"Where no man has gone before"

Sticking with my TV theme from yesterday...The original Star Trek was a favorite of mine. Why? That statement "going where no man has gone before" always spoke to me. I always loved an adventure! Hiking in the woods, climbing a new mountain, going down a new road, always excited me and still does!

I'm possibly hitting new territory in my running this week. I've never logged over 50 miles of running in one week. Going where Mark has never been before...cheesy!!

The heel tightened over night but didn't cause me problems on the run. Still icing and taking Aleve. It is really wishy washy! One day getting better the next bothering me!

T'was a good recovery run-6.1 miles/1:09:18/ 11:28's. Pretty slow but it is specifically a recovery run. I hope to knock off some quality miles in the coming days. 29.26 miles so far this week! Peace!

Breathe, man, breathe!!

We've been going non-stop today getting ready for this moving sale. I managed to work the three miler in though!! Ha, ha life! So there! Got it done!
Did one mile at 9:01, another at 8:45. Felt good. Gotta go. Off to do a wedding. These are always a blast. The Bride is always beautiful, and usually there is one major snafu that makes it memorable. I have seen some doozies!
Next two days no running. That's only happened one other time during this training phase and i was sick.
Good luck racing this weekend!! Peace

Focused

I have decided to be more focused on two things for this marathon. My hydration and diet. Usually I just drink what I drink and eat what I eat... but I am focusing on staying well hydrated through the duration of this program, and I am very particular about what I am eating.

My foods of choice? Peanut butter, raisins, fig newtons, bananas, waffles, any kind of noodles, and yes, Chinese!!! Also, I bought some power bars and have been trying them out.

My drinks, milk with Ovaltine, water, grapefruit juice (diluted with water) and vitamin water. O yes, coffee!!

Today the weather was just wonderful! 50ish, windy, rainy, but it felt good out there!

A 10K run on tap @ HM pace- A mile warm-up at 9:55.54 then these mile splits:

1-8:26.7

2-8:40.26

3-8:33.72

4-8:40.24

5-8:41.23

I felt great, finished the 10K in 54:37.57-that's 8:48's. The course was rolling hills with some nice flat segments. I'm dealing with some slight right hip discomfort but nothing debilitating.

Two runs left for this week! 4.1 easy tomorrow, and 12 at MP Saturday.

Thirty Three days-

The goal Marathon is fast approaching- I still have a hesitation in my gut when I think about breaking the four hour mark. This post might be boring but I need it for the record:

Last Weeks Training:

Monday 20.2 miler-10:17's slower pace than planned

Tues-rest onset of cold

Wednesday-4.2 miles feeling cruddy

Thursday- off feeling cruddier

Friday-6.3 miles Hit bottom-working back up

Saturday-6.2 miles- 8 x 1/2 miles Feeling a little better, ran well

Sunday- off- Still draggy

36.8 miles total

This weeks plan: (closing in on taper phase)

Monday 12.7 miles hills-9:55's Felt good but pace was labored

Tues- off? might run easy

Wed- 6-easy 9's

Thurs- 6-ditto

Fri- track- mile repeats-7-8 miles

Sat- 10K pace? Total miles?-38-41

Random observations:

In my opinion most people respect runners, they will give way at crossings, etc.- Those that we think don't often just don't see us-people are overtly preoccupied with their life- Ex- texting while driving?

In the Ozarks there is a fortune in the ditch! I was really taken aback yesterday by the amazing amount of trash in the ditches on the city side of my run. The top five trashed items: ( What kind of commentary is this on our culture)

1) Beer cans

2) Beer bottles

3) Cigarette packs

4) Whiskey/hard liquor bottles

5) Beer cartons

There is a fortune in aluminum in these ditches! Tons of money!

The weather is fantastic!!! Robins are singing their sweet spring songs. The grass is growing and the mowers ( me) are moaning! Gotta get that mower out! Keep on the sunny side!

Peace!

Stranger than Fiction?

How could I run nearly as well today as on the track yesterday? Temps are a bit cooler, yet the wind is horrendous, out of the SW at 30-37mph!
I ran as I felt even though the legs are definitely tired; I felt strong! A two mile warm-up then I just let it rip. Two boys shooting hoops stopped to look at the old timer running! I said "work hard and you can do anything your heart desires." One said "Thanks!" That felt good to encourage someone. I knocked of a bunch of sub 9's so I'm again, encouraged, my training seems to be producing results. 8 miles in 1:14.36-9:19's or so.
40.9 miles for the week. Tomorrow is an off day, yeah right! Sundays are the hardest effort of the week for me!
I am going to work hard to rest, hydrate, and be ready for the most important run-a 21 miler on Monday. Breaking four hours is a pretty big goal I think. That means I have to knock off 36 minutes off of my last marathon. This I know: I could of never run 8 miles at this pace last year!
My youngest son is coming home for Spring break. I haven't seen that boy for two months! I miss him and am looking forward to seeing him this evening. He is an outstanding young man! Excels in studies, handsome, the cream of the crop! Both my sons are fine, fine young men.
I'll post some pics some day soon.
Peace

Surprised

As I went out the door for a recovery run I was concerned about how I would feel. With the hard effort yesterday and the nagging aches and pains, some unwilling to be resolved, I was kind of worried I may be in trouble. But! I felt pretty good! My body was able to get going and I put in 4.7 miles easy. I am encouraged by this recovery run.
The weather is wonderful! 54 degrees! Sunny blue skies! Like a heat wave! Upper sixties and even seventies are predicted for the rest of the week. That is good news!
I've decided not to run anymore short races before the marathon. I think they can be a test of fitness but not the best gauge for a marathon prediction. I will run a half marathon March 28th. That is the longest race besides a 5K in my area?! I guess the 5k is more appealing to the masses.
I still have a nagging doubt that I am missing an important component in my training program.
Perhaps it's just negativity but I wonder if I can break four hours in the marathon. The main point of contention is "Do I have enough training miles logged at Marathon pace?"
Here's my schedule this week:
4.3 easy -Monday
12 medium distance Tuesday- increased to and better than marathon pace for nine miles-
4.7-easy -Wednesday
5-6 Thursday -easy probably 9:52's
6-8- Friday -Track day-MP push That's a continuous VO2 max+lactic threshold run-hold marathon pace for 400 meters-push to 10k/5k pace for 400 meters-repeat for as many laps as possible-hope 20 all together.
6.2-recovery-Saturday
That is a potential 40+ mile week
One thing about it...I'm trying-Peace

Saturday!

I like Saturday. It's sleep in day! The sun is shining but the cold hit us pretty good. Oh well, Spring is definitely in the air down here in the Ozarks. The Robins are already making nests, there's a couple in the tree in the front yard, and nature is on the edge of her seat waiting to break out, I can feel it!

4.7 miles easy today. The body felt pretty good after yesterdays hard effort. I am planning next weeks schedule as a hard week. Monday long run, Tues recovery, Wed & Thurs medium endurance runs, Fri easy, Saturday Race! Yippee! I am believing I can bring the 5K time down.

Sure hope your training plans are working out. Have a great Saturday!