[equinox marathon 43]

Well, I survived another week on the Pfitzinger/Douglas 18/70 plan. I'm halfway through Mesocycle 1.<br><br>
The plan this week looked like this:<br><br>
Monday: <b>Rest/cross-training day</b><br>
Tuesday: <b>LT. 9 mi with 4 mi @ 15K to 1/2 marathon race pace</b><br>
Wednesday: <b>Medium Long Run. 13 miles</b><br>
Thursday: <b>Recovery. 5 mi.</b><br>
Friday: <b>Medium Long Run. 11 miles</b><br>
Saturday: <b>Recovery. 5 mi.</b><br>
Sunday: <b>Medium Long Run. 15 miles</b>.<br><br>
Planned mileage: 58 miles.<br><br>
What actually happened:<br><br>
Monday: <b>Exercise routine only</b>.<br>
Tuesday: <b>9 mi with 4 mi @ or faster than my BQ pace (7:30/mi).</b><br>
Wednesday: <b>10 miles on trails. Nearly got myself killed in a flash flood.</b><br>
Thursday: <b>Recovery. 5 mi.</b><br>
Friday: <b>13.2 miles</b><br>
Saturday: <b>Recovery 5 mi on a dirt path around a local park</b><br>
Sunday: <b>Medium Long Run. 16.4 miles</b>.<br><br>
Unless noted, the runs were on pavement.<br><br>
Total actual mileage: 58.6<br>
Miles on trails: 15 miles.<br><br>
It was definitely an interesting week. Wednesday night was scary, and I felt fortunate to get the run over with between getting caught in a flash flood and a lightning storm. I made up for the mileage lost. I was a bit disappointed with the amount of mileage on trails. I would like to have done more.<br><br>
Overall the body is feeling good. I've had moments where I've felt tired while running. That's when I have to say to myself "No one ever said this was going to be easy."<br><br>
For next week: 62 miles on the schedule this coming week with a long run of 18 miles, a 14 miler, an 11 miler, 9 miles with 10x100m strides, and 2 5mi recovery runs.<br><br>
I hope you folks don't mind these reports, and I appreciate the feedback I've gotten from some of you. So far, what I'm discovering is that with the right gear (ie, shoes in good shape), and by mixing in some trail running (lower impact), even a mere mortal like me can follow the program (so far anyway).

 

[Notey]

Dude. You are turning into a machine. Yes, you'll be tired, but just wait until you get some energy back or you're doing a rehearsal race and all of a sudden you'll realize that you're kicking some serious ass.<br><br>
Make sure you get plenty of sleep. Make sure you eat well, getting plenty of carbs and protein.

 

[Voodoojunkie]

That is some damned impressive stuff, EQ! Yea, you're right, it ain't no walk in the park. Keep it up, bro!

 

[tigger]

Don't stop the reports! There are learnings there for all of us.

 

[GaRebelRunner]

I'm enjoying reading your posts. Keep it up.

 

[equinox marathon 43]

Thanks for the support Notey, Voodoo, Tigger, and GARebelRunner.<br><br>
The support really does help and mean a lot. And I hope you all can learn from what works for me, and more importantly learn from the mistakes I've made.

 

[Flounder]

You are on track - You need to follow the spirit of the plan and not hit ever single run to exact mileage - If y ou can great, if not - fine. I would say you hit the mileage - although be careful bot to overcrank the long run - one extra mile is fine, but if you had run 20 to make up mileage - It would not be fine.<br><br>
The only question I have is do you know your current 15k-1/2 marathon pace? The purpose of this run was to work on your lactic acid threshhold and if you run it too slow you will not stimulate that response from your body.<br><br>
If your goal marathon pace is your current LT pace - then it's fine, if not, try to runt hese 4 miles at LT pace.<br><br>
I think you have a great start and are on track. I am pulling for you to succeed, but I will also give you honest feedback as best I can. Keep up the good work.

 

[Voodoojunkie]

I, for one, really appreciate your posting your progress. The good ol' Hal Higdon Intermediate II marathon training program is starting to get a bit old, and I'm curious to hear about new, more challenging programs.

 

[equinox marathon 43]

It's kind of interesting Flounder.<br><br>
I did a 1/2 back on April 1st, but for the 1st 3 miles I was deliberately holding back to help pace a friend. Then during the final 10, I pushed pretty hard. Finished the race in 1:48 and some change, probably could have been 1:44 and some change without the pace-making.<br><br>
I also did the 10 mile trail race in April in 1:29:18. In some ways that's closer to the Equinox in terms of terrain (ie, it's on trails), but the major lacking factor is the mountain that I have to go over.<br><br>
I guess what I'm driving at is I honestly have no idea what to expect in the Equinox this year. My last Equinox was a 4:24 which was followed 1 month later with a 3:52 Bay State. Since then, I've gone 3:45 and 3:42 in Bay States, so I'm hoping for something like a 4:15-4:20 Equinox.<br><br>
Right now, I'm playing a lot of it by feel more than specific pace. Probably shouldn't be doing that, but that's where I am right now.