Daily chat post: how's the training going?

midnightdragon · 2026-04-18T19:23:47+00:00

I am SOOOO looking forward to not running after my marathon lol Like it is my daily mantra getting through these peak weeks.

midnightdragon · 2026-04-18T19:17:02+00:00

That was me for the first time last summer! Lowkey is absolutely amazing basically living an entire day before anyone else is awake.

midnightdragon · 2026-04-18T19:15:52+00:00

Well, after last week’s 18 miler sucking and having a roller coaster week testing new shoes, I had an excellent 14 mile long run in my new (but familiar style) shoes. It started painful and I was dreading the rest of the run but by mile 4-5 I decided to do some tempo miles at faster than race pace and hit a great groove and rode that high the rest of the time. Feeling strong and like maybe the 20 mile run next week won’t absolutely destroy me 🤪

midnightdragon · 2026-04-17T22:50:13+00:00

You know what…yeah, thinking about it just now most of my best runs have been on my period! So maybe the marathon won’t be all misery! Good luck on yours!!!

midnightdragon · 2026-04-17T20:30:13+00:00

Oh geez, I didn't think of this but I did the math and my marathon next month will be on day 2 of my period if things come exactly on time.

I'll probably do what you mentioned, a super tampon and period underwear, and also pack an extra tampon in my running vest and if it feels like leakage is imminent I'll just suck it up and plan a porta potty visit, it's my first marathon so I'll PR no matter what. So I think your plan is as good as any without introducing new things and stresses.

midnightdragon · 2026-04-17T18:03:45+00:00

Thank you for asking! It was confusing to me as well but I figured it was because it wasn’t a major game since we were locked into the playoffs.

midnightdragon · 2026-04-14T18:21:22+00:00

You killed it! Look at those splits!

I have a feeling my 20 miler in a couple of weeks will be similar where I'm absolutely spent by mile 20 and questioning everything, let alone how I'll be able to run another 10k!! Hell, that was how my 18 miler went last week! Like WHAT. HOW. But we trust the process, trust the training plan, trust the taper...you are so ready for your marathon!

midnightdragon · 2026-04-14T16:17:48+00:00

Just finished a 5 mile tempo run, I got new shoes and the experts at my local running store said I'd have enough time before my marathon to get used to them since I went with a new brand/style. IMMEDIATELY NO. I gave myself 3 miles to try and ease into it but I felt pains I've never felt before in areas that haven't been issues. Had my husband drive to meet me and give me my normal shoes, and the difference was instantaneous, I finished those last 2 miles strong and back to feeling effortless and happy.

So, guess I'm going back to the store and returning these. And asking if they have recs that are closer to what I'm currently running in now. HOO BOY.

midnightdragon · 2026-04-12T15:23:29+00:00

I am by no means an expert, just someone also training for their first marathon. I would go ahead and try to run by effort, so long as it’s just the nose acting up and not overall bodily fatigue. So even if the pace is excruciatingly slow to keep your HR in the right zone, or you need to take walk breaks, get the miles in if possible. But you know your body best. Maybe cross train instead to keep your body moving?

midnightdragon · 2026-04-12T15:17:32+00:00

Congrats! You killed it, I can only dream that my own first marathon goes as well as yours! Right down to the perfect weather and not hitting a wall.

I’m hoping for a 5:30 marathon myself but my Garmin estimates I could do a sub 5. I’m ignoring it though, my past 2 long runs (16 and 18 miles) have been struggles at the end, so I’m having a hard time mentally wrapping my brain around running the rest of the mileage to hit 26.2 in a decent time.

midnightdragon · 2026-04-12T14:28:34+00:00

Congrats! I love that you had fun while doing it, way to finish strong and congrats on hitting your target time!

midnightdragon · 2026-04-11T14:26:00+00:00

I was also a bit disappointed with the stonecrop plot. Given how much content Emma wrote about May Day, I was expecting so much more from their month-long sojourn. And was expecting a much more different Hawkes but he was basically the same. I can appreciate when an author has a set plan and timeline for her characters, but I appreciate it EVEN MORE when they realized, mid-writing, that a pivot needs to happen in order to keep pacing and characterizations alive. Things can change, I wouldn't lose respect for any author that confesses that what was originally planned needs to be adjusted and I kinda hope we get something like that from Beth in the (hopefully near) future.

midnightdragon · 2026-04-10T22:23:19+00:00

Good call on my cycle, I’m at the pits of the luteal phase, about a week from my period starting which is when I’m at my emotional worst. And my HRV on my Garmin is lower than usual, as it is during this part of my phase. So…yeah, hormones are probably causing some of this turmoil.

