Exactly one week from today I am running in my 4th marathon.  That means this week is my least favorite week of all… The final taper week.  This is typically the week that I question my training, my ability, my racing strategy and my sweet tooth. (For some reason, eating any and all desserts is not as fun when you’re not running as much. Go figure.)

Am I ready?
I do feel more prepared for the Little Rock Marathon than I did for Houston. Six weeks ago I didn’t know how my body would respond to pacing 26.2 miles in the 7:30’s.  I didn’t know if I would get to mile 20 and realize that my tank was empty.  So, I guess you could say that I am more confident this time around.  I know it is a different course (more hills) but I am really not feeling that anxious or worried.  At least not right now… 



As usual, I am sure I have over analyzed my pacing strategy.  I will be posting on this later. 


So now we come to my training for this “mini” training cycle.  I must resist the urge to do more this week.  I repeat- I must resist the urge to do more this week.  I have done all the hard work.  Time to relax, rest and get ready… It’s almost time…


~Tia

Training between Houston Marathon and Little Rock Marathon
Week 1-
Sun. 1/15- 26.2 m @ 7:36  (Houston Marathon)
Mon. 1/16- Off (I did walk around A LOT at the airport to loosen up sore muscles…)
Tue. 1/17- Off
Wed. 1/18- Off
Thur. 1/19- Off
Fri. 1/20- 5 m @ 8:27
Sat. 1/21- 10 m @ 8:20
Total Miles: 41

Week 2-
Sun. 1/22- Off
Mon. 1/23- 6.5 m @ 7:55
Tue. 1/24- 8 m @ 7:55
Wed. 1/25- 6 m @ 7:21 (First marathon paced run since marathon and it was HARD. I felt awful.)
Thur. 1/26- 6.5 m @ 8:04 (Felt a little better.)
Fri. 1/27- 12 m @ 8:02
Sat. 1/28- 8 m @ 7:49 (Felt great!)
Total Miles: 47

Week 3-
Sun. 1/29- Off
Mon. 1/30- 8 m @ 7:45 (last 2 m were 6:30-ish pace)
Tue. 1/31- 16 m @ 8:05
Wed. 2/1- 4 m @ 8:13
Thur. 2/2- Off
Fri. 2/3- Off
Sat. 2/4- 11 w/ 9.3 @ 6.51 (15 K race- felt great!)
Total Miles: 39 (I had planned on more miles but when I decided to race I opted for fresh legs which meant taking off Thursday and Friday.  So glad I rested too because I felt great on race day!)

Week 4-
Sun. 2/5- Off
Mon. 2/6- 8.5 m @ 8:11
Tue. 2/7- 10 m @ 8:13
Wed. 2/8- 3.5 m @7:40
Thur. 2/9- 8 w/ 8 x 800 (3:09, 3:08, 3:08, 3:08, 3:07, 3:08, 3:08, 3:01). My goal was to keep the 800’s between 3:05 and 3:10 with the exception of my last one.  For the final 800 I just gave it all I had.
Fri. 2/10- 2 m on elliptical (legs were achy and I thought cross training would be a smarter choice than running since I have a 20 miler tomorrow.)
Sat. 2/11- 21.2 @ 7:48 (20 degrees and WINDY!)
Total Miles: 53

Week 5-
Sun 2/12- Off
Mon. 2/13- 7 @ 7:59
Tue. 2/14- 6 w/ 6 x 800 (3:05, 3:11, 3:08, 3:07, 3:05, 3:01)
Wed. 2/15- 3 elliptical
Thur. 2/16- 7 @ 8:08
Fri. 2/17- 9 w/ 6.2 @ 6:24 (10K track race)
Sat. 2/18- 14 @ 7:55
Total Miles: 46


Week 6-
Sun. 2/19- Off
Mon. 2/20- 5 @ 7:46
Tue. 2/21- 6 w/ 3 x 1 mile (6:06, 6:04, 5:57)
Wed. 2/22- 4 @ 7:31
Thur. 2/23- 8 @ 7:44
Fri. 2/24- 11.5 @ 8:28 (WINDY!)
Sat. 2/25- Off
Total Miles: 34.5


Week 7- Last week of training!!

Sun. 2/26- 5 @ 7:32
Mon. 2/27- 4 easy
Tue. 2/28- 4 w/ 4 x 400
Wed. 2/29- Off
Thur. 3/1- 4 w/ 2 @MRP
Fri. 3/2- Off
Sat. 3/3- 2 easy


Sun. 3/4- Little Rock Marathon!!

Coming up… 
My Pacing Plan: Realistically Dreaming Big