In between

Making plans.... have to find a way out from the rock bottom and taste the pain.

2 out of 3

Berlin is done. I broke 3 hrs for the first time but totally in a wrong way. So, marathon didn't go quite like I expected but by the time I hit the wall (22-24km) I was sure about what I have done wrong/have neglected. Long story short: I'm not that disappointed that I just ran the worst result ever. Summer hasn't been that easy, but now I'm eagerly waiting for getting back at it. One thing is sure - I won't be running marathons anytime soon.


Take care. I'll take some time off.


HCS!

T-1

Enough said.

Taper

This used to be the best time of training. All the mileage and hard workouts are done and then you just had to be patient enough. Now, I don't even remember how to taper... Luckily, it's not rocket science.

I missed Monday's run and the same happened today but I'm not worried. Maybe tomorrow I won't skip the daily dose and continue from where I left myself yesterday (2x2k'1k+1k @ sub MP). Sunday I'll do 10-13 ez miles and then on next Wednesday/Thursday it's time for final wake-up call (3x2k or 3 miles @ MP). On Friday I'll meet HCS crew in Berlin.

And then on 25th....

T-3

Hello from the stealth mode. Berlin is in 3 weeks. Enuff said. Here's what has been going on:

Last-last week
M: Off / Off (this far this workout has been most perpetual)
T: Easy / Easy
W: Easy / Easy
T: 20x200m'200m / WU+20x200m'200m (on track)+CD (late evening, was really nice)
F: Easy or moderate long run / Easy short run
S: Easy / Easy
S: Tempo run 12.5 miles / Tempo run 12.5 miles @ MP (I almost dropped out at 9 miles. I just hated the rain and headwind so much)

Last week:
M: Off / Off
T: Easy / Easy w/ Babyjogger
W: Easy / Easy w/ Babyjogger
T: Yasso800s. 6-8*800 / WU+6*Yasso800s+CD
F: Easy / Easy
S: Easy / Easy
S: Race 7.5K / WU+Race (at last) 7.5k @10KP

And then this week's plan (T-3)
M: Off (I think that I missed this today by running ez. Damnit!)
T: Long run 13 miles w/ 6 miles @ MP
W: Easy
T: Easy
F: Easy
S: 8-10 x 400m with 200m jog in sets of four at half marathon, 10K, 5K and 3K race pace
S: Long run 20 miles
The race I did after awhile was extremely important mentally. I just accepted that I won't be able to match top guys pace and focused on keep my pace steady. Luckily, it was just enough to keep women's winner behind me...

Too much

Too much other activities than running have been going on lately. After staying a week in San Antonio we moved to a temporary housing (for the next 3.5 months to get away from pipe repair and kitchen renovation taking place at our home), I faced enormous work load and almost lost the touch with running. That's the reason for the absence from blogging, too.

Today I had a time slot for 20x200m'200m jog rest. I ran it on track instead of road and I was rollin'. The last three weeks have looked something like this:

Plan/execution:
M: Off
T: Easy / Ez 9 miles
W: 12-16 x 400m with 200m jog in sets of four at half marathon, 10K, 5K and 3K race pace / 16x400m'200m jog rest
T: Easy / Ez
F: Tempo run 15km @ MP and 25 hours of traveling to San Antonio / 15 km tempo run @ subMP
S: Off (got stuck in Chicago etc.) / Off
S: Long run 13-16 miles / Due to jet lack and harsh weather only 7 miles of which 6 was too much
M: Easy / Off
T: Easy / Easy
W: 8-10xYasso800s / Hah. No way that was going to happen => Easy
T: Off / Off, 25hrs of traveling
F: Easy / Easy, almost forgot to run
S: Race 14 km / WU+12.5 miles tempo run @ MP
S: Long run 13 miles / Easy

And then plan for this week
M: Off
T: Easy
W: Easy
T: 20x200m'200m
F: Easy or moderate long run
S: Easy
S: Tempo run 12.5 miles

And then a disturbing confession: Mentally I'm not at all ready for Berlin. Any suggestions how to fix that?

Too busy

Memories

Greetings from San Antonio, TX. It's fun to back in the US. I DO miss many things and people here, but I'm quite sure that hot and humid weather is not one them.

I ran a deaccelerating 7-miler in humid (feels like) 85F. I was supposed to run 13 miles. Did not happen. This particular ez run almost as painful as all of my workout from this Summer put together. So all of my running buddies in MD - you're tough guys! I feel so lucky that the next three days are easy (running-wise that is). Now I'm off to breakfast.

Fun times

Last week was awesome. Wednesday's bike ride, weekend's Nationals, Saturday's early tempo run w/ Moguli and Sunday's long run were pretty cool. A closer look shows that I was almost able keep up with the training program.

M: Off // Off
T: Easy // Ez
W: AM Easy, PM Bike ride // Ez + short hills + 60 miles bike ride
T: 4x2km'4min. @ HMP // 6xYasso 800s
F: Easy // Ez
S: Tempo 7-8 miles @ MP // Tempo run 7.5 miles w/ Moguli
S: Long run 18-20 miles EZ // Long run 19.5 (@7:15s to 6:40s)

This Friday I'll fly to scary hot San Antonio, TX and will (for sure) take it ez while staying there. Accordingly, tomorrow and early Friday morning will comprise workouts. This week's schedule:

M: Off
T: Easy
W: 12-16 x 400m with 200m jog in sets of four at half marathon, 10K, 5K and 3K race pace
T: Easy
F: Tempo run 15km @ MP and 25 hours of traveling
S: Off
S: Long run 13-16 miles

Weekend's hobby

Some outcomes from this weekend. Nationals were held in our backyard - at the renovated Paavo Nurmi Stadium. I didn't have any "offical" photo tasks this time but here's some pictures.