Ellie run - Last in KS - 6/7/12

As the title suggests - our last run in KS before the marathon:

This is pretty close to our most standard route for running, so it seems fitting that it's how we end our Kansas mileage.  Hot, but not bad...

With the Ellie in tow (and Winnie the Poo by default), we brave the setting sun and the heat to get this run in.  We both decided that it would be in our best interest to log the miles before we head up.  Not too bad though. Didn't get to eat any Gu or anything before the run, or drink a lot of water for that matter, but it worked out.  It was a largely uneventful run - leg felt good, shoes worked out fine, and Ellie didn't flip her lid.  That's about as much as any one guy could ask for!

Soooooooooooooooooooo, reflections to date as I pack up the car:

 - I thought I would have a LOT more miles underneath my belt.  But having said that, I've pretty much done the minimums, and done them in run times that I'm quite happy with.  I'm exceeding any time frame that suggests 4 hour marathon is possible.
- Injuries suck, but with each one I was able to rebound.  I guess that speaks to good rest and rehab.
- I'm in great shape for triathlons this summer!  One this is all over, I will begin to focus on shorter races/distances and biking.
- I've officially dropped to around 180 lbs.  I was hoping for much more weight loss, but I'll take what I can get. I was beginning to believe that I'd be stuck around 188 forever - yuck.  I'm hoping to stand tall in the month of August at something closer to 175.

I'll hopefully get 2-3 runs in MN before the marathon.  I will try to post as I go, but apparently "the internet" has not reached the upper portion of the state.  Maybe one day....


Okay, I need to get on the road.  Thanks for reading so far.  I'll have a WAY TOO FREAKIN' long post for the marathon, and I hope to have great results to report.

Thanks,

Running Total:
June:  13.87
2012:  268.73

Recover from the Calf - 6/1/12

More time passed than I wanted before I was able to get this one out:

The Turkey Creek trails - end to end and back.  A year ago, you couldn't have talked me into doing this, me thinks.  5.5 was enough for me.

I basically took the week off from running.  I did, however do a very interrupted 2 mile run on the Friday night, so I'm going to add that mileage to the total in my June count.  This run felt good, though I can't help but notice that I ALWAYS run too fast when I'm by myself.  Aside from that, I'm running in my new shoes!  They feel great, and hopefully will give my legs a few extra miles in reduced wear and tear in the marathon.  Still breaking them in, so hopefully I'll have more than a few chances to wear therm around.

Other than that, not a very exciting run.  I picked it up at the end (last mile or so), which accounts for most of the HR (including the last 100 yards getting me up to 187).  It was hot out again - can't wait for the lovely, cool shore of Lake Superior!

That's it for now.  Marathon in 11 days!

D

Running Total:
June:  9.30
2012:  264.16

Long, taper run #1 - 5/29/12

Well, time to start stepping it down from the longest to the short-end of the training pole(?):

(3) 4-mile loops and a 2-miler to close it.  My 4 mile loops were a little shorter than 4, but it's all good.  Not a bad showing, though I could tell that, in warm weather, the marathon might not happen.  My leg is definitely feeling it too.  The end is near...

Overall, fairly successful run.  My heart rate was much higher than I was hoping for, but it was hot outside.  I don't think I did as good of a job hydrating before hand, but an effort was made.  My left calf has been hurting.  When I ended the run prior to this one, I felt pretty good.  However, the next day was all down hill.  Not sure why it waited a day to hurt, but it did.  It was very specific pain, isolated in one tiny spot - not like normal fatigue or anything.  Either way, it was discouraging to have that nagging at me throughout the run.

I ran the first 12 miles with Matt, which is always nice when you can keep yourself entertained.  Running by yourself for too long is maddening.  I typically don't run with headphones - just too many things that can happen.  I like to be "aware" of what's going on.  When I'm in the gym, that's a different story.  I want to take myself out of that environment.

Calf aside, I really did feel pretty good as the run went on.  I hope I'm doing this all right.  I think I got a little bit of a jump on the taper schedule.  Oh well, if the calf gets better, I'll be able to stay loose and get some decent mileage in before the marathon.  Not "Kill yourself" mileage, but enough to keep my head in the game.

With that - May running is over.  Marathon is in the cross-hairs.

D

Running Total:
May:  85.34
2012:  254.86