Half Marathon Training - Days 51-60

I ran the most miles in a cycle so far in this most recent cycle (43) and it went perfectly.

I started out running 3 x 1600m at the Track in my new Nike Free 3.0's and was a little surprised that I was able to run 6:24, 6:29 and 6:28 with only a slow 400m jog in between each interval.

I attempted to run the Tempo run at the pace I want to run the Half Marathon (7:35/mile) but ended up feeling great and went a little too fast.

I ran 12 miles for the long run on a warm morning during which I felt the full force of the sun for long periods and I ended up feeling tired and hot by the time I finished. Before my run, I seriously considered driving over to Shelley Lake and doing my long run around the lake and on the Crabtree Greenway (where there is lots of shade) but I didn't want to make the drive. I learned my lesson and I need to do my long runs somewhere with some shade in future!

I ran three of my easy runs in my Nike Free 3.0's and the other one on the trail in my NB Minimus.

Overall, I gained a lot of confidence for my Half Marathon with great runs in each of the three "important" workouts in this cycle especially as my body feels well rested and ready for another 40 days of training!

Cycle 3
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1: Tempo Workout (30 minutes): 6 miles, 4 @ Tempo: 7:28, 7:23, 7:22, 7:35
2: Rest/Cross-Train - Rest
3: 5 miles Easy - 5 miles @ 8:46
4: Speedwork (3 x 1600) - 5 miles, 3 x 1600: 6:24, 6:29, 6:28
5: Cross-Train -Yoga
6: 5 miles Easy - 5 miles @ 8:20
7: 5 miles Easy - 5 miles @ 8:38
8: Long Run (12-15 miles) - 12 miles @ 8:46
9: Rest - Rest
10: 5 miles Easy - 5 miles (Trail) @ 9:29