I've been inspired by people with good blogs to try to make mine good as well. I don't expect to succeed, but I'm an expert at trying anyway - (post-collegiate distance runner).
I seem to only update when I've run a race. Some people are interested in what I do other that race. I foresee bored readers - but will tell you stuff. How about a training week!
Monday - a.m. 14 miles - p.m. 7 miles
Tuesday - a.m. 12 miles - p.m. 8 miles
Wednesday - 8x80sec. hills then 15 miles (total of 20 miles)
Thursday - a.m. 12 miles - p.m 6 miles
Friday - a.m. 14 miles
Saturday - 24 miles (last 4 under marathon pace)
Sunday - 13 miles
I'm pretty sure that's what I did last week. I've been told my training is way to vague. Well fine. I do not disagree - but go run a marathon and tell me how easy that is to micromanage. You have to be in shape to run for a freaking long time and be bored as crap most of the way. I'm good at being bored and being boring. Let's change the subject....
I'm going to plug for a race I just ran. I hope to make a sound argument.
So - the Chicago Marathon takes place this year on Oct. 9. The Charleston Distance Run 15 miler happened on Sept. 3. Many reputable marathon training plans recommend a half-marathon race 4-6 weeks prior to your intended marathon. The race in Charleston falls very much within that timeframe and also offers a few unique training and marathon preparation opportunities.
- A distance that is slightly longer than a half-marathon. It is my experience that more is almost always better when it comes to marathon training. You aren't going to find many races between marathon and half marathon, so 15 miles at or under marathon pace is a good plan and indicator of your fitness.
- a mostly flat course. probably half of the course is completely flat. The Chicago course is 100% flat. The last 6 miles of CDR is through a mostly crowdless, flat, boring part of town. Chicago is the same way. There are a lot of similarities, plus Chicago can get hot toward the end, so can CDR.
- The parts of the course that are not flat are SUPER hilly. This offers you the added training benefit of running up hills, working on strength and economy.
