It’s 10 weeks until one of my favorite races of the year, the Covered Bridges Half Marathon in Vermont. I’m running to raise money for an amazing charity, David’s House in New Hampshire. (My fundraising link and info about the charity is at the end of the post).
Back in December, I signed up with Coach Scott Fishman of Team All American to help me tackle my big running goal for 2014 – a half marathon PR quest. I’m aiming at a 1:45 (my current PR is 1:53, set last October). I’ve been building up my mileage and doing more speed-work than I’ve done before and I’m running faster than I ever have.
Given that the big date is getting closer, I want to start sharing my training with you guys on a weekly basis, since your support and feedback was so awesome while I was training for the NYC Marathon last year. 🙂
(I’m also signed up for the Brooklyn Half Marathon on May 17, but I’m not sure yet if I’m going to use that as a long run, or if I’ll be ready to try for the 1:45 then…I’ll keep you posted.)
So, this was what my training looked like this week:
Monday: Strength training
Tuesday: Off
Wednesday: Speed work. After a 20 minute warm up, I did 8 interval repeats, followed by a 20 minute cool down. I ran these by feel, because it’s too hard for me to keep checking my pace for such a short repeat. I ended up running the first 5 a little too fast, then the last 3 a little slower than the prescribed pace, but overall I was happy with this workout, because I went into it feeling sluggish and ended up doing fine.
Thursday: Off
Friday: Lactate threshold run. Oof. This one was not such a success for me. Warm up, followed by 5 x 5 minute repeats at what is apparently going to be my tempo run pace next week. (In which case, I’m pretty sure I’ll be writing “Oof” about my tempo run next week, too). This was hard. I was done by the last one and couldn’t hit my pace.
Saturday: Recovery run
Sunday: Long run. My coach has me running by time rather than mileage, which was weird for me at first, but I’m loving now. The long run this week was 1 hour and 40 minutes at an easy pace. I didn’t check my watch once, instead running by feel and ended up running just over 11 miles.
Miles for week: 28.6
How I’m feeling: so far, so good – no injuries, no niggles. Definitely loving being able to run outside for all of my training this week – I may have mentioned it once or twice ( hee hee), but I’m not a treadmill-lover.
Awesome goal time!!! I think I’m about 2 years behind you on that one, but I hope someday I can run a 1:45 half marathon too!
Gabby @ Marathons and Macarons recently posted…Macaron Day NYC – The Results
Well, given that I’m about 10 years ahead of you in age, I’d say you have plenty of time for training! ha ha 😉
I’m excited to hear about your 1:45 adventure… it may just be a goal I also want to obtain 🙂
Cori recently posted…Confessions: March Madness and Podcasts
Yeah! Go for it Cori, we can compare training notes!
That race sounds lovely! At least you’ll enjoy the view and I hope you get a PR too. Keep up with those speed workouts, even though they can be so, so hard – they will help you achieve your goal! Remember – the only way to run faster is to run faster!!!
Allie recently posted…The Rundown: No Rest for the Weary
The speed workouts have been key – it’s the hardest thing for me to make myself do, so having a coach plan them has been huge for me. The half in VT is BEAUTIFUL. We’re talking lilacs, cows, farms, bridges, a river – it’s really super pretty to run.
So excited to follow along with your training cycle!! I truly think this PR is your’s for the taking!!!
Kim recently posted…Lessons Learned from my Biggest Role Model
I think so, too Kim!! It’s ambitious, for sure, but I’m excited by how much faster I’ve become just in a few months of really focusing on training smart.
You are doing so awesome with your training!! I can’t wait to cheer you on in Brooklyn and (virtually) in VT!!
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted…Bikini Ready Beach Body
Thanks, friend! 🙂 I love running the BK half because I end up seeing so many people I know cheering!
Get it Girl! A 1:45 sounds like a great goal. Good luck with your training! My sister in law and I were just talking about this half marathon today. She said it was her first, sounds like I might need to check it out sometime!
Renee @ Bendiful Blog recently posted…It’s Getting Serious….
Thanks!! 🙂 It’s such a wonderful race, but it literally sells out in minutes. Definitely worth doing. We usually stay with my mother-in-law, but one year we went up with a bunch of friends and rented a house with a hot tub and a huge yard. It was awesome.