Happy Friday folks! I figured I’d share a little marathon training update with you here since I haven’t in a while and my race is in EIGHT DAYS! In case you missed it, I’ve been training for the Kansas City Marathon for the past 15 weeks and it’s almost show time!
I share photos on Instagram Stories before and after most of my runs, but I haven’t really talked about the struggles I’ve had over the past two months or so. To say that my motivation has waned would be an understatement. I missed 3 critical long runs in 4 weeks (one 18 miler and two 20 milers) due to traveling, sickness and an overall lack of discipline and motivation. Decided to run a marathon is always an overwhelming endeavor (training for 4 months is daunting no matter how dedicated you are), but deciding to run one with a baby was probably not the smartest thing in the world to do. I’m glad I’m doing it, but in retrospect it’s a bit more difficult than I had anticipated. It has just been too easy to make excuses and to slack on my training. For example: “Jack had a bad night so I didn’t get much sleep” or “well, I don’t want this run to cut into his nap time soooooo…” or “I just don’t feel like pushing the dang stroller for 8 miles today.” See what I mean? It’s too easy! I’ve also been going to physical therapy for my right hip twice a week. While helpful, each visit takes up over 2 precious hours of my day, and sometimes we just can’t get our act together beforehand, and if I don’t run in the morning it pretty much isn’t going to happen. I think I’ll easily break 4 hours on the race (I’ve run 4 marathons and my best time is 3:40 and my worst time is 3:54) but I just don’t know if I’m going to be able to get another personal record. I would looooooove to qualify for Boston (3:35 or better), so that’s what I’ll be going for, but I really have no clue how it will all turn out. I’ve buckled down the past 3 weeks and have gotten in every single run that I was supposed to do (most of that with Jack and the jogging stroller) so I’m strong, light on my feet, and have covered lots of miles, I just haven’t done as many of the long runs as I should have and I did pretty much no speed work or cross training. We’ll see how it goes!
Your blog and instagram motivated me to finally sign up for my very first 5k, which has long been only a dream. You've got this Katie! Just want to encourage you for the Kansas City Marathon and all the others to come (including the Boston Marathon)!
Thank you so much Ellie! It makes me so happy to hear that you've taken up running and have signed up for your first 5k! You can do it!!! If you have any questions about running at all please let me know and I'd love to help however I can. Thank you for your your encouraging words. I'm nervous but excited for the race!!
Hi Katie! So glad to read your training update. You're going to do great. Now that I'm a year postpartum and moving closer to my in-laws and leaving Fort Drum (brrrrrr) I've registered for my first marathon. I'm excited to ring in my birthday running the Providence Marathon! Your pics and stories have been a huge inspiration that it can be done, even with a baby. If you have any tips on how to keep your milk supply high I'd love to hear! Best of luck next week!
Ellie
October 11, 2016 / 6:23 pm
Your blog and insta-stories have already been such a source of encouragement! It's been an amazing source of inspiration for me. Thank you Katie! Blessings to you and your lovely family and for the upcoming race!!
YGG!! I am sure you will rock it. If you do qualify for Boston, do some research, the second time my husband ran he found out about some special things for vets that really made it easy. Like a bus to the start that they could sit on until just before the start to stay warm and dry (it was a rainy day). They also did a breakfast and lunch. I don't know if they are still doing it but it was sponsored by the Boston Police at the time. Worth a search.
Hi Claudia! Thank you! That's so wonderful that you've signed up for your first marathon! It's a lot to bite off but you can do it! It makes me so happy to hear that you find my posts inspiring because that's exactly my intent when I share tidbits about running and fitness. Not going to lie, my milk supply has dropped but I think it's a combination of Jack not being as interested, his large appetite for real food, and my running. He still gets exactly the amount that he wants and needs though, so I think the key is to make sure you eat enough and drink lots of water. Thanks for the well wishes and for reading!
Thanks Jennifer! If I ever qualify and run Boston I was certainly look into that! Sounds like it would make the logistics of it much easier. Thanks for the advice!
Your blog and instagram motivated me to finally sign up for my very first 5k, which has long been only a dream. You've got this Katie! Just want to encourage you for the Kansas City Marathon and all the others to come (including the Boston Marathon)!
Thank you so much Ellie! It makes me so happy to hear that you've taken up running and have signed up for your first 5k! You can do it!!! If you have any questions about running at all please let me know and I'd love to help however I can. Thank you for your your encouraging words. I'm nervous but excited for the race!!
Hi Katie! So glad to read your training update. You're going to do great. Now that I'm a year postpartum and moving closer to my in-laws and leaving Fort Drum (brrrrrr) I've registered for my first marathon. I'm excited to ring in my birthday running the Providence Marathon! Your pics and stories have been a huge inspiration that it can be done, even with a baby. If you have any tips on how to keep your milk supply high I'd love to hear! Best of luck next week!
Your blog and insta-stories have already been such a source of encouragement! It's been an amazing source of inspiration for me. Thank you Katie! Blessings to you and your lovely family and for the upcoming race!!
YGG!! I am sure you will rock it. If you do qualify for Boston, do some research, the second time my husband ran he found out about some special things for vets that really made it easy. Like a bus to the start that they could sit on until just before the start to stay warm and dry (it was a rainy day). They also did a breakfast and lunch. I don't know if they are still doing it but it was sponsored by the Boston Police at the time. Worth a search.
Hi Claudia! Thank you! That's so wonderful that you've signed up for your first marathon! It's a lot to bite off but you can do it! It makes me so happy to hear that you find my posts inspiring because that's exactly my intent when I share tidbits about running and fitness. Not going to lie, my milk supply has dropped but I think it's a combination of Jack not being as interested, his large appetite for real food, and my running. He still gets exactly the amount that he wants and needs though, so I think the key is to make sure you eat enough and drink lots of water. Thanks for the well wishes and for reading!
Thanks Jennifer! If I ever qualify and run Boston I was certainly look into that! Sounds like it would make the logistics of it much easier. Thanks for the advice!