Air Force Marathon Training

Disclaimer: I received a race entry to the Air Force Marathon to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

The month of August has begun and my training runs for the Air Force Marathon continue each day. I will be running the half marathon distance in the race that takes place on September 18, 2021 in Dayton Ohio. I’ve been really looking forward to this race for a number of reasons, including the fact that it will be a travel race for me and it’s always exciting to visit somewhere new.

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  Pic courtesy of the Air Force Marathon website

Now, as for my training…well, it’s been going up and down for the majority of the summer. I’ve been doing my best in keeping a variety of methods with preparing my body for the half distance. These include yoga, strength training, and, of course, runs of various distances. One thing I have NOT been doing a good job with: stretching and foam rolling. I can’t say that that has led to my issues in this cycle but I am confident that it didn’t help my situation. I had hoped performing yoga (and even that ended up getting missed for a few weeks) and doing more core strength work would help, but it only does so much.

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So, on Father’s Day I ended up suffering a left hamstring pull or strain. Not sure how since I am very very good on being hydrated but I guess that day I just wasn’t enough. Maybe it was because I was rushing the run, I don’t know. What I do know is that my left hammy nagged and nagged for 10-12 days following where it limited my activity and none of my runs were in that time frame. Once it started feeling better (and that coincided with increased foam rolling…shocking, I know, haha) I picked up my miles for a week. Why just a week you ask? Well, because that’s when my RIGHT hamstring acted up, also for no real reason. It wasn’t as bad the left leg and I was able to smooth it over sooner. But then there was a camping vacation that took me away from training in general. I did get a couple long runs in there but it was still a pretty decent amount of time off.

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So, as August starts to hit its stride, my hope is that I can get into a better flow of running and getting in those miles. But, even as I type that, I am cognizant of both my right and left toes hurting for an unknown reason. Not blister-hurt. More like they don’t want to flex and offer up some pain to the touch. Ugh….Anyway, I shall persevere and be ready to at least enjoy my time in Dayton.

Would you like to join me? Visit the Air Force Marathon website and register for your preferred distance! It isn’t too late and it you have already been training for a longer distance, you’re ready. If not, they offer up a 5K and 10K as well! Use code AFMBR21 to save 10% on your registration! I would love to see you there! And if you have any questions, please ask me and I will do my best to answer them.

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Happy Running!

Race Review: Milwaukee Monster Fore Miler presented by Silver Circle Sports Entertainment group

This was a fun run that I signed up for very late in the game and close to the race date. Wasn’t sure if I wanted to drive to the location but it ended up being a fun time as I had signed my two sons up as well. I couldn’t get them to dress in costume for the run (full disclosure, I didn’t either) but there were plenty of others who did dress up which made for a festive atmosphere. It was a very chilly Halloween morning but at least the sun was out shining so that helped. The race was called the Fore Miler because it’s original location in Milwaukee County allowed it to have that distance but when it moved to this location, there was only room to safely make it a 5K distance.

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Expo Quality/Aid Stations: I am including both of these in the same column since, due to COVID-19 restrictions and precautions, there was not an expo nor any aid stations. Packet pickup was done the morning of the race, just aside from the starting line. Very efficient.

Parking Access: Pretty easy to find a spot. Ample free public parking around the area and was close by to the starting line and downtown Oconomowoc.

Course Scenery: I give this four stars but the start and finish of the race really earn all of that. The mid point of the race you find yourself running through a suburban neighborhood that wasn’t blocked off (we were told it would be that way) so there were a couple of drivers looking perplexed at all these runners, lol. But the start and finish point had you run across a bridge in between Lake Fowler and Lake Lac La Belle; just some beautiful looking scenery going across that bridge. The water was so blue and calm. Some of the trees in the area still had their colorful leaves. Just a nice sight to run through.