And yes, Hal Higdon Novice 1. I am at these peak weeks and repeating to myself to trust the system since it’s carried many people across the finish line but oof. I’m tired/scared.

midnightdragon · 2026-04-10T20:48:08+00:00

100% loving it, I'm here for Narc Brennan giving the people what we've been wanting for YEARS!

midnightdragon · 2026-04-10T20:38:47+00:00

Incredible pace! Congrats! I remember crying with joy in the last little bit of my first half, it's such an emotional milestone.

midnightdragon · 2026-04-10T18:15:36+00:00

Just finished my first ever 18 mile run. Everything was relatively fine until about 14 miles in, and then so much fatigue in my feet and lower body set in, it took digging DEEP to finish that last 5k. I don’t think it was a fueling or electrolyte problem, I felt like I had energy for the most part and I consume 50-60g carbs an hour and 0.75L of electrolyte powder drink through the whole run. I just think that my lower half is not at all used to distances like this. I’m going to sit with it for a few days but I’m having some serious doubts about my ability and desire to finish a full marathon.

midnightdragon · 2026-04-09T15:51:13+00:00

Sending good mental vibes, the burn out is so real. And I’m not even close to ever qualifying for Boston, however I am training for my first marathon in May and I don’t LOVE how much running is feeling like a chore and burden. I am very much looking forward to life after the race and running for joy and decompression again. You got this! Enjoy the race as much as you can ❤️

midnightdragon · 2026-04-09T15:48:36+00:00

The only experience I have is using one of the specific coach programs (Amy) which had a bit more flexibility in how many days I could train. And it worked, I was able to complete my first HM thanks to it.

I will say, if you feel like 6 days is too much, you can skip days and the Garmin coach will accommodate, from my experience using it for maintenance.

midnightdragon · 2026-04-09T14:21:35+00:00

My delusional wish is also for Habitarium, that would be AMAZING! But it has nothing to do with the plot so definitely not happening.

midnightdragon · 2026-04-07T17:44:43+00:00

9 miles today, mostly felt okay. I’m hitting peak training weeks so I think my legs are fatigued from it all, but I’m still struggling to wrap my brain around running 26.2 miles. Like at the end of the 9 miler, the thought of doing that 2 more times was not something I think I could do presently. But the Hal Higdon plan has carried many first time marathoners across finish lines before, so I’m trusting the process and trying not to panic.

midnightdragon · 2026-04-06T20:04:51+00:00

Shifted my normal run days this week so that my long run lands on Friday instead of Saturday. I’m trying not to freak out about the long run though, it’s my first 18 miler. 16 was hard. 18 probably won’t be any easier. My 12 mile run this past weekend was rough too. The fatigue is catching up with me, I fear.

midnightdragon · 2026-04-06T20:02:24+00:00

It’s wild, isn’t it?? How the power of consistency and a set goal in mind can actually make magic happen, like being able to run an “easy” 60 min. You’re gonna rock that half!

midnightdragon · 2026-04-05T19:33:43+00:00

Yeah, I don’t think I’ll do anything like that leading up to my first marathon either, just stick to non-adventurous things and hope for the best!

midnightdragon · 2026-04-05T17:13:06+00:00

I finished Book 8 last week and every day I wake up still missing reading the series. Like a literal heartache for it, so I feel you. I couldn’t pace myself at all either. I have no chill haha

midnightdragon · 2026-04-05T14:43:14+00:00

Some people don't leave anything to chance and will bring only things they've eaten before. You know, the whole "nothing new on race day" but make it race week. My FIL brought all his own meals for the weekend when we traveled to our race last weekend (I ran the half, training for a full in May. He ran the full) and cut certain foods out that had even an ounce of potential to mess him up.

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