2018 Cleveland Marathon Training Post 7

2018 Cleveland Marathon Training Post 7

Only 20 days until Cleveland Marathon!

Wow is all I have to say. I knew we were getting closer to race day, but when I visited the Cleveland Marathon site it said that we only have 20 days left until race day. The thought of running a full marathon in 3 weeks really makes me wonder whether I am ready or not.

My training schedule over the past two weeks has been all over the place with me being sick for a week. I was hoping to get another 18 miler in this past weekend, but that didn’t happen due to schedules. I was kind of glad as I didn’t want to run back to back 18 miler runs so I ended up getting in 16 miles last Saturday. The run felt ok, not great, but ok.

Race Discount: Save 10% off any Cleveland Marathon race or challenge with coupon code SLONGCLE10. Online registration ends 5/1/18.

This coming Saturday I was planning to run the Hermes 10 miler race. This was going to be my first race of the year and was excited to see what kind of shape I was in before running the Cleveland Marathon. 3 weeks ago I got a cold from running in colder weather. The forecast for the race was high 30’s and rain.

With the forecast being poor, I woke up early at 5 am and headed out for a few miles (wanted to get 18 for the day with the 10-mile race). At 5:30 am, I started out with 4 miles to stretch the legs before heading downtown to race. When I first went outside, it was misty and chilly, around 40 degrees. After 4 miles, I decided to bail on the race to make sure I didn’t get sick like I did 3 weeks earlier. I was pissed, disappointed, but knew it was the right decision.

To make up for missing the race, I waited for the rain to push through and ended up getting in 10 miles at a pace that was faster than marathon pace. I figured this was the least I could do. I also did 4 miles before the 10 for a total of 18 for the day. Below are a few pictures of the weather and details of my 10-miler.

Cleveland Marathon Training Plan

Two weeks ago, I included a weekly run with 5-7 miles at a pace faster than marathon pace. Back in 2012 when I was in my best shape, I used to do this on a weekly basis and it really seemed to help. While these are tough workouts, it’s a great test and a great way to mix up the training plan. If you haven’t done these kinds of workouts, I highly recommend them. While they are tough, they really do help with efficiency and promote natural running motions.

As far as this week goes, the weather should be warming up this week so I’m looking forward to the 70-80 degree forecasts. Going to feel really warm, but should be a nice change. Now that most of my long runs are doing, my goal is to focus on mileage and the tempo efforts this week.

Race schedule and weekly running photos

Instead of signing up for the Cleveland 10-Miler I should have listed to the fellow Ambassadors and should have run the Canton Marathon half. Lesson learned, listen to your friend.

Here are a few pictures from this past week. No special pictures this week, just some new socks and one of the treadmill workouts. If you follow me on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, then you may have already seen these pictures.

Weekly training details

Here are the details of my training for the week of 4/16. The details below include running and cycling workouts.

• Monday (4/16/18): 9 miles (shoes: Asics GT-2000 6)
• Tuesday (4/17/18): 8 miles (shoes: Saucony Guide ISO)
• Wednesday (4/18/18): Day Off (work travel)
• Thursday (4/19/18): 9 miles, 6 @ 6:35 (shoes: Adidas Tempo Boost 9)
• Friday (4/20/18): 6.25 miles (shoes: Saucony Omni 16), 7 miles cycling
• Saturday (4/21/18): 16 miles (shoes: Saucony Hurricane ISO 4)
• Sunday (4/22/18): 4.25 miles (shoes: Asics GT-2000 6)

Weekly Mileage: 52.5 miles running, 7 miles cycling

I continue to slowly increase my mileage (no more than 10%) as we get closer to the 2018 Cleveland Marathon.

Please leave me a comment below or contact me if you have any suggestions as I continue my journey to run in the 2018 Cleveland Marathon. Remember, Save 10% off any Cleveland Marathon race or challenge with coupon code SLONGCLE10. Remember, this offer ends 5/1/18.

About the Cleveland Marathon

The Cleveland Marathon is in its 41st year and is one of the top 50 oldest marathons in the US. During race weekend Cleveland hosts between 15,000-18,000 runners and walkers in addition to thousands of spectators.

The Cleveland Marathon is on Sunday, May 20, 2018 at 7:00 a.m. The full marathon, half marathon, and 10k all start at this time. Plan to arrive around 6 a.m. to allow yourself plenty of time to park and get ready.

If you haven’t registered yet, you should! I promise you won’t regret it. Hope to see you all in May.

If you haven’t visited the Ambassador page, I recommend taking a look. You not only get to learn about the other great Ambassadors, but you can also enter to win a free race entry!

Race Discount: Use promo code SLONGCLE10 to save 10% off any Cleveland Marathon race!

Register for Cleveland Marathon