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T-Shirt/Swag: Fun looking orange t-shirt with Milwaukee Monster Fore Miler written across the front in a design but just above the loop where it says “Fore Miler” was the actual location of Oconomowoc listed, so I thought that was cool. The medal has a runner running away from a spooky tree a and there are bats on it with an orange background; nicely done. They also threw in some Halloween candy with the packets. Yum! Also a free beer from SteelTank Brewing! Free beer is always good, lol.

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So, overall, I liked this race; it was fun and if it returns next year, I will be happy to run it again. They say they will return to the original location so it can be four miles again but I’d almost say that this was a much more beautiful area to run through, just my opinion. The Silver Circle Sports Entertainment group did a fabulous job putting this race together. They have been excellent taking care of social distancing for these races and making sure people follow the rules so that they can keep putting on races. Bravo to them!!

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Any questions or comments, feel free to give a shout!! As always, happy running!!

Race Review: Samson Stomp n Romp 5K

It’s a little late but here it is, my review of the Samson Stomp n Romp 5K held at the Milwaukee County Zoo on January 19, 2020.

What can I say about another year of running the Milwaukee County Zoo’s Samson Stomp n Romp 5K? Well, this was the 40th year of the event and it remains one of the most popular events at the zoo even though it takes place in January, in Wisconsin. This year provided some challenges though and that’s why I will review it again. I am giving the race an overall grade of five stars for overcoming weather and construction challenges while still putting on a fun event for adults and kids.

T-shirt/SWAG: The race always does a long sleeve t-shirt and while that may not seem exciting, this year’s version had a nice touch for the 40 year anniversary. On the back were the temperatures for the every year of the race leading up to this year. Just really cool and fascinating to see how many years have been in single digits and how many were above 30 degrees (not many, lol).

Aid Stations: There is only one station and it always has water but I have to give it at least three stars because the volunteers are out there suffering in the cold to hand out that water.

Course Scenery: Five stars, of course! You get to run through the zoo, checking out the polar bear, elk, macaques, penguins and more. You get to listen to the sea lions barking from their enclosure. And this year, due to construction making a larger hippo exhibit, the course had to be altered and it was a welcome change in my opinion. I loved that the course provided a new way to traverse the race. Great job working with what they had to work with.

Expo Quality: Not really an expo, per se. Just a packet pickup at the zoo. But the staff on hand are nice and friendly and ready to answer any and all questions you may have. Or just banter with you about how cold it will be on race morning, haha.

Elevation Difficulty: There was still the tough incline that the race always has but where it once was before you passed the first mile, not it was in between the 2nd and 3rd mile, so a little more challenging at the point in the race. There were also the same two steep declines that the course always has but, similar to the incline, their location in the race was not the same as year’s past.

Parking: Your bib and race confirmation is your parking pass into the zoo. Easy access and easy departure. No problems.

Race Management: They did a phenomenal job with this race. The overcoming of the construction to create a fun course that still reached the right distance was impressive. But even more impressive was that the city and zoo were hit with a nasty ice and snow storm a day before and the zoo had the entire course cleared off of both. There were very few spots that had ice that was dangerous and there was zero snow on the course itself. Bravo again for the zoo’s maintenance staff for having a safe event. Packet pickup was smooth. And the post race party/spread was just as nice as always. Apples, Gatorade, water, coffee, granola bars, strawberry milk, blueberry milk, a restaurant’s homemade tomato soup and another restaurant’s chicken and rice sample dish were all part of the post race spread that led to the handing out of awards. And, no, I didn’t age place this year. There’s always next year though….

Happy running!

Race Review: bRUNch 5K

This race review is a little late on my part. I just let life get in the way and do its thing so this kept getting put off and put off. But here it is finally, the review for the 5K I ran a few weeks ago in September.

I skipped this race in 2018 because I was suffering from a right hip issue that wasn’t fully healed by race day so I was really excited to run this year. Especially after remembering the fun time and value the race provided when I ran it in 2017. There were some similarities but also some small differences this time around but, as I said, still a fun race with an energetic group running it for a good cause.

