YAY race weekend is almost here!
for my friday favorites, i wanted to close out the training cycle highlighting my favorite parts of it!
i started officially training february 1st after base building all through january. i did a 12 week schedule based on pfitz, but really it was my own creation, with parts of his schedule thrown in. the first few weeks were more focused on the half marathon i ran in march, and after that i focused more on the marathon itself.
numbers
over the 12 weeks i ran 593.4 miles, not including the marathon obviously. i ran my most miles in a month ever in march with 240.1 and peaked at 62 miles during a week… not too bad!
races
i was able to incorporate a number of races this training cycle, most of them just as long runs, but one half marathon i really raced.
and a half marathon PR.
long runs
i had some great long runs during this training cycle but i have to say my favorite one was the sunday san francisco run with jen! i had such a great time running with her, it was a beautiful day, and the miles flew by.
the need for speed
i think the biggest thing that has changed for me during this training cycle was finding a love for speed work, specifically the track! joining a team has helped tremendously with this and i have really seen some improvements in my running. plus it’s actually fun! it’s a great way to be motivated and just not think about what you are doing, plus it’s nice just being told what to do.
on top of the track i have also really enjoyed all my tempo runs this cycle. i used to get so freaked out by them, but this time i actually looked forward to them. i had some great ones, including a near 10k PR in a training run.
friend runs
i was able to have so many meet ups with my friends over this training cycle! it always helps when things just get a little hard mentally when you are in the thick of it, and it just makes it easier to get out the door sometimes.
i arranged two successful blogger meet ups!
and had many great friday morning runs!
and got to meet up with a visiting blogger from canada, marci!
overall its been a GREAT training cycle. i have had so much fun (obviously) right along with training really hard and crossing off some of my goals for 2010. i have really enjoyed my running and really found a new love for different areas of it. i am REALLY excited for the big sur marathon and am really excited for what is after this race too.
i have had a couple people ask me about goals… i do have a couple of time goals in the back of my mind but they aren’t anything strict that i am going to lay out on here. really my goal is to go out there and run a smart strong race, while having fun and trying to soak up some of the scenery. it is a tough course which i expect, but i am ready for the challenge. i also don’t want to put any crazy time goal pressures on myself, after doing that all of last year. this is about the experience and hopefully i will run a good time with it. if not, then at least i will be looking at some amazing views! i am really excited 
i will post from my phone soon after the race, but my report won’t be up until monday, but i will try to make it worth the wait.
thank you as always for all the support along the way and for all the good luck wishes i have already received this week!! you guys are awesome
#7 here i come!
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thursday i took the extra rest day then i met up with tara, maritza and kristin for my last run before the marathon this morning! it’s become tradition now to do our last runs before big races together and i love it we kept the pace easy and then i rolled out my legs when i got home. they still aren’t feeling very springy, but hopefully they will by sunday!
5.0 miles/50:50/10:10 avg pace
have a great weekend!
good luck!! i love looking back at your training cycle with you. looks like it was a blast not to mention a solid running
I seriously can't wait to see how you did! Can I track you? If so send me the info! Have a blast girl!!!!
#7!!!!!!!!!!!!!
it will be epic
GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
great idea to look back on the training cycle!
I am so exciting!! I can't wait to hear how it goes
Good luck!
Good Luck!!
Good luck, Aron! I have a 1/2 marathon this weekend – will be thinking of you!! Enjoy the gorgeous scenery and can't wait to read your race report.
Best of luck to you. Hope you have a wonderful race experience!
Have a wonderful race!
And of all of those things, I'm guessing the friend runs were the best.
I love crossing off my workouts!!
Good luck and have fun!
Good luck! Hope the race is fantastic!
Oh Aron! Great recap. I am so proud of you. You really brought it all together this time around and have really developed your personality as a runner. You were relaxed, confident, and adventurous. You ran trails, you ran with friends, and you met new people! And not to mention the impressive volume you maintained and the SPEED you've developed. Congratulations on all of this. You're the awesomestest. <3
Good luck girl.
Maybe we all go through the different phases in our running where there is the months of enjoying an increase in distance, then we lose that interest and begin to enjoy speed work..etc. It's probably because we need to keep challenging ourselves.
