VO2Maximillion Wednesday
Jeez (or is that geez? anyway…) this marathon plan thing is finally nearing the end stages, today’s Sept. 10th and the big day is Oct. 12th. Amazing how time has flown. I just realized that all the LT workouts are over and done with, no more tempo runs for the duration of the plan and today, because I switched weeks 3 and 4 to accommodate PDR, was the next to last major interval session (”major” in my book means longer than 600s, which are pretty easy compared to 1000s and over).
Today’s workout was 10 miles w/ 4×1200s @ 5K pace w/2 min recovery between. It was a really nice morning, 65 when I got out at 8:15, so already a big improvement over the sweaty 1000s from last week. Warmup was 3:35 miles (puts me at the primo spot in the park for 1200s), then the intervals, then cooldown was a tired 3:13 home.
As usual per intervals during this plan, today’s goal was 7:15 pace and that’s about how it shaped up (a little better, actually). Splits, by pace: 7:12, 7:12, 7:06 and 7:15, for an average of 7:11. Felt good about it, but wished I had a limo to drive me the last 3:13 miles back.
Getting a little sentimental already about the plan ending and the marathon approaching. It’s been so nice to be in training limbo all this time, the big race like a fuzzy future task on a very long to-do list. Soon that task will be checked off and with that, I’ve started thinking about Plan B in case it goes south (because I’ve found, no matter what the subject matter is in life, it’s always good to have a Plan B). Plan B marathon-wise is, if Steamtown is a bust, to do the Philly marathon, provided it doesn’t sell out like last year.
Then there’s Plan C for when the Fall marathon season is over. I’ve really taken a liking to Pfitzinger’s training methods, since I haven’t had an inkling of injury during this whole training period. I suspect that’s due to Pfitz’s doling out the hard workouts discriminantly and making those mid-long runs a weekly staple, seems like it all works together to make you strong without taxing you beyond your means.
Anyway, I’ve got his “Road Racing For Serious Runners” and plan to use the the plans for shorter races to get me through the Spring. That should give me a boost of speed for next summer when I start this Marathon party all over again. The question at that point will be, which marathon and where? But before I get ahead of myself, let’s see what the next month brings.
And I’m not sure if I mentioned this (I know I repeat myself all over this blog, but I’m nearing AARP status, so forgive me) that though my plan is to BQ in Steamtown, if I succeed, I don’t actually want to run Boston next year. Not only for my fear of massive group situations that require boatloads of moolah for hotels, etc., I want to get faster and more experienced before making that big Boston debut.
There is a part of me that says, “that’s stupid, you’re not getting any younger and what happens if you break your leg in 10 places and won’t be able to run again?” Well then, I’ll be pissed off no matter what, and Boston will be just one more thing I’ll have missed out on. But enough dark “what ifs?”, what if I have a long, long love affair with running that takes me into my 70s and 80s? That’s the one I’m betting on.
Tags: intervals, marathon training, pfitz 18/55
September 10th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Way to nail the work out!
Tough on those tired legs huh?
I have a half assed back up plan, to run NYC 3 weeks later.
I can’t do this much longer. Failed in philly in nov. didn’t make it at RNRAZ, if it doesn’t happen in steamtown (or maybe NYC) I think I need to hang it up for a while.
As far as Boston in the spring…I’m thinking yes just to get it over with and move on with my life! I miss being a triathlete!
September 10th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Doggie girl, first off, you have my complete admiration for being a triathlete, so this BQ business is just icing on the cake for a tough nut like you. The fact that you can get 3 whole different sports working together is something I cannot fathom!
But you’ll get it, girl! Your workouts have been right on the spot and then some (your intervals are even better than your goal requires).
I do wonder though, about NYC being your backup plan since it’s A) tougher than Steamtown and B) just 3 weeks after Steamtown. I’m going to try and coax you into making Philly your backup plan because 6 weeks is a better amount of time to get your shit together for round two.
September 10th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
true it is.
I really just took the spot in NYC cause I could.
The issue with philly is I’m not sure I WANNA wait 6 weeks, plus I think I’m going to Africa around that time, so we’ll see!
I know my training has been spot on, but I learned the hard way that doesn’t mean squat come race day.
September 10th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Wow, Africa! Yeah, definitely better than Philly.
Ugh, I must say, I hate reading this, “training has been spot on, but I learned the hard way that doesn’t mean squat come race day”. You’re talking the leg cramps you had in Philly, right? Or are there more evil surprises you’ve experienced that I won’t be prepared for?
September 10th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
No, it was the ITB issues I had.
Then went to AZ which was about 6 weeks later and just didn’t hit it (though I did PR!)
September 10th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Your sounding like me, thinking about how im going to train for next marathon or what next on agenda, month or 2 before the marathon your training for. And I occasionally have dreams of BQing. I think if I stick to right plan I could do it after im 45 with a 3 or 4 year plan. Of course since I been running for 4.5 years its hard to imagine a plan that long.
And my dad came home today. They adjusted his medications and they think its alright for time being.
September 10th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Yay Bruce, glad to hear your dad’s home and he’s ok. Sending your family get-well vibes from Philly in abundance.
Lol about the 3 or 4 year plan. Just apply yourself in each training season and you won’t be able to help but get speedier! You’re doing great as it is, just keep at it and a BQ will be yours.
September 10th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Plan A,B and C??
Well, you are kicking Plan A’s a**!! You sound too driven to not conquer Steamtown.
AARC.. what? you so funny
Don’t you need 4hours for BQ ?
September 10th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
HAH, DAVE!! Love that, thank you so much for saying so, but the more I read about everyone’s marathon mis-adventures, the more I don’t trust a THING! Could be weather or me doing something stupid or a mystery cramp, who knows? But yeah, I just need 4:00 to BQ, but in my newly competitive mind, 4:00 ain’t enough - I want a meaty number, baby!! Greedy gal, am I.
September 10th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Hey Flo! Well, if you do Philly please wait for me at the finish, okay? Like Dogpound, I’ve been adding biking and swimming to the repetoire and I’m planning on making my triathlon debut next summer!!! Wanna come biking and swimming???????????
September 10th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Hopefully, I’ll only be there as a spectator cheering you on! Big applause to you for turning into a triathlete now, that’s wonderful news! It’s hard enough trying to improve running, I can’t imagine doing it for biking and swimming, too. See? I got tired just typing those two sports. Must lie down now…
September 11th, 2008 at 7:58 am
Very thoughtful post. I’m glad to hear about your great results with Pfitz - I had bought his book and was planning on using it for Philly but was in a crunch time wise after family vacations and didn’t think I could build enough of a base for his 18/55. I will definitely give it a go though, probably next Fall, maybe even for Steamtown (I will be mimicking you, minus the gel flask of course).
September 11th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Cool, Progman, mimic away! I’ll leave you my flask under a tree in Scranton because I know by the time you get to Steamtown you’ll be pining for one of your own.
September 11th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
WHAT? You’re not going to Boston in 2009? Fine. BE THAT WAY. I didn’t want to meet you any way. (But I guess that’s an added incentive for me to re-qualify for 2010).
September 11th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Lol, Betsy, like you need incentive to qualify for 2010, 2011, 2012 ad infinitum!
I can see you’ve started a machine that ain’t gonna quit anytime soon! We will meet, this I know.
September 11th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Hey Flo, I should think if you hit your goal time, you’ll have a much deeper BQ than most people manage. Why not go for Boston if you do that?
September 12th, 2008 at 11:06 am
Answered in it’s very own blog entry.