I picked up the newest edition of Running Times magazine last night and read through it while a positively awful Grammy’s played in the background. There was an article detailing the benefits of adding drills to increase your running performance. It even quoted data from actual scientific studies using highly trained runners and separating them into two groups; one performing these drill workouts and the other following the normal running routine. They saw something like a 4% increase in running economy in the athletes performing the drills. That translates into chopping 7 minutes of your race time if you’re a three hour marathoner.

The author, a 25 year runner, had incorporated these drills into his running routine and said they cured many of the niggling ailments he was experiencing as he got older and made him feel fitter and stronger as a runner then ever before.

Of course there is always the next best new workout in running, the fad of the times. But I have been reading and seeing a lot about these drills over the past couple years, especially in use by elites and I think it would be worth while to add to my training. Probably not something I would jump into when only 6 weeks out from the marathon but maybe after that.

This morning didn’t include any drills, just 5+ easy miles on tired legs. 33 degrees made it much easier to get out the door than morning runs over the last few weeks. Maybe it is good that I eased into a morning running routine over a cold winter. It will make mornings in the spring a joy. 5.6 miles in 48 minutes.

I have some other very good news. Heather is 13 weeks pregnant with our first baby. She is due on August 25th. Up to this point everything is going very well and we are both excited and looking forward to a new baby. I'll find out if it is a boy or girl in another 5-7 weeks.