Olive and I survived our last long training run in preparation for the Tacoma City Half Marathon on May 3rd. Only 8 days away!

We did our 7.5 mile route in 1:16 with an average pace of 10:07. Still not our fastest and most efficient pacing, but as I've said before, I am still happy with that time (considering the course.) This time gives me an excellent benchmark for running the Sound to Narrows 12k in June.

Splits:

Mile 1: 9:45
Mile 2: 9:58
Mile 3: 9:46
Mile 4: 10:20
Mile 5: 10:40
Mile 6: 10:05
Mile 7: 10:42
Mile 7.5: 4:45 (9:27 pace) <--- finish strong!

Now I just need to take it easy next week at work - I should only run three days and will probably do the 2.6 mile hill route on Monday and Wednesday, and the flat 3 mile route on Tuesday. Use Thursday, Friday and Saturday as rest days. (Or at the most, walk during my lunch time, and maybe go to the dog park with Olive on Saturday.)

Just spoke to Claudia - she's had a rough week, and a rough Saturday, so we're not going to go to the Sounders game - but I'm still welcome to have the tickets, so Josh and I are going to go instead.

Since my afternoon opened up - what should I do?

Elevation chart for Saturday's 13 miler:


(not sure why the signal dropped where it did - trees?)

Just got back from an 11.51 mile run. Garmin says I did today's run in 1:55:28 which equals 10:02 per mile. I'm good with this time, especially considering that there were a few walking breaks.

Olive is EXHAUSTED. While we were waiting for the stop light by the Starbucks on 72nd, she laid down in the grass and rested. Good thing for her it was a long light! :)

Here is a shot of the route I ran:



The bottom most line is 72nd Street going over I-5 to the west. The upper most line is 38th by the Tacoma Mall, and then crossing I-5 going east is on 48th Street.

My feet really hurt today. Everything else feels good. No cramps, no back issues, nothing. Just my feet. Especially the ball of my left foot. I'll have to keep my eye on it, especially since it hasn't hurt during any other long run.

Off to take a shower since I'm sure I'm going to start smelling just a tad ripe here soon . . . and I'm starving!

edited to add - I take the not hurting thing back. While showering, I definitely noticed how sore my legs were.

It's almost noon and I still haven't done anything yet. Well, I did have two cups of coffee and some Chex, but that's not really anything to speak of.

I need to get off my butt and do my run - no more excuses. Suppose it doesn't matter much when I go running - I have all day to do it since there is nothing else planned for the day. I might do a different route though since Point Defiance opens up to traffic at 1 this afternoon, and I'd rather not have to deal with cars.

IM'd W a little while ago since she popped on. Asked her if she was interested in going to either one of my upcoming races. She said that she would think about it. Maybe it's shallow or needy, I don't know, but I like the idea that a friend would be at one of my races. It was great that C was there at the start of my marathon, but the last few races that I have ran, I started them alone and ended them alone. Running is pretty solitary as it is, but that sort of thing just makes it feel even more solitary.

Up quite a bit later than planned - I blame that on the fact that I didn't get to bed until around 1 this morning. I stayed up late watching my other library movie.

Made some coffee, having some cereal. Probably get ready for my run in about an hour or so. There was quite a bit of temptation this morning to just not run today because of the late hour, and also due to the rain, but I can't let either of those stop me. I really need the next two weekends of long runs to get me ready for my half marathon, especially if I want to have any sort of chance of besting my time from the Capital City Half I ran last year.

It's finally Friday. It's been such a cruddy week for me, I"m glad it's officially over.

Since I drove in today, I ran some errands after work that I have been putting off for far too long. Hit up Target for some new cat litter, laundry soap, some of those funny Jelly Belly Sports Beans that I've been eating during my half-marathon training, and some new razors (cannot believe that $13 buys you four whole razors.) Also picked up a couple of CDs - one I'm going to return since Amazon has it for $4 less, and I don't need it right this second.

