a year ago today i ran the first mile of training for SFM! wow i had no idea what it would turn into… now here i am starting training for my third marathon.
along with the “runniversary” i started counting my miles a year ago today… so in my first year of running i ran a grand total of 1601.8 miles! not too bad, especially considering my first month was around 33 miles.
onto training!
as i have said before, i am using the pfitz 12/55 plan again, but this time i have made some tweaks based on my experience from last time. my goal this time was to come into training with a better base (i was shooting for 4 weeks @ 40 mpw before starting training). after finishing off last week at 40 mpw i decided to compare it to my base coming into training for CIM.
4 weeks prior to CIM…
26.3, 27.0, 31.8, 36.2…with one run longer than 10 miles (14 miler)
4 weeks prior to eugene…
40.1, 40.2, 38.4, 40.1… with 4 runs 13 miles or longer.
i definitely have a better base this time 
the plan starts at 35 mpw, but i decided that with my better base i am going to up the first couple weeks to start at 40 mpw so i am not stepping down. i am going to keep my weekly schedule on the side bar for anyone interested. in addition to running, i plan on getting a minimum of one session each of upper and lower body weights in, as well as 3 sessions of abs… hopefully i can more more, but i know life gets in the way sometimes, so i am just going to set the minimum to see how i do and shoot for more when possible.
so run #1 was tonight! 9 miles GA + 10x100m strides.
i ran from work in order to catch some daylight. i am near the iron horse trail, so i was able to get my first 4.5 miles done on the trails which is always nice. i can’t wait for longer days so i can do all my miles on the trail! i felt really good from the get go, and was really enjoying being outside. i usually do my strides at the end of my runs, but since i was going to end up on the streets/sidewalks in the dark, i decided to do them while it was still light and while i was on the trail. i always forget how fun these are! just short pick ups of speed, concentrating on form… they are fun and make the miles go by fast! i was done with these by the time i hit the sidewalks around 4.5 miles, so i just kept the pace comfortable for the remainder of the run. it seemed to go by so fast and before i knew it i was back at work. i have to say this was one of my better feeling runs in a while, just felt effortless.
9.25 miles/1:20:41/8:43 avg pace
i got home and stretched, rolled and did abs. great way to start off week 1! tomorrow is a rest day from running so i will be doing some weights and abs and mid week errands i never seem to get done
WOW Aron, thats AWESOME! I didnt realize you had only been running such a short time! You should be SUPER proud of your hard work! Your doing GREAT!
Congrats on your runniversary! You’ve definitely improved a significant amount as a runner in the past year! Modifying the Piftz plan…I doubt you would’ve thought you’d ever do that the last couple times around…
Can’t believe you’re already doing 40 mile weeks. I’m already 7 weeks into my training for my marathon and my first 40 mile week isn’t until next week! Haha. Different strokes for different folks, I guess.
I look forward to tracking your progress. You’re going to do awesome!
Congrats Aron. You’ve progressed so much and have really come a long way from a year ago.
1 Pfitz run down, 1,343,296 to go!
Aron you are awesome. Eugene is going to be a great experience. You inspire me to add some ab work in my routine. Adding weights will definitely pay off too.
Wow, you are going to have a blast training and improving, and I am sure you’ll run a great marathon! Makes me want to check Phitz out..
Good luck! Ana-Maria
Congrats on an awesome year in running! You accomplished so much and I’m looking forward to following along as you do so much more!
Only a year! You’re amazing Aron. Looking forward to watching you train for this marathon!
You’ve done so much on the last year! It sounds like you’re really prepared for this race, with a great plan – you’ll be great!
Happy runniversary! You and running had a great year. (So many miles, and fast ones, too!) I hope you have an even better year in 09!
Happy runniversary! That’s a lot of miles in one year!
Wow, that’s a lot of miles! Congrats, and it’s great inspiration to many of us
do you use a foam stick to roll? i need to look into finding one i think for my calves. stretching doesn’t seem to do enough. this is SO COOL to look back to where you started, that is awesome you kept track of mileage from day 1 and have a baseline to compare your present to. you have come so far!!! many many miles!
i’m so jealous you can run on trails!!! i need to mooooooooooooove! hahah. have a great day! 
