Boston Training Update

Well I guess it's about time for me to put an update on here about how training is going. Here's a one word description: hard.

So far I've logged heavier mileage than I have in the past including two consecutive 80 mile weeks and two consecutive 90 mile weeks. I'm frequently so exhausted after hard workouts that on my recovery days I can't help but run a slow 8:30 mile/pace (it feels impossible to go faster). Sometimes it's difficult to just walk around because my body feels so run down. I often feel right on the edge of getting sick and so far I've had one small cold and a few days of minimal running due to a stomach flu. But somehow I'm able to get back just enough energy for a very good quality workout 3x/week. In fact, in a lot of these workouts I'm putting up numbers that surprise me. The other day I did 4 x 1 mile repeats all between 5:15 and 5:30. I'm fairly confident that I can now run a mile in under 5 minutes if I had to. I've done a number of fast finish long runs that have really boosted my fitness by going at a 10k race pace for the last couple miles. Right now, I feel like I'm in shape for a 2:50 marathon on a flat course and good weather. Boston conditions could make that a little tougher though.

I had a tune up snowshoe race last month where I came in second. I think I'll try some more next year. I definitely learned a lot about racing strategy there.

I'll be doing an indoor duathlon this weekend as another training race. It's 15 minutes of running followed by 30 minutes on the bike and then another 15 minutes of running. Highest mileage wins. Yesterday and the day before I spent some time on the spinning bike and noticed how different running feels after being on the bike. I hope I can figure out the transition.

I'll also probably do a local 5k on April 4th. The race is run at midnight with headlamps. It's called "Only Fools Run at Midnight" which I suppose is rather accurate.