Now I’m sure by this title alone, there are some of you thinking this is about all of Disney’s magical miles that they so kindly allow me to run while they take all of my money. Well, sadly, it’s not. It’s about another kind of magic mile.
A magic mile is part of Jeff Galloway’s training. The idea behind it – you warm up with a nice and easy mile or two. Then you run not all out, but lets say 80% of all out for one timed mile. That mile can predict your race pace for 5K, 10K, Half and full marathons. More can be found here: Jeff Galloway Magic Mile
The first year that I trained for a half marathon using Galloway, I never ran a magic mile. My pace group leader at that time felt that we might injure ourselves trying to run faster than we should be. (those of us who are speed challenged.) The second year of training I ran 1 magic mile – it was a perfect spring day in May, no humidity, sun shining, cooler temps. I don’t remember the exact time but it was somewhere around 13:00 for that mile.
This year I decided to get back on with magic mile training. After 8 half marathons, scheduled for numbers 9,10 & 11 this year, I have a good enough understanding of my race pace. However, the suggestions aren’t just to do it once a year or every two, but to continue to use it as a guide in training of how much you are progressing. With the Goofy challenge on the horizon for January, I can use all the mental reassuring that I can get.
The first week of June I did my first magic mile of the season. 15:08! I was just back to training, 20lbs heavier than my normal racing weight, and my foot fell asleep while running it. Yesterdays training called for 4 miles, one of which was the magic mile. I ran the magic mile again – hot, humid, super sunny day, but 3 additional weeks of training under my belt, and 8 lbs lighter – 14:01!!!!! A whole minute off my time!
I love the mental reward that the training is working. Now I’m not stopping here. I certainly would like to get back to my 13 that I had two years ago. And I REALLY, REALLY, would like to get down to a 12-12:30 range magic mile, as that would be the ideal range for timing for the marathon. But I’ll take it. Sometimes its just the boost the psyche needs!!
What have been your magic mile stories – success or not?
fitplusfearless 