June is here which means I will be starting marathon training for virtual Boston.
May didn’t go as well as planned and I’ve definitely been struggling if I can really run a marathon. It’s the eternal struggle and I just need to put in the work and prove to myself that I can do this.
I mapped out all my marathon training from June through October in my planner. I did it all in pencil because plans change. My goal is to stick to the plan as close as possible, even if it sucks.
I have started cleaning up my diet. It helps. I know what I need to do but wasn’t actually doing it. So now I am focusing on fruits, vegetables, and lean meats. I am trying to hit my calorie goal each day, not go over or under. I want to fuel my body.
I also have an idea in my head of the route I want to do. It’s hard to map out and get the mileage because parts of it are on trails or through neighborhood parks that mapmyrun and strava make it difficult to track. I am planning an out and back.
I need to work on a hydration and fueling plan as well. I have a general idea from past training and races. It will still be warm in October so water and sports drink will be needed. The problem is how do I carry everything? I will most likely be self-supported. If I have someone available that day, I’ve got places in mind that I can meet up and swap empty bottles for refills.
My goal is to break 5 hours.
Based on past races and my current paces it is totally do-able BUT (and there’s a couple of big but here LOL) 1) it’s virtual so I won’t have the energy and nerves like in-person races have and 2) the average high for October is about 90. So even if I start super early like I’m planning (HAHAHAAHA) it will get warm fast. Once the sun comes out, the heat will come. I will slow down and most likely need more walk breaks.
Please send me all your positive marathon vibes!
If you saw my latest YouTube video, you will know my confidence, self-esteem, whatever is shot right now. I’ve been struggling and my brain keeps telling me I can’t do this. I keep trying to tell it, yes I can. I just gotta put in the work. But my brain is not believing me.
