I am very encouraged by my most recent work out. It's called Yasso 800's (after famed runner Bart Yasso). In preparation for a marathon, you run 10 800 meter repeats, and your min:sec time is supposed to be an indicator of the marathon time you can run in hours:min. For example, if you run each lap in 3:00, you could run a 3 hour marathon. I did this work out on Saturday, after a 5 mile warm up run. I averaged right around 3:25 per 800. Do I think I can run a 3:25:00 marathon? Maybe - but I doubt I'll attempt to run that fast. It's great to see the level my fitness is at.
I have one more long run in my training for Philadelphia. The difference in my training this time compared to previous marathons is my pace. I have been starting my long runs at an easy pace, but then trying to increase it to around 8:00 min/mile range. That is how I plan to run the race in 3 weeks too. I figure if I start off and run the first 5 miles at a 9 minute/mile pace - it won't feel difficult at all. It will allow me to settle into a nice groove, not feel tired, and it will only mean an additional 5 minutes of time as compared to taking off at an 8 minute/mile pace. I think I can then slowly increase my speed over the next few miles to somewhere between 8:00 - 8:30, and try to maintain that for a while. I know I'll likely slow down at the end, but if I can maintain a good pace for the middle 15-18 miles, I'll be very happy.
I hope I see the benefits of my increased training intensity in the race. I know some things will be dependent on things I can't control on race day. The benefits may be evident despite a less than encouraging time. The more and more I train, the more and more I want to train - and train harder. I wonder what I could do if I really push myself. A strong showing in Philly will really further that desire.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
1,000 miles!
Today I reached (and surpassed) my goal of 1,000 miles for the year. Judging by the fact that it's only October, I've been getting in more miles than I originally thought - which is great. I am excited now to be donating twice as much per mile, and I still have time to raise some more with certain race goals - most notably, the Philly marathon.
My training has been going well. I feel strong, have been avoiding injury, and my mileage total and the pace of my runs is better than ever. Inevitably, my mind is starting to wander. If I can run an average 8:30 pace for 20 miles, then maybe in a race I could do 8:15? 8:00? What if I had trained harder? That's where I get even more ahead of myself - and the idea that once seemed so incredibly impossible, starts to enter my mind...could I qualify for Boston?
I would need to run a marathon at a 7:15/mi pace. That's lightning fast (for me). I could MAYBE run 10 miles at that pace right now, but that would be on a great day, all things going my way. I think that I can get to that point, if I keep up with my training and keep improving year over year.
At the same time, the possibility of having a slower time in Philly scares me, a lot. What if I get so tired I need to walk? What about cramps? The only time I ran a marathon shooting for a specific time, I was on pace until the cramps hit me on mile 14. That made for a long finishing 12 miles. I remember how that felt, and with all the walking, I had a lot of time to think. It's discouraging to train for so long and hard, only to not even come close to your goal. I think I could run a time in Philly similar to the goal I had that year, but will I be disappointed if I don't?
The way I look at it, is I'll set various goals - not all time based. I really want to have fun, but I am also getting the urge to push myself more and more, and really run faster. I think the faster times will come with time, so even if I improve my times by a minute or two year after year, that's something! The more I run and the more I race, the more I love it. I hope that passion doesn't fade, and getting too caught up with time oriented goals could lead to that. I'll push myself, and if things go well - great. If not, well there's always another race.
My training has been going well. I feel strong, have been avoiding injury, and my mileage total and the pace of my runs is better than ever. Inevitably, my mind is starting to wander. If I can run an average 8:30 pace for 20 miles, then maybe in a race I could do 8:15? 8:00? What if I had trained harder? That's where I get even more ahead of myself - and the idea that once seemed so incredibly impossible, starts to enter my mind...could I qualify for Boston?
I would need to run a marathon at a 7:15/mi pace. That's lightning fast (for me). I could MAYBE run 10 miles at that pace right now, but that would be on a great day, all things going my way. I think that I can get to that point, if I keep up with my training and keep improving year over year.
At the same time, the possibility of having a slower time in Philly scares me, a lot. What if I get so tired I need to walk? What about cramps? The only time I ran a marathon shooting for a specific time, I was on pace until the cramps hit me on mile 14. That made for a long finishing 12 miles. I remember how that felt, and with all the walking, I had a lot of time to think. It's discouraging to train for so long and hard, only to not even come close to your goal. I think I could run a time in Philly similar to the goal I had that year, but will I be disappointed if I don't?
The way I look at it, is I'll set various goals - not all time based. I really want to have fun, but I am also getting the urge to push myself more and more, and really run faster. I think the faster times will come with time, so even if I improve my times by a minute or two year after year, that's something! The more I run and the more I race, the more I love it. I hope that passion doesn't fade, and getting too caught up with time oriented goals could lead to that. I'll push myself, and if things go well - great. If not, well there's always another race.
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