Good luck 1000 x over for Sunday's race. Great attitude. You are going to have a super time.
Look at all that fun you've had with your training! Wahoo! Good luck this weekend!
I've been following your blog for a while now and I love it!!! Just wanted to say Good luck on your race this weekend!!
You're going to have a great race this weekend! Can't wait to cheer you on at the finish
Good luck! I hear it's beautiful! Can't wait for a race recap!
Best of luck–when you look over the training cycle, you can tell you've put in the miles you need. Go get 'em!
I love your Friday Fav posts!
Question: Your training plan is so neat and tidy – did you make that in excel? I tried to make my marathon training plan in excel and failed MISERABLY. It just looks super messy and crowded and will NOT fit on one page! How do you do it?!
that was such a jammed packed training cycle!! all your hard work is about to pay off!
Loved the recap of your training. Have a great race this weekend!
wow, looks like training was one big party! how fun! great pictures. it's so nice to have ao many running friends, isn't it!? GOOD LUCK on lucky #7!
Great training, great attitude, great mindset! Good Luck!!!!
Sounds like a successful training cycle to me! I'm thinking of taking my training to the next level next year (and possible working up to it over the summer/fall) so I will be taking some pages from your book.
But I should probably focus on my next race first.
GOOD LUCK AT BIG SUR! Enjoy it… I've heard it's WONDERFUL!
Good luck!!! Can't wait to hear all about it! Great attitude which will surely pay off for you! Have FUN!
GREAT and strong training cycle with lots of variety. I can't wait to hear about Big Sur…I hope to do that one someday…
Awesome stuff! Have a great race!!!
Great training cycle! I'm so glad I got to run a lot with you!
Have a fabulous time at NUMBER SEVEN in Big Sur!! Kick butt and never forget what an awesome accomplishment that is!
LOVE IT!! Have Fun Aron. Hug Katie, Sarah of "Run Like a Mother" and the Running skirt twins for me..
WIll look for a FB update!!
Good luck! I am cheering you on and cant wait for the report!
Good luck! Sounds like an intense training cycle! I'm sure it will all pay off for you…
i'm impressed you didn't miss one run for the training cycle, whoa! and my marker color of choice for crossing out my runs is blue.
best of luck on #7 I hope you do awesome. 
I still can't believe you hadn't done speedwork like this with your speediness – you're going to get even faster!!
good luck!
You seriously had a great training cycle for this marathon! you are so ready! Go out there and rock it! Have a great weekend and good luck in the race!
I have been following your blog for a few months now but I hadnt really looked at the details until tonight. I glanced over this post and clicked on the link to your goals for 2010 post and saw this "run 2000+ miles again". I thought to myself "who is this crazy person?!? 2000 miles?!?". I then started looking through your post history and I now your one of my running heros. Going from no running and having achieved all that you have is amazing. Good work! Thank you for blogging and sharing you inspirational story.
Good luck and have fun! Might see you on the course, I'll be in my Canada shorts of course!
Good luck!!! Have Fun! Can't wait for the recap!!
Have a fantastic race. That is one I really want to run. I can't wait to read all about it. Good luck and have fun!
You've had an awesome training cycle! Good luck at big sur!
GOOD LUCK!!
yay!! good luck!! you're going to crush it!
Aron I hope I am not too late with this comment, but good luck tomorrow. I think you are going to do great, you are such a strong runner!! Loved seeing your training plan too! Thanks for the shoutout, need to start blogging again soon.
What I like most about your blog is that you always have such fun on runs! Good luck this weekend!
So exciting! Good luck tomorrow – have a great race!
good luck tomorrow!! run strong and have fun
WOOOOT!!!!
#7!!!! Your going to kick some serious booty girlfriend!!!
I'm so excited to hear how you do! I will be lurking twitter waiint for your time!!!
Thanks for the love today— we have lots of talking to do next week!!
Miss you!
Rock on!
xoxo
Marathon #7! YAHOO!
You really have had a great variety of awesome runs! Let's hope the marathon is just as fun!
LOVE the calendar!!!! Good luck tomorrow!
GOOD LUCK!!
I can't wait to hear the race report!
Sorry I am so behind in reading blogs! What a great training cycle – can't wait to read the report!