Jessica and I traded the lead several times on our 20 mile long run yesterday. We ran somewhere between 810 and 820 pace through about 17.5 miles and then I began to fade. Jessica finished up at 821 pace and I finished up at 828 pace. Although it was only on par with my fastest 20 miler to date, I'm pleased with the effort. Trying to hold the pace on cheap fuel was good for me.
We're now only three weeks out from the marathon, and I think I'm going to keep the volume up this week--except that I won't do a 20 miler on Sunday (maybe 16 or 17 instead of 22 that I had planned)--and then taper. I find that the long runs keep me fresh (ironically) and strong, so I'll continue to do them.
Weather-wise, it's going to be tough to get in a lot of running this week. I'll be on the treadmill for an hour flat tonight, but who knows what tomorrow will bring. They're calling for several inches of snow beginning tomorrow morning, followed by several inches of ice and then several more inches of snow. And then they're talking about another big storm for Saturday. Jessica and I are thinking Central Park long run for Sunday.
1.31.2011
1.29.2011
Ryan Hall puts down God as Coach
Ryan Hall returned to old form today with a second place finish (62:20) at the USA Half Marathon Championships. In a post-race interview, he told reporters that, when checking in for the race, he put down God as his coach. This was in response to a question regarding the differences between being coached and self-coaching.
1.27.2011
Snow
It was flurrying when we went to bed last night, and when we woke up at 6/am to run this morning, there were 15" of snow on the ground! We were snowed in! After we SHOVELED the snow off of Jessica's car, Jess did about 4 miles. I postponed my run until 10:30, as there was a delayed office opening. I drove some screws into my shoes and then hit the road for about 11.5 miles at a decent clip. I decided to come back via the BT Trail. Bad idea. Only a few people had walked the trail since the snow had fallen, so it wasn't packed down as usual. If you want a good workout, try running through knee-deep snow. Some way to finish up a medium long-run. After the run, I went to work only to find out that the office was CLOSED! I forgot to re-check my voicemail for any changes to the schedule. Now I'm home, and I'm bored.
1.23.2011
Got up early, made banana/oatmeal pancakes, ate, and caught a few more Zs until about 11ish. Didn't start running until about noonish. Couldn't find a rhythm until about mile 9 when my hands were at their coldest and I had to ditch my water bottle. Just remembering that I still need to retrieve it. Damn it. Ran low 8s for the rest of the run. 18ish miles in 2:37. Pretty happy with that given the rough, post-illness week. Felt like shit yesterday out on the BT Trail. Not even sure those 3 miles were worth it. But I kind of loved every minute of them. 58 miles for the week. Next week, I'll do my normal weekly runs, with a hard (I hope) 10-miler on Thursday. 20 on Sunday. Would like to hit 60 again. The following week, I'll peak (65ish miles?) and then taper. I think a two week taper'll do it. The goal this time is to take it easy. Had a hard time holding back last taper and paid dearly on marathon day.
An aside: I put an ad on craigslist for two free beds. Got about a dozen calls. Maybe more. Told one woman that the beds were her's if she could meet me at 5/pm to pick them up. She couldn't guarantee transportation by then so I promised the beds to someone else. The woman wound up showing up. So did the someone else. Needless to say, the someone else wasn't too happy. He wrote me a nasty email, telling me how bad of a person I am for causing him to bundle up his kid, who was so excited to get a new bed, and drive all the way to New Haven to find out that the beds were already on their way out. Am I an asshole?
An aside: I put an ad on craigslist for two free beds. Got about a dozen calls. Maybe more. Told one woman that the beds were her's if she could meet me at 5/pm to pick them up. She couldn't guarantee transportation by then so I promised the beds to someone else. The woman wound up showing up. So did the someone else. Needless to say, the someone else wasn't too happy. He wrote me a nasty email, telling me how bad of a person I am for causing him to bundle up his kid, who was so excited to get a new bed, and drive all the way to New Haven to find out that the beds were already on their way out. Am I an asshole?
