Technically it’s a little shorter than 3 weeks, but in terms of my training calendar, we are getting down the last few weeks. My training plan actually calls these the “Endurance” phase of my plan. It’s shorter distance runs, but peppered with more speedwork than I’ve done in the earlier part of my plan. I’m a little leary about that because I can just imagine me straining something while trying to hit my workout paces, so that will be a thought in my head until race day.
Speaking of which, on my 22 mile run with my friend we discussed how getting to the start line of a marathon is a big goal within itself! Several of my friends are now out for Glass City and also the Boston marathon due to injuries. Hopefully that doesn’t happen to me or you, if you are racing soon!! Stay healthy out there!
Last week I managed to get in 49 miles. An accomplishment due to my schedule changes with Spring Break and traveling. This week I’m back to a somewhat normal schedule, but still feel like I’m trying to catch up from last week (hello 325 new emails in my inbox!!! ugh)
I did manage to run a 4 mile recovery run **with 6 x 100m strides** the day following that 22 mile run on Sunday. I believe that was the most painful run I have had in awhile! My hamstrings were so tight. Luckily I loosened up after a mile and I was a bit speedy in my strides. Not sure whose evil idea that was to mix “recovery” and “speedwork”, but sure enough I have a few more of those workouts remaining until the marathon.
The upcoming training week holds this for me:
- Monday – 10 miles (VO2 max w/ 4 x 1,200 m @ 5K pace). Done! Thrilled to report this run was NOT painful, and I did better than 5K pace for each interval! Woot!!
- Tuesday – Rest!
- Wednesday – 8 miles (VO2 max w/ 5 x 600m @ 5K pace)
- Thursday – 6 miles recovery
- Friday – 16 miles long run
- Saturday – Rest!
- Sunday – 10 miles
- Total = 50 miles
For those running the Mercy Health Glass City Marathon, there will be pace groups out on the course. You can find information about them at this link. Here are the pace groups for the full marathon: 3:15, 3:25, 3:35, 3:40, 3:55, 4:10, 4:25, 4:40 and 4:55
For me, I’ll just be trying to keep ahead of that 3:55 group, with a goal of a 3:50 finish time.
For the Owens Corning Half Marathon, pace groups will be: 1:30, 1:40, 1:50, 2:00, 2:10, 2:20
Pace groups are a very motivational way to keep on your goal pace. They will run even splits, but (sorry) not wait for you if you need to make a pitstop 🙂
*****************************************************
Q: Have you ever been a pacer for a race? Officially, or as a friend?
Q: Do you prefer to run with a pace group at a race if available, or go it alone?
Q: Do you like to do speedwork? Anyone? Anyone?? 😉
I have tried to run with pace groups, but I never can stick with them for more than a few miles. I usually fall behind and occasionally have actually sped up. That is rare though.
I used the Hanson program two years ago for a marathon and actually enjoyed SOME of the speedwork. I HATE doing ladders, but I liked the 800s.
I’m mostly too afraid to push myself at speedwork, so I sometimes get disappointed in my results. But, right now, better safe than sorry!
I’ve never run with a pace group, but I sure know the sadness of having a pace group pass me (when I need to finish before they do)! Waaa! 🙂
I would love to be an official pacer someday! I think it would be so gratifying to help people PR!
Megan @ Meg Go Run recently posted…I have no clue what to do between now and my HALF on April 23rd.
You would be a great pacer!! I can definitely see that in your running future.
Not a fan of speed work!!! I am more of a long distance cruise it kinda runner…. I hate the push feeling in speed work…… and I prefer hidden speed work in running hills than running speed work on a track!
That stinks about some runners having to back out due to injuries. I tell ya, the closer my marathon came, then more I was walking around on pins and needles!!!! Trying not to get injures and at work, praying that patients wouldn’t cough on me ……..
I don’t like running with a pace group in a large race… distracts me and sometimes I feel closed in with the group of runners that circle the pacer…… but, my friend Brandy and I pace each other at local races…. guess it is more motivating each other to push…. she has been doing speed work while I was training for the marathon without any speed work…. this saturday is my first official 5K since the marathon, I feel that my friend Brandy will leave me in the dust. Funny how speed work is so beneficial even though it stinks!!! LOL!