period one review.

The first training cycle of the 12 week training program is over. So how did it turn out? Here's the summary stats:

Week 1 (Feb 6th): 4:50
Week 2 (Feb 13th): 6:23
Week 3 (Feb 20th): 5:26
Week 4 (Feb 27th): 4:24

Week one - went well as it was my introductory back to running 5x/6x a week. Week two - started running with tues/thurs group in morning. Speed increased due to that. Week three - overall volume was down due to 1 long run with no run on Sunday versus, long weekend the previous week. Week four - achilles issue starting up, likely due to intensity from week 3 long run. Spent time healing, rehabing and was good to go to run weekend runs! It was a recovery week, so time off wasn't that mentally taxing.

Lessons Learned:

1. Even on the 1 long run weekends, I need to add in a shorter run the day after (Sunday). I have done this in the past. That would be bump running to 6x per week, every week.

2. Speed/Intensity good IF recovery is adequate. Long is good if body holds up. Speed + Long, probably only good for race day. (re: achillies issue)

3. Core strength, yoga and stretching are still important. (A friendly reminder to myself.)

Week 5 starts the second training period. Goals here are to:

1. increase intensity on Tuesday and higher level of steady on Thursday.
2. make sure body is prepared for the final training period of peak / taper.