New Goals

I haven't posted much since Cherry Blossom this spring, and I apologize for that to those of you who keep up with this blog.  Speaking of which, I want to thank all of you for continuing to read and hope it has given a lot of good/helpful insight on your own running.  One of my favorite things about this blog is being able to get my thoughts out and to help others look at their own running in such a way.  I met a fellow at a wedding the other day who keeps up with this blog, and it was very humble to hear that my posts have helped his own running.  In terms of style of training, what works for me, may not work for you.  But, I think the patterns show what type of runner I am, and that can help someone define whether they are a similar runner and/or different.  A good friend of mine, Lucy, and I ran together last weekend, and during the run, Lucy suggested how we were similar runners in certain ways, but also have interesting differences.  For example, Lucy is a 2012 Marathon Olympic Trials qualifier, but has also run fast in the 10K, yet hasn't had a great half marathon yet.  I have done well in distances half marathon and below, but haven't had a great marathon yet.

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"Your 10K is better than your 5K, your 10 Mile is better than your 10K, and your Half Marathon is better than your 10 Mile.  It is with no doubt that as the race gets longer, you do better.  You are obviously meant for the marathon.  The 2016 Olym Trials are a realistic goal for you."
-Roland Rust, my new coach

  The past few months I have been in search for a coach.  Not that I don't know what I'm doing or am just training blindly, but I have been looking for someone to guide me, to have someone who sees the potential I have, and to work together to achieve the goals I strive for.  I have looked for someone who individualizes training based on the person(and what works for the person), rather than someone who trains everyone the same.  It has been very hard at times doing this on my own.  No question, I know how to push myself.  But having someone to give feedback and to believe in me will help me become a better athlete.  Someone to talk to, and to look at long term goals.  I believe Roland will fill this role for me very well.  We plan to take an all out assault on a fall marathon, most likely the Chicago Marathon.  It makes sense for me to go back to marathon training, and this summer Roland and I agree that 110-120/week will be ideal.  The other thing about marathon training, is that no matter what I always find that the TRAINING gets you fit as hell even if the marathon doesn't go as planned.  It always translates at some point to other distances as well.  This will benefit me greatly, and I am excited to get back to it.  It's the right time.

I have begun a new phase of my running and training.  Starting mid-May, I got my mileage up and it has climbed back up to 100/week for the past few weeks.  I feel great, actually, and physically I feel very strong.  I have been really keeping up my strength training well too.  I currently am training in Naples, Florida while on vacation.  Everytime I run here I get super fit.  The last few weeks of May I did some threshold pace running on the track, but honestly I am pretty sick of the track right now.  I've stayed away from it starting this past week.  I will get on it again at some point, but for now if I do any fast running it will be on the road or towpath.  This week is pretty much just mileage, and below are my previous 2 weeks.  I will post this Sunday 6/8 on my current week I will about to finish up.

5/19-5/25

5/19: AM: 9.5 miles
PM: 5 miles

5/20: AM: 7 miles
PM: 7.5 miles

5/21: AM: 4.5 miles
PM: Track: 6 x 1600m w/ 2:30 rests: 5:10, 5:01, 4:58, 4:59, 5:03, 4:59, 9.5 miles total

5/22: AM: 8.5 miles
PM: 6.5 miles

5/23: 11.5 miles + Strength Training

5/24: 10 miles + Strength Training

5/25: 20 miles, 2:13:00(68:00/65:00)

Total: 100 miles

5/26-6/1

5/26: AM: 10 miles
PM: Strength Training and Drills

5/27: AM: 13 miles
PM: 4 miles

5/28: Track: 2000m, 1600m, 1200m, all at 5:00 pace, +42:00 progression run, 11.5 miles total

5/29: AM: 5 miles
PM: 8.5 miles

5/30: AM: Strength Training
PM: 9.5 miles

5/31: 20 miles, 2:12:00(71:00/61:00)

6/1: 11 miles

Total: 93 miles