I never thought I'd be where I am now in my training, even in 8 months from now. I figured doing long runs close to 7 min pace, doing easy runs at 8 min pace and doing tempo runs at 6:45 pace was something I would have to work hard for. Not that I'm not working hard. I'm averaging 40-50 miles a week, running one hill workout a week, and one hard long run a week. But when training for Boston a year and a half ago, I was doing 80 miles a week, 2 weekly speed workouts, hills, two-a-days, and a hard long run. I'm not training nearly as hard now as I was then, but I'm training faster. What can I attribute to this? There are a few reasons I have come up with. 1. I'm living in Eugene. I am constantly surrounded by runners and coaches. I have new friends who are elite athletes or coach elite athletes whom I can get tips from and talk to about running. These people are helping me to train smarter. 2. I run in the Nike Free 3.0 and 5.0. This small change alone has made a huge difference in my running. I now run more efficiently. My body loves the responsiveness and I run lighter on my feet. The human body also does not want to get injured while running barefoot, and I feel that the pounds seem to come off more easily and stay off. 3. Hills. Brad Hudson's theory of hill sprints works! The one hill workout I do a week is like a hard weight lifting routine in the gym, without gaining all the extra unnecessary muscle. 4. Massages. I would not be running right now if it wasn't for the weekly massage treatments and the bimonthly tune-ups I get. 5. Getting injured. Being injured for so long helps me to run smarter. I stay away from speed work, allow my body to rest, and listen to my body better.
Since my breakthrough run at Row River and then the 10sec. per mile drop off that time on my 20miler this weekend, I'm constantly getting asked, "what's your goal at Victoria." I originally did not have a goal. I was not going to train hard for this marathon or do any speed work, and keep it around 3:40. But now, 3:20, 3:15, 3:10, and this week 3:06 have all been potential marathon times. If I keep dropping seconds off my long run like I have been doing the past 2 months, I could set myself up for a 3:00 marathon. Do I think a 3:00 marathon is possible? No, not right now, not the way I felt on my 20. But that got me thinking. What could I do to run under 3:15, possibly even under 3:10 without adding speed work or mileage. The answer is cut weight. Simple enough, if I lose 5 pounds, I could run a 3:10 marathon without changing anything else. I'm not sure if the weight loss will happen this time around. I am more concerned about staying fueled and healthy at this point. I will admit though, the idea is tempting and whatever happens, happens.
Anyone who knew me in elementary school, knew I was not an athlete. Even in middle school my volleyball skills were laughable. In high school is where I got the title of "runner". Now I'm a marathoner who's looking to crack 3:10 and move onto 50K's and 50 milers. I don't believe I will ever break 19:30 in the 5K or even 40:00 in the 10K, why? Because I will never focus on those distances alone. I do believe I am capable than more than use to give myself credit for. I am just waiting for a "bad run" to remind me that I am not a runner and that I will always have to work hard to reach my marathon goals. Some days I lose respect for the distance, but I know the marathon always finds a way to humble you, no matter who you are and what kind of shape you are in. I am excited and nervous to see what changes happen in these next five weeks. I could keep getting faster, hit a plateau, or peak too early and crash and burn. One thing that I don't take for granted though, is that I'm marathoning again! And that in itself is a victory I've been long waiting for.
