Running update @ 500 miles YTD

This morning (June 10, 2008) I hit the year to date mileage mark of 500 miles. Last year’s marathon training brought me to 500 miles a little earlier in the year on May 27, 2007 (I actually hit the mark during the Ottawa marathon). Two years ago it took me until August 16, 2006. I’m definitely on pace to hit at least 1000 miles again this year.

Since recovering from the half marathon just over a month ago I have been slowly increasing my weekly mileage by about 10% per week. Last week I did 19 miles and I’m planning on doing 21 this week. I’ve also converted from running 5 days a week to 4 so that I can go to the gym and do weights once a week. All of this is part of my new training plan. I’m not training for an official race, I’m training to run 30km on my 30th birthday (July 31). I have no time goal for the 30km (although 3:30:30 is tempting since 11:18 min/mile isn’t unreasonable) I just want to mark my 30th birthday by celebrating in my own way. Plus think of all the birthday cake I can eat after running 30km!