One of the most satisfying things to me is to look back at a week and see successful training plan execution. I have run long enough to know that sometimes life gets in the way of a training plan. And that is really okay. I make all of my training plans in pencil, should I need to change the daily mileage for any reason. Family, work, weather, injury or being simply worn plum out - these things can cause the need for flexibility. But sometimes everything comes together just as I had planned, and that feels good. It gives me confidence that I will be able to achieve whatever I am training to do.
This week was one of those successful training weeks.
Sunday, March 13 - I started the week off with a rest day. After a 62 mile week with a half-marathon and an attempted long run, I figured a rest day was in order before I tried to rev things up again.
Monday, March 14 - 8.5 early morning miles with Julia and Katie averaging a 9:52 pace. I felt good after my rest day, but my right leg was a bit sore.
Tuesday, March 15 - I ran 6.2 miles at lunch alone averaging an 8:13 pace.
Wednesday, March 16 - This was my speed work day. I met Julia at 5:15 a.m. and we did 1 warm-up mile followed by 4 x 1600 at 7:40 pace with an 800 jog in between. We followed this up with a 1.5 mile cool down.
Thursday, March 17 - Early morning run with Kristi hitting our big, mean hill right in the middle. We ran 10 miles right at 10:00 pace. That afternoon Jason and I put on our green and went to Fleet Feet to run the St. Patrick's Day Fun Run. I ran 2.1 miles at 8:18 pace.
Friday, March 18 - This is supposed to be a semi-rest day, but after sitting inside at work all day I was irritable when I got home so Jason sent me out for a quick 3 miler. I averaged 8:10 pace, sweating out all the behind-the-desk-ness.
Saturday, March 19 - Long run day with Shannon. We met in Mooresville at 7:00a.m. and ran 5 miles before the Rocket Run 10 Mile averaging 9:44 pace. I ran the Rocket Run 10 mile at an 8:29 pace and followed that up with 5 more miles with Shannon, Katie and Julia at a 10:14 pace. A GREAT day to be out, and I saw many running pals I had not seen in a while. Shannon completed her first ever 20 miler in order to get ready for her first marathon. It was great to be a part of that!
The total was 57.8 for the week and I was pleased with that (despite the slightly annoying closeness to 58).
I'd like one more week like this one before starting to taper somewhat for the April marathon coming up. It is my hope that the high mileage coupled with the weekly speed work will help me shave a few more minutes off the latest marathon PR. If not, that is okay too. I'm still sort of basking in that one.
Wow, you had a great training week! Good job on the speedwork, that's fast :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for getting me through those last 5 miles! I don't know if you noticed but I didn't talk much the last 2 or so miles, ha ha! I ran the race faster than I planned (you know-the adrenaline and then finding other girls to pass got to my competitive nature)!! So, the last couple were hard but I knew I would make it b/c you were there! So thanks a bunch!! I feel so ready now. I can't wait to see how you do! You are going to do awesome!!
I could tell you got quiet! I was hoping the conversation was good and distracting from the tiredness that usually sets in around those last miles. :) I was getting ready to be done myself! But it was such a fun day! Now that you have done these long distances you better look out...I'm going to be wanting your company on long runs in the future!
ReplyDeleteSooooo excited about the marathon coming up. You are going to do WONDERFULLY!!!
Wow, good training week. Glad to be a part of some of those runs!
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