January was a great month of training for me. As I enter February, I am feeling more confident with my training and for my marathon.
My primary goals for December and January were building base and mileage. I built some strong mileage and maintained staying healthy and injury free (knock on wood). I’m building up mileage for the Phoenix marathon at the end of the month.
Total miles: 265 miles:
Range of Paces: 6:09-10:15-untimed
Shortest run: 1.23 mile warm up
Longest run: 21.17 mile long run
Races:
December 31st: Beat the Ball 5k (19:50) This seems like forever ago!
January 1st: Hair of the Dog 5k (19:59)
January 10th: Icicle 10 miler (1:07.35 6:40 pace)
Favorite race: It was definitely the Icicle 10 miler. I felt so strong and I feel like I could have finished a half marathon at that pace. It was a challenging course and it was motivating to see my hard work paying off. In fact the Icicle ten miler was my favorite race since May. It gave me a lot of motivation for where my fitness level is.
Favorite training run: My 21 miler last week. It was my first test of long run speed and I finished feeling satisfied. I ran the first half easy and the second ranging from a 7:30-7:45 pace.
Overall thoughts:
From a whole picture this month could not have gone any better. Each month brings small challenges but I had no major issues. I increased mileage and felt strong throughout the month. It’s nice to start my 2015 injury free and strong.
Injury wise: To answer questions about my metatarsal, I haven’t felt pain or any issue since beginning to ramp up mileage again. My recovery process last fall was a lot slower then I would have liked but it allowed me to be healthy now. I haven’t been having aches and pains with my foot at all (knock on wood).
Next month goals:
February will be different for training. I will spend the first two weeks training and the second two weeks tapering for the Phoenix Marathon (Reasons I chose Phoenix). I’m becoming more excited to race and to be strong.
To be honest, last fall I did not have the same excitement for the Wineglass marathon. For the Phoenix marathon, I’m excited to race. I don’t have a time goal but I do want to finish my marathon injury free and strong. Judging from my training, I stand a chance of running a similar time to my marathon PR (3:17).
I’ve only run one marathon and I already realized its a tricky race to train for and run. Anything can happen during the race but as long as I finish injury free, I’ll be happy.
Questions for you:
How as your first month of 2015?
What is the next race on your schedule?
Hurray for a solid month of injury free training! I’m excited to see how your race goes, you nailed the thing that makes me nervous about the marathon – anything could happen in a race of that distance. You can train perfectly, but if your body simply isn’t happy race day, you can’t really fake it for 26.2 miles.
I am running a small, local, half marathon on Saturday. It was only $45 and so many of my friends are doing it, that I really couldn’t turn it down. I have quite a few races this month with 2 others so 3 weekends in a row of racing (the others are shorter).
I think you will do great at Phoenix; you seem really excited about it and that will help. I’m glad Tim gets to travel with you and hopefully you’ll enjoy the whole trip and have a great race. You had some really good runs and races this month, especially that 10 miler… should give you lots of confidence going into PHX!
Solid month- I’m really excited for you for Pheonix. Plus, you won’t have to worry about snow storms de-railing your race. We are getting our third snow storm in a week right now. Why did I move here again?
January was a little iffy for me just because I’ve been sick a lot (and still am). I ran a race yesterday but prob won’t do another one until Shamrock. Can’t wait to see you there!
A great month – and I love seeing your racing! I had a strong month too and think the sports massages are my key to injury-free running!
I had a great January too! I believe my 2nd highest mileage month ever – with a few great long runs and speed workouts. Next race on my schedule is the Shamrock Half!!
If you can have a good training month in January when it’s chilly and yucky, then I say you’re going to rock 2015 😉
It’s been great watching you come back strong and healthy from injuries! Any race that you feel good after and know you did well in is a good race to me. Massages are keeping me healthy right now. I have one scheduled for next week and every time I think I don’t need to get one every few weeks, I end up booking one just to be on the safe side. 2015 is off to a good start!
I missed the Phoenix post so had no idea it was SO soon! That’s awesome! It seems like you’re building your mileage up nicely so I’m sure your race will go well! And flat and fast will probably seem way nicer than NYCM! I don’t think I even ran in January. I did some treadmill miles here and there, but have still really been doing my inclines when I want to get cardio in. I’ve been driving by where I used to run all the time though and I’m kind of missing it! I need to just get back out there. Glad that you’re running strong again and not having any big issues! I hope 2015 is ALL healthy and uninjured for you!!!!!!
You’re a machine!
I missed both of my January races through a combination of obscene weather and illness, so I’m hesitant to even talk about a ‘next race’ for fear of jinxing it :/
Given the fact that you’re well-rested and not overtrained, plus the fact that Phoenix is a fast course, I think you can squeeze under your marathon PR…or smash it…I just thought I’d be conservative so it didn’t sound like additional pressure! But I think you’re having such a smart and strong training cycle that surely there are great things to come.
I’m just glad you’re 1) injury free 2) able to run the marathon with Tim cheering you on 3) living closer to me so I have a chance to FREAKING SEE YOU!!! That is all. haha
You had such a SOLID month of training. Everything is lining up, and it will pay off in Phoenix. Cannot wait!
Sooooo excited for you!!! If anyone deserves an amazing day at Phoenix..it’s you. Congrats on all your hard work and patience to get this far.
January was a month of little motivation for me, but its getting better. Shamrock is my next race.
I’m excited to see how you do in Phoenix. You are doing the right things to stay injury free – that is the absolute most important thing.
oh Jan rocked! Felt strong and hit all my running goals. I’m hoping to continue this pattern throughout 2015. I actually have my first 10 miler race coming up Feb 14! I’ve never raced that distance so I’m excited!! Have a beautiful week!
Good luck Jess! I can’t wait to see how it goes for you!
Your injury has definitely re-taught you how to enjoy the running process. Considering you still go out and run in icy rain, I have no doubt you’ll crush the marathon! January was a pretty good month for me training wise. My longest run was 16.4 miles. I am on pace for my next race which is a 5K this Saturday. If it’s not too cold, I might actually try to race rather than jog.
Great work lady! Can’t wait to watch you race the marathon next month. Almost to the good part (peaking!!!). You are a true bad ass training through all the crazy winter weather. It will all pay off though. 🙂
I always appreciate your support Marci. One day I want to be like you when I grow up 😉
I think the marathon in Phoenix will be amazing! I qualified for Worlds (duathlon) in Tuscon last year and I just love, love, love racing in Arizona!!! Go get ’em!
So awesome! Yay for injury free! You’re killing it girl!