Although I have already started training for my next half marathon scheduled for September, I have finally established a training plan that I am happy with. I could probably do more with it, and maybe in the springtime I may add more miles during the week but for now I am comfortable that my training plan will help me have successful races in the fall. One race is in September and the second is in October.
My training plan begins with resting on Sundays. I first debated that because I enjoy starting my Sunday with a light run, but I need more days to rest and Sunday is the easiest to find that time.
On Mondays and Fridays, I plan on a three mile run from the neighborhood and around the golf course. This is always a nice run. There is one long challenging hill and there are plenty of people around to keep me motivated.
Tuesdays and Thursdays, I plan to use as rest days and devotional reading days. I typically run right after my Morning Prayer time and on these two days, I will have extra time to open a devotional book and spend a little more time renewing my spirit. Right now, I am working my way through “The Complete Works of E.M. Bounds on Prayer.”
On Wednesdays, I will be doing speed work. I have not ever done consistent speed work in my workouts. I have tried to do them, but failed to follow through. Here, I have a running track one half mile away from my home that I pass on my three-mile runs. It would be an incredible missed opportunity if I did not use that track regularly. I plan to run from my home to the track. Run an additional half-mile, then do speed work for four more laps, cool down with another half-mile, then return home. The workout will also be three miles total.
The training week ends with a long run on Saturday. For the first two weeks I will be running six miles, the next two will be eight miles, followed by a ten-mile run, and ending with my taper week of six miles.
I think the plan will be effective. The only big difference from early plans is that I am doing speed work. I think I may actually be running more totals miles than in the past. I look forward to a great running year and I am confident that the work will pay off in the end.