1.21.2011
Tonight's workout
My alarm was set for 6:40/am this morning. I didn't hear it until 6:47/am, at which point I snoozed it, checked the weather, and decided to put my head back down on the pillow. The plan was to run this morning, but I'm growing tired of running in the snow/ice and cold, so now the plan is to run on the treadmill this evening for an easy hour. Afterward, I plan to put in some time strength training. Perhaps I'll even throw in some drills. I've got all night, as Jessica is away in Vermont at a conference.
I'm now hearing from a colleague that a blizzard is being forecasted for early/mid next week. This has the potential to completely screw up my training. I'm not a big fan of running long on the treadmill. Nine the other night was rough. If I'm forced to do that a couple times next week, I'll go crazy. It'd be a different story if my longer, harder runs were leisure runs and I had all day to do them, but they're not and I don't. They need to be good efforts and I have only so much time in the morning to get them done. I like the idea of putting screws in shoes for traction, but I haven't gotten around to that yet. I don't see this working very well in deep snow but maybe on packed snow and ice.
I'm now in the market for new shoes. I think that my feet are tired of the Lunar Trainers. I've got about 800 miles on my second to last pair and have been slowly transitioning to my last pair. I forgot how long it takes to break them in. I look forward to the release of the NB Minimus. In the meantime, I think that I'll ride out the last of the Lunar Trainers.
Finally, to give you an idea of where I've been, where I am, and where I'm going, I share with you my weekly mileage for the past eleven weeks in training for Austin. I note that I've logged 567.2 miles in the those eleven weeks, or 51.56 miles/week. These numbers are slightly skewed due to my missing three days of running last week, but you get the picture--it's the most running I've ever done in my life. I also note a healthy increase in mileage from week to week, with a critical recovery week every fourth week. In terms of structure, this is the way I'd like to train year-round. In terms of mileage, I'd like to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 70 miles/week by the end of the year. When I'm not training for marathons, I'll deemphasize the 20+ milers and LT and VO2 max running that comes at the end of a cycle. I'll spread out the mileage and perhaps do doubles a couple of times per week.
1) 46.9
2) 49.1 (4.69%)
3) 54.4 (10.79%)
4) 46.4 (-14.71%)
5) 53.4 (15.09%)
6) 54.2 (1.50%)
7) 57.6 (6.27%)
8) 49.2 (-14.58%)
9) 58.9 (19.72%)
10) 63.5 (7.81%)
11) 33.6 (-47.09%)
Avg 51.56 (-1.05%)
I'm now hearing from a colleague that a blizzard is being forecasted for early/mid next week. This has the potential to completely screw up my training. I'm not a big fan of running long on the treadmill. Nine the other night was rough. If I'm forced to do that a couple times next week, I'll go crazy. It'd be a different story if my longer, harder runs were leisure runs and I had all day to do them, but they're not and I don't. They need to be good efforts and I have only so much time in the morning to get them done. I like the idea of putting screws in shoes for traction, but I haven't gotten around to that yet. I don't see this working very well in deep snow but maybe on packed snow and ice.
I'm now in the market for new shoes. I think that my feet are tired of the Lunar Trainers. I've got about 800 miles on my second to last pair and have been slowly transitioning to my last pair. I forgot how long it takes to break them in. I look forward to the release of the NB Minimus. In the meantime, I think that I'll ride out the last of the Lunar Trainers.
Finally, to give you an idea of where I've been, where I am, and where I'm going, I share with you my weekly mileage for the past eleven weeks in training for Austin. I note that I've logged 567.2 miles in the those eleven weeks, or 51.56 miles/week. These numbers are slightly skewed due to my missing three days of running last week, but you get the picture--it's the most running I've ever done in my life. I also note a healthy increase in mileage from week to week, with a critical recovery week every fourth week. In terms of structure, this is the way I'd like to train year-round. In terms of mileage, I'd like to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 70 miles/week by the end of the year. When I'm not training for marathons, I'll deemphasize the 20+ milers and LT and VO2 max running that comes at the end of a cycle. I'll spread out the mileage and perhaps do doubles a couple of times per week.
