If you’re training for River Bank, Bayshore, Boston, or any big spring race, then now is the time to be puttin’ hay in the barn. Now is the time to be building that base that will allow you to enjoy your race. During this phase of training, you should be doing the occasional “quality” workout, but the miles are what really matter. Every mile run during this phase is moving you one mile closer to your goal.

That is why it is important to increase your mileage carefully. Most injuries occur because of overuse, and I think most cases of overuse come from increasing training demands too quickly. An injury during the base building phase hurts your training twice. It hurts originally because it takes away time to train, but it hurts later even more. Athletes with interrupted base-building phases are less prepared for the sharpening speed workouts and tempo runs, too. So be careful out there. Listen to your body and take an easy day (or even rest day) if necessary.

By the way, last week I tried the new Gu flavor, Jet Blackberry with 2X caffeine. It tasted the the grape Tootsie Rolls to me. If you like the fruity Gu flavors, then you’ll like this one.

Monday: Easy 5 miles (at 5:30 a.m.)
Tuesday: Hilly 7 miles (ave. heart rate 150)
Wednesday: Easy 5 miles (at 5:30 a.m.)
Thursday: 6.5 miles on treadmill 2 X (6X400 @ 1:24 w/ 1:30 recovery interval) 2:30 recovery between sets (at 6:00 a.m.)
Friday: Rest Day
Saturday: 12 miles (ave. heart rate 140)
Sunday: Easy 6 miles
Totals for the Week: 41.5
Totals for the Year: 96 miles