2011, on to 2012

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2011 totaled 3,984 miles, a weekly average of 77 miles/week.  In 2010, I totaled 3,333 miles, averaging 64 miles/week.  I am clearly jumping up in mileage, and it does correlate to my progression of faster times.  However, mileage can also be overrated.  Quality is very important.  A friend of mine brought up some interesting statistics about the country's best marathoners and Olympic Trials Qualifiers.  Below are the stats, and in addition I put my own stats in(red):

Average Weekly Miles & Long Runs of Elite vs Nat Class Marathoners

	Elite Men	Nat Class Men	Elite Women	Nat Class Women
Av Weekly Miles for Year	97.25 (77)	90.1 (77)	84.9	69.6
Highest Weekly Total	127 (130)	119.9 (130)	112.5	91.1
Longest Run	22.8 (25)	25.4 (25)	23.8	23.6
Runs of 20 or More Miles	7.7 (15)	18.7 (15)	11.9	10.0

   

The obvious difference is that my weekly mileage is a bit lower.  But all of the other stats fit pretty well.  My goal is to continue to raise that average weekly mileage to the 80s and 90s.  Of course, I will pay attention to my body and make sure not to become a mileage junkie.  I will do what works for me.  I just found these stats really interesting.

BACK TO TRAINING:

For the past 2 weeks I have cycled back into training.  7 weeks after Marine Corps my mileage was averaging about 50/week, but I was ready to go back to work the week before Christmas. 

Week 12/19-12/25: 84 Miles/Week, 20 Mile Long Run, track workout of 4x800 meters with 1 lap jog recovery in 2:23, 2:23, 2:22, 2:24.  2 medium long runs of 15 miles.

Week 12/26- 1/1: 95 Miles/Week, 23 Mile Long Run, track workout of 6x600 meters, 1x400, 1x200.  Between each 600 was a 3 minute walk/jog/rest.  Splits: 1:47, 1;45, 1:44, 1:45, 1:45, 1:47.  This was 4:40 pace(14:35 5k pace).  The 400 was 68 and the 200 was 34 to taper it off.  Conditions: dark, cold, a bit windy.  1 medium long run of 16 miles. 1 two-a-day.

My first race of 2012 is the 5000m on January 21 at the MD Indoor Track Invitational.