Sunday, January 09, 2011

“training”

It is apparently 6 weeks until my next marathon, the Lost Dutchman Marathon in Apache Junction, AZ.  

apache jct 

I signed up for this race on a whim about 3-4 weeks ago, and decided not not really “train” for it in the traditional way. Instead, I just kept doing my normal runs and ramped up the mileage.

So far, I’m really enjoying this non-training schedule! I’ve been running around 40 miles per week with 17-20 mile long runs and one speed session a week. Here’s how this past week went:

Monday: rest (Yoga)
Tuesday: 8 miles @ 8:55 pace (Yoga) 
Wednesday: Fast 3 miles @ 7:30 pace with Zach (Climb)
Thursday: Easy 6 miles @ 9:30 pace
Friday: rest (Yoga)
Saturday: 6 mile trail run with Zach @ 10:24 pace (Climb)
Sunday: 17 mile long run @ 9:09 pace

Very solid week! The highlights were: 1) that short run with Zach on Wednesday where I ran super fast and felt great! 2) the trail run in Forest Park (see pics below). It snowed a little and was super muddy and fun.

The real highlights of the week were non-running-related: 1) Tuesday night’s yoga class was taught by my favorite Portland yoga instructor: Emily! 2) Spectacular climbing session on Saturday where I sent two 5.10s – one I had been struggling with and one brand new route. SO fun.

I’m going to keep this kind of a schedule for the next few weeks, and then I will taper of course. I’m making sure those kind of key training elements are present so I don’t under-train or get injured or anything. I do hope to do well in the marathon, I wouldn’t have signed up for it if I thought it would be a disaster. But I am certainly enjoying taking it very lightly. It’ll be interesting to see how it works out!

Here are a few pics from our run yesterday. Thanks so much for reading and I hope everyone is having a great 2011 so far! :)

 

FP Jan 8 11

FP3 Jan 8 11

FP2 Jan 8 11

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

sounds like your "training" as been going great! :)

Ewen said...

I think you'll do fine. You're getting in consistent mileage and 17 miles is a respectable long run. Forest Park looks perfect, but a little different to the scenery you'll be running through in Arizona!

Anonymous said...

Sounds to me it will be a great training and you are ready. Go for it and have fun......

Guy.M said...

well done on the training, your doing loads each week, you shouldn't have anything to worry about for the Marathon. I'm meant to be running everyday in January for an event called Janathon (www.janathon.com) but I have had the last six days as rest days :/

I'm working with Audiofuel we make music aimed at people that run. I'm not sure if you listen to music when you run but if your interested theres a free sample available from the site. www.audiofuel.co.uk

It's good at keeping me at a steady pace and good at keeping me motivated as well. If you do try it out I would love to know what you think of it, my e-mail is guy@audiofuel.co.uk

Thanks and good luck with the non training, training... :)

Unknown said...

Nice week of training. I'm sure you are going to do great! Enjoy the Arizona weather, too!

Alisa said...

Looks like you have it figured out. I'm sure a weekend in the sunshine will be worth whatever pain the marathon may cause =).

I am in my week of what you used to call "cookie land."

KK said...

Very fun! Sounds like a very solid week of balanced, fun training. Amen to that!

Amy said...

Good luck with the marathon! Your pics are great and so is your schedule. 2011 is treating you right my friend!