Only six weeks until BayState! My training thus far has been okay. I haven't been able to run as hard as I would like because my Achilles keep nagging me, and then of course I've had a little flare up with my asthma. Overall though, I'm healthy and I'm running fairly well. The last couple weeks were the toughest in regard to the actual marathon training. I had back-to-back 20 mile runs, and knew there was an increased risk of injury. As a result, I've tried to be smart. For example, I purposely ran my tempo run a little slower last week (mostly due to Achilles tightness and asthma issues). I also ran my long run on trails, which are less punishing than roads.I wound up running the 20 miler in Nashua at Mine Falls Park, the same 2.5 mile loop that was used for the 10 miler I ran a few weeks ago. Eight loops equals 20 miles. I actually wanted to do a ninth loop, but started feeling pain in my right ankle, decided the smart thing to do was stop at 20 miles, and I'm glad I did. I didn't twist or do anything odd to my ankle but it felt like someone kicked it. Later I looked up ankle anatomy and found the issue is probably my Peroneal tendon. It's still a little tender. That was the one downside to the run. I have one more tendon that's getting irritated with me. Oh well.
Before the whole tendon thing happened, the run was awesome! I wound up running at an average pace of 7:44, and the first 15 miles were at 7:36 pace. The last 2.5 miles were a bit slow, I really wanted to finish the 20 miles without a significant injury and my ankle was really bothering me at that point. The trail was great, the weather was great, I felt great, and I was excited that I ran so well. Of course now, I have one more issue to worry about. This week I'm going to try a rest from running strategy (or at least I'm going to try). Now's the time to take care of this Achilles and Peroneal tendon thing. There will be lots of cross training, but I'd like to take 3-5 days off from running to see if I can get the tightness in the Achilles to subside (and hopefully that will help the other tendon too). I'll aim to run on Friday or Saturday. I might try to run without a watch. I have self control issues when I run with a watch. We'll see how it goes. I have two weeks before my last long run, and I'd like to have these issues resolved by then.
Last Week's Training Log:
Monday: 1600, 800, 400, 400 meter row intervals (6:12, 3:02, 1:30) + 60 minutes on the stationary bike
Tuesday: 5 mile run at 8:31 pace
Wednesday: 5 mile tempo run at 7:14 pace
Thursday: 60 minutes on the stationary bike
Friday: 70 minutes on the stationary bike
Saturday: Off
Sunday: 20 mile run at 7:44 pace
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3 comments:
Your 20 miles was incredible. With such a pace on a 20 miler, you can certainly run the marathon at at least a 7:30 pace, which is less than a 3:20. Wow! Now rest up those tendons...a few more weeks and it's taper time! Ana-Maria
Hey Kate, I know how you feel! I ran on the new bike trail in town. I ran start to finish in 1 hour and 30 seconds. I don't know exactly how far I ran or what my pace was, but Dad thought it was fast. I did only 14 1/2 miles because my tendons are acting up as well. I thought I had a stress fracture on the top of my left foot, but it's a tendonitis. The left side of my left ankle as well. My first real not going away the next day pain is a bummer. I also saw Lexy this weekend. She was up for the golf event in Mansfield.
Mom
Wow, that a fast 20 miler!
Seems very smart to be taking care of that tendon problem with rest and cross training. Hope it's better soon!
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