Making running fun…by making fun of it
Kevin Mitchell’s spring marathon training sure is intense, but it’s not nearly as rigorous as his daily regimen of alienating everyone he knows.
Foolishly believing qualifying for the Boston Marathon will change his life, Kevin refuses to let anything get in the way of achieving his fever dream — even if it ends in a nightmare divorce from wife Brittany and losing custody of his two daughters, Amelia, 6, and June, 4.
After several weeks of near-daily running with weekly totals up to 70 miles, goldendoodle Winston is officially burned out from marathon training with his foolish owner.
Poor fella is following quite the strenuous training plan—one that no pup could possibly keep up with, no matter how good a boy.
It’s been said that marathon recovery is just as important as training. Why don’t I follow a post-marathon recovery plan like I do a training plan? The last thing I want to do after a four-month training block is follow another plan!
I recently recapped my disappointing sixth marathon, the Virginia Beach Shamrock Marathon, and failed second attempt at breaking three hours. As much as I’m determined to find my next marathon and begin a new training plan, I’ve been greatly enjoying a more carefree post-marathon recovery plan: no plan.
Last Sunday I ran the Virginia Beach Marathon, my sixth marathon and second attempt at breaking three hours. I’m in the best shape of my life thanks to completing the best training block of my running career. However, I finished just under 3:05—barely a PR, but I wanted more. I wanted the race clock to read 2:59:59 or below when I crossed the finish line. I didn’t train for a slight PR—I trained for a big 6-minute PR using the Pfitzinger 12 week/55-70 mile plan.
I’m halfway through the 12 week/55-70 mile Pfitzinger marathon training plan I’m using to run my first sub-3-hour marathon at the 2024 Virginia Beach Shamrock Marathon on March 17—St. Paddy’s Day. How does it compare to the Pfitzinger 18 week/55-70 mile plan from Advanced Marathoning?
I found out last fall that an 18-week training block is tough. It feels overly long (Duh, it’s 18 weeks) and it can be easy to lose motivation at times throughout the grueling 4+ months. But shaving six weeks off the plan is much more manageable, even if each of the 12 weeks demands more.
Last week, there was a four-day stretch of unseasonably warm running weather throughout the east coast of the U.S. We’re talking high 60s and mid-70s °F in southern Virginia in January, when it’s typically in the 30’s and 40’s. This came as such a pleasant surprise amid challenging winter marathon training.
The following is the inner monologue rattling around The Size 15 Runner’s head during one of the uncommonly warm runs.