Then I drove over to PetSmart since it was close and got Grocible some more food. I ran out of his new special food, and have just been stealing Josh's cat food.

Now I"m back home enjoying my gumbo from Qdoba. Not sure where everyone is, which is fine I'll be able to just hang out and enjoy myself here at home alone. Play some music, maybe watch my other library movie.

That reminds me - I finally watched the animated version of Watership Down last night (or was it Wednesday night?) While the animation wasn't all that impressive (it is 30 years old) the movie was actually really good - and disturbing. Most definitely not for kids (young kids that is.) It's not your typical talking rabbit movie. I'm really looking forward to reading the book again - maybe it can be added to the short list of annual readings I do?

Ran today inside - first time since November 28, 2007. Wow - almost a whole year. I needed to make sure my shoes were dry for my long run tomorrow. It didn't rain today like it was "supposed" to, but I knew the trails by work would still be flooded, so I thought it would be best to stay in. Managed 4.5 miles which isn't too shabby considering it was on the boring treadmill. The best part of running inside is that I got to mix up my pace and elevation quite a bit. Did a few sprints in between my regular pace runs - ran a slow 9:30 mile, then for one minute ran at a 6.67 mile pace for a minute. Did that a few times - it was a lot faster than I was used to, but it did feel good to just let lose and run. Hopefully I didn't tire myself out for my 11.5 mile run tomorrow.

No other weekend plans to speak of - there was talk of heading to Edmonds for diving on Sunday, but we're going to end up diving Fox Island, which is fine. I need to wash my bedding - maybe I'll do that tomorrow after my run. Or not.

Today's run was quite the challenge. There wasn't a whole lot of motivation to actually go and run this morning, and that feeling carried itself throughout the run. It became a chore instead of something that I wanted to do. Not a whole lot of enjoyment either. But I kept plugging away and Olive and I managed the 10.5 mile route we set out for.

Time wise it took us longer than I ended. I can only blame part of that out stop lights. The largest delay was right around 6.5 miles when I stopped to eat my Jelly Belly Sport Beans things. A runner that we passed (she was walking - she was done) came by and we talked for probably 15 to maybe even 20 minutes. The worst part of that break is that I was cold when I started running again - I lost all that heat I had built up.

After my run, I stopped off at Starbucks for my coffee treat, and then tried to go and get lunch. Was thinking that some soup would be good, but the two Quiznos that I went to were both closed. One still had all their furniture and things in there. Weird. Instead I stopped at a Thai place over by the mall and got some fried tofu and pad thai. Yummy stuff!

Just got done taking a shower - feel so much better now. Less gross.

Everyone else went down to Olympia to Melissa's nephew's birthday. I'm thinking of maybe heading to the mall to see if I can find some new cologne and aftershave - what I have right now is pretty much out. There might be a few spritzes left of cologne and maybe three or four uses of the aftershave.

Thinking of taking the bus actually - but I probably won't. The mall is so close and the bus will probably take thirty minutes to get there.

We did 10.55 miles today.

We are both very tired.

I'm steaming too.

I must have been pretty tired last night. Woke up officially (as in - I got out of bed) at nine this morning, and that was with going to bed at around 10:30 or.

The plan was to get to Point Defiance no later than 9 this morning for my run, but now that it's 9:35, that plan is shot. The run is still going to happen though - no chance of it not happening. I need today 10.5 miles to keep up with my training plan.

Speaking of training:

Miles ran in October: 122.67 - second highest month (highest was April 2008 during my marathon training. That month was 125.89 miles)
Miles ran by Olive in October: 32.57 (her best month ever!)
Weight on 10/31: 190 (a number that I am not happy with - I would still like to be able to drop between 5 and 10 more pounds, but that will take more than just exercise I'm afraid.)

If I keep up the pace I'm at, I will hit 2100 miles next Saturday - a mere 23 days after hitting 2000 miles. The same day, Olive will hit her 100th official running mile too.

