What are you training for? How is your training going? What are you struggling with?

Leigh_b
Leigh_b Posts: 576 Member
What are you training for? How is your training going? What are you struggling with?

The past 3 years have been a roller-coaster of injury, stress, and illness. Once having been fit enough to run multiple marathons in one year, I now struggle to get a full week of training completed. After taking an extended time away from running due to injury and a demanding and extremely stressful job, I have been trying to get my running mojo back for the past year.

It has not gone as I thought it would - as I planned - and I continue to be frustrated and disappointed by my lack of progress, but I have not given up hope and continue to "start again" each week. Looking to have others to share the journey of progress, growth, and frustration as I spend the next three months getting ready to run the Marine Corp Marathon on October 29th and beyond into my next marathons in 2024.

As a 52 year-old woman, my body is as much an enemy as my demanding, stressful job and I am learning that I need to prioritize sleep and recovery as much as I do the training.
Unfortunately, each week somehow turns into a battle between the two rather than a balance.

Coming out of a busy and big running weekend last week, I started this week out in a sleep/recovery deficit and have struggled to get myself up and out the door. Now it is Friday and I have not run a single mile, with a 10 mile long run scheduled for tomorrow - which I have now shifted to Sunday with the hope I can get out the door tomorrow (Saturday) morning for a shorter run to work out the stiffness and get me as ready as I can be for the longer run on Sunday.

As I revise my plan (again) this week, I tell myself that next week I WILL get into the groove of a regular routine - a schedule I can maintain and progress from - that I will be able to stick to and build on.... and work toward the goal or toeing the line at the marathon in 3 months and feel somewhat prepared to complete it.



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Replies

  • chris_in_cal
    chris_in_cal Posts: 2,520 Member
    edited August 2023
    I want to run a fast marathon in about 18 months.

    I was fit and fast and covid hit. I decided to overdue it to cope and got my first major running injury in March 2020, a right tibia stress fracture.

    I stopped running from March 2020 until Feb 2023. Gained a ton of weight, and turned 60.

    I am starting slow, with the plan of consistency, routine, fun, and being injury free.

    My plan is:

    April 2023 - 5K (done)
    Sep 2023 - 10k - in training
    Apr 2024 - Half
    Dec 2024 - marathon (or half)
    May 2025 - marathon

    I want to break 4:00 hours in a marathon
  • Running my second marathon January 2024
  • PatriceFitnessPal
    PatriceFitnessPal Posts: 1,468 Member
    edited August 25
    Is this group still active?

    I’m 58 years old and I am planning to run the Athens Marathon in 2027 with my nephews. It’s been a long time since I was a regular runner but I row at least twice a week, play soccer twice a week, and work out with a personal trainer twice a week for 30 minutes. When rowing season ends on the river, we use the erg for winter conditioning and focus more on weightlifting to build strength.

    I think the longest race I’ve done was a half marathon, and I’ve completed some 10 mile races, but I’ve never tried a marathon. In 2022, I surprised myself by winning a 5k road race for my age category (55-59) without any training, but it was a flat course. Before that race, my last formal run was a 10 mile race with no training about 20 years ago, so I have some work to do to prepare for Greece. The Athens race has long rolling hills in the middle portion of the course so I’ll need to train well for the much longer distance and hilly terrain.

    In December 2024, I’m planning to register in the lottery for the Cherry Blossom 10-mile road race that takes place in April 2025 (Virginia race). I’ll need to submit a projected time for that application, which means I’ll need to run a 10k before December. I’m starting my training tomorrow after playing soccer tonight.

    Is there anyone in the group that is starting with a lower distance goal and gradually increasing mileage over time?

    If so, I’d like to set up some accountability by checking in periodically with progress reports and share tips on nutrition and training. Best wishes, everyone!