Anna Wildman

Where did August go? I can’t believe summer is basically over. *hands on cheeks mouth open freaked out emoji* I’m kind of ready for cooler weather, but I know as soon as it gets chilly I will regret having ever said anything about missing cool weather.

Anyway, on to today’s topic: Marathon training. My total August mileage came out to 130.5. Wowza! (That was actually my thought after I calculated everything. #killme) I thought I had run closer to 100 miles, so I’m super proud of that number. I think it’s one of my highest mileage months to date.

I’m almost done with week 9 of 18 (whoa halfway!) of marathon training and I’m feeling pretty good, better than I thought I’d feel at this point to be honest. I’ve gone up to 15 mile long-runs, so I’m slowly building. My longest training run will be 20 miles, so I just have to tack on five more miles to what I’ve already done to get to my peak. I remember after my 20 miler last year I was hurting in places I didn’t know could hurt, so we’ll see what this year’s big 20 miler will bring.

I’m at the point in training where I’ve found a rhythm; a week-to-week groove that will carry me to the finish line. It took me a good month or so to get here, so it’s relieving to be at a more comfortable place in training.  I usually do a short run (3 or 4 miles) Mondays, a HIIT/strength training class called BURN Tuesdays, a speed workout (7 or 8 miles) Wednesdays, a barbell strength training class called Body Pump Thursdays, an easy 5 or 6 mile run Fridays, and then my long run on the weekends.

The biggest issue I’ve noticed on my long runs is my hips. They start to ache after 8 or 9 miles, which tires me out. I know it’s not an injury because it’s not painful; it’s more like my hips are saying, “We’re not used to moving back and forth for this long, help!” If that makes sense.

I’m still a little wary of my ankle (I thought I had a stress reaction a couple months ago and got an MRI but nothing showed up); I honestly can’t tell if it’s a phantom concern or if it’s real. My ankle feels fine for the most part when I run, but a part of me is still convinced that I’m going to get another stress reaction. Ugh. Can I just borrow someone else’s brain for a bit? Just until race day. That’s not too much to ask, is it?

How is everyone else’s marathon/half marathon/10k/5k/whatever distance training going? I’d love to hear, so let me know in the comments! Or, if you have a blog about running, let me know too :) Always looking for some #fitspo, naw mean.