Running Log: Week 12

I caught a ferry on Saturday to Iheya for my first race of my running season. It was pouring rain in the morning but let up before the race started. Poseidon must have been pleased with my goat sacrifice.

The race went great. I got a PR out of it, and it's weird to think that a couple of weeks ago I wanted to quit. Looking over last year's logs I realized I experienced the same thing last year. I guess my body has hit a second wind. I hope it lasts until Kawaguchiko. We'll see how my 32k run this coming Saturday goes.

In other news, I've been accepted to run the Tokyo Marathon next February. I have until Oct. 31 to decide whether or not I want to do it.

6 weeks to marathon.

Week of Oct. 9 - Oct. 15
10/10: 8k, 49:23
10/11: 8k, 46:02
10/12: 8k, 47:24
10/14: 13k, 1:18:45
10/15: Iheya Moonlight Marathon, 21.1k, 2:11:45 (pace - 6:14)

Total: 58.1k, 5:53:17
Average Pace: 06:04

Running Log: Week 11

My short runs this year have not been as fast as last years. But by slowing down just a little bit, I am staying consistent and I hope to have a sub 5 hour marathon in November. This week, I finally outperformed a run from last year, the 29k. Last years time: 3:34:14.

A weird phenomenon I have been experiencing recently is during the first 8k or so, I feel as if I have weights around my ankles. Then that feeling slowly dissolves and I end up picking up speed. That is why the pace of my 8ks is slower than that of my 13ks.

Also of note, in terms of total distance, I think this week will be my longest running week.

Next week: Iheya Moonlight Marathon (21.1k)

Week of Oct. 2 - Oct. 8
10/3: 8k, 48:45
10/4: 13k, 1:16:45
10/5: 8k, 51:47
10/7: 13k, 1:16:11
10/8: 29k, 3:22:02 (pace - 6:58)

Total: 71k, 7:35:30
Average Pace: 06:24

Running Log: Week 10

I had a great running week. Not in terms of time (last year I ran 26k in 2:44:20), but in terms of lack of fatigue. Two weeks ago I felt like quitting. Last week, I felt a bit better, but this week I feel great. That's one reason why I like running, it makes me feel awesome. I hit a barrier and crossed over it. Accomplishment.

I read a quote a few days ago that I liked: Sweat is fat crying.

Week of Sept. 25 - Oct. 1
9/26: 6.5k, 40:36
9/27: 13k, 1:21:47
9/28: 6.5k, 40:21
9/30: 13k, 1:20:05
10/1: 27k, 3:03:07 (pace - 6:46)

Total: 66k, 7:05:56
Average Pace: 06:27

Running Log: Week 9

Week 9. Half-way there.

I only ran 4 days this week with lower mileage (killoage?) than last week, and boy did I need the extra rest. I have a half-marathon race coming up in 3 weeks. This week's run should give me an idea of what I will run it in. Hardly any time improvement compared to last year, but I feel a lot better doing it. (No cramps)

Week of Sept. 18 - Sept. 24

9/19: 6.5k, 39:23

9/20: 8k, 49:07

9/21: 6.5k, 38:36
9/24: 21k, 2:22:28

Total: 42k, 4:29:34

Average Pace: 06:25

Running Log: Week 8

This week was hard. My fatigue carried over from last week, most notably on my long run. I gave myself a goal of 2:45:00 and I didn't come close. Around the halfway point I kept asking myself, "Why am I training for a marathon again?" I have obviously gotten more out of shape since last year than I thought. 17 pounds to be exact.

Week of Sept. 11 - Sept. 17

9/12: 6.5k, 40:03

9/13: 11k, 1:11:23

9/14: 6.5k, 37:32
9/16: 11k, 1:11:23
9/17: 24k, 2:56:15

Total: 59k, 6:36:40

Average Pace: 06:43

Running Log: Week 7

This week's long run was my first 21k+ run of the year, and every week until November will be a half marathon or greater. My run on Saturday was a good reminder that I am not in marathon shape yet. The first 11k went well, but my body became exhausted in the second half and I walked quite a bit.

Next week's long run is 24k. Last year during training I ran that in 2:45:58. My goal for this week is to do better.

Week of Sept. 4 - Sept. 10

9/5: 6k, 35:14

9/6: 11k, 1:08:08

9/7: 6.5k, 37:36
9/9: 11k, 1:06:59
9/10: 22.5k, 2:38:30

Total: 57k, 6:06:27

Average Pace: 06:25

Running Log: Week 6

Week of Aug. 28 - Sept. 3

8/29: 5k, 28:42

8/30: 8k, 47:14

8/31: 5k, 28:02
9/02: 9.5k, 58:10
8/03: 14.5k, 1:34:26

Total: 42k, 4:16:34

Average Pace: 06:06