Boston Marathon Training: 13 Weeks Till Race Day
Week 4: 1/20/20-1/26/20
Recap: Completed Weekly Mileage 41.5
Feeling stronger with every mile, I’m so grateful for another week of training for the 2020 Boston Marathon. Showing up to train can sometimes feel daunting but I remind myself of my “Why?” Why am I showing up for myself day in and out? The answer: I’m training for the freaking Boston Marathon! When will I get this opportunity again especially when life is too short to plan for tomorrow…
With the belief that I am capable of BQ-ing again, this training block feels completely different. I’m excited to tackle each day as it comes. I’m excited to reveal a new layer within myself I never knew existed. I’m excited to gain strength physically and mentally. And I’m excited to be apart of something that is greater than me!
Don’t get me wrong, training isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s hard and at times is hurts like H-E- double hockey sticks! But this is what I signed up for and I’m ready to face whatever comes my way... With that I’m able to reframe my mindset as we jump into 12 weeks till the 2020 Boston Marathon. Let’s do this!
Lesson of the week: Keep Showing Up!
“Some days it just flows and I feel like I’m born to do this, other days it feels like I’m trudging through hell. Every day I make the choice to show up and see what I’ve got, and to try and be better. My advice: keep showing up.” - Des Linden.
No words have ever been truer. As hard as it is to keep grinding on and showing up to workouts, at the end of the day I am stronger for it. My commitment and perseverance that greatness will transpire is the faith I hold on to when it gets tough. So I keep showing up for myself because my dreams are far too important to give up on.
Training log:
Goal long run of the week 16mi.
Reality: 16 mi at 8:58/mi
Mon, 1/20/20: Rest Day
Tues, 1/21/20: 5 mile recovery run with 5x20sec strides
Stride splits: 5:23, 5:33, 5:53, 5:11, 6:08
Total miles: 5.01mi at 9:51/mi
Wed, 1/22/20: Strength workout 6x 0.5 mi at 6:00-6:15/mi
Mile intervals: 5:57, 6:01, 5:58, 6:01, 6:04, 6:10
Total miles: 8:01mi at 8:20/mi
Thurs, 1/23/20: 5 mile recovery run with 5x20sec strides
Stride splits: 5:38, 5:49, 5:30, 5:54, 5:57
Total miles: 5.01mi at 9:15/mi
Fri, 1/24/20: Progression run
Mile splits: 8:54, 8:37, 8:23, 8:03, 7:45, 7:31, 6:43/mi
Total miles: 7 mi at 7:59mi
Sat, 1/25/20: 16 mile progressive long run
Mile splits: 9:26, 9:22, 9:22, 9:25, 9:19, 9:00, 8:54, 9:00, 9:03, 8:50, 8:46, 8:52, 8:44, 8:32, 8:32, 8:23/mi
Total miles: 16mi at 8:58/mi
Sun, 1/26/20: cross training - hike
Elevation gain: 719 ft
Total time: 1h 54m
Total miles: 5.5 miles
Favorite treat of the week:
Bring on new training shoes! 370 miles later, it was time to retire my navy Asics Gel-Kayano 26 . These comfy stability shoes have been ordered from my friends at running store, Road Runner Sports. I decided to purchase the same model for the remainder of my training season because I love how springy and supportive their energized cushioning and shock absorption feels. Bring on the next 350 miles!
Photo taken during 7 mile progression run on Friday, January 24, 2020