ESB

I just completed my final long-distance training run before attempting my 1st marathon up in Sugarloaf this Sunday.  Overall, the 16 weeks of training went great!  I made it through without any major injuries and beat most of my training goals that the Furman First program set based on a 3:05 marathon goal.  I would highly recommend this training program.  It calls for only 3 runs per week with a weekly average of just 25 miles.  But keep in mind that the each workout is very intense and you run five separate 20 milers, whereas many other programs only run one towards the end.  You can see the specific program and my results here:

http://tinyurl.com/d8pnghp

I did stray from the program in the first few weeks since I started a week late and it called for a 20-mile run right away in week 4.  After my half-marathon in November, I took a 2-month vacation from running.  So I started the program a tad out-of-shape with a PR distance of 13.1 miles.  So starting week 1 with a 15-mile run at a 7:48 pace did not seem wise.  Instead, I started with a 12 miler and increased my weekly long runs by 2 miles until I got up to 20 miles at week 6.

Because I started training in January, I had no choice but to run on the dreaded treadmill for certain workouts (like when Boston got 30 inches of snow!).  I actually found the treadmill to be perfect for my faster tempo runs as it helped with my pacing and made me concentrate more on my form.  Keep in mind, though, that running on a treadmill is much easier than running outside since you have zero wind resistance, plus many other factors like hills, weather, traffic, etc.  But I found this cool chart that will convert your pace based on MPH and incline to better replicate outdoor running:  http://www.hillrunner.com/training/tmillchart.php

I'd say my best runs were week 7 when I ran 13 miles at a 6:56 pace along the Charles River, and week 12 when I ran 20 miles through the hilly Newton section of the Boston Marathon course at a 7:15 pace.  Can I run 26.2 miles at a 7:03 pace?  The training program says yes, but we'll see!  I think I can do it if the weather conditions are right and no major injuries creep up (as if a marathon is ever that perfect!).

The only lingering injury that I'll be bringing to the starting line is some mystery pain behind my right knee at the intersection of my upper calf, lower hamstring, lower groin.  Any ideas?  I've had it for about 10 days, and although it hasn't been affecting my runs, I'm afraid it could flare up late in Sunday's race.  But I never expected to be completely pain free during the race!  If it's only pain, that's what completing a marathon is all about.

Cheers