Third Week of Marathon Training

I'm such a slacker with posting lately! There's not a whole lot to catch up on but training is going well. I'm reading Running Within by Jerry Lynch and Warren Scott and I'm practicing a lot of visualization and affirmations as I run. It's renewed a certain appreciation in me for this sport! When I relax and focus on calm as I do hard training runs, I end up running faster. It's like a pleasant surprise. I still feel the work, but my fear of the 'pain' is not as great as it used to be. I'm learning to work through the pain. I prepared for childbirth in the same way. I visualized and practiced positive affirmations and relaxation and was able to give birth 3 times without the need for anesthesia. I have to say those child births were easier than marathon training! Weird, I know.

Anyway back to physical training now...
I ran a little over 60 miles last week and here's what the miles included:
M: 8 miles recovery (4 a.m., 4 p.m.)
T: 7.2 miles easy
W: 9.94 miles with 4 x 2K at 5K pace
T: 9 miles recovery (4 a.m., 5 p.m.)
F: 9.14 with 4 x 800 & 4 x 400 @ sub 5K pace
S: 3 miles recovery
S: 14 long run with first 6 at easy pace, then 2 miles ins & outs @ 10K effort, then 3 miles @ 1 minute slower than MGP, 2 miles @ goal MGP (but ended up being a little slower) and then cool down mile.

This week is a very slight cutback week to about 55 or so miles in preparation for a tough schedule next week. I haven't seen next week's workouts yet but I've been told to "get ready."
Well this is what I've been doing in this 3rd week of marathon training:
M: 8 miles recovery a.m.
T: 4 easy a.m. followed by mid-core strengthening, 4 easy in p.m. followed by pull ups, dips, sit ups
W: 10.48 miles including 5 at progressive tempo pace followed by 1:30 recovery jog and then 1 mile at 5K pace (6:30).
T: 4 recovery a.m.
F: will be 4 x 800 and 4 x 400 (at slower paces than last week)
S: will be 4 recovery
S: will be 15 with first 12 between 7:40-8:10 and last 3 at 6:30-6:45 (I'll run this on good size rolling hills)

Sometimes the paces feel on the easy side and I have to remind myself that it's only week 3 of the training cycle and to be patient. Miguel reminds me that I'll definitely be running faster as the weeks go on, and to be patient. I think he's making sure that I don't peak too soon and then feel burned out by the time the CIM rolls around. We talked goal time for the San Jose Half and it's in the 1:26 range. If I stay healthy and I keep my mind strong, I can do it. I'm going for it and I can't wait.

My brother and his wife are also running and it should be a great event for all of us. Christy from Runningskirts.com is running too! We'll be working the runningskirts.com booth together on Saturday. :)

Okay, back to the regularly scheduled programming. Run strong.