McMillan Custom Marathon Plan: Week 1 Day 6

Week 1, Day 6
Phase: Base
Workout: 40 to 60 minute Easy Run
Purpose: Build Endurance

Another great run today! The plan called for an easy run of between 40 and 60 minutes; “easy” pace according to the McMillan Running Calculator being 7:12 to 7:42 minutes per mile. I started off right in the middle at 7:27 for the first mile, and despite my best efforts to keep it that way, ended up running slightly too quick for the remaining 40 or so minutes.

I ended up covering almost 7 miles, averaging 7:16 pace; a little slower than the fast end of the scale, but still in the “easy” zone. My heart rate stayed in a very comfortable zone too and apart from a few blips in the first mile (I think power lines were to blame), it stayed under 149 beats per minute and not once did I feel stressed.

Tomorrow is Day 7 and long run day with a planned distance of 14-16 miles. According to Coach McMillan “Pace doesn’t matter, it’s all about time on the feet“. I certainly won’t be arguing with his instructions; I haven’t run more than 10 miles since the Frederick Marathon in early May. Could be a testing run….