Thanks Hal

TIP OF THE DAY: One reason why runners follow my training programs or the programs of other coaches is because it gives them a plan. It gives them a route to their destination, just like you might plot a route using MapQuest or a GPS device. But sometimes en route, you come to a road block and must shift to a detour. As long as your initial route plan was sound, you can take that detour, lose a few miles and still get to your destination. The same is true with running. Stay on course the best you can.


Perfect timing. While 4 running days a week is pretty easy to manage. There are always snafus. One of which is a sick kid. I was scheduled to run 3 Easy yesterday. But I was home bound with a sick G. Figured I would do it today, and do my long run Sunday. But guess who is home with me again? Which means I may just try for my long run tomorrow. And based on the weather, it might end up being 12 on the treadmill. Disgusting? Yes. Good for mental toughness? Yes. Good for catching up on trashy TV? Yes. Do I like to ask myself questions? Yes.

SOLD

I am officially convinced that low-mid 40s February days are the best days for running. Banged out 11 with no trouble at all. Felt fantastic, despite dragging my heels to get out the door. Didn't so much stick to my target pace. Tsk tsk.

btw--my goal for this marathon is sub 3:45. Kidding. It is sub 4:15--which means a 9:45 pace. I do understand that at a certain point in my training I may hit the "I will be lucky to finish this bastard" mode. This means that (according to Hal) I should be doing long runs at 10:15ish. My overall pace today was a bit slower than previous runs at a 9:41. I need someone to run with me and hold me back. I suck at this.

Week 4

I think I am in Week 4? Last week was a light week with only a 6 mile long run. This weekend's long run is 11 miles. I don't know the last time I ran that far. Probably the Old Port Half. Yesterday's 3 was great--weather was perfect, warm enough to go glove-less but cool enough to get a little color in your cheeks. It felt good. Today's 5 didn't feel as good--my mind was weighted by inane thoughts. Though I did pound out most of this within the last mile.

I constantly battle my pace. I suck. I fully recognize it is stupidity and inexperience that causes me to always run at a too fast pace. I don't know why I don't slow down. It is some weird competitive thought process I guess. But it needs to stop. Because I do believe it will hurt me in the long run. My training goal is to stick to my pace. And at this point I suck at meeting that goal.

Tired

Being overtired always kicks me in the ass. Sluggish runs yesterday and today. And that's about all I've got for ya.

Lovely

Delightful outdoor 3 today.  I really do like winter running (read: temps in the low 40s, sunny skies and clear roads).

I've been thinking about running with a weapon. I do always run in daylight, I vary my routine and always let someone know my general route/ETA; however, there are lots and lots of quiet spots among most of my runs. I am thinking a pistol should suffice.

Week 2...DONE

Last week's runs were fine--let's see if I can recall them:

3 Tuesday in the snow at the blvd. The snow was really coming down when I was running...it was windy. And I couldn't see. But it wasn't really that slippery since the snow wasn't packed down at all.

5 pace at the gym--I was tired but the run felt good

3 Thursday at the blvd--the blvd was treacherous that day...packed down and iced over. It was a little scary and I ended up running on the road. I think I need some traction on my sneakers.

9 on Sunday--it was great, waited until late afternoon, so the temps were lovely...and did the route at my parents' house, which means a flat run.

Loving 4 days of running...that one day of cross training? Errr, I'm working on it.

Huh

I just realized that I am pretty sure no one reads this blog. So maybe I will make it into an old school diary. Full of secrets that I would never dream to share with anyone.

Or maybe I will just keep blogging about my runs...

So just when I thought I had no choice but to add on the Gross Gym...I realized I did indeed have a choice. Called drive 35 minutes to My Gym, do 5 mile pace run, drive 40 minutes back to the town I work in, to fetch Miss G from daycare.

Was it worth it?
Yup.
Clean gym. Cool air. No crowds.
Yup.
It was worth it.

Hoping to get 3 in outside tomorrow...