Marathon Training – Week 6 – 26.2 … kilometres

12/03	-	Rest day
13/03	7.0 miles	Speedwork: 3x1600m (w 800m jogs) in 8:24/7:51/8:10
14/03	XT	45 min on the elliptical & light weights
15/03	6.0 miles	Easy run: avg 10:41 min/mile
16/03	-	Rest day
17/03	16.3 miles	Long run: avg 10:49 min/mile
11/03	3 miles	Easy run: avg 10:09 min/mile
Total	32.3 miles	YTD: 218 miles

On Saturday I ran for just under 3 hours and completed my first ever 16 miler. The first 3-4 miles were a little rough as I tried to find my legs and settle into my pace. The middle chunk of the run was pretty good but then I really started to feel the fatigue in my legs on a long uphill at mile 13. I was able to push the run through to the end though. I figure I still have 10 weeks of training and if I can keep pushing back my breaking point then I’ll be ready for the marathon. Or at least, as ready as I can ever be.

When I got home I discovered a fun little fact. My 16 miler was actually 16.3 miles, which equates to 26.2 kilometres! I think that’s sort of neat since the distance of a marathon is 26.2 miles. I guess that 26.2 a sort of magic number for me right now. I mean it’s no pi or e or anything but it’s still pretty cool.

Today was supposed to be a cross training day. My original plan was to go to the gym and do some non-impact cardio and some light weights. But … today was an absolutely gorgeous day in Seattle. It was sunny and 15C! There was no way I was going to workout indoors on a day like that! Instead I dug out some summer running gear (shorts and a tank top!) and went for an easy recovery 3 mile run. It was wonderful. I need more sunny days.