4 Weeks to Go

Only 4 more weeks until the Kenai River Marathon. This marathon will be my second one this year and 6th marathon I’ve ever run. The marathon still scares me and intimidates me just thinking about it.

I wrapped up last week with 90 miles and hope to run 100 miles this week. Then it will be three weeks of taper before the marathon. I’m actually sad this is my last week of running high mileage.

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Here’s a recap on my mileage from last week. . . .

Monday

11 miles/1:29

Track workout: 10 x 800 meters (also known as Yasoo 800s)

This was a tough but good workout. I didn’t know how it would go because I flew back from San Francisco the night before and didn’t get much sleep. I’m happy to report I was able to run splits between 3:06 – 3:18. If Bart Yasso is correct, that means I should be able to run approximately a 3:15 marathon!!

Tuesday

AM – 9 miles/1:11

Easy run. Several miles were 7:40 – 7:45 minutes per mile, which has dropped about 20 – 30 seconds since the beginning of the summer.

PM – 4 miles/31:00

Another easy run that went well—a little stomach bloat towards the end.

Wednesday

AM – 14 miles/1:44

Tempo workout: 3 x [2 miles at goal marathon pace (7:26) , 1 mile at half-marathon race pace (6:55)]

Splits: (7:20, 7:23, 7:18); (7:23, 7;12, 7:06); (7:08, 7:07, 7:05)

I wasn’t able to maintain a half-marathon race pace, but I did run all of the miles faster than my goal marathon pace. Once again a tough but good workout.

PM – 30 minutes weight lifting at the gym (upper body and legs)

Thursday

AM – 11 miles/1:30

Nothing great, nothing terrible.

PM – 5 miles/44:30

I ran the first 2 miles with Craig, which is always fun even if I have to run slower. I didn’t mind running slower because my legs were tired from yesterday’s tempo run and gym session.

Friday

8 miles/1:08

Very slow going. It has been very dark in the mornings this week, so I found myself having to slow down because I couldn’t see that well.

Saturday

20 miles/2:32

I was very happy my average pace was 7:37. Overall it was a very good long run with only one stop at a stoplight.

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Sunday

8 miles/1:03

Recovery run. I let my body chose the speed.

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Hope you have a very nice Labor Day!

Hi, I'm Michelle

I love running around the lakes of Minnesota, running after my two boys, and racing anything from the 5K to the marathon. I have been blogging here since 2010 when I ran my first marathon. I finally secured my sub-3 hour marathon after trying for 8 years.

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5 Comments

  1. 9.2.13

    You are going to rock at Kenai!

  2. 9.2.13
    Rebecca said:

    Great job on all your workous!!! I too am running Kenai, but the half marathon! Getting so excited:0)!!!!

  3. 9.4.13
    Eugenia Byrne said:

    I love your blog! It is very inspirational, and I have no doubt you will do exceptionally well in your upcoming marathon. I am planning on running my first marathon in October (I have run numerous half marathons) and just completed my first week of 100 miles (102.5 to be exact!). You are such a powerful running, and I was curious with all this mileage how much fuel (approximately) are you taking in on a daily basis? I find with the extra running my hunger and energy have been all over the place, and any advise would be much appreciated 🙂

    • 9.7.13
      Michelle said:

      Oh gosh, I have no idea how many calories I consume?!?! It seems like it would have to be at least 2200?? But then again when I try to count my calories, it doesn’t seem like I am eating that many calories because that’s a lot!! My hunger and appetite can be really wonky too. Some days I’m famished, other days I have no appetite–which usually occurs after a long run or hard workout. I just do my best to listen to my body and give it good nutrients. Not sure if that helped. :/