New shoes and marathon training plan

There’s nothing like new shoes to breathe life into your training.  Meet the new girls:

Mizuno Wave Inspire 9: $115 from Marathon Sports, Cambridge, MA.

In contrast to my old pair (Mizuno Wave Precision 13) these are more … blue.  More technically, the new shoes have some different features on the sole – they certainly feel a bit different to wear; I most notice it as different pressure points on my sole.  Hopefully this is a Good Thing.

Also I’ve gone half a size up (8.5!) for some reason – but let’s face it, more space in the toe can’t be a bad thing.  I did try on a pair of Brooks and they were really nice too, but there was something strange going on at the front (it felt like the shoe stopped before my toes did?).  So I decided to stick with what I know.

Training Plan

My training plan for the Marathon in October is the Hal Higdon Novice 2 plan.  The equivalent half-marathon plan worked for me so again, I’m sticking with what I know.  (PS sticking with what I know is highly unusual for me in general).  Tomorrow I finish week 6 (of 18) and it’s going pretty well so far:

I’ve skipped a 3 mile run this week because my left arch is giving me trouble, but I’m going to go out tomorrow for 9 miles.  I also haven’t done any cross training. Is that bad?

The weather has been disgusting recently (warning: normal East Coast USA whinge about humidity follows): when you come home from a run when it was “only” 78F, stand under the A/C vent for 10 minutes and you’re still dripping with sweat afterwards, you are entitled to think it’s a bit warm for running. Just saying.

While we’re talking about the heat can I just point something out regarding running etiquette?  Boys, I’m looking at you: personally, when I pass someone who is going slower than me I do a 10 second pick-up to dash past them and get well in front.  On my last long run (74F and 78% humidity), on several occasions, men, mostly of a certain age, came slowly puffing past me, basically rubbing elbows with me, flicking great globs of sweat and snot in my direction.  DISGUSTING, BOYS.   Please leave a wide birth when passing, and, get on with it!

On Thursday I ran in the rain, and it was great: aside from getting soaked and my ponytail looking like a rats nest by the end, obviously.  Pace of 8.41 over 6 miles.

Speaking of pace, I should mention my goal(s) for the marathon:

1. get to the start line (i.e. don’t get injured in training), and

2. finish in 4hrs or less.

The other day I read about this website which, I’m sure among many other things, tells you your likely finish times for different distances based on a previous race time.  So I put in my half-marathon time and discovered it predicts a 4:07 marathon for me.

So I have some work to do. Luckily I have my Sweaty Band to help me go faster.  And of course, new shoes.  Which I’ve just realized are in Boston colors.  Duh.

See you out there!