Week 12 – Key Run Workout #1

Posted by Steve ()

September 26, 2007

Here we go with Week 12 of my marathon training plan. As usual, the first workout of the week is a Tuesday afternoon track workout and surprise, surprise, my legs are still fatigued from Sunday’s 20 mile run. Can you guess if this was a successful workout or not?

My extended warm up lasted 25 minutes and did nothing to loosen up my heavy, tired legs. The plan called for 3 miles at 5:33 pace, but I could only manage 5:45 for the first mile. With only 400m to recover, my heart rate was still elevated as I set off for mile repeat #2. It was no surprise to slow to a 5:50 mile which totally drained me and left me gasping for breath.

The 80°F heat was again a major factor, so I “treated” myself to a 800m walk/jog recovery before setting off for the final mile. I quickened slightly to a 5:48, but disappointedly neither of the repeats were close to the goal pace.

I can only think I’m not recovering from my Sunday long run in time to do this Tuesday tough workout. With only 4 more Tuesdays before the marathon, there’s probably not much point switching the workout days around, but if I were to use this training program for a future marathon I’d consider doing something different.

Oh well, live and learn……and at least that’s another Tuesday out of the way!