WEEK 15: HALF MARATHON + 'SAINTS DAYS'

​WEEK 15 HALF MARATHON + ‘SAINTS DAYS’ TRAINING PLAN STARTS
Today is April 23. It’s the day AFTER Earth Day 2017. Did you do anything yesterday to help or show appreciation for our planetary home? Provide a little TLC? If not, do something today.  Or this week.
 
In our daily non-running lives, like in training, sometimes we don’t accomplish what was in our hearts and minds to do on a specific day.  It’s convenient to give a shrug of the shoulders and then completely neglect the necessary workout, task, or responsibility.  Just don’t do it and forget about it.
 
There’s nothing magical about April 22.  We can take care of the earth any day of the year, or many days of the year, if we commit to making the effort. The same goes for a workout.  If a specific critical workout is missed, like a long run, writing it off may not be the only option.
 
 If there’s enough wiggle room in the schedule before a race, get it done as soon as possible and take up the training week at that point. Long runs, or strength training, or hill repeats can be performed on days other than what the schedule dictates. Care must be taken not to pile up too many consecutive days of intense work. Pre-run dynamic stretches, mobility warm-ups, and foam rolls are most helpful in preparing for this kind of make-up work. Post run stretches, foam rolling, and massages can ease the body afterward.
 
Don’t give yourself an easy pass when you miss a day’s training session. Carefully consider how you might go forward without risk of injury by re-scheduling it as soon as possible.
 
This week the long run is tapered down to 10 miles. If weather or life circumstances prevent it, get it done the next day. It may help to ‘slide’ your training plan over one day, making it Monday to Sunday for the last remaining weeks. For races occurring on May 20-21 there is a 3-week taper period built into the schedule that can be used for adjustments.
 
If you’re using an Earned Runs bib for a competition you designed, the race day can be changed as needed.
 
Bottom line, hold to your training plan and make minor SAFE adjustments as needed. Oh, and pick up trash along your recovery walk path (or cool down walk if your long run was re-scheduled to today) if you missed the chance to love our Earth yesterday.
 
RUN  HAPPY!