August training went well. I'm in the process of wrapping up Week 20 of 30 in the Canova style marathon training plan. I'm just about done with the Fundamental phase, and am about to enter the Specific phase. Things get real intense for the last 10 weeks. In my entire training history, I've done 8 training runs with a pace under 7:30 and longer than 90 minutes. So that covers probably about 5 years that I've arguably had a similar fitness level. The last 10 weeks of this training plan has 7 such runs. So saying this ending is going to be intense could be putting it mildly. And he doesn't allow T+D adjustments in the last phase. You either do the assigned pace, or the workout is over. With that being said, I can't argue with the results thus far. It's arguable, but according to the HR vs T+D Adj Pace metric that I track my current fitness level is at an all-time high besting when I pulled off a 20:05 5k, 39:55 10k, 1:30 HM, and 3:15 M during the 2018 Dopey coming in 20th place overall.
Personally, I feel like the slow end pacing is at an all time best for me. But I still question my ability to maintain the faster end paces. And probably not by chance, but this is exactly what Canova states is the purpose of the last 10 weeks. He states that it is his belief that marathon runners tend to race too soon. That, like me, they'll see their fitness hit all-time highs towards the end of their training (or something similar to the Fundamental phase he has) and feel race ready. They'll race, but not be able to hit that standard they were looking for. His argument is that last 10 weeks is what is missing. The specificity phase. At this point, I'm still holding my breath I can stay healthy and also finish out the plan to the best of my ability. This month was a Top 10 volume month for me, and I put in a 9.25 hr week last week. History tells me my body doesn't like to be here, so it'll be interesting to see whether it tolerates the Canova methodology here towards the tail end of training.
I've also been making a concerted effort to increase my elevation gain/mile. When I was at my peak in late 2017, I was closer to 40-42 ft/mile. But we moved neighborhoods and more lately hovered around 28-32 ft/mile. During Princess training I was down to 15-20 ft/mile. But now I've gotten it back up to 36 ft/mile by doing a route that essentially takes me up my hill and down my hill one mile at a time. Over and over and over. Did it for 21.7 miles last weekend. But it's my best option locally to try and increase my elevation gain.
As for G, she's been super busy with play performances, and has had little time for running. But as that winds down and school starts, we should be able to get back in the groove again. Our next race isn't until the Princess 5k in 2023, so we've got time.
On a separate but very sad note, we lost one of our own. A former runDisney disboards member's spouse passed away recently. They haven't posted in the runDisney section in a while. I'll leave out any identifying information, but just to say this runner was very fit, long history with fitness/running, we were training them for a BQ, was in a low/medium period of training, and simply passed in their sleep. I'll share what their spouse shared with me as a message to all of us, "Work less and play more". This truly was a shocking loss, and has helped put some aspects of life in perspective.
DD16 found a job and moved to my mom’s for that while to ease transportation. They had a great time.
