Daily Total: 9 miles; Weekly Total: 35 miles; Per Mile Pace: 8:40; Days Until Marathon: 13
On a bike ride with my boyfriend some years ago, I shouted in frustration at his audaciously riding through a yellow, almost red stoplight, during rush hour in a busy intersection. In typical righteous girlfriend fashion, I seized the opportunity to categorize this instance into an overly generalized commentary on his reckless behavior when it comes to "adventure" sports, demanding to know "why do you always push it to the edge?" We both laughed at the melodramatic phrasing of my question, although he admittedly thinks that sometimes he's been cast in the real world version of Point Break, Diehard, or some other virility-themed, action blockbuster.
That question came to mind today when I was forwarded the following article by no one else but his thoughtful mother:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130731888&sc=fb&cc=fp
The existence of such science alludes to the fact that we all have a physical limit, despite any training that prepares one for mental nirvana. I often wonder about my physique and heredity, and if these will ever halt me from a particular physical goal. Pushing it to the edge may offer a thrill, but at what cost?
Showing posts with label Boston marathon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Boston marathon. Show all posts
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Day 37 - Halfway Point
Daily Total: 8 miles; Weekly Total: 40 miles; Per Mile Pace: 9:20; Days Until Marathon: 46
It's amazing how the training schedule flies by - when you're having such fun ;) - and already the first of two 20 mile runs has arrived. For the next four weeks I will be covering 200 miles, averaging 40-45 miles per week. (I should really purchase a new pair of running shoes just for the next month alone.) Then I begin to taper off my weekly total until race day rolls around.
The good news is that I'm feeling stronger on each consecutive run. Although I have not made significant improvements in my per mile pace, I feel that the power is there, looming beneath the surface. It isn't time, at least not yet, to force myself to my goal pace (8:25). Cross-training with biking and lifting weights is definitely helping to build muscle strength and endurance. Hopefully we'll see more payoff this Friday on my 20 mile run.
It's amazing how the training schedule flies by - when you're having such fun ;) - and already the first of two 20 mile runs has arrived. For the next four weeks I will be covering 200 miles, averaging 40-45 miles per week. (I should really purchase a new pair of running shoes just for the next month alone.) Then I begin to taper off my weekly total until race day rolls around.
The good news is that I'm feeling stronger on each consecutive run. Although I have not made significant improvements in my per mile pace, I feel that the power is there, looming beneath the surface. It isn't time, at least not yet, to force myself to my goal pace (8:25). Cross-training with biking and lifting weights is definitely helping to build muscle strength and endurance. Hopefully we'll see more payoff this Friday on my 20 mile run.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Day 19 - Time to Run?
Daily Total: 10; Weekly Total: 30; Per Mile Pace: 9:19; Days Until Marathon: 64
When is the best time to schedule a run? Some people I know prefer to run in the late afternoon or evening, to release tension from the day's work or because waking up at the crack of dawn is unfathomable. However, I have always preferred to run in the early morning which happens to be most consistent with recommendations by professionals. Races usually begin at dawn or between 6-7 a.m., thus training to run at this time is really in one's best interest. Besides preparing myself for the early race start time, I prefer the morning to afternoon for a number of reasons. I'm still only half awake by the time I've hit the concrete; the temperature, prior aches and pains, yesterday's disappointments, etc... are all only afterthoughts as my mind gradually comes into a full state of awareness. There are also fewer people, cars, and busy intersections at the early morning hour.
I particularly dislike running in the afternoon and advise others against running at this time to avoid indigestion (from the foods consumed earlier in the day), heatstroke (in particularly warm climates), or even being attacked (I am stunned by the number of women I see running late at night with headphones).
Of course, energy levels vary for everyone at different times of the day. Yet if you can condition your energy to be highest in the morning, it seems well worth it.
When is the best time to schedule a run? Some people I know prefer to run in the late afternoon or evening, to release tension from the day's work or because waking up at the crack of dawn is unfathomable. However, I have always preferred to run in the early morning which happens to be most consistent with recommendations by professionals. Races usually begin at dawn or between 6-7 a.m., thus training to run at this time is really in one's best interest. Besides preparing myself for the early race start time, I prefer the morning to afternoon for a number of reasons. I'm still only half awake by the time I've hit the concrete; the temperature, prior aches and pains, yesterday's disappointments, etc... are all only afterthoughts as my mind gradually comes into a full state of awareness. There are also fewer people, cars, and busy intersections at the early morning hour.
I particularly dislike running in the afternoon and advise others against running at this time to avoid indigestion (from the foods consumed earlier in the day), heatstroke (in particularly warm climates), or even being attacked (I am stunned by the number of women I see running late at night with headphones).
Of course, energy levels vary for everyone at different times of the day. Yet if you can condition your energy to be highest in the morning, it seems well worth it.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Day 17 - Hill Training
Daily Total: 6 miles; Weekly Total: 30 miles; Per Mile Pace: 9:19; Days Until Marathon: 66
Another way to increase per mile pace is to incorporate a hill session or two into weekly training. I happen to live in a very hilly area, thus hill training is really unavoidable for me. Yet I've come to appreciate how hills are a built-in form of resistance that naturally amplifies the power in your stride over time.
I do not recommend running hills everyday as this can lead to injury or overtraining. If you are running four or more days a week like I am, two days of hill training is probably ideal. Apart from hill training, one day each week should be dedicated to sprints, another day to a medium paced run, and another day to a recovery, slower run. The recovery run should be somewhere flat. On my recovery days I opt for a run along the coastline.
Another way to increase per mile pace is to incorporate a hill session or two into weekly training. I happen to live in a very hilly area, thus hill training is really unavoidable for me. Yet I've come to appreciate how hills are a built-in form of resistance that naturally amplifies the power in your stride over time.
I do not recommend running hills everyday as this can lead to injury or overtraining. If you are running four or more days a week like I am, two days of hill training is probably ideal. Apart from hill training, one day each week should be dedicated to sprints, another day to a medium paced run, and another day to a recovery, slower run. The recovery run should be somewhere flat. On my recovery days I opt for a run along the coastline.
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