Motivated to Succeed

Day #370: 10.17 miles in 1:22:34, good for 8:07 a mile.

First 7.3 in 1:03, rest in about 9-9:15s, with last 5k in 26:30

Run easy at 9:00-9:10 pace.

2 x 8:45 miles just keeping it real. Has totally sucked not having treadmill. Botched this and trying to do a longer run today. Will get the 8 mile progression run in and then cool down for a few miles.

1:26:02, including 8 mile progression run. 8:41, 8:44, 8:18, 8:16, 7:53, 7:48, 7:29, 7:12. 2.53 mile cool down.

4 miles @ average about 9:00-9:05 pace.

4 miles in 34:00.

5k in 26:45. Steady as she goes.

Did 3 outside in 26 and another 3 in 24:30, all outside. last mile outside was 7:52. Have to get 4 more in today

Easy 3 miles 9/mile pace.

5k just under 27:00

First 7 starting 9:52, 9:48 and steadily going down. Miles 5 and 6 were 9:07. Last 3 miles were 8:32 or faster.

5k at 27:00

3,2,1 miles hard

Do a 2 mile warmup, 3 miles hard, half mile jog, 2 miles hard, half mile jog, and 1 mile hard. Do a 2 mile cooldown. Will be a 11 mile workout.

Is the treadmill guy going to watch you run this? Jake

23:46, 14:59, 6:58 for the 3,2,1. 1:36:59 total for workout.

30:00 recovery run, good for 9:10/mile. Felt relaxed. 

12 x 400s

keep these near 1:45-1:50 each, 400 meter recovery jogs, 1 mile warmup and cooldown

No faster than 8.6 MPH on treadmill. Jake

Day #385: 8 miles total. Intended workout: 12 x 400m @ goal 1:45-1:50 with 400m recovery between each. 1 mile w/u and c/d. 400 splits were: 1:46, 1:47, 1:47, 1:48, 1:48, 1:48, 1:48, 1:46, 1:46, 1:45, 1:46, 1:44. Phew! Tired! Recovery 400s were all between 2:15 and 2:20. w/u and c/d were 9:13 and 9:15 respectively.

Day #386: easy 20:00 recovery; 2.25 miles total. Finished at about 10:30pm. 

8.1 miles around Schenectardy with Harry, and then another 4.17 later at home in 40:00. Felt great

8.12

10 mile run

push this pace a little harder today...

including 20:00 at 8:00/mile

56:30 in the woods for 5.15 and 2 miles on treadmill in 17:30.

2

6 x 800s @ 3:45

run the odds controlled at 345, hit the even ones sub 340?

What should i do for recoveries here? and do like what 1 mile warm up and 1 mile cool down?

If on treadmill I usually do 800 jog in between easier to keep track of. Jake

2 @ 9:15s

7.1

2-3 streak saver

Treadmill doom again?

3:44, 3:42, 3:45, 3:41, 3:44, 3:37. That's how you run a workout!

did 800 jogs between each, cool down cut short bc wife got home and promised her I'd be done before she got home.

Just looking now and thought original goal was 345s and 340s.. didnt see it say "sub 340" doh!

2 easy at 9:15 pace.

2 easy at 9:12/mile pace.

27

Arena Attack Series: XL Center Marathon, Hartford, CT

I'm In!!

Go for it!

goal time? You really have been ready for a PR for a LONG time!

Can I break 4??

2 hrs at half way mark?

1:58 through halfway, including 6 min BR break. Ended up finishing in 3:59:21!!! Heck yeah!

New Marathon PR: 3:59:21 and 5th place overall!

Now they have my listed at 3:59:18!

January 25, 2014

For some the third time’s the charm. In my case, it was the 27^th. Yes, you read that correctly. After 27 marathons and ultras I finally broke 4 hours. It was not easy by any means. There have been many late or sleepless nights, countless blisters and chafed nipples, and inner thigh chafing that would rival the infamous Scottish kilt-rub that has been lost to history, most likely to placate the squeamishness of most readers of modern history.

