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Timing is Everything

Among most bloggers and runners in general, I'm the exception. I don't wake up and stumble to the gym in time for it to open, or head outside in the snow before the sun is up. I'm lazy. I run on the treadmill after I finish work at the completely acceptable time of 5:30 pm.

And that's all about to change. Wow, that sounded really dramatic, but basically I'm just going to start working out earlier. I really have to cut out the whole drama queen act.

My new plan is to get my butt out of bed and workout first thing in the morning. Don't pity me, because by "get up" I mean move from my bedroom to the office/gym room at the other end of the house, and by "first thing in the morning" I mean like 7:30. But still...big changes for me.



Although I don't believe that January 1st has any magical powers that will help me to stick to this plan, I have a 4 mile race on NYE which happens to be at 5:30 pm. It's like they did it just for me. After that (ahem, January 1st) I'll start with morning workouts. Wish me luck!

In other news about a fresh start, I'm on week one of my abridged marathon plan! I only have 12 weeks to prepare for the Publix Georgia Marathon on March 18th , so I'm using this plan:


I plan to make some tweaks along the way - most notably the long run. It will definitely be on Saturday rather than Sunday, and I will up the mileage for a couple of make sure that I get at least 2 runs of 20+ miles in. At least two days per week I will be adding in some spin for cross training.

I'm also happy to say that this plans means I can be gym-free in 2012. Hooray! I love that running means I can workout for free rather than pay for gym fees each months. And of course, by free I mean I ONLY have to buy a treadmill, buy 3-4 pairs of expensive shoes each year, register for races and eat myself out of house and home. FREE!

Source
Although you probably don't need to save any money since the whole running thing is so gosh darn cheap, this code is still valid for anyone who wants to run the Publix Georgia Marathon (or half) with me: GOURMETRUN10. 

Do you set New Year's Resolutions? What is yours this year?
Sometimes I do, but I don't think I have yet to make any major changes and stick to them because of a resolution. But this time it will totally work, right? Someone call me at 7 am on January 2nd and make sure my butt is working out. 

Marathon runners: has anyone used a shorter plan like this 12 week one? Any suggestions/tips?
I think I should be okay with just this 12 week plan, although I'm curious to know if anyone has used anything similar. I'll definitely be adding intervals/hills to the mix even though they aren't clearly marked on the plan.  

Most  importantly: anyone doing anything special for NYE?
I'm running the 4 mile race (with hubby!) and seeing a light show and having dinner. Good times!

Comments

  1. Can you tell me your pace differences for recovery, aerobic and long runs? I'm curious and haven't seen a training schedule posted with those terms. I think I might want to borrow them...

    Happy New Year!

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  2. Have a great New Year - sounds like some good plans. Good luck with the morning thing, I can get up super early most of the year - except Dec/Jan. the cold and dark just make it hard - even to go into the back room with the treadmill!

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  3. I hope we can meet (in person) at the marathon!! Last i ran the half and it was my first race. I can't believe one short year later it'll be my second FULL.

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  4. My husband and I are going to some club? which is WAY outside the norm for us. I'm worried we won't be able to make it to midnight. Ha. Sad.

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  5. NYE is going to be a relaxing night out to dinner and something low key for midnight, I'd suspect. No firm plans thus far.

    Don't know much about the marathon training plan, but it looks great to me! I like how you're going to add in another 20 miler or two, that's a great idea.

    As you know, I didn't really have a plan for my 2nd marathon in December, I just listened to my body and played it by ear, so I'm not a good reference for marathon training plans!

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  6. Oh and PS Im still in bed and it's almost 3pm. My excuse is that I did work nightshift last night, but I still should be up and moving around by now!

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  7. I have done short training plans, too, but usually I just jump in at whatever week I need to - so you know, if it's just 2 months to the marathon, I start out at week 8 of a 4 month plan. In order to do this and not die I keep myself in "half marathon shape" all the time so the mileage increase doesn't do me in!

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  8. good luck waking up early. yourenot the only one who doesnt wake up early. since i work nights some days my runs are at 2:30 in the afternoon...as soon as I wake up!

    my marathon training was only 11 weeks, but thats because I started late but it had 2 20 milers and a 22 miler. good luck training!

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  9. Yay for morning running! You can do it! Just take it a day at a time. The hardest part if actually getting out of bed. Once your bodt gets used to waking up early and working out, it will get easier!
    Good luck with the marathon training!

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  10. I just copied that plan! Thanks for saving me the work : ) I will tweak it to but it is a good start.

    I too would love to start getting up early but I would have to do 5:00 am to get my run in, showered, kid ready and to work by 7:30.... ugh but the 8:00 night runs suck too. Decisions, decisions! I often have a nice 3:00 pm run after school is out and I don't have to pick Parker up.

    Not sure of resolutions yet... still working on that

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  11. I cannot, for the life of me, get up and run early. I have to get ready for work at 5:50, though, and am out the door by 6:30, so I think that's part of it. When I have time off I just want to lay in bed!

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  12. I totally agree with you about loving running because it's the "free sport" (well aside from race fees-which are soooo worth it!).
    Good luck getting adjusted to a new workout time! I have never committed to a specific time and just go with whatever the day brings!

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  13. 12 weeks is plenty! You'll do well and won't be burned out. I do resolutions and try my best to keep them. The key is not to make too many :)

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  14. Wish I could come run in Georgia, that's a great price for a half (and full) even without the discount.
    I would love to do a night race on NYE, the girls will all be here and we will celebrate on East Coast time and watch lots of Twilight Zone.

