Training Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 39:48
Pace: 9:56 min/mi

Comments: Took two days off due to travel and the terrible weather. Sure, I could have put a rain run in but I think I did enough of that last weekend. It's recovery week, anyway. There's no real urgency to get any of these runs in.

Today I went pretty slow on all the uphills and the pace shows it. But, overall, I felt pretty good the whole way. My legs seem to be recovering nicely with minimal lingering issues from the race. It also helps that the temperatures have finally cooled down a bit.

Training Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 37:02
Pace: 9:14 min/mi

Comments: After another day off I figured it was time to put in a regular training run. And this turned out to be the most perfect day for running that i have been able to experience since Spring. Absolutely gorgeous and delightful to be out in.

I ignored the watch the whole way but knew I was probably knocking it out a bit on the fast side. There were also a few hills that I simply ran rather than used a more conservative cadence. But it felt very smooth and natural so I decided to just enjoy it for once.

Recovery Run

Distance: 2 miles
Time: 19:50
Pace: 9:54 min/mi

Comments: First run since the race. A very easy two mile effort with no hint of pressure. Just got started and ran easy, but quick enough to start working the muscles a bit. And I was happily surprised at how well my legs responded.

The weather is pretty much ideal right now. Cool and overcast with no wind to speak of. Ironic, since it's now in the 40s and thunderstorms at home. I'd prefer to avoid chilly/wet conditions for the time being, thank you very much.

So, I'll try to get another run in on Wednesday and, depending on that, figure out how to proceed with the rest of the recovery period.

Marathon Training Summary: Week 16

Distance: 30.57
Time: 4:36:47
Pace: 9:03 min/mi

Comments: The final taper week was an anxiety-filled delight. I got one run in an then had to battle a low-grade sinus infection. I felt like butt but not that absolutely awful of a full-on sinus infection-level butt. So I focused on lots of sleep, forcing fluids and not moving too much.

Over the course the week I made it a point to keep eating well and, on Thursday, I commenced with carbo-loading. I chose to use Maurten Drink Mix 160, downing eight packets over the course of the  day. This follows a method a runner I know used for the Chicago Marathon the week prior. Did it work? Well, it certainly didn't hurt.

The race was rough. I will think about the details of the effort later. Bottom line is I hit my goals of 1) completing it 2) running the whole way and 3) sub-four hours. The brutal exhaustion at the end wasn't fun but, at least I know I left everything I had on the course.

Injury update: The right lower hamstring and upper Achilles tendon ached consistently over the course of the race, particularly after the halfway mark. I was really worried they might become something critical by the end but that never materialized. Still, while I ache all over now, they -- and my hips -- are the most sore in the post race.