Day 64 & 65 – 2012 United States Olympic Marathon Trials Journey

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

My goal – 2:18:59 or under

Current PR – 2:30:03

Current Week’s Mileage Goal – 85 miles

Next Race – 1 mile and 800m on Friday, January 14, 2011 @ Lewis University in Romeoville, IL

3000m on Saturday, January 22, 2011 @ University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (My Alma Mater) in Champaign, IL

Monday, January 3, 2011 -

AM - 7 miles @ 6:25 mile pace (45:00).  I ran this run in 45:47 which is 6:32 mile pace.   I was feeling tired from the 15 mile long run yesterday.  It was also pretty warm, about 36 degrees, and I was overdressed which probably made me a little extra tired.

PM - 4 miles @ 6:15 mile pace (25:00).  I again ran this outside, it was a little cooler out than this morning, but I was still overdressed and ended up running the run in 25:06, 6:16.5 mile pace.  It felt better to run a little faster and open up my legs.  Got a real good stretch in and called it a night.  11 miles total for the day.


Tuesday, January 4, 2011 -

AM - 7 miles @ 6:10 mile pace (43:00).  I ran this on the treadmill as it was cold outside and I wanted to make sure I could run the desired pace without having to worry about pulling something from the cold.  I ran 42:54 (6:09 mile pace).  I felt real tired the first mile and even through the first 3-4 miles, but I started to get into a groove and felt fine.  I have a 7 x 800m workout on the indoor track for the first time in 2 weeks.  Should be interesting to see how my body reacts to the turns.

PM - 7 x 800m workout @ 2:26 (4:52 mile pace) w/ 400m jog starting every 4:20

2 mile warm up @ 13:00
2 mile cool down @ 13:00

My actual 800m splits:

1. 2:26.1
2. 2:26.6
3. 2:28.1
4. 2:28.6
5. 2:29.1
6. 2:26.2
7. 2:25.1

My legs were fatigued for this workout. It was just hard to get the legs going any faster than they did.  Sure, it would have helped if I had someone to do this workout with to help lead and take a little bit of the mental focus off of my shoulders.  But, since that is not the reality, having to run these kind of workouts by myself should continue to build my focus and mental toughness.  

Eric Wallor