Well, January was a big month. I ran 201.5 miles, a new personal record for me as far as mileage. Looks like I should definitely be able to run 2010 miles in 2010. This week is my peak week in my 4 week training cycle, and I am definitely looking forward to the light week next week (plus, it calls for some cross training, and I haven't been in the pool for 2 weeks...oops).
Monday, February 1: OFF
Tuesday, February 2: 2.5 mile warm-up; 2 mile tempo on track, start at 2 minutes per lap then cut down 2-3 seconds per lap. 4 mile run off track, should be a moderate pace, but not a hard effort; 8x400 meters, keep the first 4 at about 1:50 or so, try to do the next 4 1:45-1:48, jog 200 meters between each rep. 2.5 miles cool-down. Total Mileage—13.75 miles
Wednesday, February 3: 6 miles easy
Thursday, February 4: 9 miles easy
Friday, February 5: OFF
Saturday, February 6: 20 miles, first 5 miles easy run, middle 10 miles at marathon race pace, last 5 miles easy run.
Sunday, February 7: 8 miles easy
Weekly Mileage: 56.75 miles
Anyways, I think I'm starting to feel the effects of training. I am learning how to adapt to long track workouts that take hours, run 8 miles after having run 18 the day before, etc. It's going to make it a lot easier for me to push through a 10k than it was 2 months ago. I'm running the By George 10k on February 13, and feeling pretty confident that I can break 46 minutes this time.
I am also am just starting to get a little more tired. Not during my runs, but later in the day or the next day. It's nothing of concern; it makes perfect sense. If I get up at 5:45 and run almost 14 miles (most of them hard), I will naturally be tired later. Obviously, I know what I need to do: snack throughout the day and get more sleep when possible. Which brings me to my next point.
I knew that Groundhog's Day just happened, and while I know that he's been "right" most of the time, it doesn't really matter to me. I'm from a cold climate, so being in DC makes winter seem, almost springlike. But I am looking forward to days when the sun is up and out for longer. It's not even out for 12 hours - and I definitely work better and run better when it's daylight. But it's also the point in the semester where the work is starting to pile up; and I've actually been ahead of the game.
What's my solution? I am going to Florida in 4 weeks to visit a good friend and her family. I cannot wait. It's beyond the fact that I'll spend a week in warm weather and in the sun. It's that I can get off the plane, and have 5 year-old Henry give me a big hug, in the way that only little kids can do.
In anticipation of the snow storm we're going to get in DC on Saturday, I did my long run today. Yep, 20.5 miles! The weather was good: 30 and sunny, and no problems on the run. I went into Virginia a bit, which I hadn't done since October, so it was nice to go over the Roosevelt bridge (seen here). I went nice and slow, and just focused on the hills (elevation ranging -5 to 300 feet) and staying strong.
Tuesday, February 2: 2.5 mile warm-up; 2 mile tempo on track, start at 2 minutes per lap then cut down 2-3 seconds per lap. 4 mile run off track, should be a moderate pace, but not a hard effort; 8x400 meters, keep the first 4 at about 1:50 or so, try to do the next 4 1:45-1:48, jog 200 meters between each rep. 2.5 miles cool-down. Total Mileage—13.75 miles
Wednesday, February 3: 6 miles easy
Thursday, February 4: 9 miles easy
Friday, February 5: OFF
Saturday, February 6: 20 miles, first 5 miles easy run, middle 10 miles at marathon race pace, last 5 miles easy run.
Sunday, February 7: 8 miles easy
Weekly Mileage: 56.75 miles
Anyways, I think I'm starting to feel the effects of training. I am learning how to adapt to long track workouts that take hours, run 8 miles after having run 18 the day before, etc. It's going to make it a lot easier for me to push through a 10k than it was 2 months ago. I'm running the By George 10k on February 13, and feeling pretty confident that I can break 46 minutes this time.
I am also am just starting to get a little more tired. Not during my runs, but later in the day or the next day. It's nothing of concern; it makes perfect sense. If I get up at 5:45 and run almost 14 miles (most of them hard), I will naturally be tired later. Obviously, I know what I need to do: snack throughout the day and get more sleep when possible. Which brings me to my next point.
I knew that Groundhog's Day just happened, and while I know that he's been "right" most of the time, it doesn't really matter to me. I'm from a cold climate, so being in DC makes winter seem, almost springlike. But I am looking forward to days when the sun is up and out for longer. It's not even out for 12 hours - and I definitely work better and run better when it's daylight. But it's also the point in the semester where the work is starting to pile up; and I've actually been ahead of the game.
What's my solution? I am going to Florida in 4 weeks to visit a good friend and her family. I cannot wait. It's beyond the fact that I'll spend a week in warm weather and in the sun. It's that I can get off the plane, and have 5 year-old Henry give me a big hug, in the way that only little kids can do.
In anticipation of the snow storm we're going to get in DC on Saturday, I did my long run today. Yep, 20.5 miles! The weather was good: 30 and sunny, and no problems on the run. I went into Virginia a bit, which I hadn't done since October, so it was nice to go over the Roosevelt bridge (seen here). I went nice and slow, and just focused on the hills (elevation ranging -5 to 300 feet) and staying strong. 
Time for confession: I don't think I ate enough yesterday in preparation for today's long run. To be fair, I didn't think to switch my schedule and do my long run until about 11PM last night. But while I got through the run fine and took my 3 GUs as needed (which helped), it was not enough. I had lunch: steak and a baked potato from the cafeteria. But then an hour later, I was still ravenous! So, I grabbed another meal, yes, you read it, another steak and potato lunch to eat later, which I've already done. I still am looking forward to dinner with great gusto! 
You're smart to get in your 20 ahead of the snow. I think I did the same thing with my 18 last week--I didn't eat enough. Plus only 1 GU. It was horrible! Hoping my 20 this weekend is much better!
ReplyDeletecongrats on the new mileage PR!
Good job getting the run in. I only had to do 13 today, but was glad to get it in before the snow.
ReplyDeleteMCM Mama
You are an incredible inspiration to me! Your running prowess makes me want to get out there and run the mileage tomorrow. Unfortunately, I have a little longer to go as I build up.
ReplyDeleteDidn't someone just have a talk to you about nutrition in preparation for those long runs... hmmmm?
you are absolutely gonna kill it in Boston! i'ii make sure I get you bib # so I can track you online that day. you will have goosebumps the entire 26.2. such an incredible experience.
ReplyDelete