An update on my progress

The past two days have been great work outs. Yesterday I did hill training during my run and then lower body strengthening. At the end of my run I had run 3.33 miles in about 37 minutes. I am keeping a steady pace when I run the inclines which is very important for me. Right now I do four 2.5 minute hill intervals. This means that I spend about 1.0 miles running up hill. The moonlight run features a 1.1km hill right at the end of the run so if I can sustain a mile of hills during training I should be able to pull it together for the race.

Today was a 45 minute tempo run. I was really happy with this training session. My speed was 6.0 - 6.4 for the duration (less 3 one minute walk breaks). I am encouraged that I felt fantastic through the whole run. It gives me hope that I can sustain those tempos during the race. Feeling strong is the best reward when I've worked hard.

I am now ready to start thinking about speed training. My plan is to begin interval training next week. My initial speed interval will be only one minute long and hopefully by mid March (two weeks before the run) I will be up to a two - three minute speed interval. Then I can taper off with the comfort of knowing that I will be able to push it.

I am discovering how much my mental state affects my training and especially my results. If I am in the right frame of mind it is amazing what I can accomplish. If I listen to my inner critic too much I crash and burn. I am definitely planning to work more on the mental aspects of my training in the coming weeks because come race day I think it can be the difference between an average time and a personal best.

Finally I have to once again rave about how yoga is helping me. It is definitely helping to develop my visualization and contemplation and I am growing positive energy. I have more mental energy and more spirit this means more passion in my sport. Physically yoga has prevented lots of aches and pains. I feel looser and more relaxed. I am really enjoying connecting my heart and body.

Now that I seem to be on the right track with my training I am definitely looking forward to stepping up the intensity of my workouts.