My run spot.

So it’s been a while - I know. (Oh goodness, I’m talking to my blog..) I have been working on one post that I’ve really wanted to put up for about 10 days now, but haven’t gotten around to it. I will have it up before end of day tomorrow. 

So far, Boston training is going really well. I’m currently on week 6 and have been building at the rate of 10% (in total weekly volume) each week since Christmas. Highlight of my training was a half marathon that I completed today. Second best time in a half marathon ever, so I can’t complain. Finished in 1:36:42.  

Many marathon training programs will advocate to have 10k and half marathon races throughout the training. Some benefits of racing during your training can include:

- Adrenaline fueled Fartlek: Race day and training days are not the same. Why? Adrenaline. Excitement. People. Cute running outfits. Yes, you can run Fartlek on your own without paying for a race - fair. (For info on what’s a Fartlek, check this out). BUT, on a regular training run it is much easier to take a break/give up/not push as hard as you’d like than during a race. Plus, adrenaline pushes you to run faster than you’re typically used to and it is important to know how to control this. Only racing will help with this.

- Race pace training: It is important to know your goal pace and to be able to stick to it. Having a plan and achieving a goal time (on any distance) can be challenging, and practicing this will help you on race day.

- Plan testing: Not sure what to eat before race day? Have a specific eating/drinking ritual throughout your run that you want to use on your goal race? New tee? Playlist? This is a great time to test these things out without feeling the pressure of your goal race. 

- Dodging crowds: One thing you never experience while on training runs is how to properly dodge your way through a sea of runners. A few things to remember: start in the right corral - the faster runners are always at the front and gradually slow down as you get further back into the starting pack. Need to take a walking break? Head off to the edge of the course - there’s nothing like having a runner stop dead in front of you during a race. Same goes for getting around runners - do your best not to cut anyone off and give everyone around you enough elbow room! 

- Practice makes comfortable: Never raced? Fear no more. The more you race, the more comfortable you get on race day. Though your main goal may feel daunting, if you (sort of) know what to expect, it will feel much more familiar if you’re done it prior to the big day.

Time to sign off. Week 7 of training will be tough - 8k tempo on Tuesday, Bridge Repeats with lulu Robson Run club on Wednesday, Track Thursday night, a 10k trail run Saturday morning and 26k on Saturday. Giddy up!