good luck G-money, I'm starting to enjoy it a bit more, now that I can keep going for a bit longer. It was so disheartening at the start, struggling with half a mile...

ellie_sun

That doesn't sound so far away! Its been 4 weeks since I started training, wanted to do a little summary of what I did in the past month

• Ran 25.08 miles in total
• Went from 10 minutes non stop to 25 minutes
• Ran 2.25 miles without stopping

I went to one of the sports shops yesterday that does an analysis of how you run. I wanted to go early as my running buddy told me I was running too much on my heal and that I should try to fix it before I get too far into it. Well he was right! It was funny seeing my run on camera, i land quite hard with a flat foot, heel first. I'm going to try to move to a mid foot strike.

I also bought myself a fancy pair of running trainers in neon yellow, just to cheer up my runs. I have been running in a standard pair of cross trainer runners with quite a padded heal, thought I'd better step it up! Ordered them online, they're due to arrive tomorrow, the excitement! Really hope I like them as they have a neon pink pair that I want to do the marathon in. Its the little things that will get me through....!

G-Money

Don't worry about it, just stick at it. If it makes you feel any better, 18 months ago I couldn't jog for much more than 60-90 seconds. A couple of weeks later I remember just about being able to jog for 5 minutes solid and almost being in tears of frustration at how hard it was and nearly giving up.

Now I can jog for 2 or 3 miles without stopping. Horrifically slow mind-you (13 min/mile pace ) but I'm out of practice, inconsistent in my training and about 4-5 stone overweight so that is to be expected.

ellie_sun

Are you aiming for the Dublin marathon G-money? Its the week before New York I think.

Went to the gym after work, I am not a huge fan of exercise late in the evening but needs must. Did 2 miles on the treadmill, some rowing, free weights and some random reps.

Distance: 2.00 mi
Time: 21:13
Avg Pace: 10:35 min/mi
Avg HR: 172 bpm
Max HR: 182 bpm

ellie_sun

Just back from the gym and drumroll..... ran for 35 minutes and covered 3.12miles, yay! So pleased to have broken 30 minutes, last night when I was running I thought 2 miles was my peak!


Distance: 3.12 mi
Time: 35:00
Avg Pace: 11:13 min/mi
Avg HR: 171 bpm
Max HR: 183 bpm

And just to make it even better, I converted it into km and it is 5.02km so I just ran a 5k

G-Money

ellie_sun wrote: »

Are you aiming for the Dublin marathon G-money? Its the week before New York I think.

I'm seriously considering it alright

rainbow kirby

ellie_sun wrote: »

And just to make it even better, I converted it into km and it is 5.02km so I just ran a 5k

Well done, it's a nice little milestone to hit

Brianderunner

Best of luck with this. I'm entered for the NYCM this year too, had to rob a bank to pay the entry fee

ellie_sun

Thanks guys!

Brian are you waiting for the lottery results for NY?

ellie_sun

Now I think I deserve another drumroll for this one.... 4.28 miles in 46.22 minutes for my outdoor run

I was with my running buddy and the plan was to do a 3 mile loop to the reservoir. My running buddy took me around the reservoir for the 4 mile run instead of across the bottom of it. I don't really know how to describe it - it was hard, I am still purple faced but I made it! I was concentrating so hard on breathing and keeping moving but I didn't try and stop at any point.

Distance: 4.28 mi
Time: 46:22
Avg Moving Pace: 10:50 min/mi
Best Pace: 8:30 min/mi
Avg HR: 175 bpm
Max HR: 183 bpm

Its funny, the further I'm able to run, the more huge of a challenge the marathon seems. On the positive side, I never thought that in week 5 I would be running over 45 minutes and over 4 miles.

ellie_sun

Did an easy 1.86 miles in the park tonight. Ha, no it wasn't easy at all but I like the way other people do easy runs in their training logs. Was 20 degrees this evening, not sure if that made it feel worse than it was.


