Back in the saddle?

I scanned your September and read every October posting so that I could perhaps make a reasonable response to your question. I do not think you should feel concerned about two days in a row of runs where you weren't "feeling it." You tend to have good days and icky days, so two icky in a row isn't a concern. You haven't written that you feel fatigued during the day or that your body feels banged up, and your mileage increases have been reasonable so I wouldn't decrease your miles. You might want to plateau your miles next week then go ahead and increase again the following week. When I increased my miles this summer, I felt pretty icky for a couple of weeks, but then started to feel better and my pace naturally dropped.

So what is the marathon you are targeting and when is it? I wasn't able to figure that out.

MichelleL, thanks for your input. I couldn't find your blog from the list, only by clicking on your name. I think I will plateau this week. I'd been considering a half marathon this weekend, but I think I'll pass.

I'm training for the Rock n Roll Marathon on January 13 in Phoenix. My best friend is flying down, and we're running it together, so my only goal is to run with her (she wants to break 4:00) and have fun. I'll shoot for my Boston goal on the next one!

Congrats on your weight loss! I gained 10 pounds last year, after losing 15+ and keeping it off for 3+ years. Even with my mileage increase, it still won't budge! I'm 5'8" and currently 145 pounds (I'm posting this so I'll be more accountable!), and would love to get back down to 135. Performance-wise, I think I should weigh around 125, but I'd be happy with the low 130s. My smaller-sized clothes are gathering dust in the closet! I'm hoping that 40+ miles per week will do the trick!

Increase mileage will do it. If your weight plateaus at 30 miles a week, 40 miles a week should help. I personally find that I need to be about 50 miles for the weight to drop well, but it depends on how your own metabolism works and how much you eat (I like to eat, eat frequently and in large quantities). There's always the ideal running weight, and then a realistic long-term weight, and they generally aren't the same thing. I am sure you look great at 145 with your height. As you train for a marathon, it feels good to try to chase that ideal running weight, though.

So what type of law do you practice?

Shauna - like Michelle said, I think you just need to bite the bullet and get used to running 30+ miles a week. It may take as long as three months to get used to it. Also, I would not be too quick to judge your run by how you felt at a slow pace. I have many days when I am not feeling that great running 7:30 -8:00 pace in the warm up, I may even struggle a bit in the early portions of the tempo run, but then once I get going I am holding 5:30 pace and feeling strong.

One thing that happens when you do high mileage is that your body knows it will go further, and it is not as quick to respond. It can go much faster, but it will need a higher level of exertion. So what happens is you think you are working pretty hard, but then you give it a push and all of a sudden you are moving 30 seconds a mile faster, and it all feels the same.

Thanks, Sasha. I think I might try to consciously pick it up tonight and see how my body responds. I feel pretty good today. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens after several more weeks of 30+, and hopefully 40+, miles per week.

Michelle, I practice mostly insurance defense law, with some other defense work thrown in (some product liability, commercial litigation, etc.). It's 90% litigation, which I love! And, regarding food, I also love to eat a lot and often! But the increased mileage is paying off-I lost a pound!