Boston Marathon Training (Week 4)

Making it through this week means that I am now officially 25% of the way completed with this training cycle. 4 weeks down, and 12 weeks from today is the 119th Boston Marathon. This was really probably the best week I have had with my training so far. The weather has been very cooperative with temperatures being in the mid 20s. For January, at 4:00 AM, that is very nice. And also, very little wind to deal with. After last winter, I consider this a blessing.

Monday: 10 minute warmup, 3X8:00 intervals with 2:00 active rest between each and a 10 minute cool down (7.33 miles total.) Pace for the 8:00 intervals were 6:36, 6:44, and 6:49. Not speedy really but at 4AM, I won’t complain about those. Heart rate was right around 164 on average during those intervals.

Tuesday: Recovery run (5 miles)

Wednesday: another easy run (6 miles)

Thursday: Rest day

Friday: 10 minute warm up, 3×10:00 intervals with 2:00 active rest between. The pace for the intervals were 6:36, 6:41, 6:30. (7.76 miles total). Best speed work so far. Heart rate average was right around 170 on average and Max out at 178.

Saturday: Long run. 20 miles. Average pace was 7:14 per mile. Not too bad especially after the speed work the day before. Last 3 miles were 6:54, 6:49, and 6:44. After the run, my Garmin predicted I could run a marathon in 2:49:00. Not counting on that but would be nice to run under 2:50:00 but would be happy with anything under 2:55:00

Total for the week: 46.09 miles

The 2015 Boston Jacket

It’s the item most wanted by any marathon runner who is running their first Boston Marathon. It is a badge of honor to get to wear at any race or race expo. It says “I have ran with best athletes in the world.” It is, of course, the Boston Marathon Jacket. Runners who qualify for the Boston Marathon have three dates in mind when it comes to this race.
#1 the date registration opens and when you get your confirmation email
#2 the date of the race
#3 when will Adidas release the jacket?

A few weeks ago, the running community started to stir when the London Marathon Jacket was released. In the past, the London and Boston Jackets, both made by Adidas, have been identical other than the race logo. Part of me was hoping this would not be the case this year as I first saw the jacket. It is very purple. I know I run in my purple Sarah Strong singlet every race, but purple is really not my color.

Then it was released, the 2015 Boston Marathon Anthem jacket. It was in Deep, purple.

While, like I said, purple is not my color, let’s face it, this is my first and probably last Boston Marathon. I will be wearing this jacket everywhere (for $110, I had better wear it a lot). So I ordered the jacket early for a couple of reasons. 1. I wanted to ensure I got the size I wanted. 2. I saved 15% with a special code and got free shipping.

What I like most about this jacket: no screen printing. All logos and lettering is stitched.

While I stated purple is not my color, it is growing on me. At this time I can’t wear the jacket (not until I cross the finish line accept for the 1 mi ute that I had it on to ensure it fit to my liking), so all I can do is look at it. The jacket will not see the light of day until I leave for Boston and won’t be worn until after the marathon is over. Not superstition, just going back to my rule of not wearing the race shirt/gear until you have run the event. I have yet to earn the right to do so.

Lastly, if you are interested in supporting Tina (my wife) and I on this once in a lifetime trip to the 2015 Boston Marathon, go to my Go Fund Me site
Any support is greatly appreciated.

Boston Marathon Training (week 3)

Monday: 5×5:00 speed work with 1:30 active rest between each. 6.84 miles
Tuesday: easy run 5.41 miles
Wednesday: easy run 5 miles
Thursday: rest
Friday: 2×10:00 speed work with 2:00 active rest. 5.67 miles
Saturday: long run 15.70 miles
Sunday: rest

Total: 38.62

Temperatures got a little warmer this week and melted the snow/ice off the roads. Wind has also been less of a factor so it has been nice to run in shorts again. Looking back at where I was last year at this time getting ready for the Carmel Marathon, the pace on my long run is a lot faster right now and I am covering a greater distance in my speed work than last year. I am also using my heart rate monitor this time around which is holding me more accountable on my speed work.

VO2 Max: 57
Race Predictor: 2:50:45 (this would be about a 5 minute PR)

Boston Marathon Training (Week 2)

Monday: recovery run 5.26 miles
Tuesday: intervals: 4×5:00 with 1:30 active rest between intervals. 5.72 miles
Wednesday: recovery run 5 miles
Thursday: off
Friday: Intervals: 4×5:00 with 2:00 active rest between intervals. 6.00 miles
Saturday: off
Sunday: long run. 13.11 miles
Totals: 35.09 miles

Many days this week, runs were spent in wind chills of -15 degrees or colder. Also roads all week have been snowed covered and ice covered. While I am thrilled with my pacing or distances on the interval workouts, the heart rate is reaching the desired range. Hard to compare to last years training right now. While we had similar conditions last winter, I was also coming off of the Huff 50k last year as well when training began. Saturday’s long run got pushed back to Sunday for the second week in a row because of brutally cold temperatures.
Core workouts also began this week. My schedule for Core workouts is Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. I have been using the app Sworkit, which can be found in the App Store. I have started with a 20 minute workout with random core exercises lasting a minute each.

VO2 Max remains at 55.
Marathon prediction time remains at 3:00:04.
Until the roads clear up, these two levels probably won’t change much.

Boston Marathon Training (Week 1)

“The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare.”
-Juma Ikangaa

Training for the 119th Boston Marathon began on Monday, December 29th. I am using a 16 week training program. This is the same training program that I have used for the last 4 marathons that I have ran. There are other training plans that are geared towards running the Boston Marathon and the demands of the course, but I am have chosen to stick with what got me to Boston. Throughout the next couple months, you might see me compare how my training is going vs. how my training went last winter or last summer. Tina also purchased for me a new training “toy,” the Garmin Forerunner 620. Thank you once again Tina for that surprise. I love you. I will do a review on this new watch in the next week but from week to week I will also post what the Garmin believes I could run a marathon in.

Week 1
Monday
6.16 miles relaxed

Tuesday
Speed workout
10 Minutes warmup
4X4:00 with 1:30 active rest between each interval
10 minute cool down
5.55 miles

Wednesday
Off

Thursday
Frigid 5K race in Warsaw, IN
1.5 mile warm-up
3.1 mile race (18:36) 2nd place overall, 1st in age division
1.5 mile cool down
25 mph winds. 24 degrees, wind chill 5 degrees

Friday
40 minute fartlick run
6 miles

Saturday
Long run was pushed back to Sunday due to cold temperatures along with a mix of rain and freezing rain

Sunday
12 miles

Total miles: 29.81
VO2 Max: 55
Marathon prediction time: 3:00:04
I didn’t get the new Garmin until Thursday afternoon, so the only runs that contribute to my VO2 and my predicted time were from Friday and Sunday.
The next week should be interesting for training as we get some really cold weather moving in along with possible snow storms.