T-Shirt/SWAG: This race provides, in my opinion, some of best swag of any race I’ve been a part of. You receive a pretty nice long-sleeve t-shirt, a tasting glass with this year’s race logo on it, a ticket for a free Bloody Mary at a local restaurant, a ticket for a free post race beer and a finisher’s medal that reflects the race theme, this year being breakfast food trucks.

Aid Stations: There was one water station just before halfway mark on the course, only accessible when running in the one direction.

Course Scenery: Not too much going on here. The course is a county paved trail and heads out and then turns back at the halfway point. It’s nice that it is relatively secluded on the trail but you do go over a pedestrian bridge that is over a main street below so some noise from that. Now, compared to 2017, there was a new starting point/finish point for the race which I much preferred.

Expo Quality: Packet pickup is at a local running store, Performance Running Outfitters, so you do have the opportunity to check out some sweet runner merchandise and shoes if you so desire after getting your bib, etc.

Elevation Difficulty: Pretty much zero elevation other than the slight incline and decline of the pedestrian bridge.

Parking Access: There were two medium size parking lots to use, but if they were full, which they were when I arrived, there was plenty of free street parking.

Race Management: Really great! Lots of communication via email leading up to race day. Also, I enjoyed the change they did with the brunch this year. In 2017, you had to pay up front for a ticket to a brunch that was at a nearby park pavilion; you could buy a ticket day of but it would cost more. This year they had three food trucks, all offering up different items, staged by the race to cater to people. Loved that! Also, the race benefits the SEED foundation which is a local educational foundation for the Shorewood school system.

All in all, a fun race with sweet swag, an easy 5K course meant for PR’s and some delicious beverages afterwards as well. They also had coffee and cocoa, provided by a local coffee place, at the end of the race (or before the race if you wanted) and water.

Race Review: Sweet Home Milwaukee 5K

This would be what I would consider an entry level 5K for beginner runners. Or, as in my case this year, a very good opportunity to PR your 5K time if you’re in the market to do so. The weather this year was quite chilly. How chilly you ask? Low 30s and later that day it snowed. On April 27. Gotta love Wisconsin weather, haha! So here are the details of this year’s Sweet Home Milwaukee 5K!

Expo Quality: Not really an expo per se. You pick up your packet at a local running store, Performance Running Outfitters. They give you your bib and some fillers in your bag along with your t-shirt. The one cool benefit of having packet pickup there is if you need or want to check out some new sneakers, you’ll be set.

Race Management: Lots of contact leading up to the race, even a final email on the Thursday before the race informing runners that a decision would be made early if inclement weather were to arrive sooner than predicted. Great atmosphere at the race with music and the emcee keeping everyone awake and chuckling before the race and after the race.

Parking/Access: The race is held on the Milwaukee Lakefront at Veterans Park, which has a decent amount of parking spaces and then street parking is also available in the area. I had no trouble getting a spot and it seemed a lot of people had no trouble with the street parking.

Course Scenery: The race runs along the lakefront so you have plenty to gaze out at as you complete the 5K. Also, you’re running through the park so all spectators can cheer you on from all the picnic tables that are spread about.

Aid Stations: One water station a little beyond the one mile marker point (via your own tracking since there were no actual mile markers on the course). Both sides of the course had tables with volunteers handing out water.

Elevation Difficulty: None. There is zero elevation hence why it makes for a nice starter 5K for someone.

T-Shirts/Swag: You receive a long-sleeve cotton t-shirt and a pretty sweet medal that doubles as a bottle opener. You also receive a free beer ticket which this year got you a brew from local brewery Third Space Brewing. You also get a ticket for a free Bloody Mary at local restaurant Stubby’s Gastropub. At the finish line there was water, a banana and apples.

