Boy, it’s been hard to keep my focus on continuing to train this month.
My goal is run 100 miles each month in 2016 for a total of 1000 miles. So far for January, February, and March, I have been able to do so.
I have started to be serious about my speed workouts. Instead of doing them occasionally, I’m scheduling them into my weekly training. Saundra, one of the SoleRunners, has agreed to be my accountability partner.
Speed workouts or Yasso 800s as they are called will make you faster. According to an article in Runner’s World to do a marathon in 4 hours, you should train to do 10x 800 meters 4 minutes each.
Now my goal isn’t to do a marathon in 4 hours, or at least not yet. My goal is to do the Marine Corps marathon in 5 1/2 hours. So I’m slowly training for that. Right now, I’m still doing 400s as I work up to the 800s. I’m hoping to start doing the 800s next month.
Right now, I’m able to do 8x 400s and my speed is pretty decent. My last speed workout for this month averaged 10:18/mile with the best 400 at 9:58/mile.
Too early in the morning with my grandson and daughter at Hot Chocolate San Diego
The only race I did this month was the Hot Chocolate 15K in San Diego. I did this with my daughter and grandson. Overall the race was great though I didn’t like all the hills. I’m not sure if I would do this one again, though the bling and the jacket were nice swag gifts.
SoleRunners, the group I train with, is currently in what is
Waiting for the ranger to open up the gate at Fish Tail Canyon
called a bonus season. Besides still running together, we are doing a series of 5 hikes on the different trails around the San Gabriel Mountains.
Our first hike was to Fish Canyon Trail followed by Chantry
Fish Tail Canyon’s waterfall
Flat Recreation Area. These first two were to basically get our feet wet before we start on the last 3
LA Basin is definitely fogged in at Chantry Flat
next month with the last one being around the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.
Hiking in the San Gabriel Mountains gives me a deeper appreciation for nature. Words can’t describe how beautiful each different canyon is with the flowers now blooming, the birds chirping, and the water running over the rocks and down a stream.
Another SoleRunners’ Bonus event was
My finished art work.
a Paint Party where you follow along with the instructor to paint a chosen picture. This was so much fun as everyone interpreted the art work in their own way. Besides being just fun, I run with an amazing creative group.