Last week was Week 12 leading up to the Twin Cities Marathon in October. And, surprise surprise, it was my highest mileage week of the year so far!

 
I have had some really great runs lately. Last weekend, I felt like a badass with a 16 mile run at 8:09 average pace. Coach told me to do a 3 min pick-up after every third mile of this run and I felt amazing. My legs didn’t want to stop and I finished the 16 mileage with energy left. After my (unexpected) strong 5k last Thursday and my long run on Saturday, I felt so strong.

And I went into this past week with a great attitude.

Monday: Easy miles

Tuesday: REST

Wednesday: Speedwork (2 x 1200 and 4 x 800)

Thursday: Easy miles

Friday: Tempo (5 tempo miles at 7:10 or faster)

Saturday: REST

Sunday: 18 miles at 8:20 average

I hit my target paces on Wednesday and Friday and enjoyed the miles on my easy days. I didn’t know how many miles I was going to run on Thursday and left my apartment thinking that I’d run 4-5. Instead, I ran 6 just because I felt good and didn’t really want to stop. (The overcast skies and the cooler temps likely had something to do with this.)

I need to work on incorporating my strength routine into my schedule. I have the tendency to squeeze my workout in where I can and then I don’t have time to do my core, lunge, or Myrtl routines. I have to get better at that.

This training cycle is already starting out lightyears beyond where I started in my training for the Chicago Marathon last year. I’m still trying to take it day by day and try not to get too ahead of myself. I know that the results won’t come immediately and that I have to continue to work hard. My 18-miler this weekend was the first really tough long run I have had in awhile. I need to be patient with myself and prepare mentally for days when I don’t feel invincible.

11 weeks to go!