Weeks 23 and 24

Well, here I am 2 weeks to the day away from the marathon. Fortunately, I am running again albeit not 100% comfortably.

After taking 2 complete weeks off to rest and recover I started running again last Tuesday (the 14th) I ran 3 times this week; 5 miles on Tuesday and Thursday and 4 miles on Saturday. Today (Sunday) I ache a lot... I do however feel that a lot of the aches today can be blamed not on the running but, the 8 tons of gravel that I helped shovel! Not the best marathon training for sure.

I had planned to run 12 miles today, albeit broken into stages of 4 miles with stretching in between. That's not going to happen now so, I will rest and then concentrate on a full week of running next week. My goals will therefore be; 5 runs total, and 1 day of cross training (anything but running basically!). The mileage total will be 26 (hey, a marathon! Maybe I can run the race that way also...?!?!)

Whether or not I am going to be physically capable of running the marathon remains to be seen but, I am going into it fully committed; I picked out my race shirt, and shoes yesterday (spending $200 in the process!). For shoes I decided on the Brooks Glycerin 6. Previous versions of that shoe got me through both my New York Half Marathons so, we have a good history :)

Now that I am winding down my runs it will be important to a) work in my new shoes and b) RUN OUTDOORS! Unfortunately the summer through me one last curve ball with temperatures returning to the mid 90's again this weekend but, it looks like it is cooling down again now.

One thing for sure is; I will never train for a late fall marathon again! It's spring marathons for me from now on...

Week, um 20/21 and 22?!

Injury (and tardiness) strikes!


My avid readers will have noted my updates have slacked recently... With a combination of travelling, and frankly little to write about, my blogging has slipped.


September as a whole started great. I met most of my goals and my long runs increased to 20 miles. However, since my last long run of 18.25 miles on Sep 14th I have run only 32 miles total, in 2 weeks. I have in fact only managed to run 5 of the 12 times scheduled.


Cardio wise, I do not seem affected. I ran 10 miles outdoors in California last week, and 5 miles outdoors in Arizona yesterday. It's injuries however that are causing concern.


As it always seems, I am injured coming into the end of my training. At the moment I have a tightness at the top of my left leg and both my calves are shot after Tuesdays run. Pavement continues to be a problem, with near all my training being on treadmills, road running is difficult.


I skipped today's run doing non impact cardio instead. I will run tomorrow, and again this weekend but the injuries are making things painful. I have significantly dropped mileage already, dropping anymore will start to impact my cardio.


I am in a bit of a difficult spot; I want to keep running but, I know I should pull back before I risk further injury.


To add insult to the injury, my Nike + also gave in on me this week. I hope to replace that soon, it's less than 3 months old and the screen gave up.


I'll be buying my race shoes this weekend, I will wear Brooks shoes but, I am undecided on which type. I have been using their Defyance shoe recently but, the new Glycerin 8 is appealing. I'll be trying them out this weekend. Whichever I decide on I'll wear them the next month to get them worn in nicely for the big day!