The Arena Attack Marathon at the XL Center in Hartford on Saturday, January 25^th was set to be the stage through which all my months of hard work was to pay off. It was the 394^th day of my running streak and almost the 10 month anniversary of signing on with coaches Justin and Jake Gillette. 

I had a late night the night before, as I watched Union hockey devour Harvard with a minimal yet acceptable amount of fist-flying. After only five hours of sleep, I awoke and donned my warrior gear - Lake Waramaug 50 mile shirt, 24 Hour Around the Lake shirt, green shorts, Vitalsox compression socks, and a new pair of Merrell Road Gloves. The drive to Hartford from Pittsfield was uneventful, but parking was a gem, directly one floor beneath the center. I was parked and in the arena within 5 minutes.

Race Director Scott really put together a great race, with a 5k option at 8am, followed by marathon, 1/2 marathon and marathon relay options starting at 9, as well as a second 1/2 marathon start at 11:15. I was banking on the second wave of 1/2 runners to reinvigorate me as I started to falter and hit the inevitable walls as any distance runner does.

Going into the race, I used Scott’s spreadsheet to determine a goal pace for the 128 lap course (really 127.8 as advertised). At the pre-race briefing this was changed to 130 I guess, though with nerves I completely missed this - more to come on this later. My “A” goal was 4:00:00. My “B” goal was to break my PR from 2013 of 4:07. “C” goal was anything faster than 4:20 which would give me my second fastest marathon ever. I was confident I could make this race count. I have never worked harder in my life both in training and in diet. 

The beginning of the race was relatively uneventful. It was nice to hear the music each lap (approximately 5 laps to the mile). There were 3 guys all gunning for the lead. Some drama with marathon relay runners with the batons not registering, but everyone settled into their own rhythm. I ticked off the laps and felt great until about lap 50, the 1.5 hour mark. I took a gel that I had never tried before (rookie mistake), which resulted in a 6 minute BR break for GI issues. 

I hit the 1/2 way point in 1:58. Most marathons I tend to fade horribly and end up with 10-15 minutes being tacked on the second half. I was determined not to let that happen. I pushed harder. Despite all my training I hit the wall for the first time around mile 16. *My longest run since the December Palm Beaches Marathon was about that length*. I started to have a little bit of self-doubt, but then I remembered what Jake Gillette told me. “Those last 10 miles focus on light feet, light feet, light feet.” My mantra became “light feet” for the next 10 miles. I made mini goals to pass a person in the next two laps, to put a 1 lap buffer between me and the next guy. To just hang in there for 10 more laps.

Slowly the laps started to tick up. The second round of half marathoners started while I was about at lap 74. Lap 90, 8 miles to go.. “Light feet. Light feet.”. I could feel my sock rubbing on my right pinky toe, but I pressed on. Hugged the corners. Passed on the inside whenever possible. 

Lap 100. The moneymaker. Smooth sailing from here. At least in theory. I fed off the energy of the runners I passed. Holding steady. Light feet. Light feet. The toe hurt more. The hamstrings started to tighten. I took two :10 walking breaks.

Lap 120. Ten to go. I had 20 minutes to break 4 hours. Could I do it? I came this far, 24 miles. Can’t afford to lose it now! Dig deeper! Don’t give in now! Cannot afford to go home empty handed. I lapped another Clydesdale in a red shirt - took everything I had. I ended up only beating him by 1 lap!

Lap 125. 5 to go. Should have been 3, but they switched it to 130. I thought I had no chance of making it. Light feet. Light feet. 1/2 marathoners were just chatting, and I gritted my teeth and started grunting like an old man trying to run up a staircase. That’s what it felt like. 

Lap 128. 2 more to go.. And I activated the after burners. I took off and felt like I was flying. Realistically probably only about 7:40 pace or so. My last lap ended up being my fastest of the whole race, 1:25. 

Lap 130. I crossed the finish line in 3:59:21 (later amended to 3:59:18 officially). I was completely spent, but overjoyed. Scott came up congratulated me and gave me a pint glass and my 5^th PLACE MEDAL! I had earned this one. Hard work. Gritted my teeth and fought through it. First time ever breaking 4 hours in the marathon and an 8 minute PR!!

