April Is Here. I'm Running The Miles. Working on Speed. Keeping The Faith.

It's hard to believe that I ran just one marathon in 2018 (although the plan was two) and yet here we are in the second quarter of 2019 and I already have a marathon under my belt. It feels really good to start the year off that way and I'm looking forward to how much I can grow in the sport this year. Becoming a good marathoner takes time - training cycle after training cycle, year after year to build the miles in your legs and the strength in your body. Marathoners have to pay their dues and this brings a sense of satisfaction to my training. I love the process of waking up in the morning and thinking about what my run will bring me. Even on the not so fun runs - Monday was more of a recovery slog -especially the first half and then the blood begins to flow and the legs loosen up. I definitely was ready to bring it to an end, and yet I'm always happy that I showed up.

I'm in a good rhythm of carefully logging miles and trying hard to take care of my body. These miles aren't something I jumped into, yet it has been a guided process by my coach over years of building. I haven't begun to tap into my potential and I think that its makes you want to keep coming back for more. The plan for now is slowly building for a fast fall marathon and that work began after a nice recovery from Phoenix. I need some speed in these legs to shake things up a bit and we're working on that. Coach is keeping me challenged and I can't imagine what the marathon cycle will look like this summer. 

I'll share with you my training from last week. It was a solid week of work and I'm always grateful for my body - it rolls with the demands I put on it!

Monday March 25th - 5 miles AM, 4.24 miles PM. Double runs are in full effect. The afternoon miles are completed at an easy pace. This run is not an extension of the morning run, yet a completely separate run with the purpose of bulking up the weekly mileage.

Tuesday March 26th - 8 miles AM, 4 miles PM. Really happy to get the doubles done early in the week. Note: This is probably not happening this week as I need more rest. I've only ran one double so far this week, which means the second double will be have to be done the second half of the week.

Wednesday March 27th - 8.24 miles

Thursday March 28th - 10 miles

Friday March 29th - 10.25 miles and my workout happened today. I hardly ever do a speed session on a Friday, but life happened this week and here it is!

2 mile warm up, 5 x 1 mile repeats (6:08, 6:08, 6:07, 6:07, 6:04). .25 jog in between each set and then a 2 mile cool down. These are the fastest consecutive mile repeats I have ever done. I can't wait to see the progress in the coming months! I am really happy with my effort.

After the hard workout, it was time to celebrate my Mom! Gosh, I love this lovely lady and she got all the love today.

It was a beautiful day, but cold in Malibu. Elle had just finished her ballet lesson and she was not a happy camper on this day, hence the face. Ah, we love you sweet girl and thanks for letting us document this moment. We went home after dinner, got cozy and warm and celebrated with a huge chocolate cake that I made. These are the special memories that make up great blocks of living. 

Saturday March 30th - 8 miles 

Sunday March 31st - 16 miles at 7:25 pace. I like to be completely open and straight forward here. I will not do a Friday speed session and then a Sunday long run. Ooof. That was not a good move. Do not try this at home.

73.73 miles for the week and recovery is the most important thing. Lots of sleep, hydration, nourishing foods and stretching + rolling are what I have been focused on.

April is here my friends. A month of warm sunshine, green buds of new life and the fresh air of spring. I wish you happy running this week.

Do Awesome Things.

xo,
Natalie