Second Wind

Just winding it down now for the big day.  Felt suprisingly good today.  The past two weeks I have suffered from a bit of fatigue during my runs, even in the first mile.  Legs just felt weak and tired.  Today I felt no fatigue, so I am hoping that I have rounded the corner and am ready for a good run at SGM.  The next two days will be nice and easy 3 milers and I will be sleeping in on Friday morning before we drive up to St. George because I know I won't sleep well Friday night before the race.

Time:  34:46  8:41/mile

NB768 305.28 NB768 (new) 97.0  Saucony A2 11.9

Another nice easy run today.  Added a couple of short striders and then did a quarter mile strider at marathon pace just for fun.  Eating more carbs and drinking a little extra water in the next couple days.  Gotta love the carbs.

Time:  26:09  8:43/mile

NB768 305.28 NB768 (new) 100.0  Saucony A2 11.9

Just a couple of nice easy miles today to wake up the legs.  Too bad the marathon wasn't today, it was beautiful morning in Vegas and I assume it was just as nice in St. George.  Looks like we could be in for a chance of rain and some possible head winds but hopefully the morning will be pleasant and the storms will hole off for a few hours.

Time:  17:43  8:52/mile

NB768 307.28 NB768 (new) 100.0  Saucony A2 11.9

That was a tough run to say the least!

Had some hopes of trying for a BQ (3:15) this year but had lots of lingering doubt too. (I probably need to work a little on my mental toughness and positive thinking) Decided I would go out and at least make an attempt from the start and see what happened. To make a long story short it didn't happen due to more factors than just the wind and rain. I did however PR and of that I am very proud.

Here are the splits for my posterity and anyone interested:

1 - 7:54
2 - 7:37
3 - 7:14
4 - 7:01
5 - 7:10
6 - 7:06
7 - 7:11
8 - 8:32
9 - 8:26
10 - 8:09
11 - 8:13
12 - 7:58
13 - 7:40
14 - 7:54
15 - 7:29
16 - 7:31
17 - 8:07
18 - 8:02
19 - 8:53
20 - 8:15
21 - 8:05
22 - 8:38
23 - 8:36
24 - 8:22
25 - 8:43
26 - 8:40
.26 - 2:10

I was glad to make it through with no miles in the 9:00/mile range, although that was in jeopardy during mile 19. Wished a few of those later miles could have been in the sub 8:00/mile range but fatigue got the better of me. Ended up not making one POP stop and I drank something at every aid station except mile 24. That makes two marathons in a row with no POP stops. Although if I had needed to go number 1 today I wouldn't have needed a POP or a bush for that matter......could have just let it go and no one would have known the difference.....it was THAT wet!

Didn't realize it until after the finish but I had bloody nipples. Thank godness I was wearing a slightly darker shirt and that the kid in the clothing pick-up area found my bag really fast so I could cover up that mess. I don't think any amount of body glide was going to help prevent that on a day like today. As I was running past Snow Canyon I was thinking to myself, I wouldn't be any more wet if I had just jumped in a swimming pool. Jumping in a pool and then running a marathon don't make for a good combo when trying to prevent the bloody nips. Should have grabbed that vasaline at mile 20 someting, may have helped the problem......oh well. Believe me, I can feel them now and they hurt like heck. I have kindly been told to "SUCK IT UP" by my wife who nursed all four of our kids and says she is well aware of what I am going through. I imagine some of you mothers can relate.....sheeeesh!

Final thoughts:
It was great to be part of history (2nd rain out in 32 years) but I hope I never have to go through that crap again!
I will use vaseline at the first sign of any pain in the nipple area! OUCH!
I enjoyed the girls screaming somewhere during mile 24-25. It made me think of what it might be like running Boston and passing the Wellesley college girls. There were probably only 4 or 5 girls but they were screaming their lungs out.
I Couldn't beleive the incredible crowd support that came out on a day like today to cheer on the runners with cowbells and high fives, that is why I love SGM, INCREDIBLE!
It was so great to run with Mark, even if only for a very brief time, the road was mighty lonely after he dropped back. We'll try again next time Mark.

NB768 307.28 NB768 (new) 126.26  Saucony A2 11.9

Just a nice easy day of rest.  Beginning to feel the muscle soreness in the quads and calfs that is our gift from SGM.

Just walked today.  Quads are pretty tight but I expect them to be feeling pretty good by tomorrow.  Meg and I walked about 2.5 miles at a fairly slow walk.  I may try to run tomorrow or Wednesday if things get feeling better.

NB768 309.78 NB768 (new) 126.26  Saucony A2 11.9

Feeling better today but still decided to keep the pace at a walk.  Meg and I walked 3 miles.  We are hoping to go for a run tomorrow if the sore quads agree.

NB768 309.78 NB768 (new) 129.26  Saucony A2 11.9

Four really slow, not so easy miles this morning.  Just took it really easy but looked really good in my ALL black attire including the new SGM shirt that actually fits.  Probably not the smartest attire to be wearing in the morning darkness.  Quads and calfs are feeling better but still a day or two away from being back to normal.  Man those downhills really beat me up since nearly all of my miles are on the flat.

