Dathan Ritzenhein's is Sharing His Build-up for Boston at Competitor Running!

It's rare that professional runners share their training, but 3-time Olympian Dathan Ritzenhein is doing just that at Competitor Running.

Interesting to note that 2 of his workouts last week included 5 x 1.5 miles and 4 x 2 miles @ marathon goal pace.

Workout Summary Feb 18-24

Total Miles = 53.7
Quality Miles = 19
Long Run = 13.1

Highlights:

Mon: easy day after a 10K race
Tues: 13-mile long run
Wed: 10-mile long run
Thurs: 4 x 1 mile 7:21 on the indoor track critical velocity training
Fri: 2 sets of 16 x 100m with 20-sec rest on turf. 6:12 per mile ave pace
Sat: Easy 30 min jog
Sun: Half marathon @ 7:03 pace

Gyeonggi Half Marathon

I had what I would call "an OK race" considering this was my first half marathon in at least 2 years. I'll admit the last 3 miles were a struggle, in part due to some hills in addition to my perceived lack of leg strength. I'll make an effort to add more hills/resistive training, in addition to some longer runs and look for another hopefully flat half marathon before it gets too hot and try to break 90 minutes.

Splits: 7:00, 6:50, 7:02, 6:51, 6:58, 7:14, 6:52, 6:51, 7:05, 7:10, 7:15, 7:08, 7:29 (49' elevation change in mile 13 was enough to slow me down).

Workout Summary Feb 11-17

Total Miles = 44.6
Quality Miles = 12.7
Long Run= 9

Highlights:

Mon: Some hills
Tues: 4 x 1 mile @ 6:45 pace
Wed: 9 miles easy
Thurs: 6 x 400m @ 7:14 pace; fly to Okinawa
Fri & Sat: 2 easy days
Sun: 10K race @6:40 pace

Okinawa Marathon 10K

After several years of getting stymied by work schedules and injuries I finally made it to the Okinawa Marathon 10K. While the marathon in hilly, the 10K is a flat out and back fast course.

If I've ever run a 10K with more even splits I certainly don't remember. Now to recover and run my first half marathon in several years next weekend.

Workout Summary Feb 4-10

Total Miles Run = 62.5
Quality Miles = 14
Long Run = 10.1

Highlights:

Mon: 6 x 800m with 30 sec rest @ 7 min mile pace
Wed: 20 x 400m on the track @ 6:40 per mile pace w 30 sec rest
Thurs: 7 miles under 8 min pace
Sun: 10K @ 7:07 min pace

62 miles for the week- Nothing shorter than 7 or longer than 10 but some good quality workouts.

Strava Training Log

Common Causes and Treatment of Shin Splints

Thanks to Dr. Ray McCalanhan of Northwest Foot & Ankle for this excellent video!

Free Boston Marathon Webinar Series!

Check out the free Boston Marathon webinar by running coach Greg McMillan. They kicked off on Jan 15 but each session is recorded and available at McMillan Running.

Workout Summary Jan 28- Feb 3

Total Miles = 65.3
Quality Miles = 10
Long Run = 15.3

Highlights:

Tues: 4 miles @ 7:16 pace
Wed: 15.5 mile run
Thurs: 12 x 400m @ 7 min pace with short 20 sec rest
Fri: 5k @ 7:06 pace
Sat: 15.3 mile run

65 total miles on top of some good quality workouts and 2 long runs. Fantastic week!

Learn a New Way to Stretch Your Calves & Strengthen Glut. Medius!

With nearly 7 million subscribers, ATHLEAN-X is one of my favorite YouTube channels. This clip demonstrates perfectly why physical therapist and strength coach Jeff Cavaliere is one of the best resources for runners struggling with injuries.

20 x 400 meters with 30 sec rest

Every once in a while I feel the need to visit the track for a good hard one to see where I'm at. I learned that I am reasonably fit but not very fast. Leg fatigue and inability to generate any kind of speed were limiting compared to breathing, an indication that I should focus on some short faster work. Either that or find a way to reverse the aging process

The Instant Cure for Plantar Fasciitis by Dr. Eric Berg

MY COMMENTS: This makes sense to me yet seems to be the exact opposite type of stretch usually recommended for plantar fasciitis. Check out the number of positive outcomes reported in the comments below the video.

IT Band Exercise Rehab Routine by StrengthRunning

-StrengthRunning