Training Run

Distance: 7 miles
Time: 52:13
Pace: 7:27/mi

Comments: I felt pretty good this morning so I decided to try and put in a decent amount of mileage today, 10 miles. But, after getting started, my legs let me know they are still not completely recovered. So I cut it short at 7 miles and walked the two miles home.

Despite the achyness it was a pretty good run. I feel strong and, if I have enough time to heal up, I should be able to do well for the race. My pace was pretty good and my mechanics seem to still be there.

I do need to make sure I don't push too hard in the next two weeks. It is that logic that lead me to take an extra rest day yesterday as well as parsing this effort. I'll do the midnight run tomorrow - it's just 3 miles - but not at a blistering pace, by any means.

Training run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 30:56
Pace: 7:44/mi

Comments: I am still extremely sore from the long run on Sunday. I spent most of yesterday off my feet with my legs elevated but I'm still stepping around gingerly and getting started on the run isn't pleasant.

I felt I could put in my six miles today if I pushed it a bit but, once again, I don't really feel the need to push myself too much these last few weeks. The danger - an injury - far outweighs any possible benefit.

So I did once around the block and that was enough. It was chilly, a bit wet and somewhat breezy. Normally ideal running conditions but, given my achy state, just a cumulative consideration for my ongoing state of misery.

But, overall, it was a pretty nice run and I felt pretty good the whole way through.

Recovery Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 31:37
Pace: 7:54/mi

Comments: I clearly am not over the pounding of Sunday and the weeks prior. But, in context, I performed pretty well.

I took yesterday off and visited the masseuse. The work she did on the calves and quads was excruciating and left me feeling as rough as I did after the run. But, it was a relief to finally work out all the knots and kinks that have formed in my legs due to the workload.

So I approached today as a simple recovery run, working out the rest of the stuff. I considered going six miles but there really is no need to pile on the mileage if I don't feel up to it.

So I just tried to keep at a steady pace and with a good form the whole way. I wanted to beat 8 minute mile pace and I almost nailed it on the nose. If I can keep 'recovering' on this track, I should be set for the race.

Marathon Training Summary: Week 13

Distance: 46 miles
Time: 6 hours 54 minutes

Comments: I knew it was going to be a bear going in and it certainly didn't disappoint.

This was the big week with the max mileage and longest long run. That's capping a six week build in mileage that put me in the 200-mile range. I have never run this far or this long before in my life and my body is not totally happy with me about it.

But, now it is done, I have things relatively easy for the next three weeks. I start dramatically reducing the mileage with the taper. I also am not going to feel too upset if I have to take extra days off to baby my injuries back to full health.

The three weeks remaining until the starter's horn are the portion of training I really never believed I would reach - the taper.

From the first time I considered doing a marathon several years ago and started doing research on how to go about it, I have read about 'the taper.' Over time, and numerous failed efforts to get going with the training, this phase of preparation just before the race itself kind of took on a mythological aspect on par with the race itself.

Of course with the brutal mileage and pace of the last six weeks, the respite it offers probably adds to my amazement at actually reaching it.

Anyhow, I'll put in about 30 miles or so at relatively easy paces this week. I'm looking for a ten mile long run on Saturday because of the 3 mile race on Sunday night. The main priority is getting the danger spots that have developed - like the tightness in my right calf - taken care of.

Injury update: The one that has me most concerned is the knot in my lower calf/upper achilles tendon that has formed on the right side. This is like the one I had two weeks ago on the left but not as deep. Now I've logged the big miles, I plan to give it some rest and massage work.

Long Run

Distance: 22 miles
Time: 3:39:01
Pace: 9:57/mi

Comments: The big monster. I wasn't looking forward to it in the least and it was every bit as horrible as I expected.

The problems following my regular runs this week prompted me to take Saturday off completely and to initiate a pretty aggressive icing regimen on my calves to deal with the knots. Generally, I was just dragging ass all week due to the sheer number of miles I've been racking up.

So the brisk winter air wasn't pleasant this morning and every sinew in my body said "Uh Uh" as I took to the street. I kept playing the 'just one more mile' game until I had racked up enough distance to make turning back seem stupid.

But my pace was no great shakes. I kept it abnormally slow at the start while I babied my right calf and the lack of reserves on the back end kept me from ever ramping it up. That said, it was not nearly as much of a singular battle with fatigue like the last three miles of the 20-miler two weeks ago.

I downed three of the Clif Shots they should be using in the race and went through a liter of water which I carried with me. I think, energy wise, I should be fine for the race if I carb up sufficiently beforehand.