2015 Boston Marathon Training Begins

Ran past this historic house in Apex during my first week of training.  

I've made it through the first three weeks of training for the 2015 Boston Marathon. Because I have a new coach and a new training program, I am venturing into the unknown. I credit my previous coach with helping me to qualify for and to run in Boston. My past four marathon cycles have been pretty much the same, which means I knew I could get through the training (unless injury struck). I had a dramatic change in my time the first time I incorporated speed work into my training. And, I've been at that place ever since. Now I go into each week and most workouts wondering if I can hit the paces in the plan. After three weeks I am undaunted.

Got into the Christmas spirit while on the American Tobacco Trail.

The training will emphasize different kinds of workouts beginning with a speed phase, which I just completed. Next comes the tempo phase during which I'll focus on running faster then race pace. Then I will concentrate on hill training. After the hills, I'll focus on a combination of speed, tempo and marathon pace runs while running 55-60 miles per week. My goal marathon pace is 8:15 for a finish time of around 3:40-3:35. The difference this time is that I am training to SUSTAIN the 8:15 pace for the entire 26.2 miles.

Rainy day on the trail.  I had several cold, rainy runs in December.  

This is what my training looked like during the past three weeks:
Week 1
Sun. 4 miles at conversation pace (9:10 per mile average pace)
Mon. 2 miles conversation pace, 4 X 300m at 6:07 average pace with 1 min. jogs in between, 2 miles
Tues. cross training, basic training class
Tues. Christmas light social run approx. 4 miles at conversation pace
Wed. was to be 4 miles, but I did it on Tues. instead
Thurs. 2 miles conversation pace, 6 X 800m w/2 min. jogs in between, 2 miles
   split paces: 6:45, 6:51, 6:39, 7:01, 6:59 and 7:08
Fri. rest
Sat. 14 miles at 9:02 average pace with a downhill start and uphill finish

My husband gave me an early Christmas present one rainy morning.   He got me a WATERPROOF jacket.  I found this tag pretty funny.  Not even this jacket can make me want to stay outdoors in the rain.  Water resistant just doesn't cut it sometimes. 

Week 2 (Christmas Week)
Sun. 4 miles at conversation pace
Mon. 2 miles at conversation pace, 4 X 400 with 1 min. jogs in between, 2 miles conversation pace
     Not sure of my times for a couple of reasons (tech. difficulty, estimating distance.)  It was quick, but probably did not hit goal for short intervals of a 6:30 pace.
Tues. cross training, basic training
Wed. 4 miles conversation pace
Thurs. 2 miles at conversation pace, 3 miles with 3 min. jogs in between, 2 miles
      split paces: 7:33, 7:22 and 7:28
Fri. rest
Sat. 12 miles at 9:13 average pace on a hilly course

Out of Town for the Holidays and having to be creative with workouts

Week 3 (New Year's Week)
Sun. 4 miles at conversation pace
Mon. 2 miles, 7x100m at 6:31pace with 1 minute jogs in between, 2 miles (hotel treadmill)
Tues. cross training (did not do b/c traveling home)
Wed. 4 miles at conversation pace
Thurs. 2 miles, 4 X 1200m with 2 min.  jog in between, 2 miles
     split paces:  7:07, 7:12, 7:14, 7:13
Fri. rest
Sat. 14 miles with 2 at marathon pace (8:02)
Sun. 4 miles at conversation pace (was sluggish)

We celebrated Christmas with family in Corydon, IN, the original state capitol.
I did a long and short run through and around the city.  I saw old homes, historic landmarks, fun Christmas decorations and beautiful countryside.  Great hill training!