Training Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 36:33
Pace: 9:07 min/mi

Comments: Still having trouble with consistency but got out the door and did the miles despite a busy morning. The temperatures are now reasonably cool throughout the day so that made things a bit easier.

I ended up doing this a hell of lot faster than I intended. I pretty much hyper-focused on cadence and keeping a strong rhythm. That translated to a marathon race pace effort.

The plan now is to do three consecutive days, take an off day and do a long run Sunday.

Training Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 36:31
Pace: 9:07 min/mi

Comments: And, once again, I slacked hard instead of getting in the miles this weekend. That's got to end now. I've only got two months to get ready for these races and I'd prefer not suffering acutely over the entire course of both of them.

Little warmer since I couldn't get out till noon. Still pretty pleasant compared to, say, a month ago. Ended up running it a bit faster than I expected as well. Not quite sure how that happened. Overall a nice effort but the goal this week is consistency.

Training Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 37.38
Pace: 9:23 min/mi

Comments: Didn't mean to take two days off but got really busy with cooking projects. The weather has been super so I'm a little upset with myself for missing the opportunity this week. It'll be damn cold soon enough.

This was a nice little effort. I made it a point to do the first mile, which is mostly downhill, at a limited pace and then upped the cadence for the rest. I had a nice rhythm and got just about the time I wanted for the effort.

The plan for tomorrow is a long run. Haven't quite decided how far or even where I will be running it.

Training Run

Distance: 6.33 miles
Time: 1:02:54
Pace: 9:56 min/mi

Comments: Up stupid early but dealing with it since it gave me a chance to get the run in before the storms arrive. There was a little light rain at the very end of the run but that was about it. I think I've done enough running soaking wet for this month.

No big issues today. Just tried to keep it slow, steady and not burn out on the hills. The right calf seems to be fine now as well. It's been awhile since I've done a dark run in a neighborhood and I forgot how alert you have to be. Still, this was early enough there weren't too many surprises.

Training Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 37:51
Pace: 9:27 min/mi

Comments: An extra day off turned into a week-long hiatus. Any number of things were responsible for each skipped workout but the honest truth is I really didn't want to run. Maybe it's the cumulative effect of constant training the last few months but I really just dreaded the idea of getting a run in.

But, I have to get ready for January so the respite is over. I got the run in, but it really wasn't anything special. I didn't have any issues, particularly the right calf soreness that persisted after the race. So, hopefully, this week of rest will have been good for my recovery.

Training Run

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 37:47
Pace: 9:26 min/mi

Comments: I have been so enormously slack with my training since the race. Some of it I can justify as well-earned rest but some of it is simply lack of initiative. That's gotta stop now because the next race ain't that far off.

Got out a little later than I wanted today but beat the rain comfortably. This was a solid run. Really focused on cadence and probably ran it a little on the quick side as a result. It's much cooler now which makes the runs a hell of a lot less brutal. You would think that would have me itching to get on the pavement but nope.

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.