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!