Hills, Max VO2 and Predictions...

Last night the Marathon Clinic finished the Hill Training segment - all ten hills. Because of running Stormy (50 miles) this summer, I had been doing hill work that featured repeats of a 1.2 mile long hill rather than 600 metres (and only six times, not ten!). Last night I did the ten hills and was happy with how I felt, especially given my 45 minute 10K on Saturday, 20.5 miles on Sunday and 5K Max VO2 workout on Tuesday (18:32). My Max VO2 index was 70 at 187 pounds and I figure to drop a little more weight in the next month.

I went to the Marathon Guide Race Predictor, www.marathonguide.com and the 45:28 on Saturday, on a very hilly 10K course mind you, predicts a marathon time of 3:31:08. Since that race was only two weeks after Stormy and I went out a little easy in the beginning to gauge my recovery I am feeling pretty positive.

I must say I am really beginning to look forward to running the Portland Marathon on October 7. I feel good, if still a little leg weary, but I find my current level of conditioning encouraging. Another three weeks of speed training and I should be - all things being equal on race day - in pretty good shape to re-qualify for the Boston Marathon.

After the hill training almost all of the clinic went out to the Comox Grill Pub for a pizza or some pasta and a few beers to wash down same. Wednesday nights features the live music of one Taylor James, and a good time was had by all.

Should be quite the road trip to Oregon in five weeks!