1) 46.9
2) 49.1 (4.69%)
3) 54.4 (10.79%)
4) 46.4 (-14.71%)
5) 53.4 (15.09%)
6) 54.2 (1.50%)
7) 57.6 (6.27%)
8) 49.2 (-14.58%)
9) 58.9 (19.72%)
10) 63.5 (7.81%)
11) 33.6 (-47.09%)
Avg 51.56 (-1.05%)
Austin Marathon Course Elevation Map
Elevation Map
Based on the map, the course looks hilly. The good news, though, is that the big hills are gradual climbs. The biggest hill, between miles 3 and 6, rises 200 feet, which isn't that much over the course of three miles.
Based on the map, the course looks hilly. The good news, though, is that the big hills are gradual climbs. The biggest hill, between miles 3 and 6, rises 200 feet, which isn't that much over the course of three miles.
1.20.2011
30 Days to Marathon...
and I can't make it 6 miles without my knee hurting. So it seems I might need to make a second trip to Texas. I'll keep running but it doesn't look promising. It looks like I can defer my entry until next year for $40 but who knows if I'll be able to go back then, so probably won't do that. Or I can officially switch to the half-marathon, but that costs $10 and no refund for the registration difference so forget that.
The course closes 7 hours after race start so I would need to go at an average pace of 3.75 miles per hour to finish. I might be able to run a few miles and then walk at a 3-4 mph pace and keep my knee issues at bay. That will seem painfully slow, but I might be able to finish the full 26.2 that way.
The course closes 7 hours after race start so I would need to go at an average pace of 3.75 miles per hour to finish. I might be able to run a few miles and then walk at a 3-4 mph pace and keep my knee issues at bay. That will seem painfully slow, but I might be able to finish the full 26.2 that way.
Jessica and I ran 6 miles late last night in Guilford. My legs felt absolutely trashed from the 9 miles on the treadmill the day before. I whined and complained to Jessica the whole time. She sort of made me feel better. Thanks, Jess. I felt out of shape, like I had lost all of the fitness that I had spent the last 11 weeks garnering. It was discouraging, to say the least. This morning was a different story. Jessica and I awoke at 6ish AM for 10 miles at a good pace. I wasn't looking forward to it after last night, but strangely, my legs felt good, so I went with it. I need to get back to the gym this week.
1.19.2011
Goal time for Austin
As a 3:30 would be nice, I still don't think I've got that kind of speed over a marathon. I've focused my training on endurance, so I think that whatever pace I settle into, I'll be able to hold it for the duration. Perhaps I'll even negative split the course.
My goal time is 3:35-3:40, the time I was on pace to run in Hartford in 2007. To this day, I still have no idea how I was on that kind of pace through 20+ miles on 30 miles per week, but I guess that's neither here nor there at the moment. Here are my splits from that marathon:
Interval 10 Mi 1:23:16 1:23:16 8:20
Interval 10 Mi 1:20:32 2:43:48 8:04
Interval 6.2 Mi 1:06:33 3:50:21 10:45
Obviously, what I'd like to change about this is the final 10K. If I recall correctly, I held low 8s (3:35 pace group) through about 22 miles and then hit the wall in the worst way. The last four miles were walking and running (mostly walking) due to severe cramping in my calf muscles and quads.
With a lot of hard endurance training under my belt, I wouldn't be surprised if I crossed the line within my goal time. I did my last 20 miler, which capped off a 63-mile week, on pace to run a 3:40 marathon, so I don't think my goal time is too insane. Do you?
