I can't believe how fast this training program is going by, 7 weeks till Chicago! I had a look at the schedule last night, we only have a few more long runs left, plus a race and a rest week and then taper. I am excited, not nervous yet ...
We had mile repeats on Tuesday night at the park. Each mile is run 1 min to 30 seconds faster than your marathon pace (10 min 30 sec). Then a 2 min 30 sec rest, repeat 4 times. By October we will be doing 8 repeats!
The heat and humidity returned this week, unfortunately. I was beginning to feel like an actually runner last week when I could breath. After a warm up we start our repeats. I monitored my time every 1/4 mile to make sure I was on target. On the first repeat, I am on the money, and picked up the pace a little on the last quarter. The second was my best, it felt great, but the third was tough, the last 100m was really hard the heat was getting to me. The odd ones finish at the far end of the park, so my water was back at the start ... and no water belt. The fourth I didn't care too much about the time, I really just wanted to get back to my gatorade as quickly as possible with puking or passing out. It's funny how pushing yourself just a few seconds per mile can exhaust you. All the way back on the last one I kept thinking how much I prefer long runs, speedwork really kicks my butt!
repeat 1 = 9.43
repeat 2 = 9.31
repeat 3 = 9.47
repeat 4 = 9.58
Had a good stretch on the grass afterwards while the mosquitoes feasted on me. I got home, showered watched Big Brother 6 then went to bed.
Alarm goes off at 6.30am, I am meeting D at 7am to run 4 miles. I dragged my very exhausted butt out of bed, get dressed and head out for another run.
The weather was awesome, cool and clear. D had pneumonia, so this is his first run in 10 days. He did great, we stopped a couple of times for a drink and walked, but overall it was a good run. I think he thought I was being supportive and running at his pace ... I was and wouldn't have pushed him on his first day back ... but, secretly, my legs were thanking me for taking it easy on them this morning.
Looking forward to 35 hours of not running!
great job on the repeats, ali!
i've got mile repeats on the schedule for tonight, too. it's been a while since i've done intervals and speedwork, so it'll be interesting.
enjoy your 'rest'!
wow, you're like a for REAL runner n'stuff... mile repeats?! sounds way more intense than what i'm doing!!!! and since i'm not doing 'em...they sound like fun! (in a really horrible i hope i never have a training schedule that makes me do that kind of a way!!)
i dunno if its the weather or just "that time" in the training, but we all seem to be running really well this week. its awesome.
good job!