Sounds like you’re on track Aron! Great job. Keep up the great work.
That is incredible how far you’ve come in a year. Were you a runner before then or did you just start running a year ago? Wow!
Wow, what a great year of running! Congratulations! I like your weekly schedule in the sidebar as well – for a newbie like me it makes for a good resource on what a good and committed runner does to train for a marathon.
When I first started the Pfitz program I wasn’t sure how to do the strideouts. Now, I think I’m doing them properly and enjoying them much more.
Great progress this year Aron!
I so can relate to life getting in the way. It has been doing that with me a lot lately.
If I didn’t need money I could easily free up about 40 hours a week.
Great yearly mileage!! I’m shooting for at least 1200 this year, but Feb is killing me! Can’t get my miles in!
Very nice! I can’t explain it, but that just sounds so wonderfully relaxing and peaceful! Good luck with the training!
Happy Anniversary!
Congrats on a fantastic year! So many miles and so much FUN! You are awesome and a great inspiration to all.
Happy Runniversary!! Great start to your 12 week training plan.
Looks like you are starting off with a great base – good luck with the training!
You are so inspiring!
happy runnersersary… maybe you’ll get a cool gift tonight from running ha ha. just kidding. So many miles in just one year is insane.
Happy Runniversary Aaron!! Itsn’t it amazing how just one mile could lead to so many more! I hope you and running have many years together!
Lookin good as usual, my dear
You really are going to rock this marathon for sure! You are doing so great and it is just week 1!! Keep up the good work girl! You are awesome!
Wooo hooo!!!!! You have a great base. I’m not sure I’ll ever hit a 40 mile week…yikes!
(I don’t think Mr. Pi reads your blog so I can say this…I bought him the Pfitz book for Valentine’s Day…I skimmed it last night before wrapping it up. Wow…it is an intense plan but the book had some really good information!)
Great start to the training program – you are going to do awesome at Eugene!
I can’t believe you have only been running a year and already so super fast! Good for you. I continue to be inspired everyday.
Every time you remind me that you’re a relatively new runner, I am just ASTOUNDED by how good you are!
I love those effortless runs! You feel like you can go on for ever and ever.
congratulations on one full year! you have accomplished so much!
What an achievment in only a year! Your base pace and mileage now is where I hope to be someday. Congrats and keep up the good work!
Happy runniversary! I’m always so impressed by your training. You’re awesome!
I’ve been reading lots of running books lately and you may consider following the plan and stepping down your mileage…mabye not, but the general concept is you need to cycle your body so that you can truly peak at race time.
What a year, way to go!
happy runniversary indeed! it’s so cool to look back and see how far you’ve come. i know i used to think 5 miles was “long”! nice job on the effortless 9!
Ecellent start! It’s unbelievable that you’ve been running marathons for only a year. You really have this under control. Great going!
Great start Aron. I like strides too. You are going to get your BQ this time!!
What a year! Awesome job Aron. You’re doing so great. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for you this year.
You are totally NUTS. I tried just to run to the corner and I feel like I’m going to pass out. How in the WORLD do you do that? Is this the same Aron that would do anything to get out of running the mile? Lol. I’m just giving you a hard time. I am SO proud of you. Hey I got lost the other day, and found myself on some street I have never been on. I took a couple turns, and all the sudden your mom’s house was right in front of me. I was like, “Oh. I know where I am now.”
Keep up the runnin’ girl. I am seriously so impressed.
That’s a lot of miles! I’m so impressed by your committment. Good luck with this cycle.
Happy Runniversary!
Sounds like you are off to a totally awesome start. I should be on week 3 or even 4 of my marathon training plan (which I haven’t even written down yet) and am not feeling nearly as good as you!
Way to go! I can’t wait to see how your training progresses! You are going to do amazing!!!
amazing how far you’ve come in a year…happy runniversary! great job on the run too.
I could never do the Pfitz plan. Too many miles. If you can handle it, power to ya babe!
Happy runniversary!! Amazing how far you come in a year. (No pun intended!) Looking forward to your feats in Eugene!