Training Run

Distance: 8 miles
Time: 72:57
Pace: 9:07/mi

Comments: Well, I knew the miles were taking their toll and today the piper came to be paid. I started out stiff and slow and things went downhill from there.

I had enough in the tank to do the run but the legs are just too banged up to go with any speed. I'm stepping gingerly and starting to develop some unpleasant sensations (see below). As a result, I'll prolly skip tomorrow's 4 miler and seriously consider postponing the long run on Sunday.

Training Run

Distance: 8 miles
Time: 64:26
Pace: 8:03/mi

Comments: Getting out the door was a real battle. I was post-long run sore all yesterday afternoon and wasn't moving around too quickly this a.m. either.

But, once on the road, I fell into a decent pace and rhythm. I consiously kept it slow and eased up with any sensation of tiredness. Despite that, my pace came in rather good.

My intention starting out this week was to alternate four milers with eight milers. With the extra rest day I simply combined two four milers today. Now I'm 'back on track' but getting through it ain't any easier a prospect.

Training Run

Distance: 8 miles
Time: 57:12
Pace: 7:09/mi

Comments: I flaked out on the planned four-miler yesterday. The combination of tiredness, coldness and the blasted wind conspired to keep me indoors. It was more of an act of caution than laziness but I'm not looking forward to the bump in miles during my remaining runs to make up the difference.

So, as usual, when I feel like I have been slacking, I crank up the pace probably a bit more than I should. This one came in damn close to the ideal time I am targeting for the race. It's gonna be tough to do this for a whole 26.2 miles, that's for sure.

But it is a realistic possibility. I have some serious strength in my legs now and I'll be much better rested and fueled come Jan. 14. This week's monster miles are the key to making sure this level effort is a possibility.

Oh yeah. It was also damned chilly. I know running in the cold is better for times and all but that don't mean I like it one bit.

Marathon Training Summary: Week 12

Distance: 42 miles
Time: 5 hours 35 minutes

Comments: Ye Gods! What a week. The sheer amount of miles I have put in over the past month is kicking my ass.

I could barely walk this morning after the long run. I had a breakfast Dim Sum with my family for my birthday (which is tomorrow. My day off. YAY me!) and hobbling to and from the car was excruciating.

The ice bath and a three-hour nap helped lots but the agony has not gone away by any means.

And that's been the theme the whole week. I got through most of the runs with an unspectacular and, to be honest, painful effort. Survival has been my watchword and it's gonna be that way for at least another seven days.

The key has been making sure I have been getting as much sleep as possible and to keep eating. Not only eating, but eating worth a damn. And it has worked up to this point.

I am hoping to hit 50 miles next week with a long run of 22 miles. By far the furthest I have ever attempted to run. It would be a trick if I were refreshed and prepared. I'm not.

The mileage of the past month are wearing heavy on me. I am bone tired and sore. The good news is that none of it seems to be injury-type aches. So I'll keep shooting for this mega-mileage target until one arises.

One of my larger worries is that I might catch a cold or get ill in the next few weeks. I can tell my immune system is at its wits end and it won't take much. So I'm packing in the multi-vitamins and grabbing as much sleep as I can.

Injury update: The good news is that my calf issue has seemed to have faded substantially. I actually kind of felt it last night (Saturday) so switched to the Asics for the long run and nary a peep.

The sheer amount of miles means I am pushing the envelope here and I know it. The chance for injury (or illness) is emmense as I try and push the distance as far as it can go.

So I plan to be even more paranoid about it all in the next week if you can believe that's even possible.

Long Run

Distance: 14 miles
Time: 1:50:17
Pace: 7:53/mi

Comments: A lot more painful and difficult than I expected.

I got out a touch later than I expected and was greeted by streets still wet with rain and the type of humidity I tend to associate with Louisiana, not Arizona. But it wasn't really hot so it didn't affect me as much.

I wanted to hold a strong pace the whole way on this one and I did that but damn it was tough. The middle four or five miles felt pretty good but the start and end were simply hanging in there and trying not to give into the pain.

It isn't that this is too much distance for me or that it was a faster pace than my usual long runs - it's just the cumulative effect of all these miles.

And next week is even harder...