On Monday, April 25th I finished my 16 week "base training" plan and officially started my 24 week Moab 240 training plan. So far I have finished 100% of the planned workouts, but it is definitely an adjustment, especially on Thursdays which are now 2.5 hours at the gym in the morning and 2 hours of running in the evening. I'm really enjoying training for one key event for the year and truly being able to focus on training specifically for that race. Given that the Moab 240 is a 240 mile (not a stage event mind you so sleeping means you just have to run faster lol) loop in and around Moab, through deserts and climbing mountains. I think that's a big enough race for me to focus all my effort and training towards that one goal for the year!
Several people have asked what my training actually looks like. I'll give an example by showing this weeks training plan:
Mon (all AM workouts):
Weight lifting/strength training at gym (45 min)
Climbing 110 flights on the Stairmaster with a 30 lb. weighted vest (30 min)
Easy swim (45 min)
19 min in 110 degree steam room (adapting to heat)
Tuesday (AM run):
10 mile run
Wednesday (AM run/climb):
6 miles "fartlek's" (basically interval speed workout)
1.5 miles hill repeats with 30 lb. weighted vest
Thursday (AM Gym):
Weight lifting/strength training at gym (45 min)
1.2 miles power hiking on treadmill (15 degree incline)
Easy swim (40 min)
20 min in 110 degree steam room (adapting to heat)
Thursday (PM Run):
8 mile run
Friday: REST DAY!
Saturday:
20 mile long run
Sunday:
12 mile run - 2nd long run
Today is Friday and so far so good but definitely helpful to have my rest day today, went on a short walk this morning to loosen up the legs a bit.
My new thing I'm doing is waking up at 4:30 every day (except Sat where sometimes I need to get up earlier and Friday which is my "sleep in" day so slept in until 6am today). In the past I've tended to try and get up as late as possible, even if that's still 5am on some days. But committing to getting up at 4:30 every day has been great. It takes the decision making away which is actually a good thing for me in this case, and on days where I could sleep another 30 or 60 minutes I have extra time to do things like meditation and walking. Why 4:30 you might ask? Well, it just seems right, 5am is way to late on some days and 4am every day seems to leave me drained so 4:30 it is!
Happy Friday everyone!
