So, how about...

A post that isn't running related. Sounds like a good idea to me. After all, I've just come off my biggest month ever -- 172 miles...

Right now, that's neither here, nor there. Right now, it's all about living life. Sometimes you run from things, sometimes you run towards things, sometimes it isn't a thing. Sometimes it's something intangible. A thought. An idea. A feeling. A... hope.

There have been a lot of things on my mind lately. I'll spare you all the gory details (not that they're really all that gory -- more sappy, reminiscent, and sentimental). What you need to know about what's been on my mind lately is that, no matter what, you need to let loved ones know that they are loved. Even if they know it. Even if you think they know it. Tell 'em anyway. It's not like the world is overrun with love at the moment.

I still believe in hope, and hope springs eternal.

Week in Review

Stats

• Distance: 40.4 miles
• Average Pace: 9:00 minutes:seconds/mile
• 20 mile long run

Notes

Well, I've passed the halfway mark in the training program. The continually exhausting training is definitely staring to take its toll. Call it training blues, overtraining, whatever you want to call it. I call it fatigue. Regardless, I managed to exceed the target mileage for the week by 1.4 miles.

Despite the fatigue, I still continue to see improvement. My average pace is continuing to come down, despite the increased workload. I even turned in a 20 miler at an 8:36 pace. That's good enough to put me on pace for a sub-four marathon. It's too early to make that call, though.

Another area where I'm struggling is the nutrition. I'm always starving. And the pre-run power bars are getting old. I've also been skimping on the in-run gels. I've got to get a handle on all this, else I might de-rail the whole program.

The good news is, I have 7 weeks to get this all sorted out. And I will. Ever onward! Ever upward!

Cheers!

Week in Review

Stats

• Distance: 36.7 miles
• Average Pace: 9:56 minutes:seconds/mile
• 13.3 mile long run

Notes

This past week was the second of three scheduled "step-back" weeks built into my training plan. It was also the halfway checkpoint in my 16 week program. While I exceeded my target mileage by 4.7 miles, I definitely have mixed feelings about the week.

The week started off great (especially after coming of a GREAT confidence-building 20 miler last weekend) before kind of coming off the wheels a bit. On Tuesday BJ and I did our usual five-mile hill run in the morning, clocking our best time on that route yet. Then, that evening, I ran from the house around the lake and back (7.57 miles) -- substituting a great hill workout for my usual interval training. It's always more fun to run outside in the fresh air instead of inside on the oval torture chamber.

Wednesday morning was the usual skimpy 3 miler, which both BJ and I have pretty much come to despise. To quote Beeje, "Three miles is just too short." I love it. this is the same girl who was terrified before her first 5K. I agree with her, that distance is just long enough to become annoying. It's too long for an all out sprint, but too short for a nice casual pace. Either way, we slogged through it and got on with the day.

On Thursday, the wheels came off. Did I mention that the nice cool weather in the mornings had also disappeared? Both BJ and I struggled through a 4.5 miler. I don't know about her, but I was overjoyed to be done with that run.

The long run was also a challenge. My legs just felt dead and rubbery, and I had no zip that I felt the weekend before. The Sunday "recovery" run was also a bummer -- 90ish degrees and humid. BLECH. So, as far as a "step-back" week, it felt more like a "fall-down" week. But, as always, there's no time to dwell on it. From here it's onward and upward. Here's to a better week this week!

Cheers!

Week in Review

Stats

• Distance: 40.1 miles
• Average Pace: 9:08 minutes:seconds/mile
• 20.1 mile long run

Notes

I hit the weeks target mileage right on the nose, plus .1. The mild temps this week greatly improved morale, and the overall quality of the workouts.

The 20 miler was just about a perfect a run as you can get. I felt good and springy nearly the whole run, and managed an 8:45 min/mile pace. If the actual marathon is anything like the long run this week, I will be in GREAT shape. I think the cooler temperature and the careful hydration and nutrition plan all contributed to a great run. If I can duplicate this on race-day, I just might have a shot at breaking 4 hours. One can only hope; onward and upward!

edit: I guess I should remember to include my weekly fails as well... Reading Beeje's blog reminded me of a MAJOR fail: watch fail! I SWORE that my Garmin was fully charged and ready to go the night before. (I have this ritual where I lay out all my gear the night before so I'm not fumbling around for it at 4 a.m.) As I get ready to head out the door, my watch WILL NOT turn on... uh oh... yep... somehow I managed to turn the dang thing on, and let the battery run down overnight! As usual, Beeje to the rescue. I borrowed her watch and synced it up with my footpod, and was on my way. So, anyway, HUGE thanks to my beautiful wife for once again saving me from my own devices! You rock, babe, and you totally rocked your run this week!

Week in Review

Stats

• Distance: 39.6 miles
• Average Pace: 9:58 minutes:seconds/mile
• 18 mile long run

Notes

Yet another successful week, as I exceeded my goal mileage for the week by 4.6 miles.

