Today’s the day: Connor and I embark on a 17-week journey training for our first marathon. Can’t stop, won’t stop!
We gained entry into the 2018 TCS New York City Marathon through the New York Road Runners’ 9+1 program, where you participate in 9 NYRR races and volunteer at 1 race. We ran quite a few NYRR races last year and when it became clear that we’d have enough races to qualify, it seemed like the perfect time to give it a go. Add to that Connor’s goal of completing a marathon before turning 30, and here we are!
After researching and scouring many different training programs—from Hanson’s to Higdons and many in-between—we settled on one from the Runner’s World Big Book of Marathon and Half Marathon Training. Why? The beginner marathon training program is a 4-day per week plan; maintenance runs on Tuesday and Thursday, plus a long-ish run on Saturday followed by a longer run on Sunday (hello, cumulative fatigue). Many of the plans I researched required running 5 or 6 days per week which is just not realistic for us at this current moment. With our jobs and long commute into the city (which will be decently shortened in less than 2 months when we move!), 4 days per week seemed to be the most realistic schedule, while also allowing for 2 rest days and then 1 day of cross and/or strength training (gotta keep my back and knee going strong too!). It may or may not work, but at least in our minds it’s a good place to start for our first marathon. We knew this was going to challenge us in many ways and picking the right plan for us will (hopefully) be the key to our success.
Our biggest goal of these next 17 weeks (besides finishing the race in the upright position) is to focus on covering the miles over speed, adapt to changes in our schedule, and most of all, stay positive (and hydrated!). We know that training for a marathon is no easy feat (especially for your feet…sorry, not sorry); putting in the time and work will get us to where we need to be. Earned, not given. So get ready for more #NatConTrainingshenanigans, follow along on Instagram, and tune in here for weekly recaps on how we’re doing!
Will we have challenges along the way? Yes. Are we excited about tackling this distance together? Damn right. Though you know when our alarm goes off at 4:45am on a Thursday morning in the middle of July so we can get up to run before work and avoid the evening summer heat, we’ll be thinking…
Tall Girl in a Small State 
Congrats on your journey to the NYC Marathon. I’m in the same boat too, NYC Marathon 2018 or bust.
If you can, fit in some hill work during your training, because the Qboro bridge at mile 15 is a bit of a killer.
Good luck!!
Thank you! We’ve got a decent hill near us and will for sure be doing some work on it – thanks for the suggestion and good luck with your training!
Those goodr’s though!!! Get it girl!!!