Boston Push

Just a run, with a mile of marathon pace thrown in for good measure. I like to run at a higher pace each run, if perhaps just to prove to myself and my obstinate body that I can do it. So I ran 6 miles today, about a 7:45 pace, with one thrown in at 7:15.

I felt tired today and started wondering how a 7:15 will be possible. But I reassured myself I still have over 18 weeks left and miles and miles of speed work before the marathon. This week is the start of about a three week period of crap with school, so it is going to be a challenge to keep up the mileage and to keep up with school. The good new is that in 3 weeks, I will be finished with the classwork portion of pharmacy school. Only one year of rotations, and then I will be a pharmacist - for better or worse. 

I grudgingly did 6 miles today. I had an exam this morning and was up late studying, so I really didn't want to do anything but lie around. I dragged myself off the couch and went out, and of course, once I was about a mile into the run I felt good.

 Went 6 miles at about a 7:30-7:40 pace. I am uncertain because my shoe pod is giving different readings than it did previously. I recently switched shoes, so that might be why. I need to recalibrate it to get accurate readings. Anyway, I am getting close to my marathon plan. I am excited about starting a regimented plan to have structure to my training.
 

Oh, it was another tough day for running. I was suffering from post traumatic red wine disorder. We had a little celebration for a friend last night, and while I know it is really bad for the training, I partook in some of the celebration and woke up feeling awful. However, one must suck it up and take their medicine, so I got out and went running today.

I only did 4 miles, but they were physically and mentally therapeutic. First mile was at 8:00, just crusin' and taking it easy. Next mile was 7:52, followed by 7:40, and finishing at 7:06. I felt good at the end and for the rest of the evening.

When I start my training program, I am going to couple it with changes in diet as well for optimal results. This will mean minimal alcohol intake (I say minimal because I still need that occasional beer, I mean I live in Oregon the home of microbrews and coffee), cutting out virtually all soda (I really love my diet pepsi), and cutting out other junk food (candy, chips, etc.). I want to make sure that I have done everything I can to get that BQ time. 

Well, I think I will go out for a little run before my long run tomorrow. Hmm...what would be a good run? I know, seeing that I have to go into Portland for school, I will just pack my running stuff and head over to Forest Park. Back when I used to live on the West side of Portland, I used to hit these trails, but the western trails. Never go to the East side much, but how different can it be? Well, the Eastern side of Forest Park is pretty much going up and down canyons. So, my anticipated 10 mile jaunt turned into an 8 mile gruel-fest where I managed to cover about 1300' in climbing in about 4-5 miles. That is why I cut my anticipated easy 10 mile run down to an 8 mile hill run.

The run was fun though. The trail winds through Forest Park, which is the largest urban forested park in the US. The trail is all single track and goes up an down through the Tualatin Mountains on the west side of the Willamette River. I averaged about 9:00 miles for the whole run. It was a good time, but it was a little bit more than I had anticipated. Oh well. Who can complain when you have great scenery, beautiful weather, and a good run? 

Today was my long run. I think trail runs are much more interesting and fun, so I took off on Phil's Trail, west of Bend. This trail is primarily used by mountain bikers, and that is all I saw on the trail. Funny enough, throughout my run, I kept catching up with a group of about 7 mountain bikers as they rested at each trail junction. The third time they saw this runner coming down the trail to them, they commented they were going to have to really start putting the hammer down. To their defense, this part of the trail was the uphill portion, so it was easier for me to keep up with them. The last stretch of trail I shared with the mountain bikers was on a steep switchback section, where I actually caught the last of their group and passed her on the uphill. However my glory was short lived as this was the top the ascent, and once it hit the downhill, they were nothing more than spots on the horizon that disappeared never to be seen again.

The trail was a nice one that twisted through a forest of what I think was Ponderosa Pine. The first seven miles was all uphill. I started around 4000' and ascended to about 5100'. the last seven miles was downhill to flat back to the start, but as they say, the downhill can never make up for the uphill. I averaged about 8:40 miles overall. This was supposed to be an easy run, but I found myself pushing a little harder than I should on some of the uphills. Oh, well. Sunday will be an easy day of biking with the fiancee, so I should be fine. The marathon training starts on Monday, however, Monday is a scheduled off day, so I guess it really starts Tuesday.