In The Groove

It sure is fun working up to a marathon!! I really enjoy the challenges of training, the testing of fitness, the goal setting, etc. I think I've trained smarter and harder than ever before. I've got the long runs, speed work, hills, races, and marathon pace runs under my belt. I have two nagging injuries, but they aren't where I can't run. The discomfort goes away after I get started running. I believe this (having nagging aches and pains) to be common among marathoners so I'll not fret. I think I did a stupid yesterday? That 8 mile MP run was not really necessary and I am a little stiff and sore from the effort. However, today my body wanted to get into the groove of MP but I held back! I decided to cut the run short and wound up with 3.3 miles at recovery pace. Tomorrow I will probably do the same thing. Run easy and short. My training is done. Now I need to be fueled and rested.

I think it's important to have goals. I have to aim for something. I want to break four hours. This will require an all out effort on my part. I am not a gifted runner but I am a determined one!

I also think there needs to be a goal after the race, so I've decided to focus on a 5K race in June and then strategize for my next marathon in November. Remember, We are opening our home to anyone who wants to run the Bass Pro Marathon in November. Come on down to the Ozarks!! Peace!!

New Year

No Whine in 2009!
Most runner blogs are reviewing their '08 running year. Many folks had outstanding years! Congratulations!! My '08 was a come back year. I had to begin by walk running and weighing 196 lbs. I'm 6'1'' so that's not to heavy to begin with, I didn't look overweight but it sure told when I ran!
I had decided to run a marathon again. I had run two previously in '03, and '05. I began to build the miles and by June had built a good base of 20 mile weeks. Thus I began the training program. I ran a 5k in Sept, a 10k in Oct, and the Bass Pro Marathon in Nov. I was hoping to break four hours but I bonked terribly and finished with a 4:36. I lost 16 pounds last year, and got to where I could run without walking. I logged 1,284.0 miles in 2008 and that gives me 16,607.2 since I started keeping records back in 1985.
As I was out today running in the cold wind, yuk!, I was thinking about my goals for 2009. I am thinking three marathons, The Frisco in April, the Route 66 in October, and Bass Pro in November. I will run a bunch of 5 and 10K's for training purposes.
My ultimate goal is to break 4 hours in the marathon. Today I ran short-4.2 miler-the last mile was at 8:52 pace. I felt like I could hold this pace for a while. What if I could do this for 26.2? That would be around a 3:53 marathon. So how do I train the body to do this?
That's my goal! Train the body to run this pace for 26.2 miles.
I hope to hit the track tomorrow. I'm going to do some 400 repeats. Peace! And have a great running year!