Still going...

Just finished Week10 of training...with 8 left to go. Two weeks ago did 15--which was fantastic--enough so to do the last mile at 8:30. Last week was a step back week calling for a half marathon race--I ran 13.1 on my own. Or something close to it. Because there was a major issues. Called I had no garmin--but whatever. Today was 17. Again, a good run. Ran the last 3 miles at 9. Overall still running those long runs too fast....Russ and Erin tell me that 18 was "the one" for them. The one that made them doubt it all. I look forward to attacking it next weekend. BRING IT.

14 Done

And it felt great.

It was a really good run. Since my marathon target is 9:45s (for now--may slow down by the time the marathon approaches)--I "should" be keeping a 10:15-even an 11:00 pace according to Hal. But I can't do that. I wanted to target 10-10:15.  My overall pace was 9:41, but for the most part I hovered around 9:50. My last mile was 8:20. It felt that good that I could easily speed up at the end.

I fueled with 2 cliff blocks at 6 miles, one block at 9 and one at 11.5. Energy was great throughout. Legs started feeling a little weaker by mile 11.

Next week is 15 I think. (and will be a tougher training week due to a busy schedule)

Ew

Runs have been fine. 12 last weekend was good (knee pain at mile 8 or 9 but I attribute that to needing new shoes...plus it subsided after a mile or so. Overall pace was 9:53--which is closer to what I should be running them at.). I missed my second 3 miler this week. Like last week. I had my reasons. I figure missing a couple of easy runs isn't the end of the world.

And I was set to do my 9 this morning but woke up extremely nauseous. I am certain of one of two things. 1. I have the virus that Greta had--and am just not puking. or 2. I need to stop eating raw cookie dough.

Either way, my stomach has settled a bit (as long as I don't eat or drink anything). So I have to find the energy and strength to muscle through my 9. I am not looking forward to it but this week the mileage ramps up 4, 7, 4, 14--and I feel as though missing this 9 would be a set back.

Yay.

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.