So much for the cutback week. After thinking about it for a couple minutes last night I decided it would be a little better to get a 20 miler out of the way this morning. I was hoping the winter weather coming in would hold off long enough, and fortunately, it did. That brings a couple of thoughts to mind, so I thought I'd share.
First, I know you are supposed to do two hard weeks followed by a cutback week. Well, at least according to most of the expert training programs. But I have said before, I don't really believe you have to follow some schedule to the letter. I will take it easier next week. The bottom line with marathon training, I believe, is that you want to get in a couple 20 milers in before the race. That, and some hills, and speed work, and you should be fine.
With Boston, the hills are more important. And I'm learning that speed work while training in Chicago for a spring marathon is easier said than done. So we adjust right? I have time to do a cutback week next week, then another 20, followed by a half marathon, and one more 20. That means I will rely more on strength than speed/cardio work on April 16th.
The winter weather did hold off this morning, but the wind was brutal. I ran on the lakefront, and we ran north first, into the wind. It really does simulate running on hills when the wind is that strong in your face. Coming back was a whole lot easier, and the pace, needless to say, was a bit faster. In any case, I'm glad to have that behind me. I put this picture in to remind myself of how nice it was just a couple weeks ago during my 16 miler in Miami. Ahhh well.
Tomorrow morning brings, not a run, but a stair climb. The Hustle up the Hancock. I don't really know what benefit that is for training. I don't really like stair climbs, though I usually do two a year. Last month was the AON climb, which ABC-7 helps sponsor. The AON climb benefits Children's Memorial hospital. The Hancock benefits the American Lung Association.
They're both great causes, but the the reason I don't enjoy the climbs is because they're hard. If you work it, you will find yourself panting pretty hard by half-way up. The Hancock is 96 floors, so it's a long way to go after you get half-way up. It must be a good cardio workout, but because it's just one run up the stairs that lasts less than 20 minutes, I doubt there's much of a benefit for marathon training. I suppose if I stopped complaining for a moment and was serious about getting some benefit from it, I could run there, do the climb, and run back. So I guess I've just revealed myself.
Anyway, I'll try to get some pictures from the Hancock climb. ABC-7 is participating in a media challenge against other stations. Several of us will put our times against other stations, and try to determine a winner. I will try to have one of the top times in the media group anyway. My friend Mike Adamle from NBC-5 is among those who do the race, and he is always pretty good at it. So we'll have our hands fun.
Anyway, enjoy the rest of the weekend, and I'll see you on the roads or the stairs in the next few days.
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