So I have talked about the fact that yes, I am using a running coach to prepare for my first 1/2 marathon. A lot of people don't understand why I need a coach and just don't "go out and run". Um these people have never tried to run more than a mile or three or they might not say that (or they are lucky). All that being said what has my run coach helped me with? Let me give you a little explanation.
Hills - I was not running nearly enough of these, OY! They are not fun but Saturday proved that using them in training is necessary.
Easy runs - prior to having a coach I thought my slower runs were easy runs. Not a chance. When my coach gave me my easy runs I thought "really? that is practically walking." BUT, thanks to those easy runs I have lowered my running heart rate ( a miracle), learned how to run much longer distances without having to stop ever, and how to listen to my body for when to back down. Seriously, I now LOVE my easy runs and I never looked at my heartrate during my 10 mile race. They always feel good (as they should) and I feel a sense of accomplishment that I can now run 10 number of miles without ever stopping, I never thought I would be so happy to run for almost 2 solid hours. As I have been doing my easy runs my speed has slowly increased.
Interval/Speedwork - I mean really, it is pushing yourself to the edge and then going a little further and then recovery. It's tough but when you know recovery is coming you feel that much more like pushing to get there.
Distance - I tried to create my own plan and sent it to my coach. I really understand now that my distances were not nearly long enough. I knew I would need long runs but the rest I was clueless on. I also knew to taper before my big 1/2 marathon which is coming up but didn't know how. This is where I need someone to guide me.
The unseen - What to do when you are sick (repeatedly) and what runs to shuffle off the the board and how to go about getting back on track. As I was sick for 4 weeks this became so important. I still made it through my 10 mile run which means we did it right.
The other thing that she did is tailor my running program to Me! This is so important as everyone has a different amount of time they can dedicate to running and are a different levels when they start. She took my races from last year, figured out my paces for different distances of races and each of my runs is based off these.
This doesn't mean my tendon hasn't been crabby through this (it has) but I listen to my body and shuffle my runs around as needed. She laid the guidelines for what not to do (ie, don't run more than x number of days in a row), beware of injury, how to layer, etc. My coach has also been a cheerleader. I was considering changing the 10 mile race to the 5K and she was my cheerleader (don't worry about your finish, it's a training run). Sometimes we have to remind ourselves that a race isn't always a race. She also taught me so many tricks such as prevent chaffing owwww, groups to meet up with, and so much more. It is all the little things a new runner doesn't know that you will eventually need someone to ask. So for all of your help, listening to me, and getting me through this, Thank you Marathon Mom!
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