Building a base is always a critical part of marathon training, but winter training is also about building character. While my fellow Girl Scout team members in Boston have been dealing with an avalanche of snow, I’ve encountered a few wintertime training challenges of my own here in DC recently.
I ran a half marathon at the end of January that was very frigid. I felt like a toy soldier, running stiffly as I also negotiated ice patches. The next week I was rewarded with a relatively mild 35-40 degree day for my long run. I ran 2 miles by myself, 10 with the group and then 3 afterwards for 15 total. For those last three miles I just let my friend direct me where to go. We were running on the trail and needed to turn back to the start, so she told me "Take a right at the beer can." There was a cut-through to the golf course and then we ran back to our starting point. We finished with a Gatorade toast.
The next week, I wanted to shake loose some rust from my legs so I ran a 10k on Valentines Day. My plan was to run the first two as a warm up, next 3 hard and last mile all out. I wore a pink tutu to have some fun for Valentines. First mile was up a hill and felt hard-- oh my I thought. Settled in the second mile, steady for the next three and then hard the last mile. I got some company at the end and pushed it for my fastest mile.
The next day, I planned for an easy 10 miler. Not so. It was 10 degrees with a brutal wind and icy roads. I ended up walking backward at some points and managed a five mile loop. I got chilled to the bone and took an hour hibernation nap when I got back. When I woke up, I still wanted to get in the rest of my run. I went to a plan B, pool jogging. I was really nice to be warm in water.
Not sure what the weather is going to do to my training, but I'll be creative and get it done. My teammates in Boston have been running around snow banks for weeks, so I'll reach out to them for some ideas.
As the runs get longer, I am committed to moving forward as I am raising for the Girls Get Moving programs.
The Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts are going strong and so am I. My fundraising is picking up and I am so thankful. It's the support of so many that has kept me going through the years. It means so much to me to fundraise for programs to teach young girls about health and wellness. These programs do more than educate, they help instill the tools for an active lifestyle.
Thank you!
I'm honored to be running the 2015 Boston Marathon on the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts Team!
Please consider supporting me by donating online at
Any contribution would be appreciated, even $10 for my 10th Boston or $25 for my 25th marathon.
