I scrolled back in my Strava training log trying to find a time I’ve had a streak of running consistency similar to this summer’s marathon buildup. I couldn’t find one.
My goal has been to run three workouts a week. A shorter interval effort, a longer interval/tempo workout, and a long run. That has been my plan in most marathon training weeks I’ve done in the past as well.
I might not hit my race goal that first weekend of September, but it won’t be because I lacked consistency. I wrapped up my 10th straight week where I recorded all three workouts when I did a hot, 4 X 1 mile at tempo pace run in Louisiana Saturday.
The longest streak I could find in my training log was when I had six straight weeks hitting my workout goal back in 2019. I also had five straight successful weeks back in the summer of 2020 with no race to train for.
Most of my solid training weeks are either standalone, or they are part of a pair. Rarely have I reeled off more than two weeks in a row of consistency.
This summer, I’ve adapted to weekly circumstances better than I have in the past. For the three weeks I knew running long runs on the weekend wouldn’t be possible, I figured out how to run long on Thursday. I woke up at 3:20 a.m. for one of them. My start time was 9:30 a.m. for another. But I found a way to complete my long runs (and all 10 so far have been 23 miles).
When our trip to Crater Lake National Park was cut short because of wildfire smoke, I waited until we made it back home on Saturday evening to get my tempo effort. This week I ran my long run on Thursday so I could avoid doing three hours of a long run in the Louisiana heat and humidity.
One week included a tempo/progression run on a treadmill. I did what was necessary to finish my workouts.
I don’t expect perfection going forward. But this training buildup has been encouraging. I’m coming off a few years of inconsistency, small injuries, poor races, and overall drop-off from goal paces and performance.
This is also my 10th straight week writing a blog post. I have struggled with what I should write. And I don’t know if what I’ve written matters to anyone but myself. Who wants to read someone’s weekly training log featuring complaints and struggles?
But I’m still writing. On schedule. Maybe inspiration will strike. Or maybe I’ll shut it down.
I’ve had some radical changes this summer (if you know me and want to ask more questions, I would understand). So what’s next? The unknown.
It’s clear, however, that whatever is ahead, consistent and positive habits will help me move forward.
Weekly log
Monday: 8 miles easy around Corvallis; 7 miles easy to double.
Tuesday: 11-mile workout with 25 X 1 min hard, 1 min off intervals; 9 miles with the stroller to swim lessons and the park.
Wednesday: 3 miles easy for a recovery day.
Thursday: 23-mile long run (my fastest pace for a long run so far this summer); 5 miles easy with the HOTV social run club.
Friday: 5 miles starting at 2:48 a.m. before driving to the airport for a long travel day.
Saturday: 10-mile workout with 4 X 1 mile at slightly faster than goal race effort in the Louisiana heat and humidity.
Sunday: 10 miles easy around my hometown.
Weekly total: 92.
Boston Beard 2024 week 10 highlights: seeing my family and celebrating my mom’s 70th birthday, finishing my peak week of the training buildup, hitting a new level of consistency, seeing my daughter continuing her fun summer activities, and eating a lot of good food in Louisiana.