6 weeks down, 12 to go!

And just like that I completed 6 weeks of training, Part 1 of the Peloton Road to 26.2 training. I really enjoyed being able to just go through and click on the next class I was supposed to take in the program (no thinking required).  I ended up deciding on the following training schedule, incorporating some of the classes from #hardCORE on the floor (HCOTF):

Monday:        10 minute core (HCOTF)

                       Tempo run (40-55 minutes)

                       30 minute strength for runners

                       10 minute glutes and legs (HCOTF, optional)

                       30 minutes of upper body (HCOTF)

Tuesday:        10 minute core (HCOTF)

                       10-15 low impact Peloton ride

Wednesday:  10 minute core (HCOTF)

                       Marathon pace run 40-70 minutes)

                       30 minute strength for runners

                       Yoga and foam rolling (HCOTF recovery)

Thursday:     10-15 minute low impact Peloton ride

Friday:          10 minute core (HCOTF)

                       10 minute barre (HCOTF, optional)

                       20 minute run

                       30 minutes of upper body (HCOTF)

Saturday:      10 minute core (HCOTF)

                       Long run (8-20 miles)

                       20 minute Peloton recovery ride

Sunday:         Yoga and walk (HCOTF recovery day)

Nova sucks at selfies

Overall, I would say I am feeling great! I really do think the strength training, stretching, and yoga I started doing since my last marathon has helped. That being said, I still have a long ways to go and I felt fatigued during today's 40 minute tempo run (I ran 10 miles on Saturday), which has me a little worried. But these are the days that make me stronger...and I listened to my body and skipped the 10 minute glutes and legs strength class. I am a little nervous about about ramping up to more than 12 miles, but part of the training is building mental strength, so I just need to trust the process. PLUS, this being my 4th marathon I KNOW deep down I can do it. 

Running through Krog Tunnel

I haven't been blogging much, but since I last posted I started volunteering with my charity, Back on My Feet! Back on My Feet operates in 17 cities in the United States. There are four different Back on My Feet chapters in Atlanta. I went through all the necessary training to volunteer, followed by an onboarding process. During the onboarding process I learned about the different chapters and what they were like. I left it up to the volunteer coordinator to pick which chapter was a fit and needed more volunteers. I was assigned to Team Trinity, which operates out of a shelter downtown near the Sweet Auburn Market. They run every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 5:30 am. I will just be joining on Fridays, since that fits best with my training plan of having a 20 minute fun run that day. I have been out three times with them so far. There is a 2 or 3 mile option, so I have opted for the 3 mile walk/run, usually ending up with one person along the way. Running provides a great time for interaction and getting to know people, and I am really happy that I get to really see the work this charity does. 

And speaking of the charity, this is where I ask you to donate if you haven't already (or donate again)! I am almost to my fundraising goal of $4000. I have all my miles claimed for the NYC Marathon, but I am running the Rock 'n' Roll Washington (State) on September 4th and you can sponsor a mile of that race. My fundraising page for you to donate at is here and these are my miles that are left and the cost:

1 Savanna Blair

2 Shell

3 Julie Kuipers

4 and 5 Amy King

6 Emily Peterson

7 Jane and RJ

8 Deb Arora

9 Kita and Kai

10 Lolly and Maple

11 Amy McMinn

12 Anne Whitney

13.1 Renee Galloway

I will blog about my experience after the race. Thank you for your support!