The Next Step

I had another busy day scheduled with the family and I had to run early but the weather didn't cooperate. I was rainy with snow mixed in and 33 degrees. I didn't want to be soaking wet in the cold for over 2 hours so went to the treadmill. If I didn't have the marathon in two weeks I probably would have went outside but didn't want to chance anything. So turned out to be a long boring run on the treadmill. It didn't seem as bad this time. I did some hills along the way and picked the pace up as I went along. I really wanted to run 20 but didn't have time before the days activities. I am learning that Dec is not the best time to run a marathon. There are just a bunch of conflicts this time of the year and don't won't my family to suffer because of my running. So the training is pretty much done just switch into taper mode now. I will do some more MP runs this week but will start to cut back on the miles. I don't feel like I did the best on my long runs leading up to this marathon but hopefully it won't hurt me too much. After running the 17 miles I had to jump off the treadmill take a quick shower then went Christmas shopping with the family for 4 hours and came home and finished decorating for Christmas. Maybe that will count for a little extra workout :).

I finished the month with 292 miles which is my highest mileage month ever.

2:11:55 (7:46 avg)

Just ran an easy 5 mile recovery run before leaving on a trip to Washington, DC.  Felt good and ran real easy.  Nothing special.  I have a lot of meetings etc this week but with the cut back for the taper should be able to stay on schedule.  I am anxious about getting the long range forecast for the marathon.  Hopefully it will be favorable.

40:45

Washington, DC.  It was cool this morning (34) but not windy so felt pretty good.  My legs were kind of heavy today and I didn't feel very fresh.  I just took it easy but I did 4 x hill sprints toward the end.  I did feel a little better toward the end of the run.  I am going to try to get a MP run in tomorrow if schedule allows.

56:05

Springfield, VA.  Today I did a MP run just based on feel.  I didn't know mile markers so didn't have a way to know my pace just tried to run something that felt comfortably hard.  I started out easy and then started picking up the pace.  I felt good throughout the run and probably ran faster than MP for about 3 of the miles toward the end.  As I was running through a neighborhood I saw a deer with a baby deer.  They were just walking through someones lawn.  They didn't get spooked as I ran by.  I was probably only about 20 feet from them.  Pretty weird for surburbs of DC.  I probably need to take it easy the next few days as I taper for the marathon.  Tomorrow I will be able to get the 10 day forecast so I am anxious to see that.  A few days before doesn't look too good.

 1:16:04 (7:04 avg)

Springfield, VA.  It was nice this morning (42) with some light wind.  I just ran an easy 6 miles. My legs were a little tired from yesterday's MP run but otherwise felt pretty good.  Heading back home tonight and taking the day off tomorrow so really looking forward to having some time with the family.  I was able to get the advance weather forecast for the Huntsville marathon.  Right now doesn't look the best.  Showers with a low of 36 and high of 50.  Hopefully, it will get better as it gets closer to the race.  Also, going to be pretty cold the next couple of days at home but I guess what else can you expect this time of year.

48:34 (8:05 avg)

Back home today and it was 12 degrees with wind chill of 0 so I wimped out and ran on the treadmill. I ran easy for a while but then picked it to MP mostly because I was bored and needed to get finished to make a meeting. I felt good but legs still felt a little tired. Might be part of adjusting to the taper. I am planning on 13 miles tomorrow and may end up on the treadmill again. We are expecting a low of 15 with 20 to 30 mph winds. Doesn't sound like fun to me. I took the day off from work today and went Christmas shopping with my wife. We had a good time just being out together.

46:58

Not the best day for a run. It was 25, snowing and a 20 mph wind. Actually it wasn't too bad unless you were running into the wind. Luckily on my route I only had to run into the wind for about 5 miles. My legs still don't feel like they have much energy in them. It's not that I feel bad I guess I am just thinking I should feel more energized/fresh than I do. I am not running tomorrow so maybe that plus the easy week next week heading into the marathon will hopefully do the trick. I am one week out and now the weather for the marathon is looking pretty good with a low of 36 and high of 50. Hope it stays like this. I am pretty much done with the training now so I guess it is just time to see what happens.

1:43:04 (7:56 avg)