4 weeks until London

So, I really don't know what to say about this entire cycle except for the fact that I am training A LOT.  This winter has obviously sucked weather wise, but that hasn't impacted my mileage.  I've been running more miles than ever and my long runs have been solid.  My training is very different from last Spring though when my focus was the half marathon, which makes me feel slightly disappointed in myself today for running 15 seconds slower this year at a 5 mile race compared to last.  BUT here is why and why I HAVE to be okay with it.

The past 2 months:

February 2nd-8th

Total:90

Monday- 8 

Tuesday- 4 am, 10 pm

Wednesday- 3 mile warmup, mile-800 x 3 (the last set I hit some crappy roads/footing so I just called it quits with a mile-400 on the last set.  6:04, 2:50, 5:47, 2:50, 5:56, 1:26, cool down

Thursday- 7 am, 7 pm

Friday- a.m.-4 miles, p.m-3 mile warmup, 35 min tempo, 1 cooldown, 13.75, the full miles on the tempo were 6:15, 6:18, 6:11, 6:04, 6:18, +

Saturday- 19.5, 2:16, second half was a lot faster than the first

Sunday- 7.5 and 2.5

February 9th-15th

Total-85

Monday-8

Tuesday-5 am, 9 pm

Wednesday-3.5 am, 10 pm

20 x400m on 60 second rest

Thursday-5 am, 8 pm

Friday-8

Saturday- 20, 2:15
Sunday- 8.5

February 16th-22nd

Total- 82.5

Monday-10

Tuesday-12.5, got in 2 x 1k, but conditions sucked so I pushed it to wed

Wednesday-12.5 total, 3 warm up, 10 x 1k, 90 rest, averaged 3:23.  The first was my slowest, 3:34, then I had a bunch of 3:20-21, fastest was 3:19, last couple were 3:27, 3:29.  Cool down 

Thursday- 5 am, 9 pm

Friday-am, pm total 10.5

Saturday- 5.25

Sunday-17.75 total- DH Jones 10 miler (61:02), hilly, some slush on the dirt road

February 23rd-March 1st

Total 85

Monday-5

Tuesday-5 am, 8 pm

Wednesday -10

Thurs- 3 mile warmup, 2 x 2 miles (6:12, 6:12, 6:13, 6:28), 1 x 1-6:22, 1x2- (6:09, 6:10), 1 x 1- 6:10.  Cool down.  I had to change it slightly, but I still got in 8 miles of work

Friday-8 am, 6.4 pm

Saturday-21 miles in 2:25

Sunday- 8.5 easy-ish

*All at altitude (Colorado)

March 2nd-March 8th
82 miles total
mid-week 1 mile-800m repeats
Long run workout: Saturday- 16 total (1:45)  w/ 2 x 4 miles close to MGP in the middle. I did a 3 mile recovery in between the 2 sets.  First set: 6:14, 6:17, 6:18, 6:19.  Second set: 6:03, 6:13, 6:12, 6:17. 

March 9th-15th
Taper down to 72 miles for New Bedford, which didn't really happen.  I don't know why, I was only a little off my PR pace at mile 6, but just wasn't feeling it, so I dropped out, which is the first time I did for no reason (such as puking).  This was a huge disappointment and I was upset after with myself.  HOWEVER, the positive spin, I was able to have a good training week after instead of recovering, which maybe was more important for myself given the goal is my marathon.

March 16th-22nd
90 miles
Mid-week turnover workout, fast 20 x 1 minute on with 1 minute off
Saturday- Long run, 24 miles and felt AWESOME
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/726425527


March 23rd-March 29th

83 miles
Mid-week workout: 3 x 3 miles, 3 minute rest (6:12, 6:07, 6:04-- 6:02, 5:59, 6:03-- 6:01, 6:14, 6:01)
Sunday- Delmar dash- 29:13

Okay, so boohoo I ran 15 seconds slower than last year.

Last year:
week of DD- total- 55 miles  vs. this year 83
6 x 1 mile repeat with 2 minute rest  vs. 3 x 3 mile repeats with 3 minute rest
Sure, mile repeats are faster, but there aren't as many, that's more miles, more rest for the miles and about 30 more miles on my legs for the week.

The week prior to DD last year 60 mile week vs. the week prior this year- 90 miles
Oh and wait instead of an easy17 miles for my long run the week before I did 24 in 2:43 (6:49 pace) this yr.

Also, do I need to say it was 22 degrees at the start this year and ice on the course!?  I am so over this winter as I know every other runner in this area is as well.


So 4 more weeks to go until London, the goal race.  One more week and I can start to taper, get my legs fresh and ready to go!  I would love nothing more than to have a great race in London, accomplish my goal and relax with the mileage this spring and summer.  I've been wanting to destroy my 10k PR sometime soon!