Forecasting....

So, the weather forecast this coming weekend looks like a progression from sunny skies on Friday to partly cloudy on Saturday and cloudy on Sunday, Marathon Day! Also, the temps will be on a gradual rise over the weekend peaking with a high of 62 degrees on Sunday.

A bit warmer than I would have liked but at least we won't be dealing with bright sunny skies. And, there is just a slight (20%) chance of rain. That sounds good to me!

Final Countdown: 5 Days

Just 5 more days left before the Philadelphia Marathon and all systems appear to be GO!

• Slept 6 hours and 52 minutes last night and felt well rested upon awakening
  
• Stretched my back, hamstrings, calves and gluts prior to running
  
• 45 minute easy run (4.25 miles) completed – Check!
  
• Getting ready to have egg whites, whole wheat toast, peanut butter and a banana for breakfast
  

Weather forecast for race day is partly cloudy with a high temperature of 60 degrees!

Good luck to all of you who are making their final preparations for race day.

Happy and Safe Running!
John

Week 16: Marathon Training

Training For:
Philadelphia Marathon
Sunday, November 20, 2011

Week 15:

November 14 – 20, 2011

Day	Date	Session
Mon	Nov 14	45 min, Zone 1 – 2
Tues	Nov 15	45 min, Zone 1-2
Wed	Nov 16	REST
Thu	Nov 17	40 min, Zone 1 – 2
Fri	Nov 18	20 min, Zone 1 – 2
Sat	Nov 19	REST
Sun	Nov 20	RACE DAY!!
Total		2.5 hr Run

Mon and Fri:
Optional Cross-Train Days

Back in August when I was beginning this 16-week training program, the thought of November and all that I'd be doing to prepare for the Philadelphia Marathon seemed so far away. But, here it is – race week!

My goodness- what a journey this has been. After coming home from my Marathon Training Camp at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center in Craftsbury, Vermont in July, I felt very ready to 'lock and load' in terms of making the commitment to follow a 16-week training program and stay focused on reaching the goal that I set out to do – train for and complete my first marathon. And here I am – training is almost complete and by this time next week I will be able to say that I finished.

One thing I remember Lynn Jennings telling me at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center is that I should set 3 time targets for my marathon. So, I'm going out on a limb here to declare what will make me very proud ("Best in Class"), accomplished ("Acceptable"), or I need to try harder ("Minimum Acceptable"). If, for whatever reason my time is greater than 4:30, I think I will need to seriously look at my approach to training and decide whether to do this again!

• Best in Class à 4:10
  
• Acceptable à4:20
  
• Minimum Acceptable à4:30
  

Happy and Safe Running!
John