Last Black Saturday, I had the "mistake" of checking out the titles in BookSale, SM Baguio. My eyes fell on this book: "Marathon: the Ultimate Training & Racing Guide". Instinctively I muttered, "No, not yet". But the more adventurous side of me came up with a reply. "Well, no harm in reading right? You might even get a couple of of sound tips to improve your current PRs".That seemed to make more sense so off I went with it. After reading a few pages, my Holy Week ended up as not only a time for spiritual reflection, but also for contemplation on my running plans/goals for the year.
Looking at my race performances, the finish times were more or less close to that of average runners. However, my training log looked miserable. I had less than 15 running sessions since January- with the PSE Bull Run & Condura Run races already thrown in- and barely 100kms of total mileage for 3.5 months (!) Plus, I rarely do speedwork and often ignore tapering before a race. My friend Dree puts it rather more accurately: "[for Jihan] race = practice!" Hah, I might have relied too much on talent (indulge me on this one, ok?)!
If I am to incorporate running in my lifestyle, the training discipline will obviously need a major upgrade. And as with any endeavor, it is always good to have some goals. Here is my list for 2009, coupled with a big dream...
GOAL 1: Aim for a weekly mileage starting at 25-30kms and eventually increase to 50kms
GOAL 2: Beat my 5km PR of 27mins
PR made in the Davies 5km Unity Run, Aug 2008
GOAL 3: Finish 10km in at most 60mins
current PR is 63mins in the '09 PSE Bull Run
GOAL 4: Do a 2nd Half-M at 2:15-2:20
1st half-M was finished at 2:29 in the Condura Run last month
GOAL 2: Beat my 5km PR of 27mins
PR made in the Davies 5km Unity Run, Aug 2008
GOAL 3: Finish 10km in at most 60mins
current PR is 63mins in the '09 PSE Bull Run
GOAL 4: Do a 2nd Half-M at 2:15-2:20
1st half-M was finished at 2:29 in the Condura Run last month
DREAM: Have my first marathon before I get married (i.e. before 01-23-10)!
Hopefully, if I am able to achieve Goal 1, this dream should become a reality by October 2009 ;-)
You already have very impressive stats. Goal 1 should be easy for you. i think finishing your first marathon this October is doable. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe first part is, the latter maybe not. Hehe. Have you done yours? Any tips for me?
ReplyDeleteMy training guide is...
ReplyDelete1. run as long as i can
2. run as far as i can
3. run as much as i can
Hope that helps... hahaha!
I hope to do a full next month... a lot of apprehensions though.. got some knee issues..
I'm sure you can do yours within the year.. :-)
Wow Jihan your stats are very nice (not just your curves hehe) and I think you can get those wish list completed before the year end. Have you decided on any particular marathon to join as your first?
ReplyDeleteIan, your training guide is helpful indeed! Bwehehe. Are you doing the Paa-bilisan marathon?? Wow, that's gonna be real soon! Go, go, go! I'll be cheering for you, haha!
ReplyDeleteI'm also bugged by knee pain every now and then. Back runs seem to alleviate it. At least, that's how I survived after it struck me on the 12th km of the Condura Run.
Runningpinoy, thanks for the compliment, haha! Initially, I was aiming for the Milo marathon but I figured I might not be able to run well for about 4-5 hrs in M.Mla highways with the sweltering heat of mid-morning sunlight and all. I have opted for the Subic Intl Marathon instead. It's gonna be in the evening, so all the more good for me :-)