Epicurious Runner

Week 1, Hiring a Coach, + Goals

Hello friends!

I know I’m a bit late, but I hope everyone had a great 4th of July and also a great weekend. I went to my first Mets (thanks to this girl for the free tickets!) game and then watched the fireworks in Jersey on the marina with some friends.

I’ve been quite busy, hanging out with lots of friends and doing some summer apartment cleaning. It’s been nice and I am very much looking forward to my 4 day weekend in 2 weeks!

I finally bought some new shoes. I went with the obnoxiously bright yellow and I couldn’t love them more, they are so much fun!

Marathon training has officially begun for me and I just finished up my first week. It was a rather easy week, which is a great way to get started. I just wanted to review what I did and my overall goals for the race.

My training cycle is Sunday to Saturday, which I’m not used to, but it is nice to end my long run on Saturdays and feel finished for the week.

Week 1:

- Ran 4 days

- 25.19 miles

- 1 cross training day

No speed work in week 1, all of my runs were done at an extremely easy pace, including my long run. I’m trying to appreciate this first week of easiness because I know it’s not always going to be like this.

I ran 10 miles with Kristin on Saturday! It was the earliest I have ever woken up for a training run. I know that sounds crazy, but I am NOT a morning person. I woke up at 5:45 and met her for a 6:30am run in order to beat the 100 degree weather on Saturday.

We may have found an awesome fountain in one of the playgrounds in Central Park.

I have hired a coach for the first time! I’m stoked to have someone who knows what they are doing and who will help get me to my goals. I have heard good things about having a coach and I knew I had some big goals for this marathon, so I was ready to splurge and hired Michele as my coach.

Michele is a running goddess. Not only is she pregnant and still a speed demon, but she won the Foot Locker 5 borough Challenge last year at the NYC Marathon! I still don’t know her very well, but I am very much looking forward to talking with her and soaking in every piece of advice and guidance she has. She is already an inspiration and I am honored to have her as my coach! I highly recommend checking out her 4 part series about the Foot Locker Challenge last year, I guarantee you will be inspired.

So, big goals, huh?

Well, first and foremost, this has been a great year (so far) of running for me. Even though, I missed my HM PR multiple times, my mindset is completely fresh and different this year than it has ever been before. I am ready to commit myself to become a stronger and faster runner. With that said, I am still trying to be realistic in terms of my goals.

My first and only marathon was finished in 4:34 and naturally I want to PR and beat this time my second time around.

A-Goal: 4:10

B-Goal: sub 4:20

C-Goal: sub 4:34

I am going to work hard to obtain that 4:10, I think it’s realistic, but obviously not without some hard work attached to it. Things may change as my training progresses, but hopefully my A-Goal will stay a strong contender.

I ran the Manchester City Marathon as my first and if that’s not hillier than NYC, then it’s pretty darn close because that is definitely not considered an easy marathon. I’m prepared (or will be) for hills and the overall toughness that comes with the NYCM course.

117 days to go!

Are you running a fall marathon? Which one and when does your training start?