Week 9 – Speed, Endurance & a New Half Marathon PR!

Week 9 of my Milan Marathon training was a big one—filled with tough workouts, steady endurance runs, and a race day that left me buzzing with excitement! The highlight? A new personal best on the half marathon! Let’s break it down.

Tuesday – Interval Strength: 6×2000m Along the Lake
There’s nothing like a solid interval session with Footing Club Lausanne to set the tone for the week! We tackled 6×2000m at 4:45/km pace. By the end, I had clocked 17km total, legs feeling strong but well-worked.

Thursday – 1h30 Endurance in Biel

Mid-week called for a long, steady endurance run in Biel. Slow and steady wins the race!

Saturday – Shakeout run with 6×30/30s intervals

A short shakeout session with 6×30 seconds fast / 30 seconds recovery got my legs moving and ready for race day. These quick bursts of speed help activate muscle fibers without causing fatigue—perfect before a big effort.

Sunday – Race Day & a New Half Marathon PR!

Race day at Cortaillod for the Semi du CEP—and I went all in, pushing as hard as I could! With more than 40km already in my legs from the week, I knew this wouldn’t be easy, but I was determined to give my best effort.

From the start, I locked into a 4:40/km pace, fighting through the fatigue and trusting my training. The last few kilometers were a real grind, but I crossed the finish line in 1:38:41—a new personal best! 🎉

It wasn’t the freshest I’ve ever felt in a race, but that’s exactly what marathon training is about: learning to run fast on tired legs. Another lesson towards Milan!

Weekly Recap – Progress & Confidence Boost

✔ Speed & Strength: 6×2000m intervals
✔ Endurance & Consistency: 1h30 run in Biel
✔ Tapering: Shakeout session before race day
✔ Milestone Moment: Half marathon PR – 1:38:41!

This week was a perfect blend of speed, endurance, and racing —the kind of week that makes marathon training so rewarding. On to the next one!

What’s your best race-day memory?