Four weeks

At this point I suppose the goals are simple: continue to remain strong and in shape, and don’t get hurt. That’s pretty heady stuff for any runner because the deep-rooted motivation of any runner worth anything is to push as hard as possible – always try to get better.

So can I get better in four weeks? Well, yeah.

I doubt I can get much stronger than I am in four weeks, but the mental part of the game and my confidence can always improve. In that regard the plan is to keep the mileage high for the next two weeks with a little more quality work (more hills, tempos, fartlek) sprinkled in before starting the 10-day taper.

Three days into the taper I plan to run a 5K. It’s a race, but I’m not going to race anyone but myself. Actually, I’m going to shoot for 15:59 on a somewhat hilly course. We’ll see…

Maybe I’m faster.

Monday, March 31
21 miles in 2:18:13 – early, early in the morning before going to Opening Day.
Last 7 days: 126

Tuesday, April 1
1st run – 17 miles in 1:54:02
2nd run – 5 miles in 34:55
Last 7 days: 126

Wednesday, April 2
18 miles in 2:00:40 – no second run… had to go to a baseball game.
Last 7 days: 122

Thursday, April 3
1st run – 17 miles in 1:51:46
2nd run – 5 miles in 35:33
Last 7 days: 121

Friday, April 4
1st run – 17 miles in 1:47:49 – ran the last 5 in 28.
2nd run – 5 miles in 36:54
Last 7 days: 128

Saturday, April 5
1st run – 15 miles in 1:37:16
2nd run – 5 miles in 34:37
Last 7 days: 135

Sunday, April 6
8 miles in 54:04
Last 7 days: 133 – most ever… beats record of 131 set in October of 1998.