Merry Christmas!

I know, the title is cliche and I can only surmise that there are about a million blog, Facebook, and other posts with the same title which makes this stand out from no one.  But, since it is Christmas as I write this, it seems only appropriate that I send you the proper greetings.  Part of the shocking fact to you might be the realization that this is the second posting in a month -- nearly a record for me!

Today I am spending time with family and reminiscing on another year nearly complete, a marathon training plan nearly complete, and convincing myself that I still have miles to go before the race.  The temperature outside this morning peeking over zero, but the wind makes it feel like -13 (according to weather.com) and the rest of the week doesn't improve much from this point.  I have a treadmill and could very easily complete today's planned mileage (4-7) on that contraption except for my experience last week has soured me on the idea.

Last week we had our first snow in over 295 days, a record in these parts.  Wednesday night and Thursday the snow piled up to ever 10 inches.  Pretty to look at, not so good for the last 20 mile run of this training cycle.  I considered my options: 1. try to run in the snow; 2. skip the run; or 3. complete the miles of the treadmill.  I really love to run outdoors.  In fact, I cannot remember the last time I ran any miles on the treadmill.  However, most of my normal training routes would be socked with snow and with the roads still icy, I decided the treadmill was my best option.  No reason to get hurt this close to the race with all of the miles I have put in.  I mean, how bad can it be, right?

Bad.  By mile 2 I was ready to get off that contraption.  By mile 15 I began to loath my view of the outside.  By mile 18 I considered abandoning my last two miles to retain my sanity or run 22 laps around the gym track just to get away.  However, I managed, somehow, to slog through those last two miles and reach my 20 mile goal.  I was slow, slower that two weeks before on the trail, but I attribute that to all the mental energy I needed to expend just to stay on that treadmill.  Finally, the last long run in the books for the marathon.

So, you can see why I will probably bundle up today and enjoy a pleasant, albet cold, run around the neighborhood.  Snow is still piled up, but the roads are generally clear and I am counting on not much traffic the Chirstmas morning.  Between the taper and not running on the treadmill, I will enjoy the run that much more.

Keep running my friends.

On The Road Again

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us and with the rest of the holidays bearing down, the mileage continues to add up. Add in two business trips and we have tons of fun ahead!


Last week I ran another 30 mile week with a 15 mile long slow distance (LSD), tying my longest run in ten years. This week, on the advice of my body and my PT, I took Monday's 7 miles off and gave into a three day rest -- my longest since September. As the miles pile up, so do the aches and i noticed for the first time last week that my mental endurance was starting to wane. Time for a rest and to remember, all this training will be in vain if I can't make it to the start line of the marathon healthy. The goal is to complete the marathon, not just train for it.

I am still scheduled for nearly 30 miles for the week with an 18 mile LSD Saturday. I may continue to take Monday's off as my long run increases. Only another month and then the race taper begins, so this is still the time to remain mentally strong and vigilant.

These runs, no matter the difference, will be key to remaining sane over the next few weeks. Between the travel, the culmination of a large year-long project, and the holidays these runs may be the right tool to keeping the mounting stress in check.

As they say, keep calm and run on!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Two weeks to Race Day!

I think I will start this post similar to others who take a break from posting regularly.  Between work, kids, increased training miles, and my own special skill of laziness, all conspired to keep me from posting regularly.  The guilt still existed, just not the time or desire.  Considering I rolled out of bed at 4:30am on a Saturday so as to get my long run in, I think I will forgive myself, this time.  

After a nice, relaxing weekend this last Saturday and Sunday at the Kansas Speedway, taking in the racing spectacle with the fellas, I returned home to a couple more days off to recoup and recharge.  As anyone who has trained for a race has experienced, most of the difficult training is now complete.  The next couple of weeks are dedicated to some speed work to stay sharp and trying to avoid the dreaded taper madness. 

Ahh yes, the taper -- the time I both dream of during the difficult training phase and equally dread, for all the right reasons.  Taper madness, for me, usually takes the form of hypersensativity to every ache and pain.  Wait, was that a stress fracture?  Or maybe I just pulled a muscle?  I never start with the little stuff or the simple things.  Nope, I jump right into the crazy territory and I am convinced that I have managed to do something to myself that will prevent me from finishing my goal and wasting all of my hard work.

Even when I know this phase is coming, I still battle in my mind to keep the madness away.  Of course, I have help at this task.  My family gets to share a little of my madness as I share the newest ache or pain with them along with my self diagnosis.  I am a doctor after all.  Maybe not a medical doctor, but who is splitting hairs (wait, did my hair just start to fall out?).  My wife, who really is a medical doctor,  seems to use just enough tough love to keep me in check (I secretly think she enjoys the tough love a little to much) and manages to help me get through this phase and make it to the starting line.

Speaking of which, I need to get out there today and put in a fartlek workout and maybe a few miles on the bike . . . wait, was that my knee? 

Until we chat again . . .