As you might have read in my intro blog, I have decided to run my first marathon and document my journey along the way. Each week, I will publish a journal post detailing my classes for the week and how I am feeling. I hope this will help others to realize that running a marathon is attainable and give you tips and tricks along the way.
Day 1
Peloton’s Road to Your 26.2 starts on a rest day, so besides my normal indoor rock-climbing I did not do any strenuous activity.
Day 2: Tempo Run
Day 2, or the first activity day, kicks off with a 10 minute pre-run warm up with instructor Matt Wilpers. While it was difficult to interpret all stretches I was supposed to be doing through an audio medium, I found this short warm-up a good time to mentally prepare for the run while shaking out some leg cobwebs.
My performance:
Through the 30-minute run, I held an average heart rate of 168 and maxed out at 191, resulting in me burning 470 calories. I travelled a total of 3.24 miles at a pace of 9:15 min/mile.
Overall, day 1 was a struggle. Not having run in a long time, I quickly lost my breath and began cramping around halfway through. Despite all of this, I was able to complete my run and feel accomplished knowing I have taken the first step towards race day.
After the run
My calf and achilles muscles tightened up right away. Luckily, I have a hypervolt that I put to quick use, and plan to lean on throughout my training.
Scenes from the run
Today’s run took me through beautiful Freedom Park in Charlotte, NC.
Day 3: Strength for Runners
The first strength for runner’s class came on day 3, and man was I sore going into this class. After a 4-month long running hiatus, my 30-minute run on day 2 worked a number of muscles that have been all-but-dormant recently. However, I was able to push through and completed the lower-body workout designed to improve your strength, balance, and mobility. All exercises included were extremely slow and controlled, designed to improve your control and resiliency.
Overall, I enjoyed my first strength-for-runners course and can definitely understand the class’s positive effects on my run performance. My only recommendation for my shy readers out there would be to take the class in a more private setting, as some of the movements make you feel pretty foolish.
Day 4: Marathon Race Prep
On day 4, Becs Gentry introduced the idea of running on sore legs and I felt like I was being spoken directly to. While the tempo runs push you to run shorter time periods at faster paces, the marathon race prep days are designed to get comfortable running at that race pace.
My performance:
During my second 30-minute run, I held a lower average heart rate than my tempo run – this time at 160, and also maxed out lower at 184. While I burned less calories this time around (408), I would rate this run as a higher perceived exertion simply because I was pushing through sore muscles. I found a flatter track this go around; logging 3.15 miles at a 9:31 min/mile pace.
Scenes from the run
I have found an easy way to motivate myself for these runs is to choose a new area to explore during my training session. For day 4, I drove to little sugar creek greenway in Charlotte for a late-afternoon run, and have a good feeling that I will be returning.
Day 5: Strength For Runners
While the first strength for runners class involved primarily squat patterns to fire our quadriceps and gluteus, the second of the week focused more on hamstrings – with a plethora of deadlift-type motions. While none of the exercises were overly difficult, I definitely felt that the isometric holds strengthened key running muscles.
Day 6: Recovery Fun Run
In preparation for the long run on day 7, Robin Arzon takes you through a 20-minute pop fun run on day 6 comprised entirely of female pop singers. This class was a nice break where I did not have to focus on my accelerations and decelerations as much, but rather could just get out for 20 minutes of movement and fun.
My performance:
At only 241 calories and an average heart rate of 152 bpm, this run is definitely designed to take your foot off the gas of hard training. However, due to my flat terrain and steady nature of the run, I was able to hold a faster pace- at 8:39 min/mile throughout this 20-minute run.
Scenes from the run
I am fortunate enough to be in Figure 8 for my next couple of runs. The long, flat stretches pair with beautiful houses and march views for an easy outlet to keep your mind occupied.
Day 7: The first long run (4 miles)
Day 7 kicked off with a major disappointment when I realized that the Peloton instructors do not coach you through your long runs. So, while the class began with a 10-minute warm-up with Robin, you are then left to your own devices for pump up music and tracking your run. After the warm-up I quickly adapted and threw on a Peloton tread class while tracking my run via Strava.
My performance:
Day 7 was a beauty and I was pumped up for my first long run. Unfortunately, I had consumed too many processed foods throughout the day leading up to this run, which resulted in some serious cramping setting in around mile 2. Despite this, I finished the 4 miles at an 8:46 min/mile pace. I burned 527 calories, maintaining an average heart rate of 161 and peaking at 183 BPM.
Scenes from the run
Another beautiful afternoon in the beaches of North Carolina. Unbeatable weather combined with some awesome scenery to push me through my bouts of cramping.
Heading into week 2 I am proud of my dedication so far and am excited for the long road ahead.
