October 26th Preview

Half-marathoners will go nine miles this Sunday, starting from the Eugene Running Company at 8:00. We won't conflict with the Monster Mash race, which doesn't begin until 10.

Our route: Oakway and Coburg Roads, to Ferry Street Bridge, to bike path. Turn left, then to Autzen footbridge and across. Turn right, to Valley River footbridge. Turn AROUND there and go back the same way: Autzen, Ferry and store. GPS distance is 9.15 miles.

Bring a drink for delivery at about three and six miles (both Ferry Street). Weather forecast: starting temperature about 50 with rain likely.

WEEK 5 LESSON: YOUR PACE

Question: How fast should my long runs be?

Answer: Let your pace find itself. Don’t try to force an arbitrary pace (such as a half-marathon time goal) onto these runs. Instead, run comfortably, letting whatever happens with your pace happen. Finish with the feeling that you could have gone a little longer that day, which you will soon enough. Our more experienced runners might want to train for speed during the week. I recommend that this come between Tuesday and Thursday (when organized fast-training groups, independent of ours, are available) to give enough recovery from the last long run and before the next one. If you run a shorter-distance race during this training period, make it easy. A full effort there would conflict with your weekend long run, which is far more important during this training cycle.