Time:  38:30  9:38/mile

NB768 313.78 NB768 (new) 129.26  Saucony A2 11.9

Another slow easy run today.  Legs are feeling much much better todady.  Actually felt like I could have done more, a lot more, but know that this week and probably the next couple of weeks need to stay really easy.  Temps here in Vegas are finally starting to cool off in the mornings.  This morning it was around 65 and by the weekend the morning lows might be in the 40s, what happened to fall?  Might have to start breaking out some of the long sleeve shirts by the weekend.

Time:  44:56  8:59/mile

NB768 318.78 NB768 (new) 129.26  Saucony A2 11.9

Uping the mileage a bit each day but keeping it pretty slow.  Legs still don't feel totally fresh but I think that is to be expected.  Temps were in the mid 60s today and it was pretty windy.  The wind used to bother me much more than it does now, I would rather run in some pretty strong winds than miss a run altogether, am I an addict or what?!?

Time:  53:04  8:51/mile

NB768 318.78 NB768 (new) 135.26  Saucony A2 11.9

Windy day today and temps were at 48 degrees, coldest of the year so far.  I imagine with the wind chill we were probably in the low 40s.  Everything felt really good today despite the less than ideal weather.  I ran with gloves and a stocking cap and was able to stay warm enough once I got going.  Legs didn't feel much fatigue and I felt like I had it in me to go faster but resisted the urge and kept the pace pretty conservative.  It's tough to hold back when the legs want to go and everything feels good.

Meg and I are officially entered to run the Las Vegas marathon.  She isn't sure if she will actually run but I think she will train with me just in case.  Her knee has been bothering her since the marathon, so today I ran solo while she did the elyptical.  She has been diligent about icing and taking ibuprofen so hopefully she will be good to go on Monday.  I think the 9 weeks between SGM and LVM should be plenty of time to recover, build and taper for LVM on December 7.

Time:  1:24:05  8:24/mile

NB768 328.78 NB768 (new) 135.26  Saucony A2 11.9

Rest.

Another chilly windy day today.  Winds were a little stronger than on Saturday but the temps were about the same at 49 degrees.  Felt good once you got going but it was pretty cold for us Las Vegas wimps.  It's supposed to warm up a bit more every day this week and the winds are supposed to subside.so I look forward to that. 

The run felt pretty good for the most part but the Garmin was off on the very first mile so I ended up running at least an extra 10th of a mile at the end.  Since we were so anxious to get started this morning with the wind and cold we probably didn't let the Garmin's lock on to enough satelites before starting the run.  My Garmin has been acting a little funky ever since the monsoon marathon so I guess I should be glad that at least it survived.  For a while there after the marathon it wouldn't even power on so I was afraid it was a gonner.  Slowly but surely all the functions seem to have come back but it still seems a bit off.

PM - Went with the family to the Y.  While the family swam I went to the weight room and was lost as to what I should do.  Jumped on a bike for a few minutes to warm up then moved around to 3-4 machines to work some upper body areas, then jumped on the treadmill for a mile, probably didn't need that.  All in all, not a bad little workout for a guy who really needs to strengthen his core and upper body.

Time:  53:16  8:53/mile

NB768 334.78 NB768 (new) 135.26  Saucony A2 11.9

I'm starting to sound like a broken record.  Same run, same pace, same time, a bit chilly and a little less windy.  Supposed to warm back up by the end of the week and that sounds good to me.  Ran 3 with Meg and 3 solo as her knee was bothering her again.

Time:  52:21  8:43/mile

NB768 334.78 NB768 (new) 141.26  Saucony A2 11.9

Today was a perfect day for running.  The temp was 53 degrees and there was no wind to speak of.  It was a little chilly at the start but I was sweating by the end.  Still keeping the pace slow and the effort fairly easy.

Time:  50:52  8:29/mile

NB768 334.78 NB768 (new) 141.26  Saucony A2 11.9

Same story different day.  I had been taking anti-inflammatories leading up to the marathon and then for a week after the marathon.  I stopped taking them last Sunday and have been feeling a few more aches and pains since then.  Today, however, things felt a bit better so I am hoping I won't need to rely on those dang pills as much.  Hopefully if I can continue to take it easy the body will be able to heal on it's own.

I can't believe what a wimp I am.  I lifted some weights at the YMCA on Monday night and I am still feeling the effects today in my bicepts, shoulders and chest.  I really need to get on a routine of strength training.  I can't believe how weak my upper body has become.

Time:  50:45  8:28/mile

NB768 334.78 NB768 (new) 147.26  Saucony A2 11.9

Same run as every other day this week.  The healing continues.  Meg was feeling well enough to join me for 5 of the 6 miles today and it was a nice change to running solo every day.  It sure helps to have someone by your side to take your mind off the task at hand a little bit.

Time:  50:58  8:30/mile

NB768 340.78 NB768 (new) 147.26  Saucony A2 11.9

Too many aches and pains last night and today so I decided to pack it in for the day and will probably take a few more days off just to let things settle down and hopefully heal up.  Nothing major, just a few things that don't seem to be getting better while I continue to run.

