That’s more like it
I may be getting out of my running doldrums. I had a good interval workout last night with my running group, and my Achilles tendon doesn’t feel too bad afterward.
The workout was 10 x 800 meters, with recovery runs in between of 200 meters lasting an average of about 2 minutes. I started the first two in 3:23, 3:26, and the last two in 3:09, 3:06. In between I ran six intervals, the slowest at 3:20 and the fastest at 3:08. My goal was to run the intervals in 3:20 or better, although I wanted to start slow to avoid injury. So it was a success. According to RunnersWorld expert Bart Yasso, the ability to run 10 times 800, with each interval at 3:20 or better, corresponds to an aerobic ability to run a 3:20 marathon, so in terms of aerobic ability I’m there (since 3:20 is my goal). The question remains stamina. During my nearly 12 weeks of training I have never achieved the weekly mileage I had hoped to reach, with my best weeks topping out a bit over 40 miles. That’s a lot less than the miles reached by some of the others in my running group, who are logging 60 to 70 miles per week.
Only 18 days to go. I’m going to try to run again today and two more times before another moderate long run (13 miles or so) on Sunday, hopefully getting mileage up to the mid-30s this week, getting down to low 20s or so the following week, and lower during marathon week.
Bad news: I’ve put on weight, so I’m immediately going to try to eat better and get back down to 171. I’m up to about 174-175, depending upon when I weigh myself.
November 19, 2008 at 3:16 pm
WOW, 18 days, really?? Sounds like you are taking the proper steps, and I noticed I gained weight during marathon training, too… though I think it could be muscle?? Happy Tapering, my friend!!
November 19, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Yasso 880s, what a great test. You are right where you want to be. Good luck getting where you want to go.