Ever since my Ultra on March 7, I’ve been playing with my miles. Sure, I’ve raced 2 Half Marathons and a 10K since then, but those distances are just another training distance for me, so I didn’t specifically train for those races. I just went out and ran them.
It was nice to just be able to go and run a race…not having to fret about the distance, the taper (I am soooo bad at the taper!), the pre-race dreams… Those last three races, yes, I ran my little legs off, but I didn’t officially train for them.
When I stop and think about it, I have pretty much been in official training mode since last February~since I got off those crutches a year ago this past winter. That’s a long time to be training!
I ran my first Ultra July 26 of last year. The plan was to have 6 weeks to just maintain my fitness and go into the Chicago Marathon in October looking good. Plans rarely go how you want them and I ended up with that nasty concussion a week after the Ultra. I found myself scrambling to get ready for Chicago in, I’m trying to remember, 3 weeks? Not a very long time anyway. I ran Chicago with that concussion. Not a bright move but what were the odds that I would ever be able to get into that race again!?! Nope. I HAD to run it!
After Chicago, I fiddled around until mid November. I knew I had a marathon on Valentine’s Day and then another Ultra three weeks later on March 7. I decided that I probably should figure out when I needed to begin training for that marathon.
Oops! I never should have taken the time off! Haha! Within the next couple of days, I found myself mid-marathon training and pulling a 16 mile run out of my hat. The miles just increased from there. I ran the marathon and then the Ultra. Then I put myself on maintenance ever since.
Basically, I’ve been running 10 milers 5 day’s a week OR four 10 milers and a couple of smaller runs tossed in for grins.
This week, I chatted with my coach. Training for the Berlin Marathon and the Marine Corp Marathon (MCM) officially begins July 5. HOWEVER:
Haha!!!, Yes, however, he said that my first long run the week of July 5 will be a 17 miler.
Like I said, training officially begins July 5. Between now and then, I have to start doing some long runs. I need to be ready to belt out a 17 miler by then. That gives me 6 weeks to jump from my regular 10 milers to 17 miles.
I’m thinking that tomorrow I will have to do 13 seeing as Wednesday is my long run day. I’ll gradually increase distance from there. Aye yie yie~~~How do I get myself into these pickles!?!
My goal for the Berlin Marathon is between 4:45 (that’s my Ultimate goal~my dream big goal) to 4:50. This would be my first time ever breaking 5 hrs. MCM I’m running for the fun of it. It’s a month after Berlin and quite frankly I don’t want to pound myself into the ground that soon after Berlin.
Lots of fun, fun miles to cover between now and Sept 27!!! Can’t wait!!!
Happy Running!!!
