I’m deviating from my marathon training plan to focus on speed. I’ll reduce my mileage quite a bit but I’ll be adding two track days per week. Just thinking about it turns my thoughts back to high school and college. Back to when I was fast.

I wore a shirt displaying my alma mater at the Boulder Marathon 5K to reach for that feeling. And I lined up close to the starting line with the fast boys like a poser. Maybe I was fantasizing but I believe that I have to put myself where it is I want to be. If I want to run fast, I have to look fast and run with the fast boys, so I cosplayed as a college XC runner. I have to say I wasn’t smiling for the camera below. I didn’t see a camera. That’s just how happy I am when I’m lining up to race.

I’ve started hitting the rec center for strength training 3 days per week instead of just 2, part of my PT prescription to improve my stability and balance. I’ve always focused on the obvious muscles like quads and hamstrings, but I’ve added sets now that work on my hip flexors and abductors. Distance runners never look strong with our skinny arms, but I’m looking forward to feeling the strength.

I’ve had good results this year from massive mileage, but I also have tendinopathy, so a change is justified. And it’s doubtful I’d get much faster at the marathon with just distance running. I have high expectations from my track workouts. Thinking about it takes me back to my high school and college workouts more than my races. They were intense. For me, track workouts were more than just about speed, they were about developing good form. It takes good form to run fast. And good form is good for you.

I have 3 races as part of my 5K training plan. I already ran one on September 27th in 23:36, which will serve as my baseline. I’ll run the Shoes & Brews 5K on November 7th. My target for that is to break 22 minutes. A 7:05 pace which I almost think I can do now if I just run smarter and hold an even pace. Then, Bob’s your uncle for the Colder Bolder December 5th, but I hope to break 20 minutes which would be well under a 7 minute pace.

I’ll turn back to massive distance after my 5K race season. Hopefully, my advanced strength training will keep me injury-free leading up to Boston. I’ll run the Austin Marathon in February to see where I’m at. My hope is to run under 3:30 there. But first, my attention has been turned back to track workouts. Two per week. Something I haven’t done in decades. This will be fun.