And the last few days I've had trouble getting out there to run. On Monday I was going to run 10 miles, but got stuck at the office and delayed too long and lost my sunlight. Again on Tuesday I was going to do the 10 miler and I did a repeat of Monday. Which left me to today, but now I was getting close to the Napa Valley Marathon this weekend, so I wasn't sure how much I should run. I decided on 7 miles, but while I was running I was feeling good so I decided to do 8. I was finally able to get out there and it sure felt great, whether the three day break had anything to do with it I don't know.
I decided to maintain an 8:30 pace, the pace I felt I would try at Napa this weekend. I was amazed to feel as comfortable at this pace as I did. I never felt winded and my legs felt great.
8:35
8:09
8:32
8:23
8:30
At this point I was already feeling completely confident with this pace, a pace that now comes very easily, so I sped it up, and it wasn't until mile 6 that I started feeling a little winded as I pushed it harder.
8:09
8:06
8:04
I shot for and was happy to find that I was able to make each successive mile faster. I couldn't have asked for a better training run.
But then I realized I was close to breaking 100 miles for the month, something I've only done one other time before, so why not shoot for it? So when I went into the gym after the training run and I logged in another 3 miles, which put me at 97. Now I know I wasn't originally going to do any running from Thursday to Saturday before the marathon, but what could running another 3 hurt? So tomorrow's plan is to run another 3 at marathon pace tomorrow and come in at a 100 miles.
The year is starting off pretty amazing.
3 comments:
Hi Brian
It sounds like you are making some great progress! And getting really fast in the process.
Best of luck to you in Napa this weekend and I am looking forward to your post race report. I don't want to jinx you, but it sounds like there might be a PR in your near future.
Awesome pace!! I'm so jealous. I would love to be in Napa this weekend, even if not running, but doing the marathon would be cool. Best of luck!! :D
Thanks Bill, as always your words of encouragment do much in helping buoy the strange nervous doubts that I seem to get before each marathon.
Nancy, yes Napa will be great this weekend. High 60s to mid 70s with the yellow mustard flowers in full bloom. Should be a great run straight through the center of that valley from Calistoga to Napa. I've always loved visiting there, so I know I will love running there.
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