Sunday, September 14, 2008

Marathon Training Update - Week 2

Overheard as I was limping off the course after mile 16 of the NYRR Marathon Training Run yesterday: Only in marathoning would you ever hear someone say I ONLY ran 16 miles today!

Haha! If only the training run MC knew how much she was echoing my sentiments. But that was exactly how I felt right at that moment. Now, I will not go into why I was not able to complete the full 20 miles that I had set out to do. Suffice it to say that it was a combination of not enough food, not enough sleep, some physical ailments that I’ve been trying to ignore, and a whole list of details that wouldn’t have been factors had I finished my run. Pace leading was such an adventure that I think it overwhelmed me a little bit. Still, I had fun, and it was definitely the highlight of my week. In the future, I must warn myself to prepare adequate for the responsibility, even if I am led to believe that it’s no big deal by everyone else. Live and learn.

Week #2 (9/8-9/14)

What I Planned:
Tempo Run: 8 miles with 6 miles at 6:39 min/mi pace
Marathon Pace Run: 9 miles at 7:03 min/mi pace
Long Distance Run: 20 miles at long run pace
Recovery Run: 6 miles at recovery pace
Total week 2 distance: 42 miles

What I Ran:
Tempo Run: 8.1 total miles with 6.1 miles at 6:38 min/mi pace
Marathon Pace Run: 9.25 miles at 6:57 min/mi pace
Long Distance Run: 16.38 miles at 7:26 min/mi pace
Recovery Run: 8.0 miles at 7:28 min/mi pace
Total week 2 distance: 41.7 miles; avg pace – 7:15 min/mi

How I Ran:
The week started well, with a 8 mile tempo run for which I received a passing grade by the slimmest of margins. The MPR run a couple of days later was a little tougher with a right knee twinge that made the first mile slower than usual, which caused me to run faster in the later miles than I wanted. All of the fast miles caught up to me in the LSD as I had severe cramps at mile 12 and did all I could just to finish 16. Very disappointed that I wasn’t able to carry the intended distance since I had pace-leading responsibilities on this one. My frustration, er..I mean recovery run was anything but as I ran a bit father and a bit longer than I had planned. All in all, this was a fast and furious set of runs. I’ll need to handle one more similarly tough week before the training schedule eases up a bit.

10 comments:

Run For Life said...

Cramps suck.

Your "recovery run" sounds like how I do mine sometimes. The brain just doesn't comprehend we should slow it down...or maybe the legs just don't listen.

C said...

Hope you're feeling better.

Felice Devine said...

Glad that the pace leading run was still fun and a highlight, even though it didn't go as planned. I hope that you are feeling better!

Aron said...

hope you are feeling better!! another awesome week of running on the books, even though one didn't go just as planned... great job!

joyRuN said...

If only I could run your tempo pace for a single mile....

I'm impressed, as usual!

runner26 said...

I won't tell anyone your secret. Oh wait, I might've already told someone ;)

But still, 16 miles is 16 miles. And glad I could be of some use to you on that third Cat Hill. Have yourself an easy week. Maybe that will help.

sRod said...

That's an intense week. I was going around the park on Saturday...I'm surprised I didn't see you.

nwgdc said...

Great week!
You know, regarding the comment about "only 16," perhaps that's something all of us struggle with. As we continue to run, I think we need to keep an eye on the bigger goal and not get wrapped up in numbers.
At least that's what I'm telling myself as I approach my for 50...:)

Nancy said...

Lam really is human. Sorry about the sucky run. I'm sure you will be fully ready for her next time.

Will Cooper said...

Carefull out there...don't leave all your speed on the training road....better to save for the race.

 
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