The Training Week That Was... 4/28-5/4

This past week saw me continue to be flexible in meeting my weekly training goals and following the marathon training plan. Due to a number of different commitments, I've had to use the middle of the week for an extended "Rest" and double up on back-to-back longer runs on the weekend. I do, however, pay a physical toll on the day following, with achy legs. Following the weekend, I definitely need to take advantage of back-to-back rests, picking up my training on Wednesday.

This past week was the last one of the training plan with any high mileage runs, so from her on in, during these last three weeks prior to my scheduled marathon, the taper begins. In the recap below, the Key Run Workouts prescribed by the plan appear in parentheses:

Legend: R = Running, ri = recovery interval, ez = easy, mt = mid-tempo, wu = warm-up, cd = cool down, ez = easy

Monday: (Rest)
Tuesday: (Key Run Workout #1--Speed Work) R 5.6 miles
Wednesday: (Rest)
Thursday: (Rest)
Friday: (Rest)
Saturday: (Key Run Workout #2--8 mi. run @ mp + 15 sec.) R 11 mi
Sunday: (Key Run Workout #3--20 mi. @ mp + 15 sec.)R 19.6 mi
TOTAL--R 36.2 miles miles (+10 miles from the previous week)
Weigh-In*: 181.0 lbs. (+1 lb. from the previous week) [* @ 6:00 a.m. on 5/4]

It was a pleasant surprise to run so well in Saturday's 5k for Kenya. As the results show, I placed tenth overall, eight of all men and first in my age/gender group. My pace was not PR (though we'll never know as the distance was incorrect) but not having run a competitive 5k in a while, it was nice to have my training for the marathon rewarded with a well run race at that distance.

Breathe in, breathe out... YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!