Boston Marathon Training: 8 Weeks Till Race Day
Week 9: 2/24/20-3/1/20
Recap: Completed Weekly Mileage 33.60
IT TAKES A VILLAGE! 1:32:53 7:05/mi Half PR which is 3:33 minutes faster than my last Half PR time achieved back in 2017. You guys, it’s taken me 3 years to FINALLY break through 1:36:20…
I could not have asked for better race day execution. Coach Ben prescribed me some paces to achieve, however, I had no clue what my true goal time would be. So I went into the race as i would any workout, focus on one mile at a time.
As I turned the corner during the last 0.10, I saw the clock tick 1:32 and I enthusiastically sprinted to the finish. I was elated! I couldn’t believe I had finally achieved a goal I had set my eyes on three years back. With 7 weeks to go till the 2020 Boston Marathon, I know anything is possible if I keep showing up.
Here was the plan:
Miles 1-5 paces 7:10-7:20
Miles 6-10 paces 7:00-7:10
Last 5k paces all out.
Reality:
Miles 1-5 paces (7:20, 7:17, 7:20, 7:20, 7:11/mi)
Miles 6-10 paces (7:01, 7:04, 6:57, 7:00, 6:52/mi)
Last 5k paces (7:00, 6:56, 6:46 [0.10 - 5:45/mi])
Lesson of the week: I Am Capable
Overjoyed with my progress and mental toughness, I am so capable of greatness if I just try.
Training log:
Goal long run of the week 13.1mi
Reality: 13.15mi at 7:05/mi
Mon, 2/24/20: Rest Day
Tues, 2/25/20: 5 mile recovery run with 5x20sec strides
Stride splits: 6:21, 6:09, 5:45, 5:29, 5:42
Total miles: 5.01 mi at 9:26/mi
Wed, 2/26/20: Fartlek Run 60 sec on, 60 sec off
Mile intervals: 8:56, 8:41, 8:24, 8:08, 7:44, 7:17, 6:39
Total miles: 7.4mi at 7:59/mi
Thurs, 2/27/20: 5 mile recovery run with 5x20sec strides
Stride splits: 5:49, 5:45, 5:27, 6:01, 5:49
Total miles: 5.02 mi at 9:27/mi
Fri, 2/28/20: Rest Day
Sat, 2/29/20: 3 mile recovery run with 5x20sec strides
Stride splits: 5:04, 4;57, 5:11, 4:55, 5:23
Total miles: 3:10 mi at 9:00/mi
Sun, 3/1/20: Napa Valley Half Marathon 13.1 miles*
Official Finisher Time 1:32:53
*Reality: 13.15 miles at 7:05/mi
Mile splits: 7:20, 7:17, 7:20, 7:20, 7:11, 7:01, 7:04, 6:57, 7:00, 6:52, 7:00, 6:56, 6:46, 5:45/mi
Photo taken at Napa Valley Half Marathon on Sunday, March 1, 2020