My journey to the 2024 Chicago Marathon has begun and I'm bringing you with me.
I've just wrapped up week three of training (see next post on how I went out with a bang)!
I entered the lotteries for Chicago and Berlin back in 2022, and got into both! Having already completed Chicago twice, I decided to do Berlin in 2023 and go on a European adventure and defer Chicago for 2024, so I've known I'd be running this race this year for 1.5 years.
Chicago has a special place in my heart because it's where I PR'd in the distance in 2019. Unfortunately, the next closest time I've had since then was NYC 2021. In my mind, I'm due for a PR or at least a really solid race. Sub-4 or bust baby!
As I shared on this Instagram post, I've been positively anticipating this training cycle for a while. Perhaps because I've had a lot of downs this year and running is my constant through it all, or that I'm working with a new coach, Doug Guthrie of GU3 Training, or I had a great off-season and am feeling strong.
The biggest challenge I'll face is bonking on long runs. I don't want to speculate as I'm not a doctor or expert in anything of the like, but I have had COVID multiple times and my long runs started going downhill ever since I got it the first time. One might assume long COVID, though I did get an EKG a year ago and the doctor said I was fine.
This little obstacle is what has been giving me a run for my money for three marathons in a row. I'm hoping that I can get heat acclimated quickly and start to work through what's blocking successful long runs - is it mental? is it my body? is it actually long COVID and this is just my life now? Time will tell.
The key things I'm doing different for marathon #6:
New coach who has a different approach than I'm used to
Focusing heavily on recovery, especially sleep
Not getting caught up in workouts that don't go well - we move on
Eating all of the yummy foods - my training volume is going to be higher than ever before and I want to make sure I reduce my chances of developing RED-S
Running with people who are faster than me on non-easy days so I'm challenged and pushing myself
Leaning into the 80/20 approach and embracing run slow to run fast
So far, I'm feeling pretty strong and confident and am starting to see progress. I'll feel even better once I can lock in the long runs.
Are you training for anything right now? Drop your race and goal in the comments!
XO,
Lynette
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