My New Training Plan

It seems only fair that I talk to you about my new training plan.

After running my first marathon, I walked away happy but also with a hunger. I have a deep hunger to qualify for the Boston Marathon. So I picked a marathon in Hyannis, the same one I ran my first ever half marathon at last year and then sought out a training plan.

My friend Robin who has amazingly BQ'd for this years Boston and is going for next year in 2 weeks in Disney recommended Pete Pfitzinger. So I ordered his book Advanced Marathoning and began reading :)

The plans are tough. But I have been told by the wise Miss Robin that they are supposed to be so you can push harder and get to that goal. I know all about toughness hehe I did train for a marathon already but of course only once.

I did run my marathon in Philadelphia and I did it in 3:46 so I think I can improve upon this. I have been doing the plan for 2 weeks and it is tough. The main focus is getting more miles in during the week, instead of 5 and 6 mile runs on days I am working on 11 and 8 mile runs. There are lactate thresh hold runs and marathon paced long runs.

I did my first marathon paced long run on Saturday in the freezing cold 23 degrees weather. It was a 16 mile run with 10 at marathon pace! It was hard, it was cold and I was tired but I did it. I started at 3 miles easy pace of 9:20s and then I did 10 in a row all at 8:15-8:05 pace. I felt so strong when that was done. Then I ended the run with 3 miles at 9:10s. When I was done I felt confident. That told me simply one thing: the plan is good and hopefully I can be wearing a new marathon shirt soon ;)

Finding a good plan is important. Finding one that works with your training style and helps you get to your goals is even better.

Have you found a training plan you love?