I just
finished another great week of training on
Peter's Ironman Arizona training plan. This week
Peter scheduled a recovery week to set me up for
success in the Carlsbad 1/2 Marathon. When I say
recovery that doesn't mean taking the week off!
Peter still has me running, swimming, and
biking. In fact the day before the 1/2 marathon
I was out biking 32 miles and running a short
twenty minute transition run. In past races I
have always taken the day prior to a race off to
rest the body.
I
finished my ninety minute bike ride and twenty
minute run on Saturday and thought to myself "I
might be dead at the Carlsbad 1/2 Marathon
tomorrow." I reminded myself that the real race
is April 15th and the Carlsbad 1/2 is really
just a training race for the "big day." Like
every triathlete, I like to push myself and see
how fast I can swim, bike, and run.
Peter
suggested that I schedule some races along the
way to see what kind of shape my body is in.
In 2004
I competed in the Carlsbad 1/2 Marathon and had
a PR time of 1:33:15. I was hoping that I could
break my PR and finish in a respectable time
around 1:30. I knew that my body was ready to
produce a fast time due to the last six weeks of
training. The Carlsbad 1/2 Marathon is a scenic
race that runs along the Pacific Coast Highway
and gives the runner a picturesque view of the
ocean while you run a fairly flat course.
I felt
strong from the moment the race started. I could
hear my heart rate monitor beeping consistently
for the duration of the race. I knew I was
pushing hard because I set the heart rate
monitor to alert me when I reached 164. It was
race day and I wanted to see what all this Peter
Reid training was doing to my running.
I
crossed the finish line in 1:27:10! I shaved
over six minutes off my previous best. I guess
hard work and great coaching can produce
results. Since starting the program I continue
to feel stronger, faster, and fitter due to
Peter's training plan. I can't wait to get
started next week.
Semper Fidelis,
Andy