Rest.

Feeling better today but opted not to run again.  I have had a few nagging pains that just keep nagging and never get better so maybe a few days off will get me back in the groove.  We'll just take it a day at a time at this point.

Just continuing to chill for another day.

Another day off.

Finally Back at it again.  Felt pretty good today.  Not smooth but not as many aches and pains as before.  Finally logged a sub 8:00 mile in training since the marathon.  It wasn't pretty but made it through.  A couple of cats scared the heck out of us this morning at a spot where we have dealt with dogs before, we thought it was another dog coming for us.....whew!  Dang Cats!!

Time:  50:05  8:21/mile

NB768 340.78 NB768 (new) 153.26  Saucony A2 11.9

Wow, two days in a row.  I guess I better enjoy it now because I might not make it out tomorrow unless I get really gung ho and decided to run at scout camp.  I think I have had enough camping for the year.  Luckily my 11 year olds have done all there required camping and I won't need to go camping for several months.  I enjoy camping, it just messes up the running schedule.  Oh well, whatcha gonna do?

Everything felt pretty good today.  I plan to start increasing my daily runs to 7 or 8 miles next week to start ramping up again for Las Vegas Marathon.  I really need to do 15 tomorrow, but like I said, not sure if it will happen.  In order to get in a couple of 20s before the marathon I need to make them next week and a couple weeks after that before the so called taper.  I'm still in reverse taper mode, not sure if I am ready to build and then taper in a few more weeks.  Sounds like too much work.

Time:  49:35  8:16/mile

 NB768 346.78 NB768 (new) 153.26  Saucony A2 11.9

Was able to get out finally after scout camp.  Hottest part of the day.  Wanted to go at least 10 but my heart rate was in the 180s by mile 8 and I was overheating so decided to call it a day.  Glad I was able to at least get a run in, had my doubts, but got it done.  I was surprised at how easy my pace felt.  I may have been pushing too hard and that may have caused my overheating, may have been the sun and 85 degree temps as well......

Time:  1:04:33 8:04/mile

NB768 346.78 NB768 (new) 161.26  Saucony A2 11.9

Rest.

Since so many people that ran SGM are starting to do tempo runs and faster miles, I decided to jump on the band wagon today and do a short 3 mile tempo run just to see how it felt.  I was kinda wimping out on what pace I thought I should run those miles.  At first I was thinking I would just do marathon pace miles but as I got going, I decided to try and do true tempo pace miles.  After a three mile warm up I got into the tempo pace and settled into a pretty good rhythm.  Splits came in at 6:50, 6:53 and 6:55.  Cooled off with two more easy miles and called it good.  The morning running weather here has been simply perfect and looks to continue for the rest of this week too.  We are usually in the high 50s and get up to the mid 80s during the day, which is way above our average of mid 70s.

6 weeks until LVM so it is time to get serious again about a solid build up and a couple of 20 milers.  The plan is to do 20 this Saturday and then 17-18 the next week and then 20+ in three weeks and then the usual 3 week taper.  Hopefully with enough duct tape and glue I can hold my body together for one more marathon this year.

Time:  1:02:29  7:49/mile

NB768 354.78 NB768 (new) 161.26  Saucony A2 11.9

I love the new shoe tracking addition to the blog.  Now I don't have to copy and paste my shoe entry every day   wooohooo!!

Just took it easy today and enjoyed a nice run with Meg.  She told me today that she will not be running Vegas for sure so I guess I will be doing this one solo.  I sure hope the race day weather is like it has been this week.  Today was perfect again with a temp of 60 and no wind at all.  I'm sure things will change by then but it sure is nice right now.  We steadily picked up the pace each mile today and finished our last couple of miles right in the 8:00/mile range....and it felt really good.

Time:  58:35  8:22/mile

Decided to do some GMP miles today.  Started out with a couple of miles warm up and intended to do 4 miles at 7:28 or better but ended up doing 5 at that pace and then cooled off with a couple of slower miles.  Things are starting to feel good again.  Hopefully that will continue through this three week build up to LVM.  Weather was warmer again today with a starting temp at 67 degrees.  Supposed to be back down in the high 50s for the lows this weekend so maybe the weather will finally start to shift to more fall like temps.

Time:  1:09:55  7:46/mile

Took it a bit easier this morning and kept the pace at a moderate level.  Ran with Meg most of the way and and had lots of great conversation.  Another beautiful morning for running, 60 degrees and no wind.....simpliciamente perfetto.

Time:  1:06:38  8:20/mile

Intended to take it pretty easy this morning but following the "hard easy" principle it was time for a little more hard work today.  Decided to do a one mile time trial just for fun this morning.  After a three mile warm up I started the mile,  man I'm slow.  I would like to think I am capable of a 6 minute mile but was only able to manage a 6:15 this morning.  I'm not sure what my problem is, but I'm sure I could come up with pleanty of excuses.  Anyway, once that was over I just settled into a nice easy rhythm and finished off the miles hoping to save something for tomorrows long run.  Weather was great again, even on the warm side at 66 and overcast.

Time:  1:06:10  8:16/mile