With the Marine Corps Marine marathon just 3 months away, I fell a little bit behind in my training. But I am picking it back up and am getting back on track. After my very difficult Marine Corps Marathon last year, I vowed that if I were to do it again I would be stronger, trimmer and more successful for the next time I run that race.  So far I have been successful in getting stronger and fitter.  I have been doing the 21 day fix program for 2 months and have lost pounds and inches.  I notice especially, the strength in my legs.  This has been helpful in tackling hills during my training runs.

I had been nervous about getting back into a double digit run routine again.  I haven’t done more than 13.1 miles since the runDisney Star Wars Half Marathon.  I wanted to enjoy this training run and take it slow and easy.  I am still continuing to use heart rate training as part of my training plan.  Ideally I would have liked to be out on the road early to avoid the heat and to get the run done early in the day; but I have also been valuing my seep much more lately.  We are enjoying our summer with the kids which means late nights so on the weekends I want to get my extra sleep when I can.

I was out on the road around 11:30 which didn’t bother me.  As I set out on my run I planned on going slow with walking in the beginning and end if necessary.  I used my 30/30 intervals and they aligned nicely with my heart rate.  The temperature outside was the high 80’s with humidity.  So I was careful to make sure I chose a route that had a good amount of shade. I took my usual route which included the large hill in it so I could continue to work on my efforts to make it up that hill faster.  I also remembered to make sure to fuel appropriately with food during this training run.  I was listening to a special from Another Mother Runner about nutrition during and after running.  I packed some pretzel fish and a Lara bar to use for my fuel for this run.  I took in some pretzels around mile 4 after my large hill.  Prior to my running I had oatmeal for breakfast.  I was feeling good throughout those first 5 miles and my family met me at mile 5 to replenish my water and cooling towels.  I love having their support.

I learned from the Another Mother Runner podcast special episode how to fuel appropriately for the runs.  I continued on for my next 5 miles throughout my neighborhood and was feeling pretty strong.  I had my Lara bar at the top of a hill under a shady tree with a nice breeze around mile 6 so that I would have enough gas in my tank to help me finish this run.

I continued down a steep downhill and ventured towards a new neighborhood where I could get in a good mile loop there.  However, that loop was in full sun.  At this part of my run I was feeling the heat.  It was about 1:00 p.m. and the sun was strong.  I was good about drinking my water and walking when I needed to.  After completing one loop I determined that I would need to do another in order to finish with 10 miles under my belt.  At the last part of the loop I was feeling really overheated so I took a break in a shady area and poured the last of my water on my head to help cool me down for the last half mile home.