Yet Another Retrospective Post...
One year ago, this is what I said I wanted to do.
In the end, I didn't do three triathlons - instead deciding after the first that I make a much better runner than runner/biker/swimmer. I don't regret that decision at all, though I suspect I'm not done w/ triathlons forever. Just for now.
It's interesting that I was so coy about pursuing a marathon, when in fact that's pretty much what the year (and this blog) became about. It's funny to see how much things change in a year.
I also announced in that same post that I wasn't picking up any freelance work in '07 and that was a good move. In fact, a former client asked me about a small gig a few weeks ago and I just quickly and politely said, "No thanks." Life is plenty full right now.
2007 ended up being a year of just over 1,300 miles for me, running-wise, plus a nice chunk of biking. At least for the spring, I'm going to tease the bulldog a bit more - doing more recovery runs and less cross training workouts, based on the philosophy that running economy improves up to fifty miles per week or so. That could be a mistake as it will increase the possibility of injury. Still, the fast guys I admire are simply putting in more miles than me, so it makes sense to do this.
I also started the Fitzgerald Brain Training Program this week, with a couple modifications:
* It's a 24 week plan, but I wanted to do an 18 week plan, so I started with week 7.
* For the next two weeks, the Fitzgerald plan calls for - basically - 3 base runs, 1 tempo, 1 interval and one long run. After that, 2 of the bases become recovery runs. Since my body isn't quite used to running six days per week, I'm going to take two of the bases and make them recovery runs now.
Yesterday was the base run - six miles @ 7:40 pace... my base pace is definitely faster since the marathon. Today was an interval workout - six times up a monstrous hill in the trail behind my house, sandwiched between a 1.5 mile wu/cd... Like most hill workouts, the pace doesn't reflect the intensity - quite a way to start the year.
Oh yeah, goals for '08:
Plan A: Run the Wilmington Marathon, ideally in 3:09, certainly sub 3:15. Follow that up w/ a 50k in the fall or maybe even my first 50 mile ultra (shhhh!).
Plan B: If Wilmington doesn't happen, or happens above 3:15, go sub. 3:15 at Steamtown in the fall, getting the Boston monkey off my back.
Along the way, I'd like to go sub. 1:30 in a half and sub. 19:00 in a 5k.
Diabetic goals? Don't need them. As Stephen King wrote, "Get busy living, or get busy dying."
In the end, I didn't do three triathlons - instead deciding after the first that I make a much better runner than runner/biker/swimmer. I don't regret that decision at all, though I suspect I'm not done w/ triathlons forever. Just for now.
It's interesting that I was so coy about pursuing a marathon, when in fact that's pretty much what the year (and this blog) became about. It's funny to see how much things change in a year.
I also announced in that same post that I wasn't picking up any freelance work in '07 and that was a good move. In fact, a former client asked me about a small gig a few weeks ago and I just quickly and politely said, "No thanks." Life is plenty full right now.
2007 ended up being a year of just over 1,300 miles for me, running-wise, plus a nice chunk of biking. At least for the spring, I'm going to tease the bulldog a bit more - doing more recovery runs and less cross training workouts, based on the philosophy that running economy improves up to fifty miles per week or so. That could be a mistake as it will increase the possibility of injury. Still, the fast guys I admire are simply putting in more miles than me, so it makes sense to do this.
I also started the Fitzgerald Brain Training Program this week, with a couple modifications:
* It's a 24 week plan, but I wanted to do an 18 week plan, so I started with week 7.
* For the next two weeks, the Fitzgerald plan calls for - basically - 3 base runs, 1 tempo, 1 interval and one long run. After that, 2 of the bases become recovery runs. Since my body isn't quite used to running six days per week, I'm going to take two of the bases and make them recovery runs now.
Yesterday was the base run - six miles @ 7:40 pace... my base pace is definitely faster since the marathon. Today was an interval workout - six times up a monstrous hill in the trail behind my house, sandwiched between a 1.5 mile wu/cd... Like most hill workouts, the pace doesn't reflect the intensity - quite a way to start the year.
Oh yeah, goals for '08:
Plan A: Run the Wilmington Marathon, ideally in 3:09, certainly sub 3:15. Follow that up w/ a 50k in the fall or maybe even my first 50 mile ultra (shhhh!).
Plan B: If Wilmington doesn't happen, or happens above 3:15, go sub. 3:15 at Steamtown in the fall, getting the Boston monkey off my back.
Along the way, I'd like to go sub. 1:30 in a half and sub. 19:00 in a 5k.
Diabetic goals? Don't need them. As Stephen King wrote, "Get busy living, or get busy dying."
I'm currently on week 7 of the Fitzgerald/Brain Training half marathon schedule, and have found it challenging but doable. It's a lot more mileage than I'm used to as well, but I'm also hopeful that it will help my running economy and make me a faster runner. Good luck!
ReplyDeletemarcus..you have great goals for the year. sub 1:30 half would be awesome.
ReplyDeletekeep training and inspiring those with diabetes
Congrats on your 2007 accomplishments, and good luck with your 2008 goals. I like your Stephen King quote/attitude! Happy new year!
ReplyDelete-Anne
P.S. I hope you got the shirt. It was supposed to arrive last Sat.