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| I'm sort of obsessed with my new McMillan plan for spring. |
One of the questions you answer for McMillan ahead of getting your plan is which race you want to target. Since it's not about a marathon and qualifying for Boston this time, I put a whole bunch of races ranging from 5K to half-marathon on there and told him to pick, keeping in mind my main goal of gaining speed without losing too much endurance. I submitted the questionnaire, asking for a start date for the plan of Monday, Feb. 6....and then I waited. I couldn't sign up for any races until the plan arrived, because I didn't know which of the ones I suggested McMillan would choose. Instead, I've been concentrating on gradually increasing the length of my recovery runs and on sleeping well.
Today, at last, the plan arrived. I've been poring over it and calling it "My precious." And I know what my spring race schedule looks like at last! Here's what's on the docket:
The Snowman Stampede 5 Mile--Feb. 18
The Platte River Half Marathon--April 15
Boulder Distance Classic 15K--April 28 (guaranteed PR; I've never done a 15K)
Flat-Out 5K or Westminster Women's Classic 5K--May 13 (the Flat-Out 5K hasn't been scheduled yet, but I'm hoping it will happen that Saturday; if it doesn't, I'll go to Westminster)
Bolder Boulder 10K--May 28
The training looks like a nice switch-up from marathon prep, with things I haven't done in a while like 400-meter intervals and 90-minute progression runs in there. I'm hoping that not only will the frequent races leave me faster (relatively) and fired-up, but also fit going into summer prep for a fall marathon. At that time, if I work hard and stay lucky and humble, I hope to be able to run my Boston qualifying time of 3:44:59 or better at last.
Meanwhile, bring on the Spring of Speed!
I have used McMillan before, and the guides are very helpful. Last time around, though, I followed The FIRST program, but used my McMillan paces Good luck in the race. (And I grew up outside of Dallas; I have never once run in Houston, even though lots of people tell me its great.)
ReplyDeleteI think that this race schedule would look a lot better with a CALIFORNIA race in it.. but that is just me.
ReplyDeletehow about BQ in Long Beach in October!
You put a lot of trust in the plan..it must be good, I will consider doing this when I am ready for my first full I think
"My Precious!" love it!!! You are awesome. Looks like a fun schedule too. :)
ReplyDeleteDid I tell you I am running the Denver RnR Marathon in September?? Hopefully we can do dinner or something. I'd love to see you again!
Ok, and I am a total idiot. I just saw your Meb book STILL sitting on my reading desk. Send me your mailing address and I promise I will send it right away. SORRY.
I think you are just going to have a BLAST with this. There are some aspects to serious speed training that are addictive- and it will put you in a great place for the next marathon!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting!!!! And what fun races -- all different. I'll have to think about ordering a plan for training for what I was going to consider my late spring/summer of speed!! But I suppose I'd best see how I do with finishing the marathon plan and how I do!
ReplyDeleteOh and I agree with Caroline -- your schedule is missing a CA race!!
By speed, I assume you mean running faster and not resorting to a life of amphetamines to boost performance.
ReplyDeleteHA! I do mean the former, but this process has gone so slowly that chemical means of improvement do sometimes look tempting in my bad moments.
ReplyDeleteThis Spring of Speed is likely to fuel a kick a$$ next marathon!
ReplyDeleteso awesome, terzah! and your gollum reference cracks me up. i am excited for your new spring training! i am so focused on my spring marathon right now, but really look forward to my running AFTER the marathon is done - to running and racing shorter distances and working on improving my speed and confidence in other areas of my running, at least for a few months until i start training for my fall marathon again :o) can't wait to follow along with your new training plan and all your fun spring races!!
ReplyDeleteSpring of Speed...Love it!
ReplyDeleteOooh, I'm excited for you! There's something so fun about a brand new training plan... I'm trying to put one together now. I've never used a coach, but this post makes me wish i did! And I also like the switch from long training miles to speed, it's a fun one... sounds like a great spring ahead!
ReplyDeleteI so covet your speed focus!! Definitely my plan for next year!
ReplyDeleteI wondered what type of plans you ordered from McMillian, now I know :). I know when I was training for my first BQ race, I ran something like 13 races prior and I KNOW they made me speedier (I am hoping the same will happen with all the ones I have top loaded for 2012...I am sooo slow right now. ugh). Good luck with all your training and I'll see you at the Platte River :) (hopefully before then, too).
ReplyDeleteI'll be at Platte also! And I kind of like the looks of that Westminster race. I've done Bolder Boulder the last 2 years but not sure if I will this year. Looks like a lot of fun and I see speed in your future.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I remember that creepy little "my precious" creature, hahaha.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea to focus on speed and shorter races this spring. I did something similar last year and I think it really helped me to stay speedier through the entire year.
Fun! Good luck with your training, I can't wait to hear about you BQ'ing!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to follow you on this! My main goal for awhile is also working on my speed. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteYeah, we will be at the BB together (with like a million other people though). I was going to do the Platte River Half Marathon but after the whole broken toe I wasn't sure I could get ready in time. I see that Jill and Julie are doing it too so I might have to consider trying that just so I can go meet all you awesome Colorado ladies! I don't know...I am realllly slow right now.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you have a plan and bring on the speed!
love your plan and the fact you are so excited about it!! you are going to be so speedy! :) I'll be at the your next 3 races too - so fun I'll get to meet you in person...but we still need that run, boot, zolo day sometime too. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're going to be at all three??? WOO HOO! I'm psyched!
ReplyDeleteI think it will pay off big time and be a perfect lead-up to a fall marathon. I think you'll be really happy you did it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amanda! I know you know what you're talking about, too--makes me feel even better about this plan.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Katherine! I was hoping to have a big breakthrough in Houston like yours, but looks like I'm still in the "learn patience, train more" stage of this quest. :^)
ReplyDeleteI hope you're right!!
ReplyDeleteThat training plan looks really fun! You're doing what I've meant to do after my 50 miler, but in a much more organized manner. :)
ReplyDeleteAdding a little speed to your regimen will freshen things up and will keep you well rounded as a runner. Throw in a few hills and you'll be that much stronger, too.
ReplyDeleteDon't you love those guaranteed PR's???!!! :-)
My Precious! Oh how I love that! ROTFL I love that you've gotten yet another McMillan custom plan and your race schedule all plotted out. Cannot wait to see it all unfold.
ReplyDeleteYay for the kiddos still loving ice skating! You just never know about having 'Agnes-calibur' talent. Never say never.
I've never bought a custom training plan....and I admit, I am now salivating over the idea of one. I love that you are calling it "your precious" - I'll enjoy reading about your training and your races!
ReplyDeleteSo far do you feel it was a good investment?
ReplyDelete