Marathon Training Week Six: First Double-Digit Run

Ready...Set...Go!

This Saturday, I'll be stepping out for my first double-digit run...ever! Yes, I ran 9.2 miles just a couple weeks ago, as well as a 15K (9.3 miles) back in March, but this Saturday will be the first time I'll be crossing the ten-mile mark. Well, I'll actually be running eleven miles, and I plan to do so at an easy training pace of 12 minutes per mile. So I guess that means I'll be out there for about two hours and ten minutes...hey, that's about the length of a good movie!

And like a good movie, I'm actually looking forward to the run. Yes, I know the conditions will be far from optimal (it's been 80 degrees with humidity over 90% at 5:30am all week), my body and clothes will be soaked with sweat, and I might have a few moments along the way where I might doubt myself. On the other side of the coin, though, it's exciting to think that I can overcome the elements, that my legs (and some water and nutrients) can take me for an eleven-mile run, and that this run will be moving me one step closer to the ultimate prize of crossing that marathon finish line in January!

Tune in next week to see how it went (or whether I made it). In the interim, here's the recap of Week Five, as well as this week's full schedule...

Marathon Training - Week Five (July 29 - August 4) Monday - 4.17 Mile Run (10:18 Pace)
Tuesday - Stationary Bike (45 Mins, Hills, Level 7), Abs (4 Exercises, 3 x 12 Reps)
Wednesday - 5.08 Mile Run (10:33 Pace)
Thursday - Stationary Bike (45 Minutes, Hills, Level 7), 30-Minute Cybex Circuit
Friday - 4.11 Mile Run (10:27 Pace)
Saturday - OFF
Sunday - Easy 2/2 Run/Walk Intervals (2.99 Miles)

Total Miles on the Pavement - 18.24 Miles (Includes Warm Up and Cool Down Walks)

Total Marathon Training Miles - 99.33


Marathon Training - Week Six (August 5 - August 11)
Monday - Stationary Bike (45 Mins, Hills, Level 8), Abs (4 Exercises, 3 x 12 Reps) - COMPLETE
Tuesday - 5.17 Mile Run (10:59 Pace) - COMPLETE
Wednesday - Stationary Bike (45 Minutes, Hills, Level 7), 30-Minute Cybex Circuit - COMPLETE
Thursday - 4 Mile Run
Friday - OFF
Saturday - 11 Mile Run (I think I can...I think I can...I think I can...)
Sunday - Family Run
Let's just hope that "I think I can" turns into "I knew I could" by the time the sun comes up this Saturday!

Until next time, enjoy your journey...