My goal time is 3:35-3:40, the time I was on pace to run in Hartford in 2007. To this day, I still have no idea how I was on that kind of pace through 20+ miles on 30 miles per week, but I guess that's neither here nor there at the moment. Here are my splits from that marathon:
Interval 10 Mi 1:23:16 1:23:16 8:20
Interval 10 Mi 1:20:32 2:43:48 8:04
Interval 6.2 Mi 1:06:33 3:50:21 10:45
Obviously, what I'd like to change about this is the final 10K. If I recall correctly, I held low 8s (3:35 pace group) through about 22 miles and then hit the wall in the worst way. The last four miles were walking and running (mostly walking) due to severe cramping in my calf muscles and quads.
With a lot of hard endurance training under my belt, I wouldn't be surprised if I crossed the line within my goal time. I did my last 20 miler, which capped off a 63-mile week, on pace to run a 3:40 marathon, so I don't think my goal time is too insane. Do you?
After a very brief break from running due to illness, I returned on Sunday, doing only a couple, which turned out to be plenty for that particular outing.
On Monday, I did 6 apprehensive miles on the BT Trail, up Pine Orchard, down Hotchkiss Grove, up Blackstone, and back on the BT Trail. The legs were sill a bit shaky.
Last night, I did 9 miles on the treadmill at NHHR. I did the first 3 at 6.5mph and then finished out the hour at 7mph. I did the last 2.25 miles between 6 and 6.5mph. My average pace was 9:03, but it felt like a much harder effort than that. That's the treadmill for ya. The legs felt stronger but still tight in spots. Afterward, I did some lonely stretching, pushups, core exercises, and A skips.
Jessica and I are going to head out to Guilly tonight and do 6 around town.
On Monday, I did 6 apprehensive miles on the BT Trail, up Pine Orchard, down Hotchkiss Grove, up Blackstone, and back on the BT Trail. The legs were sill a bit shaky.
Last night, I did 9 miles on the treadmill at NHHR. I did the first 3 at 6.5mph and then finished out the hour at 7mph. I did the last 2.25 miles between 6 and 6.5mph. My average pace was 9:03, but it felt like a much harder effort than that. That's the treadmill for ya. The legs felt stronger but still tight in spots. Afterward, I did some lonely stretching, pushups, core exercises, and A skips.
Jessica and I are going to head out to Guilly tonight and do 6 around town.
1.17.2011
I did 2 and change last night at 10 minute pace. Had no energy but felt good to be back out there. It was cold. Today seems to be no better. I plan to do 6 easy miles later today.
I leave you with a few more cool bird photos that I've taken over the past several weeks. Also, I spotted a White-breasted Nuthatch at the feeder this morning. It took a few swipes at it and then flew off before I could grab the camera. First time seeing one of those.
Northern Cardinal couple. The male is the one that flies into the window all day everyday.
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Song Sparrow staring down Carolina Wren
I leave you with a few more cool bird photos that I've taken over the past several weeks. Also, I spotted a White-breasted Nuthatch at the feeder this morning. It took a few swipes at it and then flew off before I could grab the camera. First time seeing one of those.
Northern Cardinal couple. The male is the one that flies into the window all day everyday.
White-throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Song Sparrow staring down Carolina Wren
1.15.2011
1.14.2011
No running today. So the streak comes to an end at 61 days. I'm bummed. There's no way I could have run today, as I'm having GI issues, dehydrated (my weight is way down), and light-headed/dizzy. I'm also having trouble eating and drinking. I might try to run a few tomorrow. I don't think I'll be able to do 22 on Sunday. Maybe I'll do 15; maybe I won't do any. Next week is supposed to be a recovery week, and I plan to treat it that way.
The rest of my schedule looks like this:
12: 6, 9, 6, 10, 6, 3, 15 = 54
13: 6, 9, 6, 10, 6+3, 3, 20 = 63
14: 6, 10, 6, 10, 6+3, 3, 22 = 66
15: 5, 7.5, 5, 9, 5, 3, 15 = 49.5
16: 3, 5, 3, 6, 3, 3, 26.2 = 49.2
I may change up the taper a bit. I've gotta go back and refamiliarize myself with Lydiard's approach to tapering.