Would I do it again? Most certainly. Did I pay a price? Yes. 6 blisters, including one under my pinky toenail. Ouch! Am I proud of myself. Definitely! Taking out the bathroom stop, I ran 3:53 on course.. My next goal is to get as close to 3:50 as possible at the Circular Logic Marathon in West Lafayette, Indiana on March 29^th this year. In between now and then, I have just a little challenge. 6 marathons in 6 days in Goshen, Indiana during February break. Hoorah!  Keep on truckin’. We can do anything we put our minds to!

1:34:20, good for 9:26 average. Felt relaxed. Legs good. Last mile they were a little heavy.

39:17; 7:52/mile! Was all I could do. Just finished run at 10:45pm. Need to be up at 4am.

2 miles easy at 9:10/mile.

1:00:00 easy run nothin too serious. Felt good minus the blister about to pop under my nail

just so you know, I think you are a 3:40 marathon runner so using those pace projections to get your workouts.

2 easy, 2 miles of 2 minutes hard, 2 minutes easy, 2 cooldown, you can do longer warmup/cooldown if you want. Try to have 8min/mile pace for those 2 miles hard average

including 2 miles in 7:30 and 6:48. Mapped out a 1 mile course using no gps! Was exactly 1 mile. Felt accomplished!

5 in 44:50, easy and relaxed like.

Day #400: 2.36 miles in 20:00. Nice, easy relaxed. I am sick. Yay working in a petri dish of 30 sixth graders this afternoon. Hoping to rest and hit the weekend hard. Need to get 36 miles in between Saturday and Sunday one way or another. Another long run on Wednesday if we get a snow day like they are saying.

Ever have that realization
That you inevitably will get
grey hair? I blame it on kids!

4 miles easy @ 9 min miles.

Day #402: 15.10 miles in 2:19:03. Shouldn't have run while sick. Anyone can do it on an easy day. Takes a complete dumbass to do it whilst sick though, right? Splits were: 9:47, 9:42, 9:44, 9:43, 9:43, 9:36, 9:34, 9:34, 9:35, 9:26, 8:37, 8:29, 8:22, 8:22, 7:54!

Apparently there was some other "important" athletic event today. So sad I missed it... not!

Phlegm is germs who figure out,
That they are about to get smited.
Just don't spit it on the wood floors!

Day #403: 4 miles in 31:14, good for 7:49/mile. Working hard for a breakthrough. Pain is just weakness leaving the body!

Apparently gum chewing,
Is the new non-violent protest.
Rise young masses and fight on!

Day #405: 20.1 miles on the treadmill, real relaxed. 3:24:00 total. Did 3 hours earlier in the day, and 2.5 miles in 24:00 tonight. Feeling good! Getting in shape! Or losing shape? Losing some flat tires? Found some really cool stuff in the sweat crusted cesspool on the side/behind the treadmill today including a quarter, tit-aids, and a subscription to RW.

I tripped once but caught myself,
Treadmills don't agree with standing still.
Pick up your tutu and run!

Recovery 2.5 in 22:00

Day #407: 4 miles easy in 35:54, 8:59 pace. Been sick as a dog all day. No voice, coughing stuff up. Was dumb and took a Mucinex. That's like deciding to take a laxative before your first date. Had one of those sneeze mid-stride and laugh as green stuff comes out your nose moments.  being a runner!

Mucinex - my antidrug,
This too shall pass... I think! And if not,
Well at least I got a cool story!

Day #408: 5 miles in 43:40; sick and coughing up green stuff. You try to stop coughing, but then it hits you in a wave and you convulse and it radiates pain from the center of your chest all the way up and out your nose. Ugh! Only about 10 miles off the goal run today. 

Internal furnace heats up,
Nose starts to run and you can't stop it,
This too shall pass.. yes? Please, yes!

Day #409: 7.75 miles. 2.75 with Emma this afternoon, and then 5 more in 43:26. Decongestants, cough drops, and Mucinex are my fare today. Throat feels minimally better.

If there's one thing to hold back...
It's a fart in an enclosed room! If
you don't believe me, try it.