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  15. OOO, a light show, fun! You'll love being a morning exerciser. I massively shortened a plan to train for the Myrtle Beach Marathon - then did one week - and now I've spent this week laying on the couch....awesome. It's working out beautifully. Our NYE plans are going to a good friends house for some games, karaoke, and drinks - the perfect night, in my opinion. Good luck in the race!

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  16. Good luck with your training!

    My husband and I aren't really doing anything for New Year's Eve because he is working (so glad he just got a full-time job and we don't have to deal with the random schedules after this next week) and we have a race on New Year's Day (7.5 miles).

    Good luck at your race, I liked racing in the evening the one time we have done it. My husband and I don't have set times that we run though so that helps us!

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  17. I forgot to call the Y to cancel my gym membership!
    Love being gym-free!!!!

    Good luck on your training...
    And I had to laugh at the running being free comment. So True!

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  18. I envy your 7:30 workouts! Mine have to come a bit earlier than that! Haven't thought much about any resolutions except that I would like to run 1000 miles in 2012 :)

    Happy New Year!

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  19. 7:30am is a good time to workout, but I have to admit that I've been spoiled by being able to eat breakfast and let it sit for a bit before I run.

    I think that training plan looks fine to me. Keep in mind that I used a 7 week plan for my first marathon and I'm nuts.

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  20. Oh I didn't even think of that - I bet there are fun races all over for NYE! Blah. Oh well. Late to the party again. =)

    Have a great New Years and enjoy your training!!

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  21. Just curious why it is you feel the need to go against your inner clock and change up when you work out? Seriously, I'm curious. There's a lot of research supporting morning workouts, but I just can't get up to do it!!! Good luck and I hope you share how it goes for you.

    When I began running I quit making resolutions which was a good thing because I NEVER made it past February with resolutions. I now make goals . . . .I did well with them in 2011 and will be posting my 2012 goals soon. I can't wait to get started on them!

    Happy New Year!

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  22. In 12 weeks time you'll do great at the Georgia marathon. =] Good luck. I can't wait to read about it.

    Happy New Year!!

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  23. Looks like we will be training together! My first half marathon this year is on March 19, 2012 and I will start my training in about week, found a 8 week plan I'm doing. Good luck!

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  24. Sorry I mistyped March 10...

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  25. I trained once for a marathon in 12 weeks, it's totally manageable. You're already in amazing shape, so it will be a piece of cake for you :)

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  26. I'm just like you. I work out mid-day or late around that same time. I hate waking up so early. I think you'll be fine and it seems like a great goal for the new year!!!!

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  27. If I lived anywhere close, I would come run I think it would be a lot of fun! Good luck with the training!

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  28. Good luck on your race tonight!! I would've signed up for Publix since I live right down the street in Atl, but I'll be on my honeymoon cruise. Darn. Kind of lol. Happy New Year!

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  29. I don't do NY resolutions per se, but I do think it is good to change things up once in a while. Your new sched looks good and I bet you will like morning running and working out.

    Happy New Year to You and Tim and your kitties!

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  30. it'll be a great race for ya! Great resolution and YES, I know the new year has no special powers, but it's still fun to set small and large goals for the 2012 year! Yay, good luck to ya :) My goals-to sign up for many more races this year, to get my tummy in MUCH better shape so bathing suit season doesn't send me into a deep depression! Ha! Oh and going to Church EVERY sunday...EVERY SUNDAY!

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  31. I used a 12-week, 4 days a week program when I trained for a spring marathon earlier this year - very similar to the one you have above. Two easy days, 1 day of speed or temp, and 1 long run is usually how the week rolled. I liked it, but would've thrown in a 5th day in there - maybe another easy run or hill repeats or something.

    Good luck as your start your training & happy new year!

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  32. Looks like a great plan! I'm with you on switching long runs to Sat, and I usually don't run the day before a long run-I switch it around somewhere. I'm a 7am runner, now more like 9am with a toddler in the jogger or gym daycare, so I've never done the wee early hours... but I do find I'm faster in the evenings, so don't be suprised if you suddenly feel slower--at least for me, it takes awhile to wake up those legs! Happy training!

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  33. I'm not big on NY resolutions and prefer to think of making goals instead and, no, there is nothing magical about making them on Jan 1st!

    So why are you making the switch to the morning? As you probably know, I personally love it, but you seem to like working out later. And where did you get your training plan from….it doesn't look like RLRF, why did you decide to switch? All ideas for future blog posts….

    Good luck in race tonight - I love the idea of a NYE race! I really don't like NYE, but could totally get behind a race :)

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  34. I am hoping to start the morning workout routine this year as well! It's something that does not come easily for me either! I much prefer working out in the evening but in order to fit everything in, I'm going to have to make that change! My biggest goal for 2012 is to finally run a marathon!

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  35. good luck today!! well, then again looking at the clock and the time difference i think u're done by now so...good job!! hehe...can't wait to hear about ur last race of 2011~ :)

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  36. good luck with your training! do you do most your runs on the treadmill? i'll be doing that for my spring races until it gets warmer and i'm worried it won't translate!

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  37. I too have tried to change my workout times to the morning and so far it is going horribly bad!! I am a person that has to press the snooze button at least 3 times before I wake up but instead of getting up I've been falling asleep and waking a lot later than anticipated and having to completely miss the morning workout. Guess it will take some getting use to.

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  38. I'm really looking forward to the Publix GA Marathon even if I am just running the half and not the full like you. This will be my first blogger meet up!

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