Fall Marathon Training Week 1 of 30 W/E 4/21/2012

Week 1 of my 30 weeks of training is in the books and I dare say that it was a nice solid week. 

Monday - 3 miles easy
Tuesday - 5 mile Hill Session (TreadHill) on the Treadmill (which deserves a post all in itself)
Wednesday - 3 miles easy
Thursday - 4 mile Tempo Run
Friday - 3.58  miles easy
Saturday - 6 miles long run (Negative Splits through out)

Total Miles - 24.6

Weight - 199.000000000000001

This week calls for pretty much the same thing but with 1 mile added on to my long run making it 7.
Consistency is Key!

Technology Update leads to Weight Loss?

Three years ago, I use to weigh a lot more than what I do now. From then until now, those 40 pounds, give or take, were easy to get off. I really didn't watch what I ate. I just ran a lot.
In order for me to really improve the status of my running, I need to lose about 30 more pounds at least. I have been trying to do this (well trying being more mental than anything) for a while now with little or no success.
A few weeks ago, I decided it was time to update my phone. Yes, I could text, receive and send email, and most importantly make calls , but I really wanted to play Angry Birds. Not really, but it's a fun game. Yes, I am outdated in technology. Don't laugh, even though you are going to anyways. So, I ended up getting a smart phone. Is it really smart? I guess so. It does more than what I thought it can do.
So, getting back to what I wanted to write about. Technology and Weight Loss. Those first pounds were easy to come off in time with just running, but I have a few more I want to lose. Actually more than a few. At this point in time, it is time for me to keep track of what I eat. I always had this idea that with running all those miles, you can just eat whatever and be okay.............WRONG.
I downloaded this app on my phone that keeps track of your calorie intake for the day. I just found out too, that you can actually scan product instead of typing it in or saying it to your phone. You can input your running miles and exercise too.
The result? I think thrice before I stick things in my mouth. I have been losing weight progressively. I love it. It's fun and I am not starving. Besides just watching my calorie intake, I have been eating good foods too. Watching the sugar intake. And when I first started seeing my consumption of sugar per day I was blown away. It lets you know what you need in terms of vitamins and what you don't need as well.
This is a lot better than what I use to do that did not work well. Yeap, writing everything down.....that got old, and it lasted for a day or two. I've been at this for about a week, and I am seeing the results. So I will see in the next few weeks if it is a very good tool or not. So far everything seems to be working fine.

Oh, and you can friend people too, that are interested, so if you have the same kind of goal you can motivate each other, etc..,
The app is myfitnesspal.

Pre-Training Prep Talk / Do's and Don'ts

In 2010, I ran my first Half Marathon and was very pleased with my results from it. Since then, I have ran 2 more Half Marathons, and 2 Full Marathons. If it is one thing that I have learned from my past training, I need to get things straight before I venture into my Training cycle. With that being said, my 30 week Training starts next week April 16th, in 3 days. The number one thing is Mental Focus, am I mentally prepared for what is about to take place? Yes. I am ready. Am I physically ready and fit enough to begin? Yes.

Now some things that I promise myself that I won't do this time, that I have done in the past (if I can help it)
Do not skip any long runs that are scheduled!
Do not not train for any given week, stay on track, remain focused, and go go go!
Do not think that I can just eat anything, have a diet plan and eat like I know I should.
More importantly, do not ignore any signs of injury.

The Training aspect into any marathon is said to be a journey! I am looking forward to it. Looking forward to being at the start line ready to go with my quality miles in the bank ready to cash!

Fall Marathon Campaign Begins

On April 16th, next week, my 30 week training plan starts for November 11th's Marathon. (Also a Half Marathon in there too) I chose a 30 week plan where in the first 12 weeks of it is building a solid base and getting some speed work in there. What I really need to work on the most is consistency. Over the past few weeks, I have ran, but not very much. I am glad that I chose the plan that I did. The first long run is 6 miles which I can do now with no problem. I have heard this bit from marathontalk.com before. They stated that especially during the first phase of your training plan, you should feel good about the work that you are doing, and not that you have over done it. I had a very good Easter as the choir did a marvelous job at a performance in church Sunday Morning. April is here, and now it is time to get it in gear. Oh, in case you are wondering about the whole weight loss thing, it is still going on, but I have not tracked it or anything. Next week as my official training begins, I will start recording it again for accountability's sake.