Marathon Training Day 3
First quick pace run of the programme this morning: two miles at ‘brisk’ pace between 9:11 and 9:31 per mile. I ended up doing it at 9:24 per mile.
Steady, or Tempo, runs like these are actually my favourite. The first mile or so is often difficult but then by about two to two-and-a-half miles in (on the longer five and six mile runs) I hit my stride and really start to enjoy the quick pace. My legs and lungs start to work in sync and I barrel through at what is often slightly faster than the suggested pace; only by a few seconds, mind. I often feel as though I’m flying. There’s no effort involved unless there’s a slight incline. I’m just zooming by everything and even feel as though it is hard to stop!
These runs are the most fun because I feel like a real runner. I’m running quickly; I’m not ambling along mile after mile. It also replicates how I’ll feel on race day, keeping the tempo up for many miles. And, hey, they also mean I finish the run at least a few minutes early. It’s a sense of accomplishment to look down at your watch and be used to seeing a six mile run take 63 minutes and today it’s taken only 57.
They key to marathon training, though, is the long, slow run. This is certainly not my favourite. Unfortunately, if I want to run a marathon I have to do them. At least I have a tempo run and a speed work session each week where I can go fast. Look at me go!