I'm going to do the smart thing!

So, now that the weight has been lifted off my shoulders regarding dropping the 70.3 from the schedule, I look forward to January 2016 for my fourth marathon (first non-Chicago marathon).  Today, on a Tuesday, we're going to tip-toe over racing weight.

We all know (or should know, that is) that for the most part, people do not lose weight during marathon training.  After training for three marathons, I can tell you that that's totally true for me.  I didn't lose, nor gain, during 16 solid weeks of marathon training goodness.  And why?  Because this is me during OFF-SEASON:

It only gets worse when I'm running 40-50 miles a week + Yoga, swimming, and spinning.  So yeah, I eat...and not all of it is garbage, so don't get me wrong.  During my last training cycle, it was a lot of fruits and veggies, along with a good amount of beef and chicken, sometimes fish.  Pizza was there, too...often...but both Harry and I were pretty good about keeping it on the DL.

I don't know what my goal time for RnR Arizona is, to be quite honest.  I have a 3:59:56 to beat, even if it's by one second.  With that said, I do have a racing weight goal in mind.  This will require some pre-training loss.  I have about a month before the training cycle begins, so I'm going to do the smart thing for once and start working on my nutrition and weight goals early.

I read the book Racing Weight about five or six years ago.  A second edition, a quick start guide, recipes and other books have come out from Matt Fitzgerald since then (the first edition of the book slightly focuses on the success of Lance Armstrong; I can't say that's the reason for the second edition -- I just found it appropriate to point out).  I just downloaded the second edition onto my iPad (there will definitely be a book review).  The first edition was a fine read.  It really brought logic to a more lean *me* on race day.  I'm not going to lie, though:  I've never really worked on leaning out for race day before.  This will be a first for me.

 I was happy with my weight going into the 2014 Chicago Marathon, and I'm still close to that weight.  I just want to see what happens when I lean out a little more.:)  I don't have specifics to give, but this is a starting point for me, and I will certainly update as needed.

However, I am going to say this:  I am NOT going to obsess over the number on the scale.  That would be completely missing the point.  These aren't vanity pounds, and I will never preach unhealthy practices, especially when it comes to running and eating.  There is something to be said about runners and their diets, to the point that there is a ton of truth to this:

Again, my focus here is to be more efficient.  THIS is the point.

 THIS isn't the point, but it's a funny picture.:D  *BRAIN HUG*  Me, surprisingly, on rest days.  I have no idea why, but I am completely ravenous on days where I don't train.

I'm up and at 'em early today.  I need to get used to my rush-rush schedule again, as school starts up again in about three weeks.  YAAAAAAAAAAY!<3  So with that, I'm off for a shorty run.

Y'all have a gorgeous day!
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How do you prepare yourself for a tough training cycle?

Have you ever had a racing weight goal?  If so, do you think it made a difference?

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