Countdown to Beantown - 12 Weeks to Go!

I can't believe I'm already 4 weeks in to my 16 week training program for Boston.  That means Beantown is only 12 weeks away.  Geez.  I am really liking the "Run Less, Run Faster" plan that I am on.   As much as I love to run, my body can't seem to handle more than 3-4 runs a week so this works out perfectly for me.

I started off really well.  I followed the program to a T.  At least for the first week.  These last 3 weeks, well, I've been free-styling it.  I've been doing my prescribed Tuesday tempo runs at their appropriate paces and I've been doing my long runs at close to my appropriate pace but my track workouts have vanished.   I know, I know.  They are an integral part to this program.  It's not like I'm not running on Thursdays.   I've just been doing whatever workout that my club is doing.  It's just easier.  That and the track I like to run at isn't lit so until it starts staying lighter later or I luck out and find a good indoor track, I'll be doing interval work with my run group.  Sure it's not going to be the prescribed workout but, it's still speed work so hopefully that will count for something.

I finally went for a long overdue massage on Wednesday.  It had been 6 weeks since the last time I had one.  Far.  too. long.  Especially with the amount of abuse I pile on my body.  I was a total disaster area.  My shoulders and back were actually crunching while my therapist was working on them.  CRUNCHING.  I had little knots everywhere throughout my shoulders.  My calves were super tight and my quads and IT band were also in pretty rough shape.  I don't think it was any coincidence that my knees started to bother me a few weeks ago either - all those tight muscles are going to start pulling things out of whack.  They seem to be somewhat better but I can't say 100% just yet. 

This plan is definitely a bit more aggressive in terms of long run pace and mileage than I'm used to.  There are six 20 milers in it.  Yes, you read that correctly, SIX.  The most I've ever had in a training plan has been 3.  My long run pace is also about 15 seconds faster per km than what I normally run.  I've been responding fairly well to it so far though, until this week.   I had 3 great long runs and then was smacked up the side of the head with a horrible run yesterday.  I was supposed to slow it down and run 5:20 km's for 32km.  I started off slow and then found a pace that felt easy and comfortable and stayed there but my legs just didn't have it to go the distance so I stopped at just over 30km.  I don't think I had fully recovered from my massage on Wednesday.  My legs just felt tired and sore.   I figured I was due for a crappy run after having 4 weeks in a row of awesomeness.  Sometimes, that's just what happens in training.  You've got to learn to take the good with the bad and move on.  Tuesday will be another day to be better.

Week 2 Long Run.  Wicked Awesome.

Week 3 Long Run - Hellz Yeah.

Week 4 Long Run:  Ouch.  Although this did include a 5 minute pit stop so I can't complain TOO much.

One of my New Year's resolutions was to get back on the bike once a week.  That has just started to happen.  I think the cycling will help with my leg turnover when it comes to running.  If I plan on doing as many triathlons as I've indicated on my race schedule, then I really should get on the bike at least once a week.  So I figure Sunday afternoons or Wednesday nights will be my bike days.  Once Boston is done, then I can work at getting more cycling in and scale back on my running (gasp!).

So far, I'm feeling pretty good about everything.  I am chomping at the bit for race season to start though.  I can't wait to get started on my 13 in 2013.  I'm also curious to see what these legs of mine will be capable of on this more aggressive training plan.  March 3rd can't come soon enough!