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Monday, August 1, 2011

Training update 7/31/2011 -64 miles

The heat and humidity don't leave me alone.  It's very sticky, and my lungs and heart just can't pump enough oxygen and blood to run my workouts as fast as I would like.  My race in Berlin is either going to be very good or a total disaster.  I feel very strong, but it's impossible to predict how fast I will go there.  I have 8 more weeks to go, and I am running lots of miles (in this heat).  Indeed, I logged 64 miles last week which is the highest weekly mileage of my life.  My legs feel great, my knee is not sore anymore, and I am eating a lot of ice cream and creme brulee to make up for all the calories that I burn in the workouts. I am not putting a limit on my weekly mileage this time (as I used to do).  Yet I am being very careful about my training loads, my nutrition, and  my hydration. If I want to run a sub 3 hour marathon, I need more than fast legs. I need to train with intelligence and passion. I need to believe that I can do it! 

A sub 3 hr marathon, I believe, is a true test of physical and mental endurance.  It doesn't matter how hard you train every day if your mind is not ready to take up on the challenge. I am super exited about running the fastest marathon course in the planet. In every single workout, I visualize myself running through the Brandenburg Gate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandenburg_Gate), seeing the finish line for the first time, and picking up the pace to end three seasons of fantastic running. 

As mentioned before, I did 64 miles last week (3 quality workouts, 4 easy days, and no double sessions).

Mo- speed workout. 5x800 mts (400 mts recovery).  7.5 miles total.  I ran 3:07 average, not bad but slower than I wanted.  I felt good.
Tu- 8 miles, easy running.  Good run, legs fine, not feeling the effects of the 800s.
Wed- Tempo run. 1x20 mins; 1x15 mins; 10 mins recovery. 9 miles total.  The 20 min tempo was good, legs had good turnover.  I was supposed to do another 20 mins, but only did 15 mins, it was too hot and humid.
Th- 7 miles. Easy run. Not a very good one.  Legs were tired from the tempo.  Took it as easy as possible.
Fr- 6.25 miles, easy running.
Sat- 17 miles.  I did 14 miles outside, very slow (high 8's). It was 80F, 98% humidity when I left my place and it only got worse... needless to say that I didn't have any fun.  So I finish the run on the treadmill.
Sun- 6 miles, easy running.  Legs felt great, no effects after the long run.

I will travel this week so I may need to make some adjustments. The plan is to do 60 miles and have Sanday off, yeeeah!

Cheers






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