My next big race on the calendar is the Santa Barbara Wine Country Half Marathon on May 10th. I figured it was totally fair to make Mother’s Day weekend all about me and my race, right?
That means I’m in the thick of training for that half, which then rolls right into my training for my fourth full marathon, the Santa Rosa Marathon at the end of August. I ran my longest run on the half marathon plan — 12 miles in 1:56 — last Sunday. For my current plan I’m running four days a week and cycling two days a week (once on my own and once at spin class). I also incorporate strength training two to three days a week for about 20 minutes each session. Pushups and I are still acquaintances but planks are my new best friends.
My training plans are my own personal mash-up of the Half Marathon Finish It Plan (free to download from that link!) from Train Like a Mother and the Intermediate Full Marathon plan from Smart Marathon Training:
Crossing off each workout on the training plan gives me a lot of satisfaction, and having a plan keeps me accountable. I can tell you there have been a few days recently where I would have opted not to work out had I not had a solid plan to stick to and a serious race looming on the calendar.
Do you have any races coming up? What training plan do you follow?
Fit Fun Mom 
I watched the Boston Marathon live on TV yesterday and enjoyed seeing an American win the men’s race and the first American woman come in with a new American record time. I am filled with pride every time you enter a new race.
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Wasn’t it great seeing Meb win? I cried when he started crying. Thanks for the encouragement Dad!
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I don’t follow a specific plan either. I get too frustrated with myself when I cannot stick to the plan so I am kind of like you. I take from different plans that I found and try to make them work for me. I never miss my long runs which I find to be the most important for me. Good luck on your half marathon. Based on your marathon time I think you can definitely run in the 1:4X range. Our times are pretty close in all distances 🙂
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Exactly — I change up which days of the week I do what and make it all work, but I never miss a long run and rarely miss a workout in the grand scheme. I would love to get a 1:4X time, which is why I’m kind of kicking myself for signing up for this race. Basically it’s uphill the first 7 miles, with total climbing of 764 feet. It more than makes up for it on net downhill, but it’s going to be a challenge, one that I thought I would enjoy for the views and to see how I place in the field, but I care about my time too much! 😉 The hill training has been good for me though and I hope it ends up serving me well on later races.
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I don’t follow a set plan either!
I’m racing on the 10th also – my 2nd attempt at a 50!
Can’t wait to hear about your half marathon.
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Ohh, I didn’t realize we were racing the same day! I love it because when the race gets tough, I can think of you running an ultra and my race distance pales by comparison LOL! I’m so excited for you — your training has been going so well.
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I hope your race goes well! I’m racing a 50K trail race on May 10 – longest race I’ve ever done. I think it will be fun to be racing on Mother’s Day weekend!
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Tina — best wishes to you on your race! I can already offer you my congratulations on stepping up to the 50K distance! I hope to be you someday. 🙂
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I like the book Quick Strength for Runners by Horowitz, it’s an 8 week plan (pictures) to supplement your run schedule. I followed it through once and now am repeating it but doing everything in the advance form (except jack-knife on the stability ball which had me rolling around the gym like an idiot). Thanks for the great info Angela!
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Thank you for the book recommendation! I am definitely going to check that out. The more I work on strength training, the more I believe it is key for improving form and speed for runners, especially for “older” runners like me! LOL on the jack-knife/stability ball fiasco — you made me smile! 🙂
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