I only run on days that end in a "y."

Ran the trail and soft trail loop near the office.  Parks and Rec has been putting new wood chips/mulch down on the wooded portion of the trail.  There are some spots that are 2-3 inches deep.  Nice and soft but takes quite a bit off of pace.  I don't mind if I am running recovery though, in fact, I welcome it.  7 miles recover - just what the legs needed.  Tomorrow were are doing 400's, hope my legs are up to it.

I have to share this report from a friend who just ran Boston in 3:01 - a 9 minute PR.  It's a hoot, and his training was unconventional.  I remember when I told him that Salazar is the one who said "the only difference between 10k training and marathon training is the addition of a long run." At the time he was only focusing on 5-10k training and told me he was going to run Boston.  He just added a couple longer runs and did just one 20 mile run, but did a lot of tempo and interval work.

I this whole running/training thing is absolutely fascinating.   Goes to show that there are many ways to skin a cat.

Obviously, one needs to live in Austin and train with us to understand everything in his story, but the crux of the story is there:

 Here it goes:

....3:01:25. A 9 min PR and 13 min faster than Boston 2010. I'll take it! (!!!)

Training? Well, I have been training heavily since December, just not marathon training. Then around maybe end of Feb. some friends ganged up on me and said I HAD to run Boston or else. Ok, not really. "It'll be fun!" they said. "Party all weekend!" "You don't even need to train for it." Ok, ok! Game on!

But I was tired of getting injured training for Boston (2/2 up 'till that point). The grind and time demands of full-on marathon training seemed to be the culprit, combined with my bodily quirks or size or whatever, and since going part-time to get in all the cross-training required to stay whole wasn't really an option, a little switch-up seemed in order.

So only half-joking, and with the deepest apologies to G, I present to you...

A Fool's Guide to Training for Boston

1. Register for Boston, but change your mind and decide not to run it. Train for 3M and 5k's instead!
2. * Meet with Gilbert, get advice on how to get faster (on halves) and reduce injuries. (Tempo, strides, build foot strength, gym, ...)
3. Crazy 400's & 800's with Richard & Karen, until brainwashed into thinking they're actually fun recreational activities.
4. Core punishment by Carrie & Richard. Gym. Spin 'till dizzy. Rinse, repeat.
5. Show up for Boston pace runs, but make them tempos!
6. Run, don't walk, AWAY from any and all Lollipops (except the strawberry and grape varieties).
7. Do not exceed 40 miles/week. If violated, report to Pieter for remedial P.T./punishment.
8. Meriden @ 5k pace 'cause Coach says it'll make you grow up big and strong.
9. Zilker miles with Lee and Lisa. Pretend that your head isn't about to explode keeping up with them, then skip out after #3.
10. Tempo when bored, tempo for fun, tempo just to get that crazy seeing-exploding-stars kinda loving feeling.
11. Foolishly run one 20 miler - with Farshid, into a headwind (both ways), over every dang hill in town. Invade Albert & Karen's spotless remodeled house w/ muddy shoes just to get a break. Wrap up with cold rain.
12. Train with two uber-fast Scenic-loving pregnant gals.
13. Cookies. Lots and lots of hot, chewy, gooey cookies.....