Day #410: 6.25 miles in 55:25; Still coughing up a lung of green stuff. Mucinex is my friend today. Did some weights which felt good too. Hoping to actually get into work tomorrow. Thankfully we have laptops, so I will have to do minimal talking for Mr. Froggy Throat McMucus!

Sneeze on a whim.. a surprise,
Green gold cascades down to land on tread. 
The gold you see each time 'round.

Day #411: 3.11 miles in 28:28. Not pretty miles, pretty painful with blocked ears, but got it done. All it takes is all you got! Keep the faith and keep on truckin'.

Praying for a snow day, man.
Snow is just angel dandruff I think,
Raining down from God's ass crack.

Day #412: 2 miles in 15:50 after a super long day, grading writing prompts, eye appointment for new glasses and a haircut. Hoping to finally start feeling better here soon. I got big races on the horizon! Snow day tomorrow I am hoping. Please please please!!!

Fueled by inner will, strength
to take on self doubt, self-loathing and
seize each day's fresh potential.

Day #413: 3.15 miles in 25:00. Finally starting to feel a little better. Did not really enjoy the 55 min drive in or the 90 min drive home today. 106 kids absent today at school. Made for about 10-11 kids per section out. Not a productive day. Finally starting to feel better somewhat. Ears still plugged, but way less phlegm getting coughed up. Ready to go. Chomping at the bit for the 6-pack!

Into the depths of Mordor,
Fuel the inner furnace to claim
The reward most seek but lose.

Day #414: 6.75 miles in 59:56. Recovery is a slow, arduous process. Now most congestion is gone, but still a runny nose at times and this non-stop urge to cough. Was driving me nuts all day. Thankfully slept through the night without having to cough up a lung. Made dinner and tried to watch a movie, but the dvd skipped and then got stuck in the 1990s dvd player. Seriously we have the worst luck with technology.

Maybe Iccarus was right.
Flying too close to the sun may just
in fact inspire greatness.

Day #415: 7.05 miles in 1:00:00. Intended workout: 2 mile w/u, 2 x mile at 8:20-8:30 pace, .5 mile "on" in 3:30, .5 mile off x 2, cool down. Actual: 2 mile warm up in 18:21 (9:10 pace), 2 miles in 16:31 (8:15 pace), .5 ons were 3:20 and 3:20, cool down. Felt good. Minimal coughing, though after finishing I did have one coughing fit in the shower. Maybe getting better? First 2 miles stunk because of nasal drip in the back of throat. Not long now until 6-pack.

When you prepare for battle,
It is easy to over think so
take heed to double knot shoes!

Day #416 - 2 miles easy 

Day #417 - 1 mile and 13 hours of driving to Indiana

Day #418: 27 miles total. Maple Leaf Six-Pack Marathon #1. 4:54:38. Was in second place for most of the race, but it is hard to keep track of laps on indoor track. Ended up fading to third by 600m. Still had a blast! Marathon/Ultra #28 for me.

Only one thing is certain
in distance running - you gonna hurt!
Best do it with style then!

Day #419: 27 miles total. Maple Leaf Six-Pack Marathon #2. 4:48:46. Had an absolute blast running today with everyone. First 1/2 marathon just cruised by. I enjoyed every step. Eased through the halfway mark in 2:30, then picked it up and set my sights on 2nd. Eric and I had been going back and forth yesterday and today. He was 3 laps up on me at one point today, but I started clawing them back, and just kept the pace honest and even. He took a bathroom break and I surged for a lap. Such is one of the nuances of track racing. When all was said and done I ended up putting 4 laps on him. Not bad. 2 down, only 816 more indoor laps to go! (4 marathons).

Day #420: 27 miles total. Maple Leaf Six-Pack Marathon #3. Hung with Eric most of the day. As he aptly stated we were each other's carrot. Ran a 4:32:01. I really am loving the 7 of us that are doing the 6-pack. It's nice to get to know each and every one of them! They inspire me to do even greater things! Easier run tomorrow. Ran 2:18 at the half, 2;14 second half!

No blisters, no blisters, please!
Phew! Just a little tenderness, so
What's the big deal any way?

