Well, I wasn't planning to post any more, but yesterday's training was too good so I had to share.
Yesterday was my longest walk before the Miracle Match Marathon on October 29. Next weekend I'll do 18 miles, then the following weekend no miles, then the marathon.
On Sunday I planned to do 24 miles. I got to the lake early and started walking about 5:30. It was nice and cool and felt great out. I started out very slow and struggling. I rarely do 12 minute miles, but both of my first two splits were over 12:00, and my third mile was 5 seconds over my marathon PR pace of 11:20:
12:11
12:07
11:25
After that I did a few more miles in the 11 minute per mile range and finally felt like I was loosening up:
11:05
11:22
11:18
After that, I somehow turned on some speed and was able to keep all of my remaining miles below 11:00 per mile (except one) and I even clocked one mile at 9:59! I was shocked - my normal weekday six miles isn't normally this fast and doesn't feel this good:
10:47
10:52
10:59
10:38
11:11
10:46
10:24
10:35
10:47
10:28
10:38
9:59
10:39
10:36
10:52
10:46
10:51
10:37
I didn't really do anything differently except focus on the hip swing and getting my whole body into the racewalking motion. I could tell when I wasn't focusing on my form, I slowed down and the walk felt more labored.
Also, I started using Clif Shots again. I used to use Clif Shots exclusively, then I started trying out Hammer Gel, Clif Shot Bloks, Honey Stinger Gel, etc. But I really feel a boost when I use Clif Shots (I alternate between Mocha Mocha, which has a little caffeine, and Very Vanilla). I used one every six miles; during the marathon I will probably use one every five miles.
So now I'm feeling very confident about setting a PR at the marathon. I haven't raced in a marathon since March 2004 so I'm really excited about going this distance again!
Distance: 24.00 miles
Time: 4:21:44
Pace: 10:54
