Training for My First Full Marathon

My husband, Rick, and I have just completed week 6 of our full marathon training.  We are following Hal Higdon's Intermediate II plan.  I was originally going to do his Novice Plan, like I did for my first half-marathon, but my husband thought we were beyond that already and would get much better training with this one.  So far, I think he's right.  However I am a little worried as last week's long run had me venturing into unchartered territory...14 miles.  Prior to this, 13.1 was the longest I had run.  Boy, did I feel it!  By the end, my knees were aching so bad.  All my shorter runs in the days following felt like crap!  My legs felt like they weighed 100 lbs each, my knees hurt, and I just felt slow and sluggish.  Rick says that it's part of the plan...breaking us down so we can come back the next week and build up.  Well, I wasn't buying a word of that.  I felt defeated and wondered what the hell I was doing...thinking I could run a full marathon! 

Well, as much as it pains me to say this twice in one post, I think Rick was right again.  This weekend's long run went back down to 10 miles (I never understood that up and down long run thing) and it went sooo much better.  Yeah, great, I thought...but next week is 15!!  Today (the day after the 10) I had to do 7 at marathon pace which I think is around 9:30-10:00 per mile, but not really sure since I haven't done one yet.  We ended up joining a 10K race and doing an extra mile.  I was very worried because of how I had felt the week before.  Plus, I drank a whole bottle of wine by myself last night.  Not the best idea, but I teach school, so wine on the weekends is a must! :) Anyway, I had a fantastic run...I mean awesome.  I felt so strong.  My time wasn't great...avgd a 9:20 pace, but that is because I started way in the back and for the first 2 miles I was stuck behind slower runners and walkers.  I had to weave in and out until it finally opened up around 2/12-3 miles.  Then I really kicked it in gear.  So, anyway, I guess this is my "building back up" week, or something like that. 

The rest of my week will go as follows:

Monday: Crosstrain (after school).  I HAVE to swim!  I skipped my swim last week and I need to keep it up or I will be in BIG trouble when tri season starts for me again in Jan/Feb.

Tuesday: 4 mile recovery run (5:00 a.m.) and strength training

Wednesday: 8 mile fartlek (my Lord, I will have to get up at 4 a.m. to fit this one in. I can't run after school...too hot and too tired.Yikes!!!)

Thursday:  Crosstrain: (Ride the trainer at 5 a.m.) or Day Off

Friday:  Day off, OR Cooper Young 4-miler.  If I do this race, I will forgo Thursday's trainer ride.

Saturday: 16 mile Long Run

Sunday: 7 mile pace run

(I may switch Sat & Sunday...not sure yet.)

Have a great week!