This week was the first of my 20 week marathon training. As in the past, the first 13 weeks of my training are the base running phase followed by a 4-week marathon specific training and a 3-week taper.
What different this year is that I am starting my training from my current fitness level instead of an arbitrary pace like a 3.30 marathon. So my training will be more realistic and less likely to encounter over-training and injury.
During the base phase, I will increase my running load (i.e. volume, intensity, frequency) by running farther, running harder (speed or incline), or running more often safely. I will run by feel and let my body be the guide instead of a fixed training schedule.
This approach is a “train not strain” philosophy, not to be confused with the slow-easy base miles. Meaning, I will be pushing my body with moderate efforts on the various systems (e.g. leg turnover, aerobic threshold, muscular endurance) without pushing over the thresholds.
Will this training plan work? I sure like to say yes, I knew it. But the truth is that there is no guaranty, as in life. Only one way to find out. At least in August, when it is hot and humid, I will be running the Annapolis 10 miler and be getting some feedback.
Total miles this week: 33
Have a great week.
Running with Buddha 