Thursday, February 4, 2010

Biggest mileage week ever, and time to go to runner's confession

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.

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!

4 comments:

  1. 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!
    congrats on the new mileage PR!

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  2. Good job getting the run in. I only had to do 13 today, but was glad to get it in before the snow.

    MCM Mama

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  3. 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.

    Didn't someone just have a talk to you about nutrition in preparation for those long runs... hmmmm?

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  4. 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.

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