I’ve signed up for the Glass City Marathon in Toledo, Ohio, and I’m on week 14 of 18 in my slightly modified Pfitz 18/55 plan. The marathon is on April 28, 2019. I’m in the race prep phase. This phase has a lot more speed workouts.
Monday: 10 miles with 4 * 1.2k @ 5k pace. Ran a 10 mile “runch” in the township park and nearby subdivisions thanks to a cold morning. The paces were pretty good – 7:00, 7:15, 7:02, and 7:13. The goal was 6:55 to 7:15, so one was right at the upper end, the rest were in the range. Overall, 10 miles in 1:20:50 (8:02 min/mile pace).
Tuesday: 7 miles + 6 strides. Ran this entirely in the township park with a new pair of shoes. The weather was a little warmer in the morning, so this was in the morning. After the strides and run-rounding (runding?), 8.01 miles in 1:10:48 (8:50 min/mile pace).
New Shoes! 
Sunrise at the park.
Wednesday: 11 miles. Ran in East Fork because I wanted a change of scenery. I’ve never been a fan of running this course in the dark, but I did it anyway since the weather was continuing to be somewhat nicer in the morning. 11.04 miles in 1:36:56 (8:47 min/mile pace).
Thursday: 4 miles recovery. Ran in the subdivision since it was just four miles. 4.18 miles in 36:38 (8:46 min/mile pace).
Friday: Last Chance 20 Miler. I adopted calling the last 20 mile run of a marathon training cycle the “last chance” after the “Last Chance” workouts that The Biggest Loser used to do – the last big workout before their weigh-in, which decided their fate on the show. Went down to Lunken Airport and ran into downtown. Had some GI issues and had to make a pitstop in mile 14 or so (and my GI issues continued throughout the day 😕). Fueled with Gatorade Endurance gels at miles 6.5 and 13, and hydrated with Gatorade Endurance Watermelon. Ultimately 20.04 in 2:56:19 (8:48 min/mile pace).
That’s it for the week and for the race prep phase. 53 miles this week. Next week starts the taper phase, so I’ll be going from a week of triple-doubles to a week with only one run over 10 miles.