99 Days of a Training is a 99-part series that I will document my daily progress towards my first marathon. Each day I plan on recognizing a word or phrase that corresponds with that day’s training. This series will conclude on May 6th, 2012 when I toe the start line (or somewhere in the back of the pack) at the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati, OH.
Back in October I was about to run my first half-marathon, the Iron Horse, and I recall writing about an awesome training run I had. I had always struggled with the Legacy Trail until one day not long before that race. On that day I ran 10 miles at a 10:30 pace. This was a huge boost in my confidence as before that I wasn’t sure I’d be able to complete race in under 2:30. Thanks to that confidence and some great training I actually finished in 2:11:28. (See full recap on that race and that story here)
Today, I had another one of those things. I’m now only 22 days from my first marathon and I am hoping to finish under 4:30. Whether I do or not, I can’t say at this point, but I hope so. I had some doubts about it (less than before Iron Horse), but today really helped to ease that. I didn’t exactly put down 10 miles at a 10:30 pace on Legacy Trail this time, instead I put down 20 miles a a 10:33 pace. Wow. This was only my second time doing twenty miles. The first time was on March 25th (20 days ago), and since that date I cut OVER SIXTEEN MINUTES off that time. Holy cow that is huge. Talk about a confidence booster. The good thing about this is I did it with no difference in perceived effort. I felt as if I was running the way I always do. The amazing thing is I finished with a good effort. Miles 18 & 20 were done at 9:52. My only 2 sub-10 miles of the day. (You can see full info on splits, map, etc on my RunKeeper data for today
22 days… I’m ready for you Flying Pig. And, if the race holds true to its name and pigs do indeed fly.. after my run today I’m pretty sure that I’ll catch them anyway… and turn them into bacon….mmm…bacon. *drool*
Miscellaneous stuff:
Average Heart Rate: 162
Calories Burned 3,489 (30% fat)
