10k Training Week One

I have now entered a new training cycle that will focus on lowering my 10k time. For the next 7 weeks I am going to lower my overall mileage and increase my overall intensity. Last night I did the first workout of the cycle. Monday Track WO 1.5 mile warm up 18x200m @ under 6:02 pace followed by jog 200m no stopping 1.2 mile cool down. It looks easier than it is. 7 miles total Tuesday REST Yoga Wednesday - Focus on watching calorie intake this week. I would like to get back to a racing weight of 149 pounds by the end of june. Lower mileage week higher intensity. 10k w / striders 2 mile wo 6.2 7:18 pace. 2nd and 3rd mile in 7:01 and 6:48 just did me in and I slowed in the hills on mile four to 7:48 and for the last 2 I ran in the 7:20s and 7:30s.. Its amazing how well you can run when rested and just how shitty you can run when you are strung out and tired. I like to train in this state of chronic fatigue.. Feeling like crap I guess its to be expected this week. Racing on Saturday, Track Wo on Monday and trying to lay it down on Wednesday.. Nope But, I need to train like this this summer. I need to figure out how to adapt to this type of intensity. Week one. Long Run of 15 on Saturday, maybe a shakeout friday. We will see.. This is going to be a really hard training cycle. Im a puss. I need to fix that. Thursday took a 5 mile walk with a baby on my back... That is enough cross training for me eeeeeek Friday - Rest Saturday 18 miles first 11 in about 8:30 pace.. Nice and easy. Hot monster of a day around 90 degrees. The last 7 miles turned into a walk run.. Absolutely brutal. No shame in walking when its 90 degrees. I had a salt crust on my face. What a end to an intense week.

Summer Plans

I can't take more than 1 day off before I start to feel a little anxious. On Saturday I tested my fitness and found out where and what I need to work on in the coming months. For the next 7 weeks leading up to the Reeds Lake 10k, I am going to be working on my 10k speed and build a stronger faster me in the process. I have put the goal of cracking 40 minutes as my goal for the summer. July, August and September will be dedicated to building up the mileage that I need to run a strong marathon in October. For the next 7 weeks leading up to July I am going to cut back on the mileage a little bit and add more intensity to my training. We will see how that goes. I feel that my Riverbank build up has given me a nice base to work from. I have a feeling that adding 7 weeks of track workouts to my weekly training will do me some good. I have to be careful to monitor my aches and pains from my RB training, focusing more on flexibility as my leg turnover increases. Its been a long time since I tried to seriously run on the track, I look forward to the challenges ahead of me.

10k Results

41:33 First 5k 19:55 Ran too fast first 2 miles Paid for it in the hills Happy But not thrilled.

The Taper Capers Continue

I am ready to run I am ready to run I am ready to run I am ready to run I am ready to run

Taperitis

I am 6 days into my taper and I feel like I want to die. Every ache and pain that I have worked out since February has returned, my energy levels are down, my doubt and worry levels are high.. I think I have taperitis. I am sure the phantom pains, energy levels and lack to confidence is just from making such a drastic reduction in my training and eating. I am glad to realize that taperitis is real so I can prepare for this properly later during my Chicago marathon build up. I have been looking through my training logs and feel super confident in my ability to knock out a decent 25k, but am seriously contemplating dropping down to the 10k and blasting out a super fast time. For me, training for an early spring race is not about the race but about working through the winter and building a strong base for the rest of the season. I have run so many miles so far this year and feel like I am in a great place for the rest of the year. Dropping down to the 10k might allow me to run a Post 35 year old Douglas PR and help me gain some needed confidence for my up coming summer and fall goals. I have until Friday to decide, but I am leaning towards the 10k.

The Taper Capers

I am officially taking it easy. I have T minus 11 days and counting until Riverbank and I am feeling great. Last week I strung together some of the best running I have done in years. I feel light, focused and confident that I have done the work needed to run a good time on the 12th. For the next couple of days I am going to do a couple of moderately difficult workouts and then cut back my mileage and just focus on keeping my intensity the same. I am also going to cut back on my carbohydrate intake until 3 days before RB and then pack in the carbs to fill up the glycogen reserves. Lots of protein and veggies rest and hydration for the next 11 days. Its exciting to get here. I am ready to go. Time prediction for RB? Shooting to run consecutive 7:04 miles for as long as I can. Judging by the last few runs of my training cycle I should be able to do this.

Taper...

I have been running 37 - 55 miles a week for the past 4 months. I have taken off a few days here and there, but for most of the time I have been running. Running at times can be brutal on your body. The day after a speed workout feels like you were beaten to a pulp in a prize fight on the previous evening. 75 percent of the way through a 19 mile long run in 80 plus degree weather makes you question your sanity, your choice of a hobby, and your whole philosophy on life. As will most things in life the idea that all things do eventually come to an end is true. This end comes after hundreds of miles of training, hours of early morning sleep lost, pain, doubt, fear, excitement and a few sweet and simple moments of personal victories. I have reached the end of the pain / work part of this cycle, and am just one run away from rewarding myself with the greatest gift of all.. The Taper. I will be taking Sunday and Monday completely off and then cutting my mileage for the next 11 days in half but keeping my self sharp with the intensity of my runs.. I am so excited to get to this place.