Distance: 1.86 mi
Time: 19:06
Avg Pace: 10:13 min/mi
Avg HR: 172 bpm
Max HR: 183 bpm

Dory Dory

Best of luck here! I just finished my first ever marathon 10 days ago, so I totally understand your excitement and all the work you have ahead of you. Make sure you enjoy the whole journey (and it is a journey, believe me!) and don't forget to keep it all in proper perspective. I'm also considering signing up for NY, so I will definitely be keeping tabs on you, and I might see you there!!

ellie_sun

Dory Dory wrote: »

Best of luck here! I just finished my first ever marathon 10 days ago, so I totally understand your excitement and all the work you have ahead of you. Make sure you enjoy the whole journey (and it is a journey, believe me!) and don't forget to keep it all in proper perspective. I'm also considering signing up for NY, so I will definitely be keeping tabs on you, and I might see you there!!

Was just reading your log Dory Dory, I reckon I would only see the back of your shoes as you zoomed past me haha!! Your time was amazing, well done! Also loved your first race report, sounds similar to Tough Mudder which I'm doing in July.

Brianderunner

ellie_sun wrote: »

Thanks guys!

Brian are you waiting for the lottery results for NY?

Nope got in with my sub 1'23 time in the Waterford Half

ellie_sun

Tried out my new runners last night, really feel it in my calves today.

Distance: 1.76 mi
Time: 17:40
Avg Pace: 10:04 min/mi
Avg HR: 155 bpm
Max HR: 179 bpm

ellie_sun

Brianderunner wrote: »

Nope got in with my sub 1'23 time in the Waterford Half

Nice! Hope London works out for you.

ellie_sun

Tried the 4 mile loop of the park that i did last week. I was rubbish, stopped 4 or 5 times My right leg was sore after about one mile, and its still quite sore now. I don't really know which bit hurts, maybe my calf or my ankle. Its hard to tell.

My watch is being funny, it measured the route as 3.91 tonight but the loop is 4.25 miles. I switched my foot pod to my new runners so maybe it needs to be reset.

Distance: 3.91 mi
Time: 46:13
Avg Pace: 11:48 min/mi
Avg HR: 169 bpm
Max HR: 181 bpm

pointer28

Did you get a gait analysis done before you bought the runners?

Maybe they're wrong for you and causing your pains.

ellie_sun

pointer28 wrote: »

Did you get a gait analysis done before you bought the runners?

Maybe they're wrong for you and causing your pains.

Yep, they said I didn't overpronate and that I didn't need stability runners (I think these were the terms, it was a few weeks ago!) I did switch to a low toe to heel drop so I could try and strike with the middle of my foot more - think trying to get off my heal is hurting my calves.

London marathon today was making me nervous!

Dory Dory

Hey! I went ahead and threw my name in the NY City marathon lottery, so fingers crossed for the both of us (and a few others too)....but odds are tough. I guess we'll find out Wednesday?? I know that's when they do the drawing.

ellie_sun

Dory Dory wrote: »

Hey! I went ahead and threw my name in the NY City marathon lottery, so fingers crossed for the both of us (and a few others too)....but odds are tough. I guess we'll find out Wednesday?? I know that's when they do the drawing.

Good luck Dory, Wednesday is the draw, its exciting! Would you qualify for next year with your marathon time from a few weeks ago?

I'm doing mine for charity so I've got my spot! I wanted to do something for the charity for a while and then they had some spots so I signed up. Before I had time to think about what I would have to do to run a marathon!! Probably better that I was blissfully unaware!

hot to trot

ellie_sun wrote: »

Tried out my new runners last night, really feel it in my calves today.

D

Congratulations you are doing really well.
Anytime I buy new runners I usually walk around the house and town a bit to loosen them up and break up some of the stiffness in them. It maybe just that you are breaking them in . If they continue to hurt when running , perhaps you could walk around in them a bit more and alternate them with your old runners fr a while so your body hasnt to make too much of a change.
Love your log. Keep going .:D

Dory Dory

ellie_sun wrote: »

Good luck Dory, Wednesday is the draw, its exciting! Would you qualify for next year with your marathon time from a few weeks ago?

I'm doing mine for charity so I've got my spot! I wanted to do something for the charity for a while and then they had some spots so I signed up. Before I had time to think about what I would have to do to run a marathon!! Probably better that I was blissfully unaware!

No, my time from 2 weeks ago would still be too slow for NY (I did not consider elevations in my marathon choice first time around :eek:), so I will be looking for a runner-friendly marathon course to do this fall if I don't get into NY this year. "Flat, fast, and PB friendly" are the words I'm looking for in the description of the course.

