The Week of May 19-25, 2008

Synopsis of Week’s Training:Oh, what a sweet week of consistent training and restoration of my joie de vivre. I didn’t […]

By on May 29, 2008 | Comments

Synopsis of Week’s Training:
Oh, what a sweet week of consistent training and restoration of my joie de vivre. I didn’t get in the mega-mileage I had planned if I headed out to the mountains (which I did), but I am one week closer to regaining my fitness. Read on for more details regarding my training last week.

Monday I slept in and never made it out to run after watching my first Phillies game at Nationals Park. That gave me 4 out of 8 days off following my 38 days streak. Sounds like a good recovery period to me. Tuesday I ran to Woodley Park and WUSed with Keith and Sean – they could pound me despite both having just rocked the Massanutten 100.

WUSsies running in Rock Creek Park

Wednesday morning I awoke to another run with Wardian et al. This week was a bit slower pace. On Thursday, I continued my streak of track workouts. Again I ran 4 consecutive miles, this time in 6:09, 6:06, 6:02, 5:49. I largely felt in control and enjoyed the faster miles. On Friday I took Wardian down to Potomac Overlook Park to show him around the trails.

What can’t a good sunset fix?

The long weekend allowed me the chance to finally take full advantage of my uncle’s cabin in the Shenandoahs. My plans for a 20+ mile exploratory run on the AT or Dickey Ridge Trail went kaput when my recon mission brought me down to Rt 55. Never run on Rt 55. In case you were wondering, there is no shoulder and LOTS of traffic on Memorial Day weekend! Despite cutting my run to 8 miles, I got in a good workout on the 900′ road climb in the final 2 miles. Sunday, I kept things simple with leisurely 2 hour, 10 mile run via an out and back on the Dickey Ridge Trail. I think the gradual incline of Dickey Ridge will great hill training for the TransRockies Run.

Elevation profile of northernmost 5 miles
of the Dickey Ridge Trail, Shenandaoh NP

By The Numbers:
Monday – 0. Go Phils!
Tuesday – 10. Moderate night trail run.
Wednesday – 10.5. Moderate run.
Thursday – 8. 4 miles of fast stuff.
Friday – 9. Easy/moderate trails.
Saturday – 8. Mountains.
Sunday – 10.5. Mountain trail run.

Weekly Mileage: 56.5
Year-to-Date Mileage: 952.5
Three Week Moving Average: 58.7
Year-to-Date Weekly Average: 44.9

Upcoming Training Goals:
More of the same. Edge up into the 60s or even 70 miles per week over the coming weeks. Keep at the weekly speed session – try to keep HR lower and lengthen workout rather than running any faster. Try to build up long runs.

Bryon Powell

Bryon Powell is the Founding Editor of iRunFar. He’s been writing about trail running, ultrarunning, and running gear for more than 15 years. Aside from iRunFar, he’s authored the books Relentless Forward Progress: A Guide to Running Ultramarathons and Where the Road Ends: A Guide to Trail Running, been a contributing editor at Trail Runner magazine, written for publications including Outside, Sierra, and Running Times, and coached ultrarunners of all abilities. Based in Silverton, Colorado, Bryon is an avid trail runner and ultrarunner who competes in events from the Hardrock 100 Mile just out his front door to races long and short around the world, that is, when he’s not fly fishing or tending to his garden.