I just finished Week 3 of my training plan for the Oakland Half Marathon. The first two weeks were a little abbreviated because I strained something in my left foot. Luckily, I seem to have put that to rest, and week 3 was terrific.
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I’m loosely following this Cool Running intermediate half marathon training plan. I used their beginner plan with great success for my first half marathon. I’m running 5 days a week instead of 6, but doing slightly more mileage for my long run.
This week’s long run was meant to be 13 miles, but I can never resist adding the extra 0.1 to a 13 mile run. My legs took a few miles to get warmed up, but then I hit a great stride (thanks in part to some new music on my iPod, I’m guessing). I took a Roctane at mile 5.5 and then a Tri-berry Gu at mile 9.5. At mile 9.5 I also realized that it was #TwitterRoadRace day. I decided to make the last 5k of my 13.1 miles count towards the #TwitterRoadRace. It gave me just the incentive I needed to pick up the pace, and I finished the last 5k in 27:44.
I had my Garmin set to the lap pace screen, so I was blown away to switch back over and see that I’d run the 13.1 miles in 2:06:29. My PR (from 2010) is 2:04:17, and I ran Oakland last year in 2:19:50.
I can usually get to this point in a training plan where everything seems to click and my long runs are going great, and my average pace is getting faster. Unfortunately, historically, that’s right when I get injured. So I’ve been using my foam roller and The Stick like it’s my job, and taking ice baths after long runs. I’m also focusing on a 20 minute strength training routine and going to yoga regularly.
Hopefully all of this will get me to the start line at Oakland in March injury-free and ready to run sub-2hours!
Excellent job… i did the same, but did my Twittr Road Race 5k at the beginning. It tired me out for my 5 miles after. Should have done it at the end like you. Keep training strong.
GREAT run!!
It’s good you’re focusing on injury prevention – I always seem to forget that part. You are going to dominate in Oakland!
Yay! Super-excited for Oakland! 🙂
YAY sub 2! You can do it!!!! Hope to see you at the Oakland half!