Another Blast From The Past

In complete contrast to my current training, I thought it would be fun to continue to look back at some of what I've done in the past. Last week I posted a recap of my highest mileage week ever. Below is what I consider one of my best (or perhaps craziest) weeks ever. Not only was it high mileage, but there was a ton of quality as well, and most of it just happened (in other words I didn’t plan it out). Basically I had planned on running the race that Monday, Memorial Day, then just training normally the rest of the week. However, the Friday before the race on Saturday, I got talked into signing up for the 10k (or maybe I talked myself into it), then that afternoon I got a call from Howard Nippert, who after some resistance on my part, talked me into doing his long run with him the next morning. I still remember me arguing with him that I was coming off two races in six days and couldn’t hang with him and him telling me he was sure I could handle it no problem. “We’ll just ease into it for the first half hour then step it up for 90 minutes or so,” he said. Yeah right. Anyway, below is my log from May 28 – June 3, 2001:

Monday, May 28
AM: 11 miles including the Heritage Classic 5k in Rocky Mount, VA, in 15:42 for 1st overall and a course record. Forgot how tough this course was and the steady rain didn’t help. Legs were too tired to get out as fast as I wanted but at least got the record. Splits: 5:18, 5:08, 5:16 (1.1).
PM: 5 miles – going pretty fast throughout

Tuesday, May 29
AM: 5 miles
PM: 10 miles – Hanging Rock at a fairly relaxed pace. Slightly negative splits. Legs tired towards end.

Wednesday, May 30
AM: 5 miles
PM: 12.5 miles – Medium Long Run. Ramada loop in 58:20 (~6:15 pace) w/ Tommy Maguire then looped the park. HR was mostly in the 160’s and TTR=1:20:15. Decent run.

Thursday, May 31
AM: 5 miles
PM: 10 miles – Wildwood extended. Actually felt pretty good. Just cruising in the 6:30's and 40's.

Friday, June 1
AM: 5 miles
PM: 9 miles from the Ramada at a fairly relaxed effort. Finished with a few strides.

Saturday, June 2
AM: 12 miles including the Festival 10k as basically a tempo run. Finished in 32:42 for 1st overall. Pretty surprised to run that fast and get the win. Was actually leading both races when the 5k broke off. Felt very in control the whole way. Splits: 5:18, 4:54, 5:16, 5:11, 5:25, 6:36(1.2).
PM: 4.5 mile shakeout run. Legs tired and heavy at the start but loosened up pretty well.

Sunday, June 3
AM: 18 miles. Long run on the train bed in Pulaski with Howard Nippert. After 20 min, we hit 8 straight miles sub-6, all 5:40's and 50's. I was about to drop when he backed it down. Ran mostly 6:30’s from there to the end. What a way to end the week!

Total: 112 miles