Butt Kicker-

  Fall is here...yet the sun and 83 degree temps + all the stinkin' hills= one worn out runner! I did manage the 19 mile run but I had to begin a walk run program around 12 miles. I picked up a friend as I was running too. A really nice looking bird dog began following me around the 4 mile mark. She stayed with me the whole way!!
  I drove her back home after the run was over...nice dog, wish the owners were more responsible! So one more long run in the books! It wasn't pretty but I did finish and I think I'll live!? I really believe this was a perfect work-out today. I needed the heat and the hills to keep me tough. When the cool weather comes and the course is flat I will be strong! Hope all is well with you!

Running through injury

   Little aches and pains can creep up on us as we train for marathons. I am losing my second toe nail as we speak! I don't mind that at all. Recently the ball of my left foot has been bugging me...like a stone bruise. Fortunately the pain and discomfort goes away after running a little while. I expect it will heal up...I hope it will, too! Sadly the body is not indestructible! However, it beats the alternative! I could be sedentary and out of shape!
   I ran the easy 4 miler....feels like nothing as we ramp up into longer efforts....tomorrow I have to travel so I may have to do the 8 miler on Saturday...we'll see. Hope all is well with you!

39 days-

  Well I have 39 days until the marathon. It has been a long while since I've run a full. I remember it well! The 17 mile cramp from you know where!
  I like my training program up to this point. I've been increasing the long run by one mile once a week. I have four more long runs and the last one will be 22 miles 13 days before the marathon. I have learned that a three week taper is just too long for me. I will do the 22 miles then start the taper. I've been taking the day off right after each long run...much needed! Then I've been running an 8 miler on Wednesdays. Today I did 8.5 and again at about the third mile I felt good and kicked the pace up a notch. I am now seeing the benefits of starting the run a little slower that normal. As we age the body takes longer to "make the flip" if you know what I mean?
  Thursday will be the short run-4 miles...trying to push the pace up a little. Hope all is well with you!

Experiment-

   So it is difficult for some of us runners to ever consider walking at all during a run...why? Because it's a run not a walk!? However, today I decided to experiment with a walk segment. I am getting older so perhaps it will benefit me to try. I did nine minutes running and one minute brisk walking. I did this for 18 miles and I am very pleased with the results! My last three miles were my fastest! So I am thinking about using this as my plan for the marathon.
  It was very interesting to see how the body was able to respond and use the walk segment in a positive way. So the experiment was a success. The long run in the books, and now a rest day tomorrow! Hope all is well with you!

Tired yet strong

   Today I noticed that my legs are tired. I finished this week today with 38.2 miles logged. Yet strangely enough as my legs are fatigued I am running very strong?!
  Odd? I'm knocking out paces faster than the norm and I am not struggling for air or energy but the legs are sore?!
  I'm wondering if my program is working? I think it's possible! Now two days off from running and an 18 miler on Monday.
  If this is the trend...strong even in fatigue...then I should be ready to race after the taper, right? Hope all is well with you!

Short and Sweet

  So today is the shortest run of the week, my 4 miler. It is strictly a recovery type run. All I want to do is get loose and stretch and lubricate the bones and ligaments, etc.
  I felt fair...I am dealing with some residual stiffness from Monday and yesterdays hard efforts. One more run to log...an 8 miler tomorrow.
   I have exactly 30 miles in this week so I will finish with plenty of miles this week!
 Today I was in a meeting with several folks....a luncheon... one of the folks mentioned how skinny I was. Felt good!! I am getting there! I want to be as thin as possible for the marathon. It is difficult considering all the junk I eat! I am a sugar freak! Hope all is well with you!

Flash Flooding!!

  So no outdoor activity today! We are seeing torrential downpours! I have received 2.3 inches of rain along with lightning strikes and crashing thunder! So...I took a risk and hopped on the treadmill. (The risk being a power outage:)) I needed to get the 8 miler in today to keep on the training schedule. Well it seemed easier than the roads so I pushed it some and actually ran 8.7 treadmiles. I finished the run at a faster pace than the norm, too. Well busy days ahead so I will be stressing to get my two remaining runs in this week, but I seem to think I will manage it somehow.
   Hope all is well with you!

Easing up a little-

  My body has been stiff and tired so I decided to ease up the effort today. I ran on the treadmill. Much easier than the hilly terrain out here! So my 17 miler went down pretty good! Slow...but good-3:04.23.
  I made this a progression run. After each 20 minute segment I'd increase the speed by one tenth mph. I think every now and again it's a good idea to ease up. Rest tomorrow then back to the roads! Hope all is well with you!

Change of Vision

  For so long I pursued breaking the four hour barrier in the marathon....(9yrs). It is probably not going to happen. Surely in my younger days when I could run a 1:40 half I could of easily run a marathon under four hours but not now. As a matter of fact I think every day I lose a little speed as it is! So I reckon my new vision or goal is to run well. Each day or race I will run to the best of my ability, I will seek to stay healthy and fit. I will hope to help others along the way.
   With that sais it doesn't mean I have quit goal setting or pursuing challenging time goals.
  Today was a wonderful day! Overcast, breezy, and around 80 degrees. Quite humid, too! I managed my 8.1 miles as I finished soaking wet!
  Marathon day keeps getting closer! 53 days! Hope all is well with you!!

M.E.

  M.E. stands for mental effort. The mind is a powerful force! When you place a goal, desire, or thought in your mind then vision forms....vision can carry you through the pain and yearning to quit! Today I had a 16 miler in mind. Even when I was toasted by 13 miles I pushed on...had to walk some...the terrain out here zaps you quick. Hills, hills, and more hills, I wonder what it's going to be like to run flats?
  Well tomorrow I rest the body. Hope all is well with you!

No Watch

  Weird...running w/o a watch. Didn't charge the battery so since I know all my distance markers I decided to just take off. So I took off and got the 4 miles in today.
  The heat was back on today...90+ degrees but 4 miles was pretty easy considering it is a short run these days. Need another 8 miler tomorrow. Big cool down coming...hope all is well with you!

Weight block

   So I'm adding more miles, caloric intake is basically the same...I'm stuck at 175. Odd. Weight block I guess. I ran really well today. The day off paid off and I experienced little or no soreness, stiffness from the long run Monday. I actually had my fastest mile-9:55-at the end of the 8.1 miles today! That's a good sign, especially considering that all I have out here are hills!
   So tomorrow I'm looking at an easy 4 miler. Friday another 8 miles, then I play Bluegrass music on Saturday. The State College-MSU-has a big Ozarks Heritage Celebration every year and they like to have us Hillbillies come over and pick a few tunes! Hope all is well with you!

Fighting the meanness

      Sometimes I get worn out being treated with contempt or just plain old stupid drivers. With the advent of the texting driver it is now much more dangerous running on the side of the road! Today I was forced into the ditch several times because of inattention and rudeness. Oh well...we must be super cautious in this day and age...plus you don't know when one of these folks will blow up and shoot at you! So I just jump into the ditch!
   I did manage the 15 miler today. Surprisingly I did not have to walk at all! I even ran pretty good for the entire distance! We have received much rain and temps have cooled considerably. I am pumped to be right on track regarding my training schedule. This week will be especially challenging as I am officiating two funerals this week. Both funerals are people that were friends and faithful members of our Church. I find that these services always leave me drained....
    Hope all is well with you!