“My” marathon (CIM) is getting within tasting distance, it’s become tangible, the training cycle has gone beyond the halfway point and the final “lap” in training and tapering begins. One month to go until a big race has always been a huge mental benchmark for me. I’ve stayed healthy, fairly on track with workouts and such, and put in some good miles. I’m pretty sure I can get to the start line in good form, but of course, nothing is ever a guarantee. Months ago I said I wanted to hit a 100 mile week in prep for Cal Int. but that didn’t happen. I’m a little bummed about it, but I’m sure I’ll have another opportunity to test out that high mileage theory. I’ve stayed right around the 70mile/week mark with some quality work put in. Here’s a snap shot of October effort.
A whole new set of challenges awaits me now: NOT getting sick. Every preschool and kindergarten pickup/drop off I’m leery of all the little germies.
I still have a few workouts that are going to challenge the system- one I’ve never done before: this Sunday I’m doing 1hr 45min at easy long run pace and then cranking it up to race pace on tired legs for the last 1hr. I feel like this is going to be a great test of fitness and I honestly don’t know if I can do it. This is not the result of being negative, I just haven’t done it before and its a real challenge. I try not to count anything for certain, because so many variables play a part. If I seem like I’m defending myself, I am a little. Well meaning friends have been very encouraging and kind and even go so far as to say: “You will crush this. 2:44. Easy.” I know it’s meant to be upbeat and positive but that’s a lot of pressure to say I’ll crush my goal with such certainty. It’s come to mean such a great deal to me, and part of that is a result of just having worked so darn hard for it. It doesn’t come easy. One thing I am positive about: I’ve worked and will work as hard as I possibly can.
So I’ll just lay my goals out there: A) 2:44:30 and B)Finish and learn something to improve on. I have tried to get in the habit of making a A,B,C goals…. but this time that’s just not true.
Main difference this training cycle as opposed to the L.A. Marathon: WAY less treadmill miles (hooray!) My buildup for L.A. was hindered a bit because we had a super icy stretch of winter. My husband was also traveling a ton so I had a gym membership which was great, but I feel like the treadmill just doesn’t give me the same fitness the road can. I still had a few days running inside this time around, but I’ve had great family/friends (and school!) who have helped me watch the boys so I can run outside.
One last thing! I like to know what other athletes do for workouts so here is my favorite one I’ve done this training cycle. It’s pretty simple, I’m sure it’s been done before, but since it’s my favorite I’ll just give it some credit. I kind of suck at technology and don’t have a good watch, so I carried my phone in my pocket and used Strava to time my splits. My warm up isn’t on here, but I did a 2 mile warm up with drills and strides and then started my 13.1 miles at 6:15 pace, then a 1.5 mile cool down. I sort of blew up at the end. Regardless, I felt good about it and it gave me a boost of confidence. My real test will be not going out too fast at the start of the marathon like I did on this workout.
runningonamountaintop 