Day #421: 27 miles total. Maple Leaf Six-Pack Marathon #4. Was sore when I woke up. Today was going to be easy. Plan was to run comfortably and bank some time, knowing that it was going to be difficult in the second half. Hit halfway in 2:20 and had to stop and walk a couple laps because my right ankle and shin were tightening up something fierce. Hung on for second half in 2:24, for a 4:44:12 finishing time! 4 sub-5 marathons. Only 2 more to go! Too bad it wasn't a 4-pack like Guinness, eh? John cruised to 4:05ish, Eric 4:28, Rob was 3:26 or something crazy fast. Marit was one lap ahead of me and Kelsey was one behind me. Jamie only a few back too. Everyone looked fantastic today!

Day #422: 27 miles total: Maple Leaf Six-Pack Marathon #5. Bib didn't work right, but we got it sorted out ok. 4:18:03 final time, good for 11th place. Missed top 10 by about 1 minute. Swollen right ankle - arch and tendon, but changed shoes and ran in Altra Lone Peaks. Was like night and day with the Merrell Road Gloves. Felt like I was running on clouds. Was hot today, but Had a blast running with Marit and Eric for most of the race. They keep me motivated and chugging along. Jake took home first in 2:53, and Laura was 3:13ish. Such a great group of 6-packers. Everyone looked great. I will be sad tomorrow when it comes to an end and we have to go our separate ways. This has been a transformative experience.

Day #423: 27 miles total: Maple Leaf Six-Pack Marathon #6. Go big or go home. Went out a little fast, 2;04, finished back half in 2:07. Hurting big time. Right ankle was swollen. Apparently finished last lap in :45. Jake was only one with a faster lap for the week, running one in :43. 12th place overall, in 4:11:38 (9:34/mile!). My fastest marathon of the six-pack. Couldn't have done it without all the support of my friends and family. Then drove 12 hours straight home. Got home at 11pm. Hurt good. Maybe I'm getting in shape now?

Day #424: 1.10 miles @ 5.5 mph pace (11:00). Hurting pretty bad at work on fumes. Slept about 6 hours and then up and at them. Got home late (2 hour after school program), but still got 30 min ab workout in with Emma and then hobbled 1.10 miles in about 12 mins. Ice bath with fresh snow from the deck afterwards. It's amazing how quickly one can be humbled. Bodies are amazing, resilient things. It's mind boggling to think that in the past week, I have driven 2000 miles and run nearly 160. Phew. Feeling lean, mean and ready for the next challenge. I got this.

Day #425: 1.11 miles @ 5.5 mph pace (11:00). RIght foot still pudgy and swollen. Hurt to walk around today. Need to take it easy a few days. Ice, rest, elevation and compression socks are in order.

If pudgy feet were sexy,
Then baby I'd be mother-fuckin'
Miss America beeotch!

Day #426: 1.12 miles @ 5.7 mph pace. Right foot tendinitis and swelling still there, compression socks might be helping somewhat. Hoping pain will subside soon. Onwards and upwards. At least I didn't sneeze while running.. oh wait.

Into the fires we go,
Testing limits and setting new sights
On goals unrealized. Go now!

Day #427: 1.25 miles @ 5.7 mph pace. Foot still hurts, but some swelling has reduced in the past day - still wearing compression socks. Had a few close calls in "Bat and Moth" game with the kids in 100 Mile Club after school. Talk about sense heightening! Hopefully I'm on the mend. Come on cankle and shin! Heal!!

Sleepy jogs in the nighttime. 
Light feet, treading carefully to skip
any further cankleness.

Day #428: 1.33 miles at 10:00/mile pace. Just steady as she goes. Pain isn't better or worse. Thinking about stopping NSAIDs though after talking with Momma Grifff. Don't want to hurt stomach or liver. Recovery is slow going, but focusing on healthy eating and abwork during the down time.

A sixth grader once told me
you only realize what the world
wants you to see - must push on!

