Today I planned to kick off my marathon training with a nice long run. Although I have done three pikermis in the last two months, I haven't gone more than 13.1 miles since my last marathon in March. So given that i was in decent shape for 13, I skipped over 14 and went right to 15 miles. And then I added to the difficulty factor by choosing my toughest, hilliest route; up to Palos Verdes. This route has several long hills, about 300 feet total climb. Not my normal run along the beach.
Also, this year I am doing my long runs faster. I tried the LSD approach last year, forcing myself to slow down to 9 minute pace for my long runs. Well, I didn't get the results I wanted, so this year I am going to be running comfortably, but pushing it close to MGP (8:10) for long chunks during my long runs.
It was a perfect running day, overcast, 50's. First 3 miles were flat: 8:47, 8:30, 8:14. Then the next two were mostly straight up, 9:15, 8:35. The next 5 were rolling: 8:26, 8:07, 8:09, 8:33, 8:23. I was pretty tired by this point but I had mostly downhill and flat to get home. I wanted to stay under 8:30 effort. Next two were downhill: 7:59, 7:51. Then a short break for water, and 3 miles to get home. Wanted to keep the effort up, although I was tired and the legs were heavy. But I managed to keep it going. Felt almost like race effort toward the end, that is if you are dying and just trying to survive - must not give in and slow down - like the end of my last pikermi. Last 3: 8:31, 8:19, 8:18. total time 2:06 or 8:24 pace.
I give myself a B+ on that test. Good solid effort. Long way to go to get to 26 at 8:10 pace, but I've got time and a good plan. Next time I have to remember my body glide though. Ouch!
Also, this year I am doing my long runs faster. I tried the LSD approach last year, forcing myself to slow down to 9 minute pace for my long runs. Well, I didn't get the results I wanted, so this year I am going to be running comfortably, but pushing it close to MGP (8:10) for long chunks during my long runs.
It was a perfect running day, overcast, 50's. First 3 miles were flat: 8:47, 8:30, 8:14. Then the next two were mostly straight up, 9:15, 8:35. The next 5 were rolling: 8:26, 8:07, 8:09, 8:33, 8:23. I was pretty tired by this point but I had mostly downhill and flat to get home. I wanted to stay under 8:30 effort. Next two were downhill: 7:59, 7:51. Then a short break for water, and 3 miles to get home. Wanted to keep the effort up, although I was tired and the legs were heavy. But I managed to keep it going. Felt almost like race effort toward the end, that is if you are dying and just trying to survive - must not give in and slow down - like the end of my last pikermi. Last 3: 8:31, 8:19, 8:18. total time 2:06 or 8:24 pace.
I give myself a B+ on that test. Good solid effort. Long way to go to get to 26 at 8:10 pace, but I've got time and a good plan. Next time I have to remember my body glide though. Ouch!
Yeah, I feel your pain on the Body Glide. I forgot it for my Pikermi.... I am officially kicking off my training schedule today as well, same way as last year, with the Jingle Bell Run. I will post something soon.
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