As mentioned in this post, I’m attempting to get my own BQ. I am excited to be training using again the Hansons Method. In a nutshell, this training is based on the concept of cumulative fatigue. You train your body to run often so that you are frequently running on tired legs. The idea is to run this way so that during the last miles of a race you are prepared to push through the final miles. These plans are 18 weeks and have you running 6 days (easy, speed/strength, tempo, and long runs) a week with one rest day. I am not sure when I will qualify but am determined to get there.
I won’t bore you with recapping every single run during weeks 1-5. Instead, I’ll write about the most interesting runs or just give you a short and sweet weekly recap.
Week #1, March 27-April 2
First week of training. For weeks 1-5, all of my runs were at an easy pace (12:57-13:57). This is the pace for a 5:00 marathon finish time.
M OFF
T OFF
W Ran 3.02 Miles
TH OFF
F OFF
S Ran 3.02 Miles
S Ran 5.18 Miles at the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle
I ran my fastest mile of 12:18 on Saturday. I need to remember to run my easy runs at a slower place.
On Sunday I ran the Bank of American Shamrock Shuffle and was pleased with my time. It was my first race of the year. I wanted to enjoy and finish the race since I hadn’t been doing a whole lot of running since my injury. Secretly my goal was to finish under an hour. Done in 56:26.
Total mileage for the week: 11.22 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle: 11.22 miles
Total mileage for the year: 59.41 miles
Week #2, April 3-9
M OFF
T Ran 2.02 Miles
W OFF
TH Ran 3.02 Miles
F Ran 3.02 Miles
S Ran 3.02 Miles
S Ran 4.02 Miles
Another great week of running. Ran with my nephew on Saturday and Sunday and it made me happy.
Total mileage for the week: 15.11 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle: 26.33 miles
Total mileage for the year: 74.51 miles
Week #3, April 10-16
M OFF
T Ran 4.02 Miles
W OFF
TH Ran 4.02 Miles
F Ran 4.02 Miles
S Ran 4.02 Miles
S Ran 5.03 Miles
Spring Break! Pleased that I did all of my runs. On Monday I went to see a friend. She lives almost 45 minutes from me and I made sure to stay there pretty much all day. We did some errands, talked, and ate.
On Thursday and Friday I went to two breweries, Lagunitas Brewing Company and 5 Rabbit Cerveceria.
Got some new shoes, Brooks Pure Flow 6, and wore them on Saturday. They’re light and feel soft. Love them!
Total mileage for the week: 21.10 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle: 47.43 miles
Total mileage for the year: 95.62 miles
Week #4, April 17-23
M OFF
T Ran 5.02 Miles
W OFF
TH Ran 3.02 Miles
F Ran 5.02 Miles
S Ran 5.02 Miles
S Ran 3.63 Miles
I watched the Boston Marathon on Monday. I was rooting for Desi to win but overall she did great. It wasn’t easy going back to work on Tuesday but fortunately it was a 4-day workweek.
On Wednesday I went to see “Boston: The Documentary”. Did you watch it? I thought it was a great movie and would love to see it again. I enjoyed listening to the history of the marathon and the Boston Marathon. Plus, it was great seeing Meb winning the 2014 Boston Marathon. Of course, it got me excited for one day I hope to run it too.
I fell during my run on Sunday. There was a piece of wire on the sidewalk which I did not see and I tripped and fell. Luckily I used my hands to break the fall but still scraped my chin, knee, and hand. I am feeling better but it definitely freaked me out.
Total mileage for the week: 21.71 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle: 69.14 miles
Total mileage for the year: 117.33 miles
Week #5, April 24-30
M OFF
T Ran 5.02 Miles
W OFF
TH Ran 4.02 Miles
F Ran 5.02 Miles
S Ran 4.02 Miles
S Ran 6.02 Miles
I was nervous about my run on Tuesday. I was extra careful with every step I took and I might have been over reacting.
My mother swears that everything is cured with Vicks VapoRub. Mothers know best, right?
Mother Nature is being a pain. Rain and cold weather (at least for April) this week. I want it to be warm again so I can wear tank tops and shorts.
Total mileage for the week: 24.10 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle: 93.24 miles
Total mileage for the year: 141.43 miles
Today was my last run for this month. I am proud for running 90 miles in April. I am feeling good. My legs do get tired but make sure to stretch and foam roll on a regular basis. I look forward to see how it goes in May.
So happy to follow your road to BQ. Congrats on an awesome month of running, even after your fall!
Thanks!
I’m glad you didn’t get anything but bruised on your fall! Yikes! Looks like other than that, you had a good month.
I laughed about the Vicks, because my Mexican patients, in particular, believe in Vicks like a magic cure! Cracks me up. It is a cure for toenail fungus.
Thanks Wendy. I was mortified when I fell but realized later and was thankful that I didn’t fall flat in my face. It could have been worse. Gotta hand it to Vicks, my bruises and cuts are almost healed. 😉👍
Wow…that fall sounds scary (and painful)! Glad your injuries were minimal. Good luck with all your training!!
Thanks. It was scary but it could have been worse. I am thankful that it was “minor” cuts and bruises. Almost healed.
Where did you get the shoes with lobsters? I love them! Funny about the Vicks. It reminds me of the movie My Bat Fat Greet Wedding where the Dad thinks Windex cures all. (It does!) I know how scary a fall can be! You do run extra carefully for a while. I’m glad you weren’t seriously hurt. Thanks for linking, Zenaida!
The shoes are the Brooks Launch 4. Aren’t they cute? I bought them as motivation for The Boston Marathon. I have seen that movie too and laughed about the Windex. But does it cure all?
Didn’t the Vicks hurt on your scrape? I guess I am thinking menthol = burning. I hope your scrapes and bruises heal quickly!
I was hesitant to try it thinking that it would hurt but it did not. In fact it felt soothing.
Ouchie! Great April ramp up lady!! 🙂
Thanks!
Yikes, sorry to hear about your fall! My parent would always give me Vick’s when we had a cold and rub it under my nose.
Thanks! Yep, it works very well for a cold too. 🙂
What a brilliant month of training and a great start to your BQ mission. What a nasty fall and bruise – glad you are okay x
Thanks! Yeah, that fall did hurt but it could have been worse. I am doing much better and my bruises/cuts have pretty much healed.
Great recap-90 miles for April is impressive 🙂 So excited to follow your road-to-BQ training!
Thanks! I am pretty happy with my mileage too. So far that has been my highest this year.
Yikes that looks like a nasty fall. Glad nothing was broken. All the best on the road to BQ!
Thanks! It did hurt but I am slo glad that nothing was broken. Thanks again for your support and encouragement!!
I had a problem running my easy runs easy but finally made a point to slow down. Looks like you had a good month! Looking forward to following your BQ journey!
Thanks! I am still struggling running them at an easy pace. I’ll see how the rest of the weeks go and maybe I need to adjust my plan and paces.
Looks like you had a great month of running – well done! Sorry about your fall, hopefully your scrape feels better!
Thanks! I am feeling much better and excited to continue running.
Sorry to read about your fall! This is a great training month. Way to go!
Thank you!
Very impressive! it’s good to see you gradually getting back into it after your injury and I absolutely LOVE your determination!
Thanks Elizabeth! I am excited but also nervous.
wishing you all the best for your BQ! my husband is also trying so…
OUCH on your fall!!!! ugh, I hate that the most, falling when running 🙁
Thanks! Good luck to your husband!