The name of the book where I found training program I am following: Run less, Run Faster. I have to tell you, I disagree with the running less part. I am running faster, I'll give you that...but I feel like I am running so much more.
The book is actually aimed at those people who run 5 or 6 days a week. Hence the "run less". This training program calls for only 3 days of running, then cross training on the other days. This is how I run all the time. I have never been a run every day kind of girl.
I had fallen into a routine of running the same routes two times a week - 3.5 miles and 4.5 miles, then a long run on the weekend. I never did speed work or tempo runs, I just ran. I really want to get faster and improve my marathon time so I chose this program.
Its a 16 week plan that includes 4 long runs of 20 miles and all other long runs are over 13 miles. The weekday runs are all between 5 and 10 miles. So my weekly mileage has gone up quite a bit and I am really struggling to hang on.
I have been fighting a sinus infection the last two weeks and I am pretty sure my struggle is coming from that added bonus. I ran 18 miles this morning and felt pretty good. I mean, 18 miles is always a long ways and its always tough, but today wasn't quite the mental battle it was last weekend. I only thought of quitting a few times instead of constantly!
I mixed up my route a bit and ran on a path that I didn't even know existed. It parallels another path that I have run about 1000 times, it is just on the other side of some trees and I never knew it was there. I got to see both mountains - St. Helens and Hood. I saw the sun rise right before it went behind the clouds. I realized that I am lucky to be able to do this and that running 18 miles is a blessing.
I also had a lot of things on my mind and running really helps me process my thoughts. I did a lot of thinking today and the time actually went pretty quick, before I knew it I was done. Next week is another 20 miler, then the week after is only 13...can't wait for that!!!
In the meantime, I'm calling my plan "run more, run faster!"
Thanks for keeping such a great blog so frequently updated Tracy - I always enjoy catching up with you. Congrats on retiring your student loan and for continuing to inspire the rest of us to higher fitness levels. I am running the San Francisco Half Marathon this year - thanks in part to you! Hugs to Opal and to all of your peeps.....
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