Sunday's run at about the 1/2 way point was 'ridiculous'!
In a matter of seconds it went from mild conditions (11C/52F) on dry roads to a drenching downpour along with a sound and light show. Good thing the camera was waterproof! We (Andrew, Ozzie and myself) were exactly at the 1/2 way point on the loop and so there was no real option except to keep moving forward. Despite this, it was a run we won't soon forget and the 13 miles zipped along in 1:48. My hamstrings gave me problems again and the constant reminder to do something about it remained for the rest of the day and into this week.Much of the conversation focused on our running plans and methods. Most of you know how Andrew trains with his devotion to Lydiard, high mileage with lots of ups and downs and still able to knock off fast marathons at the drop of a hat. Ozzie (aka Austin) at age 54 is a consistent age group ace and sub-3hr marathoner. At the recent 2008 Mount Desert Island marathon he ran 2:57 placed 10/700 overall, winning his age group by over 15 minutes! Age graded this is equal to a 2:36 at 80.88%! Asked about how he trains he reveals that he takes 1-2 days off a week but races almost every weekend. Nothing specific or structured but he runs at a good (read tempo) effort on most runs. Andrew called it 'The Boyden Plan'. Amazing, or should I say ridiculously amazing!
Mike from BC asked what's different about my latest plan, which is far from being unstructured. It's actually alot of the same but then again not the same. Same with: the overall mileage, cutback weeks, long runs, medium long runs and a sprinkling of tempo plus faster running. Different in: the fast finish long runs as well as a couple of extra long runs at 3+hrs. Also different with a series of 6 mile MP 'tests' every 4 weeks which I'm planning to run on the treadmill while monitoring heartrate. The tempo and interval workouts from McMillan aren't much different from the Pfitzinger plans but I'll be closely monitoring paces based on the McMillan running calculator. 'On a wing and a prayer, Andrew?' We'll have to wait and see what happens, right?
Other happenings lately include the Pushup Challenge, now in Week 4, Day 2 and getting more challenging by the day. I'm beginning to fear these morning wakeup efforts like I would a challenging track or interval workout but can see the progress after only one week, I'm also happy to see a number of my readers have taken an interest in the challenge. Good luck to all who dare!
Running tidbits...
Monday -Day off running; 95 total pushups in 5 sets.
Tues - easy 6 miles in 50ish; back to the old timepiece as the Garmin has gone AWOL
That's all folks! Have a great week!
8 comments:
You guys are hardcore running in that kind of weather! I hope Tim Horton's was to be had afterward.
Looking forward to following your progress with the plan... looks like a good one.
way too soon for that stuff and then to have it happen in the middle of your run yak.
Yikes, that rain doesn't look fun at all. And to think that I get to run to work in the same tomorrow morning:) I think I'd 'almost' have snow.
That's why I like multiple laps of small loops on dodgy looking days. 1:48 is zippy alright!
It's interesting about the different training methods. Our club marathon record holder in the M50-54 used a cross between Andrew and Ozzie's training - he ran high mileage, much of it over hills (like Lydiard), and all of it was "fast" - around 4:00/km pace. Off that he ran 2:30:52. So, obviously talented, and with great powers of recovery.
I'm not sure it's something to "try at home"!
That was a crazy run but fun in an odd way.
Running in the rain (even ridiculous rain) is fun but sometimes I think all of us who enjoy outdoor pastimes in the wetter parts of the world should migrate like to warmer climates for the winter!!! If only!! :)
Best of luck with "the plan". Boston is a great city ... I lived there for a while and if I ever run a marathon Boston is on the list!!
It looks insane, but I totally get it...
Man, wish I could have been there...
Post a Comment