October 25th Preview

Last step before double-figure mileage this Sunday (with 9.1). And last stop before EWEB race month (and time change) of November.

The route (with an eight o'clock start from the Eugene Running Company): Oakway and Coburg Roads to Ferry Street Bridge and don't cross. Turn left onto bike path, to Autzen footbridge and across. Turn right, to Valley River footbridge and turn AROUND. Back the same way: Autzen, Ferry and store. GPS distance is 9.15 miles.

Bring a drink for delivery at Ferry Street, both directions (about three and six miles). Weather forecast: starting temperature in high 40s 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 do soon enough. Our more experienced runners might want to train for speed during the week. I recommend that this come between Tuesday and Thursday 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.