This week's long run was 18 miles, and what I'd call a confidence-building run. I managed a total average pace of 9:50 over some serious hills, and even walked part of mile 17. I didn't really start to break down mentally until about mile 14/15. Next week, I take on 20 miles for the long run -- the longest distance I have scheduled in my training. In all, I will run that distance 3 times before the marathon. I'm feeling really good after a great week of training, and I'm finally starting to see "the light at the end of tunnel." Once I've finally built up the endurance, it will be a matter of maintaining and pushing just a bit more each week.

Week/Month in Review

Stats

Week

• Distance: 37.6 miles
• Average Pace: 9:55 minutes:seconds/mile
• 16.42 mile long run

Month

• Distance: 135 miles
• Average Pace: 9:53 minutes:seconds/mile

Notes

Sam: This is it.

Frodo: This is what?

Sam: If I take one more step, it'll be the farthest away from home I've ever been.

Frodo: Come on, Sam. Remember what Bilbo used to say: "It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to."

~Samwise Gamgee & Frodo Baggins: "The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring"

Another successful week -- I completed all my scheduled runs, and exceeded my total target distance for the week by 5.6 miles. While it generally isn't wise to push beyond the goal distance (especially when still building your base), I'm feeling good, and I am fortunate to be running injury and pain free (knock on wood). So as long as fortune keeps smiling on me, I'll (cautiously) push the boundaries.

The other news of the week has to be the heat... While on my long run, I kept thinking "16 miles, and what do you get? Another workout over and you're covered in sweat..." to the tune of Tennessee Ernie Ford's "16 Tons." Training in the summertime heat has definitely been a challenge. I can only hope that the dividends pay off in that cool late-October morning "jog." :)

Overall, it's been a great first month of training. I logged my longest distance at 16.42 miles, and my biggest month ever: 135 miles. Truly the "farthest away from home I've ever been." To top it off, I scored a great deal on a sweet new set of "wheels." I can't wait to get out and log some miles in my new shoes!

Week in Review

Stats

• Distance: 27.9 miles
• Average Pace: 10:04 minutes:seconds/mile
• 10 mile long run

Notes

I am happy to say that I managed to get in all my runs and hit my scheduled mileage for the week. Actually, I exceded my scheduled mileage by 3.9 miles. In reality, I believe I tacked on a mile here and there to "make up" for my missed run last week. I know that is not an advisable practice and could ultimately lead to injury, but I felt that since this was a step-back week, an extra mile here and there couldn't hurt. And besides, my average pace this week was definitely more manageable for picking up an extra mile or two.

The upcoming week should prove to be the most challenging yet. The longest base run bumps up to 6 miles, and the long run bumps up to 16 miles. If I hit all my runs and scheduled mileage for the week, I'll be close to topping 130 miles for the month. That would officially be my biggest month ever.

Week in Review - Runs, Concerts, and Other Awesomeness

Stats

• Distance: 27 miles
• Average Pace: 9:24 minutes:seconds/mile
• 14 mile long run

Notes

This weekend's agenda included two pretty awesome events -- The Get Up Kids and U2. That's right, two bands that are on my "must see" list.

One of them, The Get Up Kids, I didn't think I'd ever see live. Last I knew, they had broken up back in 2005, playing their last show in Kansas the same weekend I was camping at Current River.

The other band, U2, I didn't think I'd ever get a chance to see live, either. One reason is that tickets are pricy, and the other reason is that they sell out super fast. So needless to say, when our friends Mike and Carolyn offered us a chance to go (for free even!), we were ecstatic!

Needless to say, both shows were amazing. U2 is pretty much one of the most awesome rock bands ever, and the Get Up Kids played "Campfire Kansas" -- a song I officially dubbed "The Current River Song." If you are familiar with the song and have ever camped at, and floated down the Current River... well, you get it...

In other awesomeness, BJ and I managed to snag tickets to see Wilco on their upcoming fall tour. We will be seeing Wilco twice within one week during the first week of October -- once in Nashville, TN at the Ryman Auditorium and once in St. Louis at the Peabody Opera House. We were super lucky and managed to get tickets during the pre-sale. Both shows ended up selling out within minutes of going on sale. Truly lucky indeed.

In between all the crazy concert going, ticket purchasing, and BIG beers this week, I did, in fact, manage to get in some running time. This wasn't exactly the most stellar week for running, and I managed to miss my goal for the week by three miles. However, I am happy with the runs I did manage to get in this week, including that 14 miler, which is officially the farthest distance I have run at one time. My previous long distance was a half marathon.

While the 14 miler was at a slow pace, I am extremely happy with the run overall. When I was finished my run, I didn't feel completely wiped. I believe this had something to do with the fact that I practiced using mid-run gels, and monitored my hydration effectively.

This upcoming week is a step-back week, and only requires a 10 mile long run. This should allow me to be well prepared for the 16 mile long run next week. Onward and upward!

Week in Review

Stats

• Distance: 29.4 miles
• Average Pace: 10:00 minutes:seconds/mile
• 12 mile long run

Notes

Week Two of the training plan is now in the books. Since about Tuesday I've been battling some serious sinus issues that have made running rather dreadful. I think all the smoke pollution from the fireworks last weekend finally caught up with me. Nevertheless, I managed to get all my miles in this week.

