I always think of my marathon training as having two sections. The second section is the taper which I wrote about back in October. The first section is all the regular training that slowly builds over the weeks until the peak mileage weeks are reached. Whenever I look at a training schedule I always look at the peak mileage weeks; those weeks tell me a lot about the training program.
My training has now reached the peak weeks. For this training schedule I have 3 big weeks in which my weekly running begins with a day of 13 miles followed by a day with 5 miles, then 7 miles, then a day of rest, followed by a day with 10 miles, then a 22 mile run with a 5 miler for the last day.
Runners who reach the peak weeks without injury breath a sigh of relief and then tend to hold their breath hoping to make it through the peak weeks injury free. I have been faithfully doing my stretching every day even though I don’t like to bother doing it. Past experience has taught me that stretching plays a key role in keeping injuries from occurring. Another way to keep injuries at bay are leg massages. I am fortunate that my wife, Myra willingly gives me massages after big workouts. If we miss a massage I can tell during the next day’s workout that my leg muscles are more sore and tight.
My peak weeks are coming at a good time. For the month of March Myra and I and our kids are having a stepping contest. It’s guys against girls to see which team gets the most steps. It’s a fun way for us to encourage each other to get out and be active. These peak running weeks will be a boost for the guys team and we are going to need it because the girls are off to a great start.
Running Quotes:
“Life is short…running makes it seem longer” - Baron Hansen
“A marathon is like life with its ups and downs, but once you have done it you feel that you can do anthing.” - Unknown
“The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.” - John Bingham, running speaker and writer
Be Healthy
Howard Miles: 1,496.6 Steps: 2,204,544
Isaiah 40:31
