Here’s the deal, this whole training for the NYCM is going to be no joke. It’s been a really really long time since I’ve done this and it almost feels like I’ve never done it before. So much has changed since I ran the Chicago Marathon in 2004 and even more has changed since I ran my very first marathon in 1999.
Most of what has changed in terms of training (other than being old) is the mental game. I use to be really good at making excuses to take an extra rest day, run easy, take a walk break, or to cut my run a mile or two short. None of those things are necessarily bad, but they are damaging when they become a crutch.
This time around I’m responding to everyone of those excuses/thoughts with a “what exactly do you think it’s going to feel like at mile 20 of the marathon“? I know that answer, so I’ll continue to push myself past the excuses in my head as I listen to the goals in my heart.
Say it, Do it Week 1 of NYCM Training
- Monday: Bike Ride/Physique 57 Open Class
- Tuesday: REST
- Wednesday: Run Hills/Physique 57
- Thursday: Hot Yoga
- Friday: Run
- Saturday: Off or Yoga
- Sunday: 10 Miles
What workouts are you committed to this week and are there any mental games you’re busy fighting during your workouts/training?
{If you’re new to SIDI here’s some info: At the beginning of each week on FCITC “Say it, Do it” is a chance for us to commit to our workouts for the week by saying them out loud here and keeping each other accountable.}
Monday: TRX at PhysicalMind Studio
Tuesday: 5 mile run & Vinyasa Yoga at New York Yoga
Wednesday: Core Fusion Cardio DVD
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Refine
Saturday: 11 miles
Sunday: Rest
Oops, I left out my 3 mile run on Fri too!
It’s all mental, Jess. I’m glad you have a game plan for dealing with the potential mental set-backs. You have done it twice before so I’m sure you will do great this time also!
Here are my workouts for the week:
Mon: Warrior Fitness Bootcamp
Tue: Physique 57
Wed: Physique 57
Thurs: Formula 57 plus run
Fri: Off
Sat: Refine Methos
Sun: Maybe a run
So fun seeing you today!
Great seeing you too! I think you’ll love Warrior Fitness Bootcamp! I had so much fun when I went there.
always wanted to try warrior fitness! look forward to your review on your blog!
good luck to all those in marathon training!
M: Hot Yoga
T: Spin
W: Hot Yoga
R: Bar Method (trying it for the first time!)
F: Vinyasa
Sat: Hot Yoga
Sun: Barre3 and Hiking Portland mountains!!!
Can I please go hiking with you?!
YAY! MY marathon training officially starts tomorrow too. I’m really glad you talked about the mental game… that’s something that I didn’t really think about in my first 1-2 marathons, but it’s what prevented me from training hard the last 2 years that I was supposed to run NYCM. Like you, this year, I’m all over it.
Monday: Possibly rest, maybe yoga
Tuesday: Mile repeats at the track (total, including warmup + cool down = 5 miles)
Wednesday: Swimming (maybe), Core Fusion
Thursday: Tempo Run (total 6-7 miles)
Friday: Yoga
Saturday: 12-13 miles (NYRR LTR#1)
Sunday: REST
It is all mental! We are in it 100% though this year! Do you go to the east side track for repeats?
Jes this is so true! I was actually guilty of this last year even though I didn’t do it too often. I’d cut runs here and there. Today, I had no desire to run 3 miles after yesterday’s 8 miler but I did it anyway. To my surprise and delight I was able to watch last year’s Iron Man while running. Talk about motivation! Here’s this week’s plan:
Monday: 5 miles including 4 striders
Tuesday: Personal training+ maybe yoga
Wednesday: 3 miles+spin
Thursday: Personal training+ maybe yoga
Friday: rest
Saturday: long run 9 miles (NYCM Long Training Run #1)
Sunday: 4 mile recovery run
Definitely dealing with some mental punks! I am doing a 100km charity hike this weekend and our team goal is to do it in 24 hours (we did it in 28.5 hrs last year). I’m super worried about it and am concerned that I’m sabotaging myself. I need to send some positive vibes to myself for sure!
We are all rooting for you, Jess! You will do great. I have so much respect for all my friends running this year. I agree, it is all a mind game. Mentality is such a huge part of training. I think maturity will be on your side! Not against you. And, you are not old. Because I am not old. Since I am not old, no one around me is old either. Haha.
