Marathon Training #1

So today starts my marathon training...

Strangely enough, it begins with a rest day. I've bee running hard for the month of July. And July in Madrid is a horrid month to be running. It makes no difference what time of the day you run in. As I usually run in the morning, I should be assured of good temps, but sadly no. I had 8am classes and that meant little cool down time. As any runner will tell you, there is nothing worse than having a high core temperature and having to go to work. I take a hot crowded metro to work and so that is a horror show of dripping sweat, stained shirts, and uncomfortable stares. So I wait until I am finished with my morning classes.

So runs at 10am. With the temp is already in the mid 20s. And climbing.

Thus I have had to curb my expectations and performance. I have had difficulties with breathing, with sweat-stung eyes, chaffing, etc. It is almost enough to make me miss my life in Pennsylvania. Almost.

Sooooo....

This new series of entries will center on marathon training as an American in Madrid. I will continue dispensing advice and opinions. But, as my training will take precedent in my life, it will take the lion's share of my attention here.

Back to the marathon day # 1 ....

I decided to start on the second day of my program, which is a rest day. The first day was a 16 km run. Something I am sure I could have done, but two things kept me from starting from day one. First, and foremost, I needed new shoes. One of the sad facts of living in Europe is the high price of everything, especially running shoes. Sale prices are routinely in the 60-70 euro range. Good top of the line shoes will run you over a 100 euros easy. But, as I need to follow the running shoes replacement rule, I am starting my training with new shoes. Second, I have been suffering from a lack of sleep. The summer heat of Madrid is particular difficult for me, as I am a light sleeper. I actually wake when I am overheated. And have difficultly returning to a REM sleep. So I fail to get the required recovery sleep I need. But as I can't take time off from running I build up a sleep deficit which is slowly causing my runs to be worse and worse, shorter and shorter. So I attempted to make up some of that deficit last night. (I was only partially successful.)

So today was Rest Day (and shoe day).

Tomorrow will be be 9.5 km day, which I will use the Mary's Hill run for.

Ciao!


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