My last three weeks have been 80, 72, 85. In the last 10 days I’ve run
123 miles (sounds like a lot), or about 12 per day (doesn’t sound like
too much). It has included a 20 miler, a 24 miler, a 14, two 13s,
really tough mile repeats, two hard track workouts and 5 easy days.
I’ve stopped doing doubles in favor of longer singles. I feel strong,
but not fast. I’m not hitting the paces I want and it’s frustrating. I
tell myself that I’m in the middle of my high mileage, that I’m
overloaded and when I taper I will feel like I am flying. Gilbert
tells me the same thing. I hope so.
Yesterday’s 24-miler was a gut check and mental battle. From the first
step my legs were dead and I had to fight mentally the whole way. Just
like last week, I started trying to hit pace too early and paid for it
later. On one hand, I’m starting to reassess my goals for Boston, on
the other hand, I think back prior to Dallas and I remember having the
same doubts … “I’ll never be able to run this pace for another 10
miles”, etc. I hope I don’t fuck up the taper with my doubts, trying
to cram in more mileage and fitness when I should be peaking.
Oh well, I tell myself, it’s really not that big of a deal either way.
David,
Don’t F up the taper. Decrease milage, not intensity. You are in great shape for a huge PR. remember too, It’s just another race…
Awesome mileage. Great to see you in such good shape with few complaints about injuries. Well done.