2008 Winter Training Update

After a Christmas break, I am ready to begin the 2008 running season. I have registered for two Spring marathons: the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon (May 4) and the St. Louis Marathon (April 6). I have decided to follow the Furman Institute for Running & Scientific Training (FIRST) Marathon training plan. My training plan will take me up to 26.2 miles at the St. Louis Marathon before a 4 week taper to Cincinnati.

My goal for Cincinnati is to finish under 3 hours 40 minutes -- starting with a pace close to 8:00 min/mile and finish close to a 9:30 min/mile pace for the last 5 miles.

I began my training for marathon #13 the first week of the year, but with the bad weather I have struggled to stay on target. While I have managed to do my long runs outdoors, most of my weekday runs are on the treadmill. Next weekend will be the first of four 20+ mile runs for this training cycle and I'm hoping the weather will allow me a good first long run.