Day #429: 1.34 miles at 10:00/ mile pace. Pain was neither better or worse. Did 30 mins of ab workout with Emma before hand. 3 x 10 min videos. I sweat more doing those than running the recovery run today. Weighed in at 209.5 # today . Lowest I have been in more than 2.5 years! Holler!

The benefit of fat feet
is that there's more of them to rub down
when you get a pedicure!

Day #430: 1.14 miles in 12:00 nice and easy. wearing shoes really loosely. Either a stress fracture or a choked tendon - both would fit - I kind of think choked tendon (or hope) since it lines up with where the laces crossed.

Steady as she goes, it's the
quality not quantity. This too
shall pass; Work hard. Be patient.

Day #431: 1.5 miles slow 12:00 pace. Foot did not hurt much today. I took laces down two rungs. Doctor appointment on Friday. Will continue to monitor my diet and do ab work until then. Good news if it is a stress fracture, by Friday it will be near 2 weeks of minimal activity. Use this just as "recovery" time!

If students would just be honest
And show passion to the desire
to learn - there'd be hope for sure.

Day #433: 1.25 miles at 10:15/ mile pace. Felt relaxed. Focused on trying to keep right foot and shin loose. Right shin and anterior tibialis are very tight though. Docs on Friday. Weighed in at 206# today. Holler!

Popcorn is a lot like school.
Tons of potential and unrealized
kernels. How to inspire?

Day #434: 3 miles in Hokas on Ice paths at the Glen. Kiddos tried to xc ski and I kept having to turn around to get them. They all made it safely around though. Ran in jacket, cargo shorts, and one compression sock and one wool sock. Norway hat to round it all out. Norway "thug". Ha. Foam roller arrived in mail and did more of that today. Foot still has some tightness but hoping pain will start to go away soon.

Runnin' for the goal mister,
Don't take no shortcuts, lest they see you.
Duck, sprint. First to the bus man!

Day #435: 3.11 miles in 31:00. Went to doc's today. Swelling down significantly, some pain in tendons though. He was unsure if it was tendinitis or a stress fracture. Sent me for xrays - will hear back something on Monday. In mean time he said keep icing when necessary, orthotics are good to keep in for not - no minimalist shoes and he asked "what OTHER exercises do you do?" Does ShakeO count as an exercise?

The only scary things are
the ones we give the time to scare us.
So think not, fear not... do now!

Day #436: 4.1 miles in 37:43. Spent the day supervising 15 kiddos as they went xc skiing, many for the first time. With instability of the ankle though, and probable wipe outs, I decided against the skiing aspect. At least until doc gets back to me. Late night jog. Lost track of time reading "Divergent". Read the first 70 pages. Really enjoying it. Hope to read a couple hours tomorrow and continue. Wearing compression sleeve again and Advil to be proactive.

Sun rays reflect happiness,
Radiant smiles abound so much
Plans for next year are made now!

Day #437: 6.35 miles total. 5.1 miles in 47:00 earlier in the day and another 1.25 before watching COSMOS. Earned myself my first beer in a long time. Tried Honeycrisp Apple Wheat from Shocktop. Yum! No fast miles for a while. Steady as she goes. No increase in pain is good. Lots of stretching. Will foam roll every other day.

Limitless potential, kid.
So long as you take it slow, got it?
Don't rush the magic. Just wait.

Day #438: 5 miles in 45:45, 9:09 pace. Included 5 x 3 mins @ 6% grade and 3 mins "off". Doc called and says I just need to monitor pain. No stress fracture appeared on the X-Rays. Yay! Arch still painful and probably a good idea to stay in regular shoes, not minimalist for a while with orthotics. Other than that, onwards and upwards cowboy!

Into the beast's lair we run
to set our eyes upon the prize there.
Immortality bitches!

Day #439: 5 miles in 43:30. Last 2 miles were 8:35 pace. Strongest I've felt in a long time. Only minor twinges of pain that lasted momentarily. Lesson I learned today: Whilst farting on a treadmill, increasing speed will not allow you to run from the gas.. it will only make you inhale said stank cloud at a faster rate. Planning on wearing orthotics through rest of month and any long runs I suspect in the near future.