Overall: The weather notwithstanding I enjoyed the race. Yes, I have some bias since I set a PR for myself in the 5K distance but the communication was good, the swag was good for the price and course was nice to run on. Also, they had a food drive being put on by the Hunger Task Force that was connected to a raffle. You could donate items of food or a monetary donation. I would definitely consider doing this race next year. The weather has to be better, right? Haha!

 

Hope you have enjoyed this review and happy running!

Milwaukee Marathon Training: Weeks 13 + 14

Disclaimer: I received free entry to the Milwaukee Marathon as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

This blog will be a little shorter than the others that have been meant to update any and all on my marathon training cycle. This covers the last two big weeks prior to the taper period for this race. I have to say I was pleased with most of the runs in this two-week period, especially my twenty-mile run. That was one of my best long runs in quite some time where everything seemed to be clicking for me and I was able to keep up at a pace that pleased me.

WEEK 13 – March 11 – March 17

MONDAY – Bike 21 min, Treadmill 37 min for 4.46 miles

TUESDAY – Yoga 42 min, Treadmill 32 min for 3.89 miles

WEDNESDAY – Abs 30 min, Bike 26 min

THURSDAY – Long run 147 min for 16.24 miles

FRIDAY – Back workout 45 min, Bike 33 min

SATURDAY – Lucky Leprehaun 7K 33 min for 4.46 miles (PR’d my time for 3rd straight year)

SUNDAY – Rest Day

TOTAL MILES: 29.05

 

WEEK 14 – March 18 – March 24

MONDAY – Chest workout 30 min, Treadmill 20 min for 2.72 miles

TUESDAY – Yoga 42 min, Bike 22 min, Run outside 71 min for 8.40 miles

WEDNESDAY – Abs 45 min, Bike 25 min, Treadmill 20 min for 2.62 miles

THURSDAY – Arm workout 45 min, Bike 35 min

FRIDAY – Run outside 184 min for 20.52 miles

SATURDAY – Rest Day

SUNDAY – Outside run 30 min for 3.56 miles

TOTAL MILES: 37.82

So here I am, already one week into the taper as I type out this blog and getting prepped for race week. I’ll be sure to keep my legs active but I don’t want to wear them out. I know it may seem a little slow or lesser than normal or what should be the proper method of tapering down, but, I know me and plan to train the way that will work best for me.

Now, as for any of you who may live in the Milwaukee area, there is still time to sign up for this race. Of course, perhaps not the marathon distance but there is a half marathon distance and 5K. Register by this Wednesday, April 3, and you will be good to go! Remember to use code “RUN15” to save 15% on your entry!

Hope to see you at the Milwaukee Marathon, if not running, then cheering everyone on and then partying away after the race!

Happy running!!

Milwaukee Marathon Training: Weeks 9-12

Disclaimer: I received free entry to the Milwaukee Marathon as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

This was the stretch of training where I was supposed to make big gains in strength, pace and mileage. And I don’t feel like that really happened in this time frame. The training for this  marathon has been difficult and I can’t place why. I’m not suffering from any injury (at least nothing in the lower body) but my long runs have been pathetic and weak. There was a stretch of three weeks where my long runs had slowdowns in them from tired legs to ill-timed bathroom breaks. Very frustrating to say the least. I’ll let you think about my training and feel free to comment and tell me I’m paranoid. Or tell me I have reason to panic. Whichever, haha.

Week 9 – February 11 – February 17

MONDAY – Chest workout 31 minutes, treadmill 23 minutes  2.68 miles

TUESDAY – Shoveling snow 62 min, Yoga 30 min, treadmill 33 minutes  3.95 miles

WEDNESDAY – Shoveling snow 18 min, Bis/Tris 50 min, Bike 27 min, Elliptical 22 min

