My Log on the Run

Wednesday
8 miles with 5 x 600m @5k pace(6:22m/m) VO2max session
paces for the reps
6:24
6:31
6:25
6:14
6:17
After last weeks failed VO2max session I decided that no matter how this went that I was going to complete the session, I just don't want quitting sessions to become a habit. As can be seen from the paces for the reps that this was a strange one in that the final 2 reps were the quickest. Now the first 3 reps were in to a headwind and I was working really hard and then I turned and had the wind on my back for the final 2 but the final 2 reps felt completely effortless and I had to actually slow myself down. Happy with how that session went, it was nice to finish strong even if it was wind assisted:)

Thursday
5miles @9:13 m/m Recovery

Tuesday
7 miles @ 8:24 m/m General aerobic with 8x100m strides
Legs were tired again but they woke up after the strides.
I reached the 1500 miles mark for the year on this run.

Wednesday
8 miles @ 7:53 m/m.
The plan called for a VO2max session but I decided I take it easier instead so I done 2 miles @ PMP(7:11, 7:11) and 1 mile @ HMP(6:46).

Target time
My current PB is 3:18:30 from DCM last year.
When I started training for DCM this year my original target was for a sub 3:15 but after I ran the Athlone half marathon at MP(7:13m/m), which felt very comfortable, I started to think that a sub 3:10 could be on the cards. Training has gone well and I have completed the majority of the sessions on target. I do think the sub 3:10 is a bit ambitious and it will take me beyond my comfort zone but I am looking forward to the challenge.
My plan for the marathon is to line up behind the pacers and keep them in sight till halfway and then slowly reel them in for a sub 3:10 finish. Not really that complicated now is it:)

A few concerns that I have.
1. A lack of MP miles.
I was reading the excellent Sub 3 support thread and it brought home to me the fact that I could be doing a whole lot more with my training and including more MP miles in my long runs would have been beneficial to me I think.
2. My lack of progress over the shorter distances this year.
I picked up an injury after DCM last year and I only started back training at the start of the year but my one and only PB so far this year was a 5 mile PB which was a soft PB anyway. I don't think this lack of progress should have an impact on the marathon but it wasn't good for confidence.
3. I have a wedding Thursday and I will be drinking alcohol in moderation, its going to be a real test of my willpower.

A Goal: sub 3:10
B Goal: A PB

I definitely think that I am a stronger runner than I was this time last year, on Sunday we will see if I am a faster one.

Younganne wrote: »

Great plan, I'm using same tactics.;) Best of luck and stronger is definitely better than faster for a marathon. See you for a catch up after!

I hope its more the case of great minds thinking alike than fools seldom differ

hot buttered scones wrote: »

Same here. Sometimes when I read this log I think I could be writing the very same things in my own. I would feel more less the same way about a lot of things you wrote in your last post but the bit I've quoted really stands out for me - I'm thinking exactly the same thing. Best of luck on Sunday, and hopefully I won't be too far behind you!

You have a great training cycle done and I have a feeling that you will have no bother achieving your A goal.

Mrs Mc wrote: »

Training has been really solid for you best of luck with the 3.10 attempts Sunday.

Thanks A, see you in Mcgrattans.

Monday
6 miles @ 9:12 m/m Recovery

Tuesday
6 miles @ 8:13 m/m with 2 miles @ MP
After a very sleepless night before I had a feeling that this run wasn't going to go well, no zip in the legs even plodding along was taking a lot of effort. The splits for the 2 miles were 7:08 and 7:24:eek: m/m. Now I am hoping that this poor run was solely due to tiredness and nothing else and hopefully my run Thursday morning will go well, I swear I am not panicking just yet.