Long Run

Distance: 18 miles
Time: 3:27:50
Pace: 11:33 min/mi

Comments: I was really dreading this one. And for good reason. I really dialed back over the last two weeks and while I've felt very strong on each of the recent runs, that's not the same as a full-on long run.

With the brutal cold set to arrive this afternoon, I was forced to run this in slightly warmer conditions than I would like. It started fine but, by the end, temps were in the mid-70s and the sun was out in force.

So that stacked the deck against me right when fatigue jumped on my ass. I was feeling it at 12 miles but the last four got worse every next step. The real long runs are just as important for testing your mental toughness and this one sure as hell did that.

Training Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 36:16
Pace: 8:04 min/mi

Comments: With the prospect of it getting stupid cold this weekend, I tweaked my running schedule to get my runs in before that happens. So I took another two days off and put in the usual four miler today. Tomorrow will be the long run.

And today's run was excellent. Started purposefully a little slow but warmed up well and slid right into a groove. I kept pretty focused on the effort as well instead of relying on letting my mind wander to get through it. I even picked up the pace to avoid traffic at one stretch with little issue.

Training Run

Distance: 6 miles
Time: 55:39
Pace: 9:16 min/mi

Comments: It was dark and foggy and chilly this morning. So perfect running weather. I was thinking I should have worn gloves at first but, by the five minute mark I was fine. This one was a strong effort from start to finish. I probably could have pushed it a bit but having done a run just 12 hours prior, I didn't think that would be the smartest plan. My legs were a bit creaky at the very end as it was.

Training Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 35:03
Pace:  8:45 min/mi

Comments: After a week off I was determined to not let this week slide as well. I put in 100 miles in November so, perhaps, a respite was a good idea but the trick is to get back in the routine as soon as possible.

As I expected, my legs were pretty strong after the layoff. I cranked this out at a very solid time and felt pretty good the whole way. I need to be careful and not overdo it since I really want to get my long miles in on Sunday.

Still, felt good to be back out there.

Training Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 36:42
Pace: 9:10 min/mi

Comments: Out early and into the muggy dark. Pretty much ideal conditions, to be honest. These weekday runs have become pretty solid now I seem to have made some strength gains. I got started at a solid pace and just cruised through the entire run. I'm gonna hold steady at this level for a little but doing one faster each week needs to be added to the mix at some point.

Long Run

Distance: 10 miles
Time: 1:37:09
Pace: 9:43 min/mi

Comments: This is my "dial back" week so the long run was for 10 miles, a distance I last did three weeks ago. Needless to say, this one went somewhat better. I knocked better than 1:20 off my pace between those two runs.

It was a surprise since I really did not want to go do this run. It's chilly, I didn't feel great and I wasn't sure what shape my legs were in. Once I got started and warmed up a little I just cranked it out. I am a little curious how consistent my splits were but that's not really important.

So with that done, time to get back on the distance train. Sixteen miles next Sunday.

Training Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 39:32
Pace: 9:45 min/mi

Comments: With rain promised tonight and tomorrow, I had to get this one done. Overslept so lunch run was the only option. Went pretty well. Not the fastest effort on my part but not a staggering slog either. I was pretty surprised at the reasonably robust pace. I probably did the second half a good bit better than the first for that.

Next run is Sunday. Although it's the "long"effort, I'll be shooting for a reasonably modest 10 miles. Then, back on the distance train next week.

Training Run

Distance: 6 miles
Time: 55:26
Pace: 9:15 min/mi

Comments: So the cold front came through and temperatures went down quite a bit. Heading out was pretty brisk but not really cold. The best part was that I never got too hot during the run despite the bright sunshine. Tomorrow morning is slated to be in the 30s so I didn't want to feel forced to get one in then.

This was a very good run. All the miles this month are starting to pay off. I started strong and held steady the whole way. And my overall pace turned out to be very nice indeed (although I really wasn't pushing for that this run). I want another four miles tomorrow or Friday and ten when the weather gives a chance this weekend.

Training Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 38:58
Pace: 9:44 min/mi

Comments: A much better post-long-run effort than I had any reason to hope. Last week this run was the march of death, today it was a challenging but not overwhelming effort. The pace was pretty good although I suspect my effort dragged a little on the second half.

The big milestone today is hitting 100 miles in a month for the first time in a long long loooooong time. I'd have to go back to the 150 miles in December 2010 when I was doing my last real marathon training effort. (I came pretty close in February 2013 with just over 98 miles)

Long Run

Distance: 16 miles
Time: 2:49:57
Pace: 10:37 min/mi

Comments: The plan was 16 miles. Two more than last week. I didn't feel good at all the second half this week but laid low yesterday to get ready. The last time I did a training run this distance was three-and-a-half years ago. Needless to say, I was a bit nervous heading out the door.

The first half was actually pretty encouraging. With no real way to track the pace I really focused on keeping my run steady but not overdoing it. It was cool, overcast and almost ideal.

Almost. The wind picked up pretty good and I spent most of the last four miles fighting a very strong headwind. No. Fun. At. All. That compounded my general fatigue so the last few miles were pretty brutal. Still. Got it done.