Heading into week 5 of marathon training #2

I have completed 4 weeks of training for my second marathon and things definitely feel different this time already.

• I'm running my long runs much much earlier in the morning since it is summertime that's a must to beat the heat and humidity.

•  I'm running everyday plus cross training 3 days a week, no slacking this time like the first time around.

• On my short runs (2 miles or less) my daughter (in particular) is running with me, which means I run at her pace and help her work on form and techniques, which in return helps me with my form and techniques because I'm force to think about how I'm running in order to teach her properly.

• Playing around the run/walk ratio to find what is going to work for the longer distances and still amazed that my pace has increased on every long run no matter where I'm in my monthly cycle.

• Helping/kind of coaching my husband and one of my friends has really help me enjoy running more because I get to be apart of their journey in training for their 1st half marathon.

• Finding shoes now that I have lost 14 lbs has been a challenge but, know it is necessary.

• The balance of training, homeschooling, working, and being wife/mom will always be a juggling act but, this time around seems to be a little easier and I honestly believe because I'm involving the kids into the training.

• Still trying to figure out the nutrition piece of the puzzle, definitely have been better about it.  I know that 2 days before a long run, I like to eat red meat with potatoes and streamed green veggies, the night before a long run I like to eat a chicken stir fry meal (boiled/shredded chicken, cooked rice, sweet/green peppers, mushrooms, onions, minced garlic, and topped with honey mustard dressing). 

• Hydrating is so important but, the right hydration too.  For long runs it is one 10.5 oz bottle of water and one 10.5 oz bottle of watered down Gatorade.

• Knowing that this training plan is shorter by 2 weeks worried me at the beginning but now, that I'm on week 5 I'm ok with it because I know my body is capable of it.

• Sleep well 2 nights before a long run seems to be more important than night before the long run.

• Adding different surfaces/type of workouts that were out of my comfort zone this time (ie groomed trails, track, hills, speed work, etc).

• Stretching before and after runs are my friend

• Epsom salt baths and foam roller are my friends after long runs

• Reflecting back each week to see what worked and what didn't make adjustments for the next week.