On Tuesday I got in a great speed workout -- 4 miles at a 6:43 pace.

Since I do my strength training on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I was broke up my Wednesday miles into two runs. I logged two before work, and then 3.1 during my lunch break (treadmill workouts are the pits). I believe my Wednesday runs peak at seven miles, so being able to log as many as possible before work will help greatly. Did I mention I hate running on the treadmill?

The long run was definitely a challenge this week. The sinus issue, and the lack of proper hydration Friday night didn't help either. I muddled through it, and feel better for doing so. Next week: 14 miles. Bring it.

I rounded out the week with some hill work -- I ran Murphysboro Lake with BJ. She has come so far, and I am extremely proud of her.

I'd say it was a pretty good week, after all!

Happy Fourth, Everyone!

Not faster than a chugging locomotive...

Stats

• Distance: 4.02 miles
• Surface: Paved Road 
• Time: 33 minutes, 44 seconds
• Average Pace: 8:24 minutes:seconds/mile

Notes
Marathon training has officially begun!

The funny dog-leg at the end of the run was the result of being cut off by a train while in the home stretch. While I wasn't faster than a "chugging locomotive," this run was definitely too fast for a training run. It was a bit warm out (82 F), so realistically, this was a decent pace... BUT my training program called for an easy 4 miles at a pace 40 to 60 seconds slower than my goal race pace.

I definitely DO NOT plan to run a 7:24 - 7:44 pace in the marathon. I think a 9:00 - 11:00 min/mile pace is more realistic. I think I was just too excited to start training, and felt too good after taking the past two weeks off. I definitely need to focus on pacing, but it was good to get back out on the streets.

The "Updated" "Tentative" Race Schedule

So far, it's been a great year. Right now, it appears that I'm half-way through. Completed eight, and eight more to go. I may be adding more, though, with the inevitable "holiday" races such as the turkey trots and jingle bell races!

Date	Name	Length
February 12	Fly With the Eagles 1/2 Marathon	21.1K (13.1 miles)
Notes: Not my best half. Cold and snowy course frozen in the beginning, and a soupy, thawed mud bath by the end. Official time: 2:06:36.
March 12	Spring Out 5K	5K (3.1 miles)
Notes: This was a super fun race. This was my first 5K of the season, and my first "team" 5K with my favorite running partner: Beeje! As a team we finished 4th in the husband/wife category. Official time: 22:04.
March 19	Murphysboro St. Patrick's Day 5K	5K (3.1 miles)
Notes: Chilly run. Placed 8th overall and 2nd in my age group. Official time: 21:46.
March 26	Undy 5K	5K (3.1 miles)
Notes: Chilly run. Placed 16th overall and 2nd in my age group. Official time: 22:02.
April 9	Nutrition 5K	5K (3.1 miles)
Notes: Hot and humid race! Placed 14th overall and 3rd in my age group. Official time: 21:52.
April 16	River to River Relay	80 miles
Notes: LOVE R2R. Team "Tramps Like Us" killed it. Official time: Leg 6 - 21:37 (3 miles), Leg 14 - 16:49 (2.5 miles), Leg 22 - 29:48 (3.8 miles). Team Overall: 11:43:45 (80 miles).
May 7	Saluki Pride Dawg Jog 5K	5K (3.1 miles)
Notes: First in my age group and 5th overall. I PR'd! Rained the whole time, but it was SUPER fun. Official time: 20:20.
May 14	Southern Illinois Miners 5K Home Run Challenge	5K (3.1 miles)
Notes: Fourth in my age group and 9th overall. It POURED the whole time. I was drenched. Official time: 20:54.
June 3	Grace Race 5K	5K (3.1 miles)
September 17	Murphysboro Apple Festival 5K	5K (3.1 miles)
September 24	For Kids' Sake 10K	10K (6.2 miles)
October 23	Rock 'n' Roll St. Louis Marathon	42.2K (26.2 miles)
November 5	Tunnel Hill Trail Run	10 miles
November 19	Crystal City Cave Run	5K (3.1 miles)

The "Tentative" 2011 Race Schedule

It's shaping up to be a busy (and ambitious) year.

Date	Name	Length
February 12	Fly With the Eagles 1/2 Marathon	21.1K (13.1 miles)
March 12	Spring Out 5K	5K (3.1 miles)
March 19	Murphysboro St. Patrick's Day 5K	5K (3.1 miles)
March 26	Undy 5K	5K (3.1 miles)
April 2	Southern Illinois 10K	10K (6.2 miles)
April 9	Nutrition 5K	5K (3.1 miles)
April 16	River to River Relay	80 miles
April 23	Run for Their Lives 5K	5K (3.1 miles)
September 17	Murphysboro Apple Festival 5K	5K (3.1 miles)
October 23	Rock 'n' Roll St. Louis Marathon	42.2K (26.2 miles)
November 5	Tunnel Hill Trail Run	10 miles