Really, it boils down to trust: trusting my own limited experience, and trusting God to see me through training, whatever the circumstances (or outcomes) may be. This week I took a big step (for me), and decided to abandon the comforts of a training schedule made by experts (Pete Pfitzinger 18/70) and create my own training plan for Boston- my second marathon. Ever. (Can you tell I am still a bit nervous about this choice?)
Side note: In high school I used to jump off of train bridges and cliffs into rivers and lakes (even skipping a few classes to do so. Sorry dad and mom!). You would have a hard time getting me to do that for money these days.
Thank you to those of you who encouraged me to write my own plan. I don't know if I would have tried without my blogging support crew!
Here is a link to my new training plan for Boston: (click HERE) Let's hope it works! There is a strong possibility that I will go in and erase all the pace info soon, especially if I seem to have any trouble hitting the targets. :) Special thanks to blogger, Danny (he is a genius) who tried to help me post it as an image- I just don't have the skills or the software!
The plan uses alternating hard/easy workouts with two days specifically for speed work. My peak weeks will each take me approximately 10 miles higher than I have ever done in a single week. I left some workouts as "cruise intervals" so that I could assess the day before and decide what the best speed workout that day should be. There is a taper and a few cutback weeks. There are a few weeks where I run five days instead of six; this is to get an extra day of sleep as an incentive and body booster.
I started back at the weights last week, which drained my legs, but left me seeing what I have been missing. The plan is to get in 2-3 days a week of strength training on my hard workout days, leaving my legs fresh for the next hard workout day.
Today's run went spectacularly! Nine miles as an easy aerobic run- slightly faster than my goal (Gotta watch that!). I had peace of mind and great time alone with God. My body felt very rested after a "Christmas cutback", and I am glad to be back in a structured program, (no matter how scary it is that I am the author of it).
SIXTEEN WEEKS TO GO !