At the end of yesterday’s half marathon, there is a bridge…it doesn’t look that big…but it’s deceiving. You’re tired, downright exhausted…then here comes the hill.

I had my own secret weapon  at the Donna 26.2 to Finish Breast Cancer race. I had Frank Samu, a friend and speedster who was just out having fun, smiling TONS, taking photos, and giving out high fives. Frank caught me around mile 7 and to my surprise, he stuck with me for the rest of the race. It was a godsend, because it was a hard one for me.

I had started our pacing a few friends but the crowd was thick and I lost them around mile 5, so when Frank caught me and said he was just out having fun, I knew it was time for me to go to work.

I usually use a Galloway style running method during races, a method some people call intervals and others know as the run/walk/run method. But with Frank running by my side, I knew there was no more walking in my future.

I cut out the walk breaks and just started running and let me tell you, it was hard! We were keeping  a steady low 9s pace which was doable for me so I just pressed on. 

Then we saw it…the bridge. As we started our incline, Frank knew I was tired. He could hear my labored breathing and of course he could hear me cussing about my quads (which were on fire). But he kept saying, “stay right here on my hip” and we kept moving forward.
Frank told me, “shorten your steps and use your arms.” He was right. I shortened my steps where they were merely a footstep in front of each other and used my arms to power up that bridge. We did it. I did it. I got up that bridge without stopping…and at the top are so many people cheering and screaming with signs and smiles. You run through a wall of people so thick you that you can’t help but feel their energy. The the bridge is conquered and it’s all downhill with less than a mile to the finish line. 

Frank, thank you, thank you, thank you, for hanging with me! Forgive my potty mouth and know that without you by my side, that “oh I can do 2:05 easy” would not have happened.

Short steps and arm swings Crew. DON’T SKIP ARM DAY!

Day 13 exercises: 3 sets of 10

****Click here for how to videos****

• Upright Row + Flies
• Inchworm Push Ups
• Squat Thrust + Curl & Press
• Side Planks – :30 each side
• Wall Sit – :60

Bonus Challenges:

• Superman – 1:10 (70 seconds)
• Push Ups – 40
• #MadManMartin Plank Challenge – Rest day 🙂

Speed Work: Want to throw down fabulous new Personal Records like Aicja Grace at yesterday’s Mercedes Marathon? Time for speed work!

This week, we are doing a workout I did at track last week. The key here is to keep your times as steady as possible. Don’t go out too fast…and don’t end too fast. Remember…steady steady steady. But don’t hold back on the speed!

Workout: 800M, 400M X 3 or 4

1. Warm up – 1 – 1.5 miles slow and easy. Get your hear pumping and your breathing going
2. 800M (1/2 mile) – Remember those times I gave you for 400’s? Double that and slow it down just a tad. (See times below)
3. Rest 90 seconds – walk, jog, or stand still and breahte
4. 400M (1/4 mile) – Do not run these too fast. Remember the key is to be steady here. So you shouldn’t be running these at top speed. Take your 800M (1/2 mile) time and cut it in half.
5. Rest 90 seconds – walk, jog, or stand still and breathe
6. Do it all again!
7. Repeat this cycle 3 -4 times. 3 times = 2.25 miles / 4 times = 3 miles
8. Cool down – 1 – 1.5 miles slowly to bring your heart rate down keep your legs moving

1/4 Mile is equivalent to 400 meters or one lap of a standard-sized track while 800 meters is 1/2 mile or 2 laps around a standard-sized track.  Here’s a few examples of where your interval times would range, depending on your mile time.

For this workout, you should take these times and slow them down just a tad. I run 400M in about 1:45 – 1:50 so for this workout, I run 800M in 4:05-4:08 and the 400M in 1:55 – 2:00. You can do this. Don’t overthink it. Just go out and run fast! 🙂

• If you run a 14:00/mile, you should run the quarter-mile in 3:00.
• If you run a 13:00/mile, you should run the quarter-mile in 2:45.
• If you run a 12:00/mile, you should run the quarter-mile in 2:30.
• If you run a 11:00/mile, you should run the quarter-mile in 2:15.
• If you run a 10:00/mile, you should run the quarter-mile in 2:00.
• If you run a 9:00/mile, you should run the quarter-mile in 1:45.
• If you run a 8:00/mile, you should run the quarter-mile in 1:30.
• If you run a 7:00/mile, you should run the quarter-mile in 1:15.

I hope you found some motivation from all the awesoneness that you saw this weekend and are ready to kill it! Let’s start the week off right and get to work!

Have a great Monday Crew! 🙂