I kicked off week 3 (I know time flies) of Twin Cities Marathon training this morning. For the first time in forever I’m not using the RLRF plan and I’ve gotta say, things are a little pretty unfamiliar.
Up ’til now I considered myself fairly open minded. When I saw outrageously hard workouts on paper I’d howl at the moon always eventually give them a try. Usually, somehow, I managed to pull them off.
But this new plan. No bueno. My inner creature of habit is convulsing in revolt. Tuesday historically means speedwork. But the new plan wants 10 (10?!?) miles of general aerobic running. Yes I’m up and out at stud o’clock but sheesh TEN miles on a Tuesday? This is a shock to my system. Especially coming off of Sunday’s half. Shut up I can be creaky if I want to.
My inner dialog went something like this: 10 miles…wait TEN MILES? T-E-N?? I don’t need that much on a Tuesday, where are my intervals? How will I get Thing 1 to the camp bus on time? Who does this Pete Pfitzinger think he is and doesn’t he realize I’ve got two parties happening on Saturday that need serious attention?
After ample huffing and maybe an expletive or 2, I got out before the sky turned pink and busted out the prescribed 10. Yes my hammies complained. Yes the first couple of miles were leaden. But the breeze was fresh and there was no traffic to speak of. Reflexively I was ready to shut it down after 6 (like I do on every other Tuesday) but I ran a loop where I’d have no choice but to get 10.
So 10 it was and 10 it’ll be for awhile, as I make my way through the ‘endurance’ phase. Looking ahead, there’s lactate threshold work in my future that scares excites me.
