I want to run faster!

[AndrewL]

Checking in to let you know that everything is going well. No groin trouble (finally!) and I have been running mostly every day. I have had a couple minor setbacks (I horribly stubbed my toe, and got some nasty blisters on my soft, weak feet) but everything is moving along well.

I will move up to 50 minute runs starting tomorrow, and will hopefully be ready to train in 3 weeks or so. I am hoping to get a few good training cycles in before the summer heat becomes too oppressive. I missed the spring races but I plan on being in tip top shape for the fall.

[TheEd]

good to hear you OK, despite the setbacks

heat is not so grand

not sure you saw Commonwealth Games Marathon or London today

thanks for feedback

TheEd

[AndrewL]

Sorry for not replying sooner, but I wasn't able to catch any of the races. It is hard for me to find tv time these days.

Anyway, I am doing well and have run more than 50km each of the past two weeks, so I am just about ready to start in on a training program. I have a question though. I am looking to be in peak condition by the end of September (Sept 29th, most likely). That's about five months away. Should I jump into the training schedule now, or wait a few weeks so I won't be burnt out by that point?

My original plan was to run a 4k time trial next Saturday and start the training the following Tuesday (May 15). But a look at the calendar makes me wonder if I should just continue doing long runs for a few more weeks and wait to jump back in. What do you think?

[TheEd]

If you go through and few cycles now and then switch ot off-period followed by build-up, you should then be able to get into aiming at September with some 'history' to your running

so, over to you

TheEd

[AndrewL]

I ran a 4k time trial yesterday and will start round 1 of the training Tuesday.

My total 4k time was 15:48

1: 3:51
2: 3:59
3: 3:59
4: 4:00

Unfortunately, my time in October of last year was 14:48, exactly a minute faster. Oh well, I think I will be able to best that by the time October rolls around this year.

[TheEd]

Andrew, don't be too concerned about your previous time, as you know you have had to go through a fair amount to get back to this

on we go

TheEd

[AndrewL]

Today is day 3 (aka pain day), but it is raining like crazy and there seems to be no chance of it easing up. Is there a workaround? I don't have access to any indoor tracks or a running machine at the moment.

Anyway, I got through days 1 and 2 without trouble:

1: 12.4km in 63:00
2. 6.07km in 30:00

I will let you know what happens today, I might possibly use the stationary bike for a while, do the 2km intervals tomorrow, take Saturday off and just generally move everything back by a day. What's your advice?

[AndrewL]

Well the rain didn't stop yesterday so I did an easy 30 minutes on the stationary bike.

Today I had the day off so I did the 2k intervals early.

Bad news: I failed horribly. Also it was still lightly raining so I was completely soaked and uncomfortable.

Good news: I did my best and finished all 5 of them with 90 seconds rest. Also it was the most painful run of my life, which means it will have to get easier from here.

1) 4:03, 4:05 - 8:08 (on pace)
2) 4:03, 4:06 - 8:09 (on pace)
3) 4:07, 4:29 - 8: 36 (I died)
4) 4:18, 4:24 - 8:42 (no good)
5) 4:27, 4:26 - 8:53 (terrible)

According to my 4k time, I was aiming for 4:05/km or 8:10 per round. That didn't work out, but there is always next time. I wish I had an excuse but the truth is that I'm not in that great of shape right now. Good news is that I have no races planned until September so I am not that worried.

Anyway, I will take Saturday off now and do my long run on Sunday to keep as close to the schedule as possible. If you want me to do something different, just let me know.

[TheEd]

Hi Andrew, don't be too hard on yourself, you are moving forward and achieving consistency

all good and have a grand weekend

TheEd

[AndrewL]

Finished up a nice long run last night.

90:00 - 17.18km

A little slower than I wanted, but I felt nice and loose the whole way.