P90X Days 1, 2, and 3....and the first long run!

Soooo, I "brought it" on Monday, yesterday, and today for my first three days of P90X.  I had flashbacks to when I first started the program back in 2007....after finishing the first round of disc 1, I distinctly remember thinking: "OMG, we have to do all those exercises AGAIN????"  Monday's workout was Chest and Back, and it really succeeds in setting the tone for the entire 90 days.  Previous to this, my home workout experience had been Billy Blanks and Jane Fonda.  Chest and Back was truly a wake-up call.  And just when I thought it couldn't get any more challenging...on comes day 2:  PLYO.  As Tony says, get your little buckets nearby. 

  

In doing such an extreme program, I've had to carefully consider how my marathon training will fit into the mix.  I've spent the past few weeks developing my running base (with less success than I wanted due to excessive indulgence in holiday treats...but the past is the past and it's time to move on).  P90X will provide me with solid all-around strength.  While I'm doing the program, I'm going to focus on building up my mileage each week.  Then, once the 90 days are up in March, it'll be the perfect time to focus on peaking for the marathon in May.

  

Each week, I've settled on some key workouts that I need to do:

• One weekly batch of sprint intervals to build speed
• One weekly long run to build endurance (adding 1 mile per week)
• Two weekend runs - mostly just to keep my running legs active, build more endurance, and hone my skills.  I'm participating in a running group at the Y to help in this area.

I've got my first long run of the program coming up today.  6 miles!  I'm definitely a little apprehensive because the 3 miles I did on Monday was no easy task.  My legs felt like Jell-O and I really pushed hard to finish the run.  However, I'm going to take a hard/easy interval approach to today's run and then go from there.  15 minutes running, 5 minutes walking...repeat.  After 3 sets of that, it should bring me to about 6 miles (@ a 10 min/mile average pace).  I'm going to play it by ear, set no expectations other than finishing 6 miles, and go from there.