2013 Spring Training

Before the actual blogging begins, here's a quick recap of my pre-IM spring training: I ran a marathon. Why? Because two of my friends told me that the best thing they did before their fall IM was run a spring marathon. I hadn't run "just" a marathon in 10 years and really had no desire to do so, but they had convinced me that it would help my run in IMC so I fell for it and signed up for the Colorado Marathon (5/6/13).

This is us before the race

and this is us after the race:

Overall, I had a great time. Finished in 4:25, almost an hour slower than my PR (3:32, Chicago) but I'm 10 yrs older too. Felt really good most of the way with a 2nd wind at mile 18 (oddly enough), started to fade at mile 22'ish, struggled but didn't stop running until the finish line.

The best thing about doing this marathon was the training - I really enjoyed it!  I followed the Furman FIRST training plan and really liked it. It's unique in that it requires only 3 days of running. Each week has a tempo run, interval run, and long run. The other days you cross-train. I felt great and would highly recommend it.

The plan called for two 20 milers and even though I ended up doing two 18 milers and one 20 miler, I felt good on those long runs. That was a huge confidence builder! I did a little speedwork but not much, mainly because my goal for this IM is to finish, not PR.