Runner's Forum: The Official: Training Summary Start Up Thread

Did 4 miles today at marathon pace.  I was able to keep the pace in check.  I had a bowl of Grape Nuts about an hour before running, which gave me a bit of a stitch and kept me from going too fast (anything that works).  I took Fri and Sat off to give the legs a bit more rest and allowed me to move the longer run to Monday since Boston Marathon is on Mon.  Despite the two days off, the legs are still feeling a bit fatigued from last weekend.  I wasn't planning on any more speedwork until the race.....so hopefully the legs will get some mojo back over the next two weeks.

Also, I went to my two kids track and field event (grades K - 8) today .  I did not run track and field in school, nor did I really attend entire events in the past so I didn't realize how long these events last.  It took 6 1/2 hours before they each did their three events!...in a day of 40 degree weather!  I figured my shivering over this time can be logged as cross training! 

KDogg, your times are still inspirational, if not attainable, for me. I guess that goes for most of the people's times posted on here! I guess I'm the fat old slow dude for now, though I am improving.

ChiggXC, good luck this weekend. Let us know how you do. Those splits look damned impressive to me, especially with that West Texas wind!!!

Danachristine7, I too am running Chicago in October. Hope to see you at the finish, though it sounds like you are running faster than me.Good luck with the toes (never thought I'd type that)!!

 ex-k1w1, Thanks for the encouragement. I think you are right. I decided to put my foot to the distance test today, since I've already tried a little light speedwork. Today was a 10.55 miler in 1:53:42 (10:46 pace). It was slower than I hoped, but still not bad, considering I wanted to take it easy. Plus, there was a horrendous southwest wind that was blowing across me almost the entire time. I had about a half mile with the wind to my back. The rest of the time, it was 25+mph either into my face or blowing me sideways. There were times I actually had to turn my head to get a breath because the wind was blowing so hard. The good news is, no foot pain at all! I guess it wasn't broken after all! I followed it up with a great dinner and an ice bath (the first time I tried this.... is it supposed to hurt so good?!)

Stretching, resting, and maybe a bike ride tomorrow, then a 4-6 mile recovery run on Wed. Good luck on your upcoming runs, everyone! 

I feel the need to brag on a friend of mine, Haron Lagat, for a minute. He placed 3rd in the Carlsbad 5k in Cali. this past weekend behind some VERY fast runners, and he was only 2s behind 1st. His time you ask? 13:36!!! (and yes that is for 5k). I chatted with him a little on today's run and he said they went out "way to slow" the first mile in 4:28 because everyone was waiting for Allen Webb to make his move. Then he took over because no one else would and hit the next mile in 4:22, and the third mile probably close to 4:16. I think he was actually a little dissapointed in his time! He is probably the only person I will ever meet that could ever be mad that Allen Webb held the pace back and screwed up his time.

Oh and I'm going to have to race him this weekend in the 1500. Well I wouldn't say race, more like start at the same time and go the same distance. But i'll try to keep him within 100m. ;)

It's chilly today; 38 degrees with a "real feel" of 31 degrees.  I ran 4 miles outside today in 35:52.  Definitely not close to any of my better 4 mile times.  I felt sluggish and the 25mph wind gusts at my face certainly didn't help. When I turned around and headed home the thing that kept me going was that I wanted to plug my numbers into my training chart.  Plus...I don't like starting something and not finishing.  It's a life motto thing. 

DrKonijn- I'm just curious, what was your 11 mile time...you know, the one where you say you run the wrong way?   

7:24s aren't bad, most runners would be proud to run that pace. Good luck tomorrow in the wind and rain (I'm definitely not looking forward to it)

As for my training, I ran an easy ten miles on the trails. I kinda destroyed my (kinda) new white shoes, oh well they are running shoes they are meant to be muddy.

I've got an easy five miles tomorrow and some strides and then a fast 10k this Friday night. I'm pumped

Go runners!  I plugged on today with 6 * 400m repeats with 200m rests.  Again, untimed and only nominally 400m but the effort level was definitely high (85 - 90%).

May have a couple of easy days before a 10k road race on Sunday.

The unpredictable weather continues. Yesterday was rain and thunderstorms, today was a dust storm with 43mhp winds and gusts that could blow you off your feet. It was an unhappy 8 miles...

