I Run

The Red Clover Rovers have begun their summer fun runs again. I managed to get to one this evening. Since the marathon was just three days away, I certainly wasn't intending to push it hard for three miles. And it was pretty hot and humid out there. So I just ran somewhat hard at around 7:10 pace. This was more of an experiment to see how the marathon affected me. My legs did feel a bit tired, but not nearly as tired as I thought they might. Next I'll just follow Pfitzinger's post marathon schedule to aid recovery.

It was sunny, and it was hot. But I kept to my promise of hitting every water stop, which really saved me in the end. I even walked at some of the water stations so that I could completely drain the cups. That strategy earned me a PR of about 4.5 minutes: I finished in 3:34:32. I knew once I hit halfway that the heat wouldn't allow me to BQ, so I just tried to run a smart race. Sure, it was still pretty tough going in the last few miles, but I didn't bonk like I did at Cape Cod. So I cruised down the bike path into Waterfront Park, and was even able to put on the gas along the boardwalk to the finish line. My legs recovered very quickly probably because the heat kept my pace down. I'm pretty sure if not for the heat I could have come close to a BQ...but there are just some things one can't control. On to the next race...

I did my very last medium long run today: 12.5 miles. Yesterday I ran about 5 recovery miles with a half dozen 100m sprints at the end. This is as ready as I'll ever be for this race. This week I'll need to fit in some running and drinking practice. I'll want to hit every water station during the marathon to delay any carb and hydration deficits I might encounter toward the end of the race. One of my mistakes at Cape Cod was not taking fluids earlier.

I think I've built up close to where I was before my injuries set me back. I am a tad concerned about my hamstrings, which have cramped a bit during my recent longer runs. So I'll need to make sure they're well loosened up before the race. Now I feel that I'm in taper mode, and the anticipation is building. Just 10 more days.

I was scheduled to do an 8K to 15K race today, but the only race I could find was a 4 miler in Westmoreland, NH. Since it was raining pretty hard and I had to go pick up Emma at 9:00, there was really no way to make the race. So I figured I'd just time trial a 10K today. I started at the 4 corners and ran to Yeaw Rd. and back (which is actually just about 6 miles...close enough). I ran it faster than I figured I might - but more at tempo pace than 10K race pace. I think if I'd actually been racing I would have pushed a bit harder and PR'd. So that was a good confidence booster. The week's runs started out somewhat painfully - my quads were REALLY sore after Sunday's run - but I just took it easy and by Wednesday my legs were fine. Yesterday I ran 5 miles on the treadmill, which I haven't done for a long time. It was a good way to get feedback on my pace. And I sweat a whole lot indoors, which is good since I need some head acclimation. I have a 16 miler scheduled for tomorrow, which should be fine.

I couldn't stand the thought of getting back on the bike for a 3 hour ride, so I willed my achilles tendon to behave itself yesterday. I started out very tentatively, ran a quarter mile, then turned back home to tape my leg. That actually felt a bit better - like putting a bandaid on a boo-boo - so I set out for what should be my last really long run. After a few miles I figured I could do a 3 hour run so long as I kept it slow. And I guess this turned out to be my slowest long run ever. But that's OK. Now I know I can still run. I have three weeks before the marathon to get back to reasonable shape. It will be an interesting time, trying to balance what should be a taper with a gradual build-up in running fitness.

Last week, pleurisy. This week, achilles issues. At the end of my short 4 mile run on Friday I felt a twinge behind my right calf. Uh-oh. The next day I tried running and could go only 1.5 miles before I had to stop and walk home. So I took some "Vitamin I" (ibuprofen), iced my achilles tendon, and sulked. On Sunday, I took down the old mountain bike, sprayed some WD-40 into the gears, and went out for a hilly 20 something mile ride. Fortunately I don't have to use my achilles tendon to ride a bike. It's not the same as running, but I may as well do something. That Boston qualifier looks like it's getting further and further away.