Toot toot! Time to sprint ahead!
Oh crap! I'm stuck in one place.. shit shit!!
Fire ze missiles, beeotch!

Day #440: 4 miles after going out with Emma and Jess (MoonMoon) for Sushi. I didn't believe the time. 31:27. 7:52 per mile baby! Ran in Merrells for first time since 6-pack. Felt all but perfect. 90-95% better. The streak lives! What a glorious end to an otherwise shitty day. I need a day off.

Wasabi up the nose hurts,
Especially when trying to drink
down a Guinness. Fuckin' A!

Day #441: 5.78 miles, 50:01 - last mile at 8:00 pace. 8:39 pace for throughout. Basically 0 pain. Getting stronger. Keep strong on the diet. Got to get under 200 soon! No mas Clydesdale!

Running is just natural.
Just taking one foot in front of the
other. No excuses kids!

Day #442: 1 mile after 16 hours at school. Stayed and set up dance and worked dance, cleaned up and then brought two runners home. We made 317 dollars for the xc fund. 8:30 pace. Didn't even get home until almost 11.

Sometimes there is nothing but
one option - push on and capture the
essence of wild freedom.

Day #443: 3.11 miles in 24:36. Full day of fun. 30 min ab workout with Emma, then drove to Northampton, put up flyers for Sweltering Summer 8 Hour Ultra Race, then lunch at Noodles. Finally came home and then did 3.11 mile run before reading date, reading "Divergent".

Time to make the skinny belt
One notch smaller. Work hard, run harder.
Victory is at the door.

Day #444: 10.26 miles in 1:30:39; Longest run since 6-pack. Minimal pain under my arch. 8:50 pace overall. Did 9:15 pace for the first 50 minutes. Gradually sped up from there until last mile was under 8 mins (just barely). Come back soon?

Weaknesses are our best strengths.
Seize the opportunity. Ask more
of yourself. What WILL you do?

Day #445: 7.1 miles total. First 2 easy, then 5.1 miles in 42:07 (8:15 pace). Getting less fat is getting more fast! ;p. Feeling good. Read some more of "Divergent" tonight. Still got about 190 pages to go before Friday. Will I make it?

My wife tells me that my sweat
is what keeps my skin oh so supple. 
Good thing I got a beard, eh?

Day #446: 7 miles total. 8 x 800s. Goal @ 3:45 with 400m "off". Actual splits: 3:42, 3:45, 3:43, 3:44, 3:41, 3:41, 3:39, 3:36. Hell yeah! That's how you run a workout! 57:41 total. Weighed in at 200#, my lightest since I started working in the stressball hell hole.

Self doubt breeds inner furnace,
combustion engine burning food stores.
Working off the pouch, bitches.

Day #447: 7 miles in 59:06; good for 8:26/ mile. Read up to page 350 in Divergent. It's go time. Getting in shape is hard work. One more day down. School was rough today. I don't know why, but students seem not to appreciate my efforts. Tomorrow's a new day I guess.

Not every day can be
Your best. You have to reconsider...
Reevaluate... push on!

Day #448: 5.1 miles in 40:20. Did a 1-1-2-1-3-1-4-1-5-1 workout on treadmill. All the "ons" were at 7:00 pace. Couldn't go any faster, else the fuse would blow. Needed a tempo run today. Admin stresses me out at work. I care about teaching for the sake of teaching kids to enjoy learning and asking questions, not passing a stupid test. 11 of 14 days, 9 hours of silence and that's just ELA tests. Kids are on day 3 and stressed to high heaven already. And we can't take them out for a run because it might make the slower testers rush. Not a fun place to be in at the moment. Thank god Circ. Logic is next week! Can't wait to get out of here for a weekend!

Day #449: 1 mile easy in 10:00 after going to see "Divergent" with Kara, Emm, and Jess. Then enjoyed an evening playing CAH.

Sometimes training has to wait,
Friends come only once in a lifetime.
Tomorrow I run for me.

Day #450: 7.12 miles in 60:01. Nice solid run before going with Emma to see NPR's The MOTH Hour at The Egg in Albany. Felt relaxed throughout.

