The last two weeks saw a couple of great long runs with Billy and Dale: a 20- and 22-miler at 6:11 pace with the last half of each comfortably under 6:00 pace. I also had a couple of so-so workouts (3 x 2-mile and a 9-mile tempo), but decent mileage.
While my workouts haven't been anything spectacular, I can't remember a stretch of weeks where I've rolled off great long runs. None of my long runs since coming back from injury have been easy. It's a different approach to how I normally take marathon training, but given my work schedule, it's just been easier for me to build my weeks around tough, grinding Saturday long runs.
My last three weeks have been 100, 101, and 97, which makes this upcoming week good timing for a recovery week that also coincides with a bachelor party (mine) in NC over Labor Day weekend. I've had to swallow the fact that 110+ mile/weeks are behind me, but I'm doing what I can to make it work. I don't feel fast yet, which makes sense given the lack of work at or under 5:00 pace, but I'm starting to feel pretty damn strong. My hope is that this will set myself up for a solid marathon at the end of September and a good XC season in November/December.
Again, for the details, click on my Strava link to the right. It feels weird to be neglecting my running (b)log after going strong with it since 2007, but I'd be lying if I said Strava weren't a lot more convenient.
8.25.2013
8.12.2013
Update (July 19-August 11)
I'm still here, but I've obviously been bad about updating the blog. On a day-to-day basis, for the five of you that read my blog, I've been pretty good about keeping Strava updated (link to the right). I was hesitant at first, but now I have to say I'm a fan of the site.
The last few weeks have been solid (90, 93, and 100) with several good workouts and long runs, including a 20 miler at 6:09 pace last weekend that included some rolling hills with Billy and Dale. I also jumped in a half marathon, which measured a little long, but would have been 1:11:5x., which I'm pretty OK with off of no track workouts at all or much work faster than 5:15 pace. For the first time in over a year, things finally seem to be clicking again.
The new fall marathon target is Half Moon Bay on September 29. That will put me closer to the schedule of the guys who are running Chicago, but also get it done before Valerie and I get married October 5. Needless to say, I have some big weeks ahead of me, running and otherwise.
The last few weeks have been solid (90, 93, and 100) with several good workouts and long runs, including a 20 miler at 6:09 pace last weekend that included some rolling hills with Billy and Dale. I also jumped in a half marathon, which measured a little long, but would have been 1:11:5x., which I'm pretty OK with off of no track workouts at all or much work faster than 5:15 pace. For the first time in over a year, things finally seem to be clicking again.
The new fall marathon target is Half Moon Bay on September 29. That will put me closer to the schedule of the guys who are running Chicago, but also get it done before Valerie and I get married October 5. Needless to say, I have some big weeks ahead of me, running and otherwise.
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