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General

5 Things that Made Me Faster(ish)

  • Kerrie

You might want to sit down for this.

Okay. Ready?

I ran an 8:09 mile. I know!

How did this happen? There are a number of things, I think, that contributed to this historic and exciting event:

1. I actually tested myself.

I started Jeff Galloway’s marathon training program a few weeks ago (I’m training for Seattle Rock ‘N’ Roll at the end of June). It’s a really long training program that stresses slow running with walk breaks on long runs and only includes two mid-week runs that are just 30 minutes each. This, I believe, is a very manageable training schedule, especially for parents with busy schedules. Go HERE if you’re interested.

Anyway, a few times throughout the course of the program, Galloway has you test your speed with something he calls “magic miles.” Sunday was a “back off” run (in lieu of a long run) and was only 2.5 miles, with one of those being a “magic mile.” I left my music and my phone at home. It was just me, my capris, a light jacket, my favorite hat (that Amanda gave me!) and buckets upon buckets of rain.

I walked for five minutes to warm up (in the pouring rain), then ran a slowish mile trying to keep myself at a 10:30 pace or slower (in the pouring rain). Then, over the same route as my slowish mile, I freakin’ hauled a$$. I went as fast I could manage (in the pouring rain) without throwing up as per Galloway’s instructions. (I was very nauseous afterward, I admit, but not quite to the hurling stage.)

Then, I jogged slowly for another half-mile to cool down (in the pouring rain).

2. Slow running.

I’ve been trying really hard to keep my pace slower so I don’t hurt myself again and to take off some of the self-imposed pressure.

It’s hard not to compare my pace with all of the amazing runners around me, you know? Now (as compared to last spring), when I see the pace inching up on AJII (my Garmin) a little too fast, I’m more apt to back off. This is especially important on long runs, and I have been taking it really slow during those in addition to using the run/walk method that Galloway preaches.

3. Not running.

Less running, more strength and cross training. Giving my shins time to recover between each run and building muscle through lunges, squats, etc.

4. The shuffle step.

This is another Galloway tip. Go HERE to see.

5. Weightloss

I weigh at least 15 pounds less than I did last spring. Getting injured was sort of a blessing in disguise because it got running out of the way and let me focus on losing some pounds.

Have you been getting faster? If yes, why do you think?

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9 comments
  1. James says:
    December 15, 2010 at 8:50 pm

    Way to go! I follow Galloway's Run/Walk method and it's working great for me.

    Reply
  2. Kelly says:
    December 15, 2010 at 8:57 pm

    Great post! I haven't signed up yet, but am planning to do the San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon as my 1st marathon. I am currently training for a half marathon that is at the end of January. I have been semi looking online for a marathon training plan…I will look into this one! Just curious, what training plan did you use last time?

    Reply
  3. (Just) Trying is for Little Girls says:
    December 15, 2010 at 9:31 pm

    “Me and My Capris”…wasn't that a movie? Love this post, I so appreciate the example you are setting by going slow to avoid injury.Oh, and, yes you are my real friend too!

    Reply
  4. Vera says:
    December 15, 2010 at 10:32 pm

    Good luck and have a great time training for the marathon. I am a new Galloway Training Program Director in Southern California and had been using Jeff's methods to successfully train many friends, family members and co-workers for several years before starting an official program. I can honestly say it works, so keep running slow! 🙂

    Reply
  5. H Love says:
    December 16, 2010 at 12:42 am

    that is great! good job SPEEDY!! you are a smart runner!! Love that you are back on track! Are you running the half or the full?

    Reply
  6. Kerrie T. says:
    December 16, 2010 at 4:03 am

    Thanks [email protected] – I used Hal Higdon novice marathon training plan 1 (I think). I don't doubt it is a good plan, but I had not built up a base before I started and ended up injuring myself four weeks before marathon [email protected] Love – The FULL, baby!

    Reply
  7. Kelly says:
    December 16, 2010 at 12:53 pm

    Great to hear you're doing so well with the running. Sometimes when people don't blog as often I figure they might not be running as often but sounds like you have been hard at work!

    Reply
  8. 5 Miles Past Empty says:
    December 16, 2010 at 2:00 pm

    Awe, the hat! SO glad you are using it and love it! Holy fast mile BTW! That is awesome! sounds like this plan is really working!And I agree that weight loss makes a huge difference. I am sure my numbers are off but I heard that you could cut almost 10 sec/mile for each pound lost! Now that is huge!

    Reply
  9. Glenn Jones says:
    December 17, 2010 at 6:36 am

    Great post Kerrie. And welcome from the Dark Side. i've long been a proponent of training slower to race faster. It's all about aerobic conditioning – something that doesn't happen when you're always pushing while training.

    Reply

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