Jaundice is quite becoming
in the paleness of waning winter's
grasp. Why don't everyone run?

Day #451: A couple hours behind schedule but I sucked it up. 14 mile progression run on the treadmill. 2 mile warm up in 18:03 (9:02 pace), 5 miles in 42:29 (8:30 pace), 1 mile easy in 9:09, 4 miles in 31:39 (7:55 pace), 2 mile cool down in 16:20 (8:10 pace). 1:57:42 total. Hell yeah!

Sweat is just you making room
in your pants for extra dessert rations.
Less means more fun, more food, more friends!

Day #452: 3.33 miles in 30:00. Easy recovery run from yesterday's long progression run. Marathon this weekend. Always get excited for that. Keep on keeping on with the diet and such. Feeling good!

Sometimes I think I'm a barefoot
runner - then I get punched straight to the
face and look at my worn heels.

“If we are facing the right direction, all we have to do is keep walking.” 
Chinese Proverb

Day #453: 5.5 miles total. Short run. Think problem is calf tightness putting too much stress on Achilles. 46:05. 5.55 mi. 800s were 3:45, 3:46, 3:44, 3:44, 3:44, 3:40.

stretched my calf muscles and going to do foam roller before bed. 4 days until marathon #34. Holler son!

Coffee soaked carpet,
World map ripped to hell man.
6th grade be rough son!

Day #454: 5 miles in 44:20 (8:52 pace). Stretched calf muscles and achilles hurt less. Need to do some foam rolling before next marathon this weekend.

There is no "I can't"
Just "I won't" or ... excuses.
Seize each run like GOLD!

Day #455 : 3 miles easy 9:15 pace

Day #456 : 1.10 miles after 12 hours of driving in 10:00 behind the hotel in the yard. Back and forth and back and forth. Phew!

Marathon #34 - Race Report coming soon. So I started easy and ran 11 in the first 2 hours before normal start (Harry and I started at the 7am start). We were a bit tired since we drove 12 hours out there the day before. Harry hung tough despite never having run more than 9 miles total and that being his last run (in January!!).. he seriously didn't run for two months before this. At about mile 15 I decided I was feeling good, and the foot was not hurting all that much. Then I took off. 8:39 mi 15, 7:37 mi 16, 8:07 mi 19, mile 20 7:38, mile 21, 7:43, 8:09 mile 23, 7:52 mile 25, 7:35 mile 26. Never run that fast in a marahton, even if the final time was a little slower than expected. I had fun which is what counts! 4:34 final time.

Day #458 : 3.11 miles in 26:50; Apparently I ran a marathon Saturday. And then drove 800 miles home. Yeah Kind of a big deal. Didn't hurt all that much today. Maybe that means I am recovering?

"If you fart in an elevator, blame it on someone else." - Me.
 

Day #459 : 4.5 miles, last 2.5 in 21:52

Recovering from the marathon - feeling pretty good. Did a couple miles in cemetery with the 100 mile kids, and then another run when I got home.
 

Day #460: 6 miles in 52:26; legs feel great. Just a little dead in last 2 miles when I kicked up from 6.7mph to 7.0 mph.

Terror brings a pain
bubbling from depths within me.
Oh wait. Just heartburn!

“I run because if I didn’t, I’d be sluggish and glum and spend too much time on the couch. I run to breathe the fresh air. I run to explore. I run to escape the ordinary. I run…to savor the trip along the way. Life becomes a little more vibrant, a little more intense. I like that.” 
― Dean Karnazes, Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner

Day #461: 5 miles in 44:20; 8:52/mile. Sweatfest on the treadmill after a long day at work and great talk with Shaun E. on the phone. Then out to dinner for 1/2 priced sushi!

Relentless progress
spurs greater progress than a 
confused inner self.

“Running is about finding your inner peace, and so is a life well lived.” 
― Dean Karnazes

Day #462: 10.11 miles. First 2 at 9:15/mile, Next 2 at 8:35 pace, Next 3.11 @ 8:00 flat. Last 3 miles at 8:40 pace. Run the weakness out. It is the only option.

I wonder sometimes
If I wore minimalist
in the womb.. you think?