Marathon Plan Week 22 of 24

I’m in the home stretch of this marathon plan. This week is the most challenging to date. But after this is two weeks of taper before the marathon on September 24.

Week 22 plan:

  • Monday: off
  • Tuesday: Tempo Run, 60 minutes total with 40 minutes at threshold pace
  • Wednesday: Strength
  • Thursday: Lactate Intervals, 50 minutes total with 5 x 3 minutes at VO2 max pace, 3 minute active recoveries
  • Friday: Alternate Cardio, 45 minutes
  • Saturday: Optional Foundation Run 40 minutes; Strength
  • Sunday: Long Run 3 hours (or Hal Hidgon 20 miles). I’m shooting for another 20 mile run. There is a 9 mile race near my house that morning so I will only need to run 11 miles solo. This day is also my husband’s birthday so I anticipate my day will be wake, run, stretch, nap, take hubby out to celebrate birthday, sleep.

I have 3 weeks until the marathon but I’m already thinking about what comes next. I wish that I had Julie’s love of running, that I felt the joy she does during the act of running. Yesterday my husband and I ran 11 miles. The weather was perfect, 65-70 and sunny with a nice breeze. There were ducks on the pond. The run was nice. It was a great day to be outside. It made me feel good and yet, at the same time, it was a training run and was “work.” It was not exactly fun although I feel good that it was pretty easy compared to how difficult even 10 miles was back in mid July. For me running is like broccoli. It’s OK. I know that it’s good for me and will make me feel good. So I make sure to do (eat) it but if there was not a clear upside (health) I would not do (eat) it for fun.

2 Comments on “Marathon Plan Week 22 of 24

  1. Cathy! Is running really like broccoli?? You know, I shouldn’t be so shocked that it feels that way. I once hated running. It was so broccoli! But as I ran more, I began to love it more. Now it is all love and passion. Only 3 weeks out to your marathon, yippee!! You’ll love it, I just know it!

  2. Julie, when I read your blog I feel ashamed that I cannot find a joy similar to yours about running. Perhaps I need a companion like the amazing Topaz for my runs?
    I need to run 20 miles tomorrow, just a short training run for you. I fear it. I need it for the marathon but it’s not joy that I feel about tomorrow. I’m going to do a 9 mile race first to have the fun of running in a group. It’s the 11 miles after that which will be the “broccoli” miles.