The rest of my schedule looks like this:
12: 6, 9, 6, 10, 6, 3, 15 = 54
13: 6, 9, 6, 10, 6+3, 3, 20 = 63
14: 6, 10, 6, 10, 6+3, 3, 22 = 66
15: 5, 7.5, 5, 9, 5, 3, 15 = 49.5
16: 3, 5, 3, 6, 3, 3, 26.2 = 49.2
I may change up the taper a bit. I've gotta go back and refamiliarize myself with Lydiard's approach to tapering.
1.13.2011
1.09.2011
The week that was
I did 63.5 miles this week, including my fastest 20+ mile run ever this morning in 2:50 over some hilly, hilly terrain. Honestly, once you're in decent shape, I can't think of why marathoners would run less than 20 miles (2 1/2 hours+) every weekend (except, of course, on recovery weeks, which I've built in every fourth week). Lydiard trained his athletes like this. He had them doing 22 milers every weekend. They're key.
I broke out my last new pair of Nike Lunar Trainer today. I put about 750 miles on my last pair, and about 850 on the pair before that. I'll probably still log a few miles here and there in the pair I just replaced, but I think it's time to start logging the lion's share of my mileage in the new pair. I need to start thinking about what I'm going to do when this pair shits the bed. I really love the Lunar Trainers, but they are discontinued, and nothing that Nike currently makes is comparable to them. Nike's current Lunar line is a disaster. Perhaps I'll give the NB Minimus a go.
I broke out my last new pair of Nike Lunar Trainer today. I put about 750 miles on my last pair, and about 850 on the pair before that. I'll probably still log a few miles here and there in the pair I just replaced, but I think it's time to start logging the lion's share of my mileage in the new pair. I need to start thinking about what I'm going to do when this pair shits the bed. I really love the Lunar Trainers, but they are discontinued, and nothing that Nike currently makes is comparable to them. Nike's current Lunar line is a disaster. Perhaps I'll give the NB Minimus a go.
Five Fingers Review: Rebirth
I bit the bullet last weekend and spent $100 on Five Fingers KSO's, $85 for the FF and $15 for the fancy toe socks. I've run 4 times in them so far. The first 3 runs were 1-3 miles as I didn't want to aggravate my knee and the calf muscles are going to need some time to adjust. All three of those runs I had a little pain in my knee, especially the first one after doing a few miles last weekend in my old running shoes. Today I did 4.5 miles in the FF and had no pain at all in my knee just a little tight afterwards. I can't believe it. I'm sold on the barefoot hype. I can feel my feet turning over faster and I don't do anymore galloping down hills on my heels.
On the downside, this is definitely an adjustment as my calf muscles have been tight and sore since I started running in them. The bigger problem is that they are not great for winter running. Toes have been very cold 3 out of 4 runs. They ought to make a winter version, mitten style. Reluctantly I'm probably going to buy another pair of minimalist shoes that give a little winter protection. I'm thinking about x-country racing flats, perhaps with spikes, that I can use on the trails and in the snow. Or one of the so called transition shoes. Any recommendations?
On the downside, this is definitely an adjustment as my calf muscles have been tight and sore since I started running in them. The bigger problem is that they are not great for winter running. Toes have been very cold 3 out of 4 runs. They ought to make a winter version, mitten style. Reluctantly I'm probably going to buy another pair of minimalist shoes that give a little winter protection. I'm thinking about x-country racing flats, perhaps with spikes, that I can use on the trails and in the snow. Or one of the so called transition shoes. Any recommendations?
1.08.2011
Uninspired three mile easy run this morning on the snowy trail. Wasn't feeling great as I went to bed too late last night. After midnight is bad news. Got a good, long nap in this afternoon and then took down the Christmas tree. Productive. 20 miles tomorrow will put me well over 60 for the week. The 20 milers become easier as they become a smaller percentage of your weekly mileage.
