Submitted by Eric Powers
scrunners webmaster John Olson has asked me to keep a training journal during the upcoming track season to follow my progress.
Editor's note: Consult with your coach before following a training schedule. Powers has agreed to write a journal on his training as time permits during his 2009 outdoor season.
Monday, March 16
Monday was an easy six mile run along trails and roads. It was a cool, cloudy day, and I was a little tired and sore, especially my calves, from the Outback Invitational (Summerville) the previous Saturday.
Tuesday, March 17
We ran a speed workout on Tuesday. We began with a mile warm-up and stretching. Then, we ran a 200, 6x400, and a 200 at mile race pace with a 300-meter jog for recovery between the repeats. We finished with a mile cool down. I felt pretty good in the workout and finished strong.
Wednesday, March 18
I ran six miles through neighborhoods today. It was a cool and sunny day, and I ran mainly along roads. I ran at a medium training pace and felt great!
Thursday, March 19
Thursday was a six mile training run with the team. It was a hot and sunny day, and we ran along trails and roads. We ran at a pretty fast pace for an easy day. My heart rate was high, but my breathing was easy so it was still a very aerobic run. We finished the workout with a couple of 100-meter strides for leg speed.
Friday, March 20
I did not run on Friday.
Saturday, March 21
Saturday was the Warrior Invitational, our home meet held at the Wando track. It was cool and windy for most of the day. My first race was the 4x1600-meter relay. After a mile warmup, I ran the last leg of the relay. I ran pretty fast, but I didn’t have any competitors around me so I didn’t race it all out. After a mile cool down and a long layover, I had to run the 1200-meter leg of the distance medley relay. I did about a mile of warmup, stretched, and ran strides. The 1200 is the opening leg, so I took the pace out quickly and ran about my goal-based mile pace for the three laps of the relay race. After the race, I ran another mile of cool down. Both of my relay teams placed first, so it was a good meet.
Sunday, March 22
On Sunday I ran a 10 mile long run through neighborhoods. It was a cooler day, and I felt good for the entire run, never really hitting a wall. I am experimenting with doing long runs on Sundays because it is the only day that fits in with our weekly schedule so that I am not going long right before a meet or speed workout. It seemed to work out pretty well, and I was not overly sore from the meet.
Conclusion
I have been swamped with schoolwork for the last few weeks, so this is my first training journal in a while. My training has continued to go well, and I have kept my mileage steady as the season has begun. My first meets in the year went very well, and I am confident that I have completely gotten back to form since my injury during cross country. I am excited to see how the season continues to unfold.