THURSDAY – Back workout 45 min, treadmill 41 min  5 miles

FRIDAY – Elliptical 6 min, Abs 40 min, treadmill 20 min    2.40 miles

SATURDAY – Long run 163 minutes   16.08 miles

SUNDAY – Shoveling snow 30 minutes/REST DAY

TOTAL MILES: 30.11

WEEK 10 – February 18 – February 24

MONDAY – Chest workout 40 min, Treadmill 30 min  3.64 miles

TUESDAY – Yoga 41 min, Treadmill 34 min  4.35 miles

WEDNESDAY – Bike 21 min, Shoulders 45 min, Elliptical 11 min

THURSDAY – Arm workout 45 min, Treadmill 36 min  4.38 miles

FRIDAY – Long run 160 min  16.25 miles

SATURDAY – Rest Day

SUNDAY – Rest Day

TOTAL MILES: 28.62 MILES

WEEK 11 – February 25 – March 3

MONDAY – Leg workout 42 min, Treadmill 31 min  3.60 miles

TUESDAY – Yoga 46 min, Abs workout 43 min, Bike 19 min, Treadmill 25 min  3.15 miles

WEDNESDAY – Bike 30 min, Elliptical 35 min, shoveling snow 18 min

THURSDAY – Bike 26 min, Treadmill 42 min  4.87 miles

FRIDAY – Long run 127 min  13.63 miles

SATURDAY – Shoveling snow 20 min

SUNDAY – Rest Day

TOTAL MILES: 25.25 MILES

WEEK 12 – March 4 – March 10

MONDAY – Bike 22 min, Treadmill 38 min  4.76 miles

TUESDAY – Yoga 43 min, Leg workout 45 min, Treadmill 30 min  3.81 miles

WEDNESDAY – Abs workout 41 min, Elliptical 33 min

THURSDAY – Bike 23 min, Treadmill 32 min  4.06 miles

FRIDAY – Long run 141 min  15.04 miles

SATURDAY – Bike 22 min, Great Milwaukee Pi Run 5K  3.11 miles

SUNDAY – Rest Day

TOTAL MILES: 30.78 MILES

This was an interesting stretch for a couple of reasons. I missed upping my miles the way I wanted to in two out of the four weeks, therefore, week 12 ended up being lower than it probably should be in the total category. And the second item to notice is that I had to stop all upper body workouts at the gym due to left shoulder/elbow pain which has been a problem leading up to me making the decision to simply put down the weights and rest. Time will tell if this is the right solution or not.

I hope you’v enjoyed checking in with my training for the Milwaukee Marathon. You can still join me, if not the marathon, in the half marathon or 5K! Use code “RUN15” to save 15% off your entry! It isn’t too late!

If you have any thoughts, comments or suggestions, please send them my way!

Happy Running!

 

Race Review: Great Milwaukee Pi Run

The Great Milwaukee Pi Run was a race that I thought looked like a fun run, something to break my quiet streak of not running an actual race since January. I’ve also been looking for more 5K’s to run in order for more opportunities to break my PR in the distance. (Full disclosure: I did not succeed with this race). The race takes place in a park with a botanical garden as the centerpiece (although that wasn’t part of the course and it’s winter) but it was nice to be away from the sounds of traffic and only the noise of other runners and nature. Let me tell you now about the pros and, unfortunately, some cons of the Great Milwaukee Pi Run.

T-Shirt/Swag: Have to be honest, this race for the cost of it, does pretty well with the swag. You receive a race t-shirt that has a cute message referring to Pi. This year’s colors were a fun maroon shirt and gold lettering. You also get a pretty sweet medal that shows a cow (not sure why) holding some pie. And to cap off the cups of water available at the end of the race (indoors, which was nice) you get your choice of a personal 4″ apple or cherry pie!

Aid Stations: There was one. Mid way through the course, which was good placement, sort of. Since the course had a point of out and back you passed the water station a second time, but it was only on the one side. So, great if you wanted water before hitting the 2 mile mark, but kind of out of luck if you wanted it on the way after the 2 mile marker.

Course Scenery: Pretty nice. It’s winter, so the trees are bare but the park itself was nice. There has been some crazy weather so there were some small patches on the course that had some ice but it was avoidable.

