2020 Boston Marathon – Week 9
This week, I hit the mid-way point of the training cycle. Unfortunately, rainy weather kept me on the treadmill. I received good news about my health but it left me wondering… So, why am I still so tired?
Training Schedule
February 9th – February 15th
Sunday: Long Run. 15 miles, easy to moderate
Monday: Easy Run. 6 miles w/strides
Tuesday: Interval Run. 10 x 3 mins hard up/downhill w/2-minute jog recovery
Wednesday: Rest, cross-train, or strength work
Thursday: Marathon-pace Run. 6 miles @ goal marathon pace
Friday: Easy Run. 6 miles
Saturday: Easy Run. 8 miles w/strides
Total: ~50 Miles
Notes. I added close to 3 miles to my long run on Sunday. Once again. I skipped cross-training on Wednesday. This time, I was too busy in the morning.
Workouts
Long Run. 15 miles, easy to moderate [Log Details]
I decided to run the same route that I did two weeks ago. It was going to be a beautiful day for running – cold but calm winds.
D.C.-area forecast: Mild and dry today; showers back tomorrow with periods of rain into midweek https://t.co/1FGwZcxwhr
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) February 9, 2020
The early miles to the Custis Trail, I listened to a podcast about delight. Thirty minutes into the run, I started a Clif Shot Energy Gel. At one point, “What happened to smell-o-vision?!” popped into my head. At the Mount Vernon Trail, I ran past the water stop knowing it wasn’t working. At 1:15 mark, I started a Crank Sports e-Gel.
Reminding myself that I’m running the London Marathon six days after Boston served as motivation. I kept thinking, “I need to get fit!”
On the Four Mile Run Trail, my pace didn’t change much but at the 2:15 mark, I had another Clif Shot Energy Gel. I stayed on that route in Shirlington rather than cutting-over to the W&OD Trail.
I was excited that this run was 30 sec./mile faster than two weeks ago!
Overall pace=9:36.
Interval Run. 10 x 3 mins hard up/downhill. 2 min jog recovery [Log Details]
I had a rough recovery run in the rain the day before so I did this workout on the treadmill so I would stay warm and dry.
D.C.-area forecast: Morning rain, then a brief break before more wet weather moves in https://t.co/02hMXDwPpo
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) February 11, 2020
Treadmill at Golds Gym – 07212019I did 10 x 3 minutes @ 7.0 speed (8:34 pace) and 2% incline, followed by 3 minutes @ 7.5 speed (8:00 pace) and 0% incline, and then 2 minutes of a jog recovery @ 4.0 speed (15:00 pace). Roughly, this equated to the last time I did this workout except there was no downhill. By the 4th repetition, I walked the recoveries. On the 7th set, I cut the speed down to 6.5 and 7.0 on the 7th set but did the final 3 as prescribed.
Uphill/downhill splits=(1) 8:29/8:01, (2) 8:29/8:01, (3) 8:29/8:01, (4) 8:29/8:01, (5) 8:29/8:01, (6) 8:29/8:01, (7) 9:14/8:29 (8) 8:29/8:01, (9) 8:29/8:01, (10) 8:29/8:01. Average=8:34/8:04.
Marathon-pace Run. 6 miles @ goal marathon pace [No Log Details]
Last week, I determined my goal marathon pace should probably be around 8:30 pace (sub 3:42 marathon).
D.C.-area forecast: Springlike warmth and showers today, but then a quick shot of bitter cold https://t.co/Te1WX6KWiN
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) February 13, 2020
After running 15 minutes with the treadmill on the 4.4 settings (13:39 pace), I stopped the treadmill and re-started it at 7.0 (8:34 pace). Looking around the gym, it were many of the people from Tuesday. I listened to 6 miles of music from my 2020 Boston Marathon playlist. I sipped on Vitalyte but it was too strong. I ran an additional 15 minutes with the treadmill at 5.2 speed. The pace didn’t feel 100% comfortable but was completely manageable.
After the run, I had an unabashed crying session in the locker room. All the pent-up stress I’d been carrying from starting a new job and lingering health concerns just poured out.
Marathon-pace segment pace=8:35.
Health
Illness. On Thursday, I had an appointment with a rheumatologist… Before Thanksgiving, I received blood tests result that indicated I might have Lupus! With all the other tests that I was doing, I postponed pursuing it until January. After a consult and bloodwork with a rheumatologist in late January, the results were in!
The good news is that I don’t have Lupus.
The bad news is that I don’t know what is causing my fatigue.
Gear
StrideBox. My February Stridebox came this month. It has Taos Bakes Bar, Untapped Natural Syrup, Barnana Organic Chewy Banana Bites, Click Coffee & Protein Drink Mix, Doctor Noys Natural Pain Relief, and Stridebox Essentials 2 Ounce Multi-Use Containers. The tiny containers are adorable!
Media & Motivation
News. “Guide to the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials“, Runner’s World. The excitement around the trials in Atlanta on February 29th is increasing. It’s going to be the largest field in U.S. history. On the men’s side, Galen Rupp seems to be the favorite. On the women’s side, with Shalane Flanagan retired and Amy Cragg withdrawing due to injury, it’s an open field.
Racing Schedule
Next race: 2020 Reston 10 Miler on Sunday, March 8th. My goal is sub-1:23:52 (8:30 pace).
(My Racing Schedule)