Good for you for doing it for charity! Bravo. You've got loads of time to prepare for this race, so blissfully unaware will be irrelevant!

ellie_sun

thanks hottotrot, am going to start wearing them in the apartment see how it goes.

Dory, good luck in the draw, fingers crossed you get a spot. I heard Paris was a good marathon for being flat, might be a bit of a trek for you though!

In good news tomorrow is the end of my craziness and now I should have the time to become a fully fledged marathonzilla!!

ellie_sun

Back to it today. New shoes are feeling much better, did 3 miles and right leg felt pretty good. Bit of a slow run, I was trying to concentrate on my technique and making sure my right foot was striking properly.

Distance: 3.00 mi
Time: 35:57
Avg Pace: 11:58 min/mi
Avg HR: 169 bpm
Max HR: 180 bpm

Got a nice surprise in the post today - one of my friends from home sent me a running book. Its the running world - run less, run faster. I would probably be better with run more, run faster but I'm looking forward to reading it!

Am off to sunnier climes for the weekend. Gym gear is packed (well ok, in the pile to be washed and then packed, the intent is there!).

ellie_sun

Went for a 3 mile route today but walked at least 2 miles of it would like to blame the 30 degree heat but I just think that some days my head does not want to corporate with my legs. Went to the gym after and did circuit training so now I can add tired thighs from squats to my tired calves from yesterdays run.

Came across some monkey bars in a park on the way back from the run and decided to get in some practice for Tough Mudder (two of the obstacles are monkey bars and the rings like they used to have in Gladiators). For some reason I assumed I would fly across the monkey bars like i did when I was 11 but that would be a no! I only made it one bar...

Dory Dory

I followed the FIRST marathon plan (I believe that is the training plan highlighted in your new book) for the marathon I just did and I really loved it. I think each of the weekly key runs adds a dimension to your ultimate improvement, and I like how cross training is encouraged to assist in recovery. I did not read the book, but maybe I should. I will more than likely follow this plan again for my next marathon in October. I'm not looking forward to those awful intervals, but they really are a necessary evil for completeness. Keep us posted on how you like the book!

ellie_sun

Had a few disaster runs (a mile here and there, head just hasn't been in it and alternate legs giving trouble on different days...).

2 miles today
Distance: 2.00 mi
Time: 22:20
Avg Pace: 11:10 min/mi

Spent another 1.5 hours in the gym this morning - a tiny bit of cardio and the rest was reps.

Went shopping yesterday for some running gear (there are only so many washes I can do in a week!). Have a strange attraction to neon coloured running gear, no one is going to miss me coming down the street anyway. But sure whatever makes me happy!

ellie_sun

2 miles before work and an hour in the gym:

Distance: 2.00 mi
Time: 21:16
Avg Pace: 10:32 min/mi
Avg HR: 174 bpm

ellie_sun

Forgot to log my last run so will start with that:

Thursday May 10
Distance: 1.55 mi
Time: 15:55
Avg Pace: 10:33 min/mi
Avg HR: 167 bpm

Have been traveling a fair bit (3 long haul flights, am in Asia at the minute) so today is the first day I made a run. Don't have the exact stats as I don't have my little Garmin key with me but going by the watch:

Distance: 3.33 mi
Time: 40:00
Avg Pace: about 12 min/mi
Avg HR: pretty high, it was between 180 - 185 after the first mile.

Felt good just couldn't get my heart rate under control. Really wanted to keep running but I was worried that it was so high for over 30 minutes.

ellie_sun

Forgot to do my 4 week summary:

Distance: 26.5miles
Longest run: 4.28 miles in 46.22 minutes

Not a great month for progress, the 4.28 miles was a once off. I am aiming to get up to 5 miles consistently this month.

Have signed up for 2 races - a 10k on July 1 and a 10 mile on September 9. Haven't signed up for any half marathons but will hopefully find one for late September/early October.

ellie_sun

No garmin again so based on the watch:

Distance: 3.50 mi
Time: 41:18
Avg Pace: about 11.5 min/mi
Avg HR: bit better than sunday, was below 180 for second mile, went to 185 towards the end

Calves are sore!