Why is it sideways?
My splits were: 9:37 7:48 7:45 7:54 7:50 7:58 7:58 9:14 9:11 8:53 9:04 I have a HM on Oct 11 and I'd like to beat my PR of 1:49. Should I do any more faster paced runs before the HM or just focus on getting the miles in?
The Greatest of All Time
If I were your coach, I would have been happier to see the 7:58's at the beginning of the 6 miles and the 7:48's at the end. A well-run workout (unless you're doing something weird) is always negative split. The fact that you are slowing down (though you didn't, much) means you are probably pushing just a bit too hard.
How is the achilles? Hopefully no news is good news.
I truly believe, and some may argue against me, that for non-elites (like most of us) one can get by running less miles per week if they make the miles they do run count. In other words, no junk miles.
Tony, it's not the mileage per week in this case. Look at my very low mpw since I started running again in early August. I just barely hit 50 for the first time since April (before knee injury) and I am planning on doing Chicago in less than 2 weeks. It might kill me, but WTF. I truly believe, and some may argue against me, that for non-elites (like most of us) one can get by running less miles per week if they make the miles they do run count. In other words, no junk miles.
Also I found that I had this annoying tendency to throw up when I ran hard in shorter races......throwing up at mile 17
E-mail: eric.fuller.mail@gmail.com -----------------------------
My preparation for my 2:50 in my first marathon at the Monkey was similar to the First program: I probably averaged running 5 days a week. My long run was 17, and almost everything was at MP or faster. So, I am not unfamiliar with the value of harder running.
However, if I want to reach my goal of 2:29, 50mpw will not cut it. I'm going to have to develop my aerobic system at 80-100 mpw, and in order to do that, I'll have to run easy some or maybe even most days. It all depends on whether you are looking to "get by" (as you put it in your first post, Marcus), or whether you're looking to take it to the next level.