This week is a refine/yoga/run week:
Mon – Refine
Tues – Vinyasa + 4.5 mi run
Wed- Refine
Thurs – Vinyasa + 4.5 mi run
Friday Refine + 2.5 mi run
Saturday – rest (maybe a yoga class)
Sun – Vinyasa + 5.5 mi run
Ha ha! Thanks, Cameo!
Monday: Spin/Yoga
Tuesday: Yoga or 3 mile run
Weds: Spin
Thurs: Spin
Friday: Barry’s Bootcamp
Saturday: Off
Sunday: Spin
I can totally relate to where you are coming from, with having not done this in many years and the mental games we play with ourselves. You’ve totally got this! Like Cameo says, maturity is on your side, and I think that counts for a lot!
This week I am committed to:
Monday – 3 miles (done!)
Tuesday – Core Fusion Express
Wednesday – I am conflicted. I am supposed to do speedwork and it is supposed to be 96. I’m not sure if I should skip Core Fusion Express and do speed work in the AM, or go all out in the heat since I need to adjust to running it in. Game time decision, probably.
Thursday – Core Fusion Express –
Friday – rest/travel
Saturday – 6 HILLY lake miles
Sunday – a DVD of some sort – perhaps Core Fusion Cardio or Core Fusion Boot Camp
I am also going to commit to not eating my weight in cookies this week. I did this last week and I’m disgusted by myself.
I love that quote! I am committed to my normal workouts but with 7 grandkids in town & already minus sleep – my plan – do the best I can & modify as needed based on how much sleep I got & what craziness I did the day before with the kiddos! 😉
Oh man. Any tips for us newbies on the mental game of marathoning? I’m assuming mile 20 will suck pretty hard but I don’t think I have ever done anything in my life that will compare!
M – 4m run
T- Yoga or light cardio
W- 3m run
Th – 50/50 class
F – Rest
Sa – Between 5 and 7 miles
Su – Rest or Yoga
M – rest
T – boot camp
W – run
Th – run
F – either a short run or a workout DVD – it’s supposed to be hot so I’ll decide that day.
S – yoga and spinning
Su – 5 mile run
TOTALLY hear you on the mental side of running. It’s there. It can really screw with you but you totally GOT this one in the bag. I just know it. This training cycle has been all about building mental strength and confidence and it’s totally helping me, physically as well. A total relief.
My schedule…
Sun – rest
Mon – 6.5 miles; barre n9ne method
Tues – 4.5 miles; barre n9ne lean & tone
Wed – 6 miles; barre n9ne abs and arms express
Thurs – barre n9ne legs; barre n9ne fusion
Fri – 10 miles!
Sat – rest
Glad we can be part of your NYCM training. Keep up the good work and we’ll see you in class this week.
Thank you! My core needs you!
Thanks for this post Jess! I have to tell you that it really helped me during my long run yesterday – I was struggling, but I kept thinking back to “this is how mile 20 is going to feel and you are going to push through it” and I did! I really will take this thought process with me through the rest of my training, so thank you.
This is the first time I’ve done SIDI! Here are my workouts:
Monday: 3 mile run
Tuesday: Bryant Park yoga
Wednesday: 5 miles with Lululemon Soho Run Club and Blissology yoga with Eoin Finn at Lululemon Soho!
Thursday: Tempo run 3 miles
Friday: Kinetic Sculpt, Blissology yoga workshop at Kula with Eoin Finn
Saturday: Long run (6-7 miles)
Sunday: Spin
You are welcome! Thanks for joining us in SIDI! You’re gonna kick the Chicago Marathon’s booty!
Such an ironic post as I was fighting a mental game last night during my 4 mile run! I got terrible side stitches about a mile into my four mile run, and while I would usually quit or cut back on the miles, I kept at it. I had to stop and walk when the side stitches came back but I was able to fight the battle in me (that wanted to quit) and finished my run. I like to encourage myself with lines such as ‘mind over matter’ or ‘you can do it’ when my body/mind start to come up with excuses to quit or cut back.
Monday: easy run 4 miles
Tuesday: yoga
Wednesday: easy run 4 miles/ballet (maybe)
Thursday: spin class
Friday: spin class/weights
Saturday: 8-10 mile (NYCM long training run #1)
Sunday: rest
Way to push through it last night on your run!