Marathon Training: Week Four and March Numbers

I have been seeing so many pictures of Easter egg hunts, candy, yummy food and family gatherings so it looks like everyone had a great Easter. The weekend passed way to quickly for me since I had to work a full five day week. My Easter was great but I am saving that for another post. I am happy to add another week of training in the books and I survived my 2o miler run! I had a good week and I am looking forward to a little less miles next week to give my legs a little break.

 

Week 4 in Summary

Run #1: 6.50 Miles @9:26 (on the dreadmill). I decided to do this run onto the dreadmill just in case my back was not cooperating and I had to stop. The plan was to hop on the elliptical or do some other form of cardio if running was not in the cards. I started at a 10:00 pace and gradually took myself up to a 9:18 pace and kept it right there. I had no pain while running and no pain the following day. What a relief.

Run #2: 7.13 Miles @8:24 . I did push it a little here and wanted to get 7 miles in within a hour since I am usually limited to 60 minute workouts during the week. I started slow and then just kept picking it up until I was at an 8:00 pace. The last two miles were at an 8:00 pace and I did not die so that was encouraging !

Run #3: 20 Miles@ 9:15. Yes, it happened but it was not as great as I was hoping it would be. I am going to map out a flatter course for the next big run because I was really tired at the end. I had a couple of big hills in and when I hit the last hill at miles 16-18 I was pretty beat. It was a little windy for the first few miles so I think that had something to do with me feeling tired as well.

I think I forgot what 20 miles felt like and I really need to be able to run this distance feeling a little more confident in the end. I also started to feel a little discomfort in my back around mile 18 so instead of picking it up in the end, I had to slow it down. My back is feeling fine today but I am still icing and keeping a close eye on it.

My long run for next week is only 14 miles so the Hollywood Half Marathon will be substituted for this run. At least I will get a medal for my long run this week, right? This run should be long and steady with an easy pace so hopefully I can be obedient and not push myself too hard. I know it is going to be hard not to race it but I am going to try my best.

TOTAL MILES:33.50

March was the best month that I have had so far this year with 122 miles in the books! 

  

 Do you plan races into your training?  

 Do you race them or do you follow your training paces? 

 I usually run a half marathon a month or so before a marathon but I run them at race pace just to see where I am at.