May Day

We made it two miles into last week's run when the lightning made us turn around. By the time we got back to South Windermere, the lightning had subsided into a light rain. So we ran another 8 on the greenway. All in all, not bad.

The Palmetto 200 is underway. I've been texting with my workmates who are in it. As of this posting, they are about 1/3 of the way through and feeling good.

The weather looks like it will be accommodating on Sunday morning. I plan to go about 12-14. How about other folks?

Congratulations

Congrats to Trevor for his effort at the Blue Ridge Marathon! From what I am gathering, this is an extremely difficult course--I do not even dare to attempt to run such a course. Recover well, Trevor. I cannot wait to see you guys again!

I am glad though that I got to sleep in today--crappy weather.

Marathons R Us

Well so far, in just the last month, we've done ING Georgia and Boston. Trevor is toeing the line tomorow for the Blue Ridge Marathon (click here). Gordon is prepping for Mississauga next month. And let's not forget Swaz's upcoming Enoree 40 miler on May 9th. What am I leaving out?

Sheesh! This bunch is crazy. As for Sunday, I plan to go about 14. How about other folks?

Congrats to all Boston Runners!

Great job up in Bean Town! Hope to hear all the stories soon.

Sunday

A final good luck to our Boston Crowd. The BAA website provides separate live feeds for the Elite Women (9:30 start), Elite Men (10:00 start). We'll see how much work I get done Monday morning. Interesting Boston Herald (click here) article on the poor European runners grounded and possibly unable to participate. Yikes.

For tomorrow morning, I plan to go about 12 or so. What about other folks?

One Week To Go...

After a lengthy wait, here it is--Boston-- just around the corner. This training cycle has been a long one for me, but for a good reason: I needed to have all the pieces of the puzzle in one place. Everyone who runs marathons knows the importance of balance in training, diligence, and most importantly, consistence. Every workout builds on another; long runs are…long, tempos are tough and occasionally do not go as planned (like before CRB for me). Fartleks are meant to avoid the “marathon shuffle.” While I am definitely not an expert in any of them, I have learned when to push myself and when to back off and let the body recover.

My three (short) years of competitive running have taught me as much as (or perhaps more than) my 15 plus years of practicing my profession. They have taught me about seeing the body as a marvellous gift, discipline, and self control. I learned how to deal with the successes and the inevitable setbacks. God knows, they were all reflected in this training cycle.

I have had enough time to reflect after my last weekend’s 24-mile run, as I have lain on the floor completely exhausted and with my Achille tendons “trashed.” Somehow, thanks to Rusty, I have emerged from the despair of thinking that all of this work can be ruined in an instant.

I had an awesome fast finish 12-miler today—the kind of run that ties together every effort, every tempo, fartlek or hill repeats one could run during the marathon training.

I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. The fate of the marathon is unpredictable, but I know I am as ready as I can be when the day comes.

Thanks again to all my running buddies for all their support—I had fun while running with you. Thanks, Blair for patiently waiting for me following our long runs and providing transportation.

Good luck to everyone running Boston. Have fun!

Sunday, April 11

Hi all. What's on for tomorrow's agendas?
i know Cami has a fast finish 12-miler on the bridge pre-Boston. Anyone want to drive over and join her, or meet 7:00 as usual at Holy Cow?
i'm without a car right now so will be running to Holy Cow by 7:00.

Fartlek take two

Ok, second attempt - leaving Holy Cow early Thursday 6.45 am for a tour of bridges / parks / stairs and parking garages on the peninsula - apx 8 miles - steady 8:30 pace between efforts - option to join at Cnr Rutledge and Calhoun about 7ish.

Any takers ? Anyone ? Bueller ? Anyone ?

Next Up...

We're just two weeks away from Boston, and our Beantown marathoners are tapering. What do you guys have on your schedule for tomorrow? I'm mostly recovered so I was hoping to go about 12 or so.

I still don't have a clear race calendar for the spring/summer. I'm just now looking at the various offerings. Floppin' Flounder (June) is the only for sure thing. What about other folks?