Expo Quality: No expo and packet pickup was the morning of the race. I am not really a fan of that because it makes me feel like I need to rush to get there and check in and then attach the bib, etc.

Elevation Difficulty: A rolling hills type course but the majority of those were small up and downs. EXCEPT, haha, the one hill heading up to the 2 mile marker. Whoa, was that a beast! The plus side of that hill was after getting to the top, you ran about 100 yards to turn around and head back. And was it ever great to scoot back DOWN that hill!

Parking/Access: Easy access to a free parking lot right where the start line and packet pickup was.

Race Management: I gave this three stars because I emailed the organizers twice questions that I had and never received any response. I thought that was irresponsible and unacceptable. I was disappointed and was angry. I will say the staff at the event were excellent and had a lot of energy. I can’t think of the last time I was at a 5K race where at the finish there were multiple people (along with the emcee) not only cheering you on and encouraging you, but running along side of you to the finish if they thought you were struggling. That was top-notch!

Happy Running!

Milwaukee Marathon Training: Weeks 5-8

Disclaimer: I received free entry to the Milwaukee Marathon race as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

Here is another update to the training I have been completing throughout the weeks leading up to what will be my fourth marathon. It’s been up and down with my miles and the unexpected trip that I had to take, which was completed at the start of this week. So, here goes with the details of my training! Oh, and remember to use code “RUN15” to save 15% on your race entry, any distance!!

WEEK 5 – January 14 – January 20

MONDAY: Flew home from CT

TUESDAY: 42 minutes of yoga, 46 minute shoulder workout, 35 minutes on the treadmill for 4.4 miles

WEDNESDAY: 35  min abs workout, 20 min treadmill for 2.66 miles

THURSDAY: 43 min back workout, 23 min elliptical

FRIDAY: 111 min outdoor run for 12.46 miles

SATURDAY: Shoveled Snow

SUNDAY: Samson Stomp 5K for 3.26 miles

TOTAL MILES: 22.78 miles

WEEK 6 – January 21 – January 27

MONDAY: 40 min chest workout, bike for 20 minutes

TUESDAY: 43 min yoga, 31 min treadmill for 3.79 miles

WEDNESDAY: Shoveled snow

THURSDAY: 40 min arm workout, 12 min treadmill for 1.47 miles

FRIDAY:  126 min very cold outdoor run for 12.83 miles

SATURDAY: 5 min elliptical, 35 min shoulder workout, 20 min treadmill for 2.49 miles

SUNDAY: Rest Day

TOTAL MILES: 20.58 miles

WEEK 7 – January 28 – February 3

MONDAY: Shoveled snow for 80 minutes

TUESDAY: 45 min of yoga, 51 min back workout, 26 min bike, 32 min treadmill for 4.02 miles

WEDNESDAY: -30 degree temps had me stay home

THURSDAY: 50 min chest workout, 20 min bike, 34 min treadmill for 4.29 miles

FRIDAY: 30 min arm workout, 18 min elliptical, 10 min abs workout

SATURDAY: 142 min outdoor run for 14 miles

SUNDAY: Rest Day

TOTAL MILES: 22.31 miles

WEEK 8 – February 4 – February 10

MONDAY: 50 min leg workout, 15 min treadmill for 1.75 miles

TUESDAY: 47 min of yoga, 33 min treadmill for 3.94 miles

WEDNESDAY: 55 min back workout, 32 min bike, 20 min elliptical, shoveled snow

THURSDAY: 30 min shoulder workout, 30 min treadmill for 3.80 miles

FRIDAY: 22 min bike, 24 min treadmill for 2.81 miles

SATURDAY: 151 minute outdoor run for 15.05 miles

SUNDAY: Rest Day

TOTAL MILES: 27.35 miles

And there you have it. I’m not where I would like to be and the last two weeks’ long runs were not very good. Poor would be the best word to describe them. I had a tired leg feeling on both of them and that is not a good thing. Training is smack in the middle and here I am wanting a break. Thankfully, it doesn’t seem to be injury related so that is the one positive. But April 6 is still coming no matter what and I need to be ready for the Milwaukee Marathon.

