Marathon Training Week 6 & PT Updates

Mileage:
- Tuesday: 3 miles without tape in 26:28 (8:50 minute mile pace)
- Wednesday: 5 miles without tape in 50:00 (10 minute mile pace)
- Saturday: 9 miles with tape with the training group (10 minute mile pace)
Total: 17 miles.  Program mileage: 18, but I missed Thursday's 3 mile run so I ran 9 today to make up for it.

New Shoes!!

Long Run Gear:
- Nike Legend Red Short-Sleeved Tee
- Black and Red Nike Tempo Track Shorts
- SmartWool Socks (new)
- Brooks Adrenaline GTS 12 shoes (new)
- White RunningAway Multiport hat

My runs this week went well.  I got fitted for the new shoes on Sunday after the race since mine were approaching a year old.  The shoes are great!  I haven't had any issues with them at all.  Also, I tried wool socks for the first time and I like them a lot.

The weather for the long run was really nice - it was raining for the first part of the run so it was a lot cooler than normal.  I personally love running in the rain!  It got hotter toward the end of the run, but it wasn't as hot as it has been the past few weeks.  We ran along DPR and went south toward Route 60.  Halfway point was past this bridge by one of the shopping districts at the most southern part of my town.

We were originally supposed to run 7, but we ended up running 9.  I felt great the whole way through and stayed toward the back of the pack throughout the run.  I didn't pass up my group leader toward the end of it either.  My legs felt good for the most part.  I could feel my both ITBs starting to pull a little toward the end of the run, but nothing too bad.

Marathon Training Week 6
Long Run Tape Job

PT Updates:

I'm going to PT on Tuesday and Friday mornings.  I have to go to PT in the city since I can't get to locations conveniently in the suburbs.  I like my PT a lot and he is very helpful.  He puts me through a variety of exercises to strengthen my hips and quads.  I also do exercises to work on my balance.  So far, I think that it's been working.  However, the left ITB seems to be more sore than the right, but I use the foam roller to help that out.

Tips I Learned:
- Alternate shoes so you have a good pair for the marathon.  The guy at RAM suggested that I buy another pair in 3-4 weeks so that pair will still be in good condition for the marathon.
- Shoes should be replaced every 400-500 miles.
- Do not run in cotton socks since you are more prone to blisters that way.

New Gear, Fuel and Hydration:

New socks!

- Smartwool socks are awesome!  I am going to get some more of these!
- I recently tried Nuun for hydration and I like it a lot!  I bought the strawberry lemonade flavor.  Yummy!
- I tried GU Watermelon Chomps for the first time today.  One women in the marathon group offered some to me during the halfway point of our run.  They were delicious and I didn't have any issues.  I had issues with the GU gel so I stopped eating that.  I may try these chomps since they worked out ok.

Overall, great week of running!  I can't wait until next week and I will keep you all posted.  The marathon is still on the agenda and so far all is going well!