Snowy, shake-out run
I love to run in the snow, especially when it's still falling, so I couldn't pass up a second run last night (albeit short). Jessica and I ran out on the Branford Trolley Trail. There was about 4 inches of fresh powder on it. We ran out to the train tracks and back--about 2.5 miles.
Dinner. Stuffed butternut squash with steamed kale. Jess did a nice job with the stuffing.
Me, pre-run.
Jess, pre-run.
Thought I'd share these photos that I took this morning:
American Goldfinch
Downy Woodpecker
I need help ID'ing this bird. I think it's a White-throated Sparrow (juvenile? first winter?). The streaks are throwing me off.
Dinner. Stuffed butternut squash with steamed kale. Jess did a nice job with the stuffing.
Me, pre-run.
Jess, pre-run.
Thought I'd share these photos that I took this morning:
American Goldfinch
Downy Woodpecker
I need help ID'ing this bird. I think it's a White-throated Sparrow (juvenile? first winter?). The streaks are throwing me off.
1.07.2011
Lovely, easy six mile run this morning before work. Kind of bummed about the lack of snow, though. The whole neighborhood was out running this morning. Saw six other runners. A couple and a group of three ladies. I've been considering running up to Young Park to do some barefootin'. It's nice and flat. Jess is out doing 18 as I write this.
1.06.2011
Jeff Galloway
Just learned that Galloway didn't become a 2:16 marathoner until he built his mileage up to 140 miles/week, including a 30-mile long run. He said that without the high mileage and long, long run, he was a very average runner and hit the wall in marathons. Volume seems to be the key for most, unless you're gifted. Apparently, the winner of last year's NYC Marathon ran only 60 miles/week, including a 13-mile long run.
Even though I've just begun running 50+ miles/week (approaching 60), I don't think even 6 months of this kind of mileage will get me to Boston. I think I need more...perhaps 70 for several weeks. I feel as if my training is beginning to stagnate. I felt as if I was improving every week earlier in this training, but now the improvements are meager, granted the higher mileage. Perhaps my body still hasn't absorbed the harder training.
Even though I've just begun running 50+ miles/week (approaching 60), I don't think even 6 months of this kind of mileage will get me to Boston. I think I need more...perhaps 70 for several weeks. I feel as if my training is beginning to stagnate. I felt as if I was improving every week earlier in this training, but now the improvements are meager, granted the higher mileage. Perhaps my body still hasn't absorbed the harder training.
It was in the teens when I stepped outside to do 10.6 miles this morning. Brrr. I ran at a steady 7:52/mile. It felt good. Even on the hills. Was happy to have a decent effort. I feel as if I'm forsaking strength training for the couch lately. Need to get back on the ball. It feels tough, though, when doing a lot miles. Doing an easy 6 tomorrow and 3 on Saturday. 20 on Sunday. Snow tomorrow?
1.05.2011
Set my alarm for 6:30 but didn't get up until about 7:00, after hitting snooze several times. I spent a lot of time wrestling with the idea of running tonight, but I decided on biting the bullet and getting it out of the way this morning. I did 6 easy miles. Felt ok. As I was running by the country club on Pine Orchard, I heard a new bird voice. When I looked back and up into the tree, I saw a huge bird just chillin' on a branch. I have no idea what it was. It kind of looked like an owl. On the Trolley Trail, I spotted what I think were Seaside Sparrow.
1.04.2011
Got up at 6:10 to do a steady 9 miles. Really didn't want to. Legs felt strong but ran out of gas at the end. It was nice to be back on the Trolley Trail. It's still icy in spots, but most of the snow has melted off. Jess did 14 this morning. She has run 45+ miles in the last three days. Keep up the good work.
