Saturday, August 30, 2014

More Than Halfway Done

The halfway point has come and gone and so have some long runs. The las two weeks have not been easy with the high humidity here in the Midwest.  A week ago it was 20 miles in 93% humidity and this Saturday it was 15 miles in 82% humidity. It really took the energy out of me during the run and just trying to stay cool and hydrated is a challenge. I am now in the final weeks of this training program and the long runs flip back and forth between 20 and 15 miles until I get to the last two weeks. I'm still hitting my training target paces so that is encouraging.
I hope you guys are doing well! I'm praying for a cool Marathon day......say 40 degrees! That would be great. Well brothers stay focused. We are down to 42 days until we toe the start line!!! Happy running!

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Getting Healthy

Well brothers, it has been a time of recovery for me. As you both know I had an injury while playing on the sand dunes of Michigan. The last good long run I put in was on July 26 when I ran 18. I felt great that day, but two days later I pulled my hamstring. One week later I attempted a long run, ended up running 12 and realized I had pushed myself too early.

I have since been cross training until last week when I was doing some warm up 100 meters and pulled a muscle in my calf. Over the las week I have been intensively working that muscle out and beginning to feel good, but I still have to be careful.

I will be getting back on the road today for a few miles and am going to build up to 15 by Saturday. Please pray I will be healthy. I almost cried last week when I injured my calf. I want to do this and want to be successful.

I've been spinning vigorously to keep my legs going so I am hoping to have not lost too much of the endurance I had built up.

Hoping for a good week!

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Another Long Run Complete

Brothers,  I am now officially half way through the 16 week training program I began way back in June. Today was a long run of 18 miles. I ran with a couple of friends and we started with two of us at 5:30 am to beat the heat. When we took off it was just breaking light and was about 64 degrees. It certainly warmed up as the morning sun got up in the sky plus it was humid. The run went well and I find that the long runs aren't so long. The miles seem to click by quickly and I rather enjoy the long run. But I have always enjoyed running and training for an event.  Running with friends helps as we tend to just chat away throughout the run. I managed to come in under target pace so I was happy. Tim hope your training is going well. Dan get over those injuries- you need to be at the start line on October 12! We have 56 days and 9 hours until Marathon day!

Sunday, August 3, 2014

A Long Run on a Hot Day

Well brothers another 20 mile run is in the books. It was a warm one this Saturday with temperatures quickly getting into the 80s. I ran with Tom Nolan, a friend of mine who is also running Chicago this year. Tom has run several marathons already and qualified for Boston. He is also faster than me so I end up running faster as a result. We started in downtown Frankfort at 6:30 am and we finished in just under 3 hours wih a few much needed water stops along the way. I was glad to have someone to run with for this 20 miler. The next one comes up in 3 weeks. I hope your training is going well brothers. Dan take care of that hamstring and don't force it. Happy training brothers!