Day 22 & 23 – 2012 United States Olympic Marathon Trials Journey

US Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifying Standard – 2:19:00 or under

My goal – 2:18:59 or under

Current PR – 2:30:03

Current Weeks Mileage Goal – 70 miles

Next Race – Palatine Turkey Trot 5 mile race in Palatine, Illinois on Thursday, November 25, 2010

Day 22
Monday, November 22, 2010 -

AM - I was feeling good after the 6 mile run yesterday so I dropped 6:18 pace for 4 miles, I was supposed to run right at 6:20 pace.  It was unseasonably warm, like 65 degrees, so it felt amazing outside. 

PM - I was supposed to run 3 x 800m/300m workout, but due to heavy rain and lighting we had to call an audible and move the workout to Tuesday morning.  When there was a break in the weather, which was around 8:30pm, I got another 4 mile run, but this one was at 6:37 pace.  I was feeling pretty tired, not totally sure why, but I think it was mainly because I really hadn't eaten for like 6 hours by the time I ran.  Ended up eating dinner around 9:15pm, a lot later than normal.  Got a set of abs in also after the run.

Total miles = 8


Day 23
Tuesday, November 23, 2010 -

AM - 9:00am - Significantly colder than yesterday, about 40 degrees colder when I started warming up.  The workout was 3 sets of 800m @ (2:38, 2:34, 2:30) then 200m jog then 300m @ 4:24 mile pace (50 seconds) then 300m jog.  Here is the breakdown of how the workout went:

2 mile warm up @ 12:26 (6:13 mile pace)

Set #1
800m - 2:36
300m - 50

Set #2
800m - 2:32
300m - 51

Set #3
800m - 2:29
300m - 48.9

2 mile cool down @ 13:21 (6:40 mile pace)

Ok, this was a fairly tough workout.  It was cold and a bit windy so I wore more layers than I normally do for a workout.  But, the main reason it was tougher was because of the change in pace from the 800m to the 300m.  I have not gone that fast (sub 4:30 mile pace) in about 2-3 months.  It felt good to move fast like that again, but it did hit build up some lactic acid from moving my legs that fast again. 

PM - 3 mile run @ 6:40 mile pace.  A bit worn from the morning workout, but was able to run about 6:35 pace for this run.  Got in a light session of weights (1 set instead of the usual 2-3), stretched and used the foam roller.

Total miles = 10.1


Eric Wallor