September Training Log

September was the first month, ever, on the blog I almost didn’t write a training log. It’s now almost midway through October and no one missed it. But I figured, I like them to keep everything in one place and really reflect with how the month went:

Miles run: 350 miles

Range of Paces: 6:20-15:30-untimed

Rest Days: 4

Races:

Conquer the Bridge 5.3 Race Recap (37:58/7:07)

Santa Monica Classic 5k (20:58)

Surf City 10 Miler (1:12.44)

Cross Training: Swimming 20.8 miles (almost all in the first two weeks)

Thoughts:

I’ve started training for the California International Marathon—at least, that’s the plan. Last year, I trained hard but ended up injured and missed the race. This year, I haven’t secured a bib yet. I know it’s sold out, but there’s a fairly large transfer window, so I’ll start looking for a spot soon.

How’s Training Going?

It’s going. Honestly, I’ve had some pretty strong long runs. I hesitate to even say that because I don’t want to jinx it, but so far, things have gone well. I ran 15 miles with 3×2 miles, averaging between 7:00-7:30 per mile, and had a strong, hilly 18-miler. While I haven’t hit the true gritty 20-milers yet, I feel good about the long runs I’ve completed. The Long Beach Half Marathon didn’t go as planned due to some stomach issues…I finished in 1:41, which is slower than my time at a hilly, high-altitude race…but I am recovering quickly and don’t feel like it took too much out of me.

The Mental Battle

Mentally, it’s been a tough cycle. I’ve been dealing with some personal issues that have taken a toll, causing me to toss and turn at night and miss sleep. I’m working through it, but I’m not someone who runs well on minimal sleep, so there have been rough days.

A Different Approach to Racing

This year’s marathon training cycle looks a little different for me. I’m racing a lot less than usual. To an outsider, it might still seem like I’m racing a lot, but for me, it’s been much less. I’ve been more selective, picking races that truly interest me instead of racing every weekend. I’m focusing on productive weeks of training instead of tapering for races all the time. So far, I’m enjoying this approach.

By cutting back on racing, I’ve found I can run higher mileage weeks without the need to constantly recover. Plus, work has been so busy lately that I’m appreciating the chance to “chill” on the weekends. And by “chill,” I mean not having to drive two hours to Los Angeles or Orange County for a race.

Races

None of my races in September went super well. It’s been extremely hot, and all three races were warm. My body just didn’t feel great on those days, likely a combination of increasing mileage and the beginning of marathon training.

Swimming Less, Running More

As my running mileage increases, I’ve had to cut back on swimming. I miss it, but I know there’s only so much exercise you can (or should) do in a day. It’s all about balance, and for me, focusing on running right now makes the most sense.