Second Wind

Final Info for the 3:15 group

Since I have had very little input I assume we are all good with the plans.  This will be the final info I post as I assume many people may not access the blog on Friday.

I plan to be at the expo between 3:30 and 4:00 pm on Friday to pick up my race packet.  If that works for some of you then great, I will see you there, if not, I may call each of you (if I have your number) Friday night sometime between 7:00 and 9:00 just to say hey and see if we are all good to go.

We will meet at the north west entrance to the elite corrals.  That way if someone didn't get elite status they could jump in right behind the elite corral and stay with us at the start.

Here is the group as I know it right now Mike Warren, JonA, Josse, JulieC, Huans32 (Mark), MarcE, ChadL, Dace, Lee Elmer (not on the blog) and Me.

For general pace info we would like to do the halfs at about 1:38:30 and 1:36:30.  If the wind in the forcast holds true, we should consider taking turns in the lead every quarter mile so we can conserve energy and share the workload.

Please add your comments and we will revise the plan as needed.  I look forward to meeting and running with all of you.

Nice and easy again today.  Winds have calmed a bit since yesterday and I'm sure they will be very calm on Friday before picking up again on Saturday just in time for the marathon.  At least it looks to be cooler than it has been lately, that should be a good thing.  The left calf was feeling really good today but the right one is still a little tight but improving.  Hopefully by Saturday they will both be feeling good.  It was a chilly 59 this morning but once we got going it was perfect.

Time:  25:38  8:33/mile

Final easy shake out run before the marathon.  The weather was a perfect 59 degrees this morning with a very light breeze out of the north.  Sure hope we get the same for tomorrow.  Both calfs are feeling good, legs feel good, back is what it is, hope for the best tomorrow.

Time:  17:26  8:43/mile

It was ugly and a bit of a disapointment on a perfect day for running.  Had a major self-destruction the last few miles of the race and couldn't even PR let alone BQ.  I'm not exactly sure what happened but it wasn't pretty.

The huge upside to this potential learning experience was being able to run with a stellar group of guys and enjoy some good company for most of the race.  I also got to cross the finish line with MarkO as we helped each other survive the last mile or so. 

Overall a great race weekend and it was great to see all my running pals at the fires and also many at the finish.  It was also great to meet all the new guys and gals I hadn't met prior to this race.

Meg BQ'd again, bum shoulder and all.  Even with her lack of training this summer due to her shoulder she came in this year and just tore it up again.

Here are a few notes on why I think my performance this year was not what I was expecting:

1.  Injury during the training cycle this year and as a result fewer quality long runs.

2.  Overall weight was up a couple of pounds from last year.  I really need to find some self control and lose the extra weight.

3.  Possible bug still in my system from a cold that had been trying to get me the whole week before the race.  Stomach was not feeling real great from about mile 3 on.

I think the number one reason for my breakdown was my overall fitness and conditioning.  My legs were completely trashed by mile 20 and I had nothing left to give on the fastest part of the course.  My lack of hill training is probably partly to blame for the way my legs felt near the end of the race.  While my overall mileage for the year is up compared to last year my number of long runs is down compared to last year and I was really feeling it.  Also, my overall trainig pace is up for the year compared to last year as well but the number of faster tempo runs and moderate paced runs aren't where they need to be.  My fueling and pre-race hydration went really well so I don't really think those were factors at all.

Rest.  Quads are hammered.  Going up and down stairs is not fun.  While walking the dog with Meg I was able to jog a few steps and it was bearable.  Will maybe get back into it toward the end of this week with some really slow and easy miles.

Another day of rest.  Still pretty sore in the quads but everything else feels good.

I can make it up and down the stair without crying now but it's still pretty slow going.  Looking to do a death march on Thursday morning.

Have decided to bag running for the week and just enjoy a week of playing WOW and being totally lazy.

Nothing again.

The laziness continues.

Slept in, no long run for once.

Last day of rest.

Just a totally easy 6 today on a perfect morning at 60 degrees and no wind.  All the soreness in the legs are gone but they didn't have much zip today.  When I finished they felt pretty heavy and fatigued.  Going to just keep the pace easy all week.

Time:  52:42  8:47/mile

Another easy 6 today.  Runs are gonna look much the same for several days/weeks.  Perfect running temps again today with a little breeze.

Time:  51:07  8:31/mile

Nothing today.  Back was bothering me a bit yesterday so decided to take the day off.

Rest.  Back.....what else is new.

Slow and easy today with the back issues flaring up.  Really don't feel a whole lot better but rest doesn't seem to help either so I may as well be active.  Windy and temps were close to 70 this morning.

Time:  51:34  8:36/mile

11-year-old scout camp today so no running.

Rest.

Lazy.

Nice and easy in the high winds today.  Just trying to get back into the groove of things again.

Time:  51:08  8:31/mile

Easy and windy again today.  Morning temps have been around 60 so pretty good weather minus the wind.  Back is not getting any worse to I'll just keep trudging forward.

Time:  49:30  8:15/mile

Lazy.

Finally a descent run since the marathon.  Felt pretty good and picked up the pace for a couple miles.

Time:  47:19  7:53/mile

Lazy......Again!

Rest.

The weather is starting to feel more like fall and early winter now.  Not sure what the temp was this morning but it was chilly.....but perfect for running.  Felt okay overall but am starting to feel like a blob.  Time to get back into training mode and drop a few pounds and get the daily routine going again.

Time:  49:20  8:13/mile

Calm and cool again this morning.  This morning it was 56 degrees at the start, a bit cool at the start but perfect by the end.  The only thing I think I need to add to my clothing is a pair of light gloves cause my poor hands get chilly by the end.  Nothing exciting, usual back pain.

Time:  49:05  8:11/mile

Miles on the dreadmill.  Note to self:  never eat a lean pocket before running.  Stomach felt crappy from the get go and I was lucky to make it through it tonight.  Weather was too windy and cold this morning so opted for the treadmill at the Y after work.  Discovered that they have a sweet new treadmill that allows you to run downhill as well.  Mixed it up a bit with some up and some down but overall was just happy to get through it.

Time:  48:50  8:08/mile

A bit cold and breezy this morning.  Pulled out the running pants, gloves and stocking cap for this moning.  Temp was about 46 but the breeze made it worse.  Without the breeze I am in shorts.  Felt a little blaugh after last nights ordeal and kept it pretty easy today for the most part.

Time:  50:22  8:24/mile

Lazy.

Woke up late and ran after it had warmed up a bit, but the temp was okay.  Took it pretty easy for the most part but added a couple of faster miles just for fun.  Did just enough this month to clear 100 miles, what a lazy bum!

Time:  1:12:45  8:05/mile