1.03.2011
Wound up doing 6 in Guilford tonight. Jess did four and then saw me off to run Lovers in the dark. Thank God for headlamps. It was a bit on the chilly side tonight, but it felt good after being cooped up in the office all day and the traffic after work. I need to start taking the train again. Anyway, the legs felt fine. Now resting up for a harder 9 miles in the morning. Jess will do 14. She's crossing her fingers that she won't get called in tomorrow.
Was going to run on the NHHR treadmill tonight, and then do some strength training, but instead I think I'm going to run with Jess in New Haven. She's doing a double today, and I wouldn't want her to have to go it alone twice. Did an easy 18 miles yesterday, so the legs should be good to go this evening.
1.01.2011
2010 In Review
Last year (2010) was a breakthrough year for me. On all fronts, it was easily my best year of running to date.
Highlights:
I ran 1,651 miles in 2010, which is the most I've ever done in a year (averages of 31.75 miles/week and 4.54 miles/day).
I ran 239 miles in December, which is the most I've ever done in a month (averages of 53.95 miles/week and 7.71 miles/day. I also ran on every day in December, which was a first.
I completed two marathons (Missoula 4:02; Green Mountain 3:53).
Monthly mileage totals:
Jan 47.8
Feb 77.8
Mar 77.8
Apr 101.0
May 156.1
Jun 145.8
Jul 97.2
Aug 170.1
Sep 184.5
Oct 144.3
Nov 209.5
Dec 239.2
My 2010 running goal was to finish two marathons, which I did. To reflect on the training and the marathons themselves: I don't know how I got through the Missoula training alive. I went into that training thinking that I was a lot more fit than I actually was and paid big time. I finished the marathon but in some 12 minutes slower than my finishing time at Hartford in 2007 (on the same training). I lost those 12 minutes in training way too hard for my fitness level. The Green Mountain training went much better, but again, I made some mistakes. The first mistake I made was running on only four days/week and overemphasizing strength training. I'm training to become a better runner not weight-lifter. I also ran my tempos way too hard and paid on marathon day, improving over Missoula by only 9 minutes. I thought I was in much better shape than that.
My 2011 running goals are much loftier but not unrealistic, based on my training as of late. I'd like to run at least one mile on every day in 2011, run 100 miles in a week, and qualify for the Boston Marathon. I ran an easy three miles today. 364 more runs to go.
Happy New Year!
Highlights:
I ran 1,651 miles in 2010, which is the most I've ever done in a year (averages of 31.75 miles/week and 4.54 miles/day).
I ran 239 miles in December, which is the most I've ever done in a month (averages of 53.95 miles/week and 7.71 miles/day. I also ran on every day in December, which was a first.
I completed two marathons (Missoula 4:02; Green Mountain 3:53).
Monthly mileage totals:
Jan 47.8
Feb 77.8
Mar 77.8
Apr 101.0
May 156.1
Jun 145.8
Jul 97.2
Aug 170.1
Sep 184.5
Oct 144.3
Nov 209.5
Dec 239.2
My 2010 running goal was to finish two marathons, which I did. To reflect on the training and the marathons themselves: I don't know how I got through the Missoula training alive. I went into that training thinking that I was a lot more fit than I actually was and paid big time. I finished the marathon but in some 12 minutes slower than my finishing time at Hartford in 2007 (on the same training). I lost those 12 minutes in training way too hard for my fitness level. The Green Mountain training went much better, but again, I made some mistakes. The first mistake I made was running on only four days/week and overemphasizing strength training. I'm training to become a better runner not weight-lifter. I also ran my tempos way too hard and paid on marathon day, improving over Missoula by only 9 minutes. I thought I was in much better shape than that.
My 2011 running goals are much loftier but not unrealistic, based on my training as of late. I'd like to run at least one mile on every day in 2011, run 100 miles in a week, and qualify for the Boston Marathon. I ran an easy three miles today. 364 more runs to go.
Happy New Year!
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