With spring running and racing gearing up, I’ve decided to stick to a rather structured training plan. The problem I’ve found is my tried and true distance plans do not quite fit the needs I have for the upcoming races this spring. My first main race is a trail half marathon with a 970ft elevation climb. I really need more mileage under my feet than a traditional half plan calls for. So, I do what I do best…improvise and pretend it’s the best solution!
Last year, my goal was to finish Twisted Ankle and I did. I got lost, walked a lot, panicked a little, but I crossed the line. This year, I have goals that involved knocking some serious time off last year. And of course, NOT getting lost.
How am I doing so far? Two weeks ago, I was way ahead of schedule. But then I’ve had to skip the last long run due to sinus infection. I need to get a long run in Sunday and the way I’m coughing today is not leaving me with much hope.
Here is my calendar
Feb 21-27: Completed total of 21 miles (Sun 8 miles)
Feb 28-M 6: Completed 15 miles (no long run)
M6-M 12: So far, only 8 miles. Long run to be determined.
The rest of this spring include a St. Paddy’s Day 5K on the 19th. I like this because my birthday is St. Patrick’s Day, it’s a race/parade back home in MS, and I love racing on/around my birthday to celebrate getting older and yet not feeling a day over age 25.
I’m also thinking about a road half on the last weekend in April. This would be a great training run for the trail race on May 14th.
After the trail race, I’m taking a couple of weeks to rest up and try another half at Copper Mountain while we’re in Colorado.
And I’m going to tackle Gold Hill (no…not a hill…a 13,000 ft beast in Telluride) again. But this time, I don’t want to fee like I’m either going to die or push Stephen off the face of that thing.
So, that’s my spring/summer schedule. Now, I’m headed for more water, cough medicine, and maybe hot shower to clear up more gunk. I’ve got running plans to keep.