Whoever watches the wind will not plant;
whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. Ecclesiastes 11:4

It's amazing what a little rain and threat of thunderstorms can do to a popular running route. I only encountered about 5 other runners( all going the opposite direction of course) as opposed to the hundreds. It barely even so much as sprinkled the whole time I was out there. I was able to do better than Tuesday but only about 4 seconds over all. It might have gone better if I didn't start out too fast. I was at about 6:43 after 3 miles. Between 3-6 I kind of faded off into la-la land and slowed down. Note to self daydream about things that are faster. Fighting through the last mile I decided that, best time or not, the difference between smashing my previous time was whether I was willing to hold the lead I had on Tuesday's shadow rather than a close finish.

SimmoT - you're still safe - did 10k today which took me little over an hour! Not super fast but a comfortable run, I felt like I could call it an easy 10k which is awesome - very happy, I really enjoyed it!

There were some beastly hills (North Van is super hilly) but it still felt comfy. I partly enjoyed it so much as the evening sun was glorious - and surrounded my snowcapped mountains and twinkly blue ocean - well the views are just gorgeous wherever you look. I LOVE running out here! 

I'm back!!!!!! Literally and figuratively.  Hurt my back doing basically nothing about a month ago,  I guess it was 2/9, b/c that was my last post. I have been very cautious with it up to now,  and just started up again.  Had a good one this morning,  ran sub 36 for my 3.6 mile,  felt great to be back out there again and running.  Great to be back everyone.

After a couple too many nights out on the turps did a 21km run at 30seconds over marathon pace. Probably should have done the middle section at marathon pace ... but I'll save that for next week.... good times gfinkelde...

Yeah, yay, only 26 weeks to go.  That seems a long way out to start a marathon training program.  Having said that, after I start running again next week (my achilles finally came back and bit me after not really looking after it properly), I'll be building up my milage again ready to do a 15 week marathon build up.  That'll give me 10 weeks to get my legs properly conditioned for a marathon program, so no speed work between now and then, just milage and hills!

Run on!

Afternoon all.

ex-k1w1 - I hope that heel is just a niggle.  Good luck with the training. 

I didn't post yesterday morning after my run as I was engrossed in the London marathon.  The men's race was brilliant.  Three of them running 2:05!  I'm really happy for our Dan Robinson running 2:11 and giving Olympic champ Baldini a run for his money.  Martin Lel is simply ridiculous and his sprint finish was mind boggling.  Also, the American lad Ryan Hall ran his heart out and I reckon he's just going to get faster.  

Before all that I made sure I got up and ran.  I did a steady 12k off road.  I'm trying to save pounding on the roads til Sunday.  My legs feel a bit heavy today.  In store this week:  5k tomorrow at MP, off Wednesday, Thursday speed work and 5k jog on Friday, Sat off,  Sunday Zurich marathon!  

Happy running all.     

Had our home meet this weekend, ran the 1500m and 5k plus a little 15min shakeout run Sat morning. My times for both races were mediocre at best for me.

The 1500m (3:59) was first; I was in the fast heat with 7 good kenyans and a few others. I was in decent position the first lap but when I lost contact with the pack I slowed and got way off my goal pace. Looking back I would have rather tried to hang with the Kenyans and die the last lap intead of letting them go.

The 5k was 2 hours after the 1500 and it didn't go much better. I wanted to hit 15:00 but I knew it would be hard. I went out on pace in 4:47 and it felt easy but I knew what was coming; the 1500 caught up with me and I hit 5:12 and 5:10 for a 15:45. I was just tired and lost motivation. Again there was a group of Kenyans way ahead and no one to run with. 

Dan - My next race is the Boston Marathon.  It is on Monday 4/21.  Early weather forecast shows great weather (45 - 55 degrees) with partly cloudy skies.   I hope that holds true.

 Did 4 miles on Sun and 8 miles today.  Everything seems to be going OK.  I attended several parties over the weekend and am traveling this week seeing relatives during our kids spring break.  Going to take it easy and try to lay off the bad food.

chiggyxc - I reckon I would just walk away if I saw 7 fast looking Kenyans lining up against me.

Welcome Aldiara88. I am sure you have it in you to run. Just take it bit by bit.

westconn - you must be getting nervous now..! What is your goal time for Boston?