Any questions about my training, feel free to ask!! Happy running!

Milwaukee Marathon Training: Weeks 1-4

Disclaimer: I received free entry to the Milwaukee Marathon as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

Here I am, plugging away at training for the April 6, Milwaukee Marathon and building up those miles. There have been some bumps in the road so far (no pun intended), but nothing too crazy. Just scheduling issues that have caused some runs to be shorter than intended. I also have been having trouble skimming back my lifting at the gym and giving that time to running, although it would be treadmill running and let’s be honest, that sucks. So here is what I’ve been up to the last four weeks. Dates will be included. Also, if interested (and you should be), join me in the full marathon or the half marathon or even the 5K and use code “RUN15” to save 15% off of your entry!

WEEK 1: DECEMBER 17 – DECEMBER 23 

MONDAY: Biceps and triceps workout for 42 minutes; 23 minute treadmill run for 2.54 miles

TUESDAY: Yoga Class; 30 minute treadmill run for 3.53 miles

WEDNESDAY: Shoulder/traps workout for 43 minutes; 22 minutes on the elliptical

THURSDAY: 56 minute back workout; no cardio

FRIDAY: Long Run Day: 1 hour 50 minutes for 12.49 miles, outdoors

SATURDAY: 30 minute chest workout; no cardio

SUNDAY: Rest Day

TOTAL MILES: 18.57

 

WEEK 2: DECEMBER 24 – DECEMBER 30

MONDAY: 31 minute treadmill run for 3.54 miles

TUESDAY: Christmas Day equals Rest Day

WEDNESDAY: 48 minute treadmill run for 6 miles

THURSDAY: Biceps/Triceps workout plus 30 minutes on the bike (forgot orthotics)

FRIDAY: 16 minute abs workout; 20 minutes on treadmill for 2.33 miles

SATURDAY: Time constricted long run: 91 minutes for 10.13 miles

SUNDAY: Rest Day

TOTAL MILES: 22.02

WEEK 3: DECEMBER 31 – JANUARY 6

MONDAY: 52 minute leg workout; 10 minutes on the gym bike

TUESDAY: 33 minutes on the treadmill for 4 miles

WEDNESDAY: 35 minute chest workout; 13 minute treadmill run for 1.71 miles

THURSDAY: 40 minute back workout; 16 minutes bike

FRIDAY: 35 minute shoulder/trap workout: 20 minute treadmill run for 2.33 miles

SATURDAY: Long Run Day: 138 minute outdoor run for 14.60 miles

SUNDAY: Rest Day

TOTAL MILES: 22.66 

WEEK 4: JANUARY 7 – JANUARY 13

MONDAY: 47 minute biceps/triceps workout and 17 minutes on the treadmill for 2.05 miles

TUESDAY: Yoga plus 33 minutes on treadmill for 3.92 miles

WEDNESDAY: 35 minute back workout; 20 minutes on the elliptical

THURSDAY: 45 minute chest workout; had to fly out of town that afternoon

FRIDAY: 90 minute outdoor run for 10.13 miles

SATURDAY: Rest Day

SUNDAY: 84 minute run for 9.62 miles

TOTAL MILES: 25.72

So this represents my first four weeks of training for the Milwaukee Marathon that is scheduled for April 6. I know I need to increase the mileage and decrease the time spent lifting weights. Always hard for me mentally to commit to that routine but if I want positive results in the marathon, I need to step it up with my training. And remember: code “RUN15” gets you 15% off your race entry!

What do you do for your first few weeks of marathon training? And how much strength training do  you do, if at all?

Please feel free to comment; I would love to hear your thoughts/opinions!

Happy Running!