My Chicago Marathon/Dopey Challenge Training Plan

50th Half Marathon Medal is in sight!

Starting my Marathon Training off the BEST way!!

     I'm in love with the fact that I'm about to start my official Chicago Marathon/Dopey Challenge Training plan again.  I have been a little bit of a lost puppy since I crossed the finish line last January at Disney. I've been floating through my weekend and weekly runs with no real goal in sight. And haven't really cared either. I've had wayyyyyyyy too much fun running over the past few weekends with one of my best gal pals.....we have really narrowed down our goals, our diets and workout plans.

     My hip has been killlllllllling me so I'm definitely not complaining that I've eased up on my running a bit. Physical Therapy, a visit to the chiropractor and a massage are in my very near future. I have been scared to death to go to therapy because I just don't want to hear bad news but I'm facing my fears this week and am going. I also scheduled a spa appointment...good grief. I've got a new me in the works!

     My goal for Chicago Marathon is to finish STRONG with my girlfriends....I have ZERO plans for a finish time. We are headed to Chicago for a super fun weekend and I want ZERO running pressure. The last time I ran it, I had the clock in my brain and I vowed that I would never run that race again with finish time pressures. I want to soak in the city. I want to run a fun race.  I really {heart} Chicago and want to run strong enough but I also want to have fun with it. I have made so many fun memories in this city and I want to make so many more!

     So here we go......I'm kicking off my training plan with a Half Marathon. Tallulah Half Marathon in Sweet Home Alabama. #BOOM.

     And not just any half marathon. This will be #50 for me.  I had no idea which Half Marathon would be my 50th...but this is kinda cool. It's like a big deal that's not really a big deal. The bigger deal is in sight. Chicago Marathon AND my 5th Dopey Challenge (48.6 miles) are just ridiculously a sweet package deal. I'm excited to say the least.....so excited that I went shopping today and bought a new running skirt to train in. #PurpleSkirtForTheWin ;)

     Listed below I have mapped out my training plan as best that I can for both races...this is a 31 week commitment. I'm READY. I like having a plan but as I've said before in the years past, I definitely don't beat myself up if I miss a training run or so. I work in the gym all day/every day so some days I just cannot fit in a run. However, I've listed 45 minutes (which I'll either use for either cross training or running) to cover my butt. I teach Bootcamp, YCross, Spin, Weights class at least 12-15 hours per week so I'm trying to count at least a few of those classes towards my mileage.

     Does that even make sense???

     I hope my training plan makes sense.  I really do love running and training. I love my job. I love mixing my running/training/job all together. I could not be more thankful for the way that my hobbies and job and have come together....This training season will be my most fun yet. I've taken on a few new classes and am looking forward to my workouts/runs/trainings for the next 31 weeks.

     I am going to hold myself accountable through my training this year and update my blog weekly with my workouts/runs etc...I've never done that before consistently but this has really been tugging on my heart and I've decided to pay a little more attention to the details of my training and not just push through to the finish line.

     Thank you in advance for following along and I hope to see you all on the road, in Chicago, in Orlando or in the gym!

06/05--Week 1

45 minutes

45 minutes

3 miles

06/10--Tallulah Half 13.1 Miles

06/12--Week 2

45 minutes

45 minutes

4 miles

7 miles 

06/19--Week 3

45 minutes

45 minutes

3 miles
5 miles 

06/26---Week 4

45 minutes

45 minutes

5 miles

9 miles

                                               
07/03--Week 5
45 minutes
45 minutes
3 miles
10 miles

07/10--Week 6
45 minutes
45 minutes
3 miles
7 miles

07/17--Week 7
45 minutes
45 minutes
3 miles
12 miles

07/24--Week 8
45 minutes
45 minutes
4 miles
5.5 miles
07/29--Retro Run 5K 3.1 Miles

07/31--Week 9
45 minutes
45 minutes
3 miles
13 miles

08/07---Week 10
45 minutes
45 minutes
5 miles
10 miles

08/14--Week 11
45 minutes
45 minutes
3 miles
15 miles

08/21--Week 12
45 minutes
45 minutes
5 miles
16 miles

08/28--Week 13
45 minutes
45 minutes
6 miles
12 miles

09/04---Week 14
45 minutes
45 minutes
4 miles
18 miles
09/03 Tupelo Half Marathon (13.1)
09/04 Scottsboro Half Marathon (13.1)

09/11--Week 15
45 minutes
45 minutes
7 miles
14 miles

09/18--Week 16
45 minutes
45 minutes
8 miles
20 miles
09/23--St. Jude Walk/Run 5k 3.1 miles

09/25--Week 17
45 minutes
45 minutes
8 miles
12 miles

10/02---Week 18
45 minutes
45 minutes
5.5 miles
8 miles

10/09---Week 19
45 minutes
45 minutes
3 miles
Chicago Marathon 26.2 miles

10/16--Week 20
45 minutes
45 minutes
7 miles
15 miles

10/23--Week 21
45 minutes
45 minutes
8 miles
5 miles

10/30--Week 22
45 minutes
45 minutes
9 Miles

11/06--Week 23
45 minutes
45 minutes
3 Miles
10 Miles

11/13--Week 24
45 minutes
45 minutes
6 miles
11/18--Soldier Half 13.1 Miles
11/19--Magic City Half 13.1 Miles

11/20--Week 25
45 minutes
45 minutes
7 Miles
14 miles

11/27--Week 26
45 minutes
45 minutes
10 miles
20 miles

12/04--Week 27
45 minutes
45 minutes
6 miles
12 miles

11/11--Week 28
45 minutes
45 minutes
7 miles
14 miles

12/18--Week 29
45 minutes
45 minutes
5 miles
10 miles

12/25--Week 30
45 minutes
45 minutes
3 miles
6 miles

01/01--Week 31
45 minutes
01/4-01/8--Dopey Challenge 48.6 miles!

Happy Running and hope to see you either in the Windy City or in Sunny Florida!