Run Less, Run Faster Update
I’m currently on Week 5 of 16 of my Marine Corps Marathon Training Plan. As regular readers of my Run Bulldog Run blog already know, I’m following the intense training schedule found in the Run Less, Run Faster book. Thought it would be a good time to post an training update.
The plan comprises 3 quality runs per week, including track repeats, a tempo run, and a long run, which are designed to work together to improve endurance, lactate-threshold running pace, and leg speed. I must admit I’m more comfortable running the longer distance of the weekend run, am ok completing the tempo run on a Thursday evening, but find the Tuesday track repeats very tough.
After 4 weeks I’ve increased my long run from 13 miles to 20 miles, and completed 8 quality workouts either on the track or on the road. My biggest challenge to date has been the heat. Since returning from vacation in early July, we’ve had a mini heatwave here in Virginia Beach. I’ve even run at 4:30 in the morning to avoid the afternoon heat, so I’m looking forward to lower temperatures and lower humidity in the coming weeks.
With several household projects on the go at the moment, I’ve also neglected some of my cross training duties. I should be swimming or bike riding a couple of times per week, but I’m finding it difficult to do anything aside from running. The cross training is designed to increase my endurance and is therefore a very important factor and a key to the success of the plan. I really must try harder to incorporate non-weight bearing activities into my weekly workouts.
All in all, I’m happy with the progress made so far. Some of the track workouts have left me frustrated, but I’m sure that’s been due to the heat rather than my lack of desire and effort. Week 5 has been good so far and I’m looking forward to Saturday’s ASYMCA Mud Run and Sunday’s 18 mile long run. The “Mud Run” should be great fun - an 8k race on sand and mud, with the odd obstacle thrown in for good measure!
If you’d like to read a more comprehensive review of my training so far, head on over to Run Bulldog Run where you’ll find detailed statistics on each workout courtesy of my Garmin Forerunner 305. Let me know if you hav any questions or comments….
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