Also, I've now ran 897.21 miles this year.

Getting concerned about my half-marathon registration - I haven't yet received my e-mail confirmation. I had the impression that an e-mail would go out after they received my money . . . now I'm thinking that maybe paying in person wasn't the best idea - I should have just registered on-line and paid the extra fee and not have to worry about anything.

---

Not much is planned for today, besides my run. I do have to visit a work location so I can get a check and some cash for rent (forgot to this yesterday.)

Tomorrow the plan is meet up with W and go and see The Nightmare Before Christmas 3-D. Looking forward to that for a couple of reasons. One, I haven't seen the movie in a very long time; two, it's in 3-D which has to be cool, right?; and three, haven't had the chance to see W in two weeks now. We did talk on the phone for awhile on Thursday while I was sitting in traffic.

Almost 10:00 - I should start to get ready to go to Point Defiance for my run.

Not that this can happen for a few months - but I found an apartment complex in Tacoma that seems ideal for what I would be looking for.

They allow dogs - and have absolutely no problem with large breeds, just as long as they are not aggressive breeds. Plus they have an on-site 4 acre off-leash dog park.

The one bedroom apartments aren't too pricey - about $650 or so per month, something that I will definitely be able to afford.

The hardest part will be furnishing a new place since I don't have any furniture at all. I don't have a vacuum, or a place to sit, or a bed, or pans, or silverware - but I do have a nice set of dishes, a tortilla warmer, coffee maker, waffle make and a griddle.

That stuff will come in time.

I just have to keep up being financially responsible. Easier said than done.

---

All plans for the day have been canceled - no zoo, and no diving tonight. Lame.

Yesterday's run went off fairly well. Olive and I did 9.65 miles - averaged just around 10:18 per mile. We were both pooped - that last mile and a half was pretty hard, but I wasn't dragging as much as Olive was. I'm a little worried that she might not be able to do next Saturday's run which should be about a mile further - maybe 9 miles is her limit right now?

I didn't run today at lunch. Just wasn't in the mood so why push myself? Besides, my right calf has been bugging me since Monday. It feels like I can't stretch out the stiffness it's feeling. So weird. Need to pay attention to that calf, and my motivation, since I don't have any spare weekends to spare if I skip a long run. Have to get all of my long runs in so I can at least have a chance to make my time goals.

After work tonight, my plan was swing by the the library and get a library card. And of course, tonight and tomorrow night they close at 6, whereas the rest of the weeknights they close at 8. Damn my luck! Not like I needed books right now, but I wanted to get all ready for them. Maybe Saturday after my long run.

My weekend is going to be pretty uneventful, which is a bummer. Talked to W a bit last night before diving, and by the sounds of everything, there won't be any chance to see each other this weekend. This seeing each other only once a week is hard!

One of our department's temps had some really nice things to say to me. She asked why I wasn't a manager. I explained that my manager has been pushing me towards a supervisory position the last year or so, but I, and only I, have a slight hesitation about it. There still remains some bitterness over the last time I was in a supervisory positions, so there are some lingering self-doubts around. Plus I wonder if I'm patient enough for a role of that nature. Some people are very put off by my directness and work, but like she said, that's just something they'll have to get used to and deal with. That's their problem. Something else interesting that she mentioned to me is that she was intimidated quite a bit about me when she first started. She said it was that I always have this intense look on my face and in my eyes, and plus, I always had the answers without having to look them up. The intense look I can almost see as a reason for intimidation, but the answers, not sure about it. I think I might understand what she was getting at. Like I said, it was quite interesting.

The running went well this morning. Managed 8.51 miles - averaged 10:08 per mile (or something really darn close to that.) I really need to figure out what the hills look like on the half marathon course compared to the hills that I've been running these past two weekends.

For next week's long run - 9.5ish miles - I will need to figure how to do it. Today I reran the route I did last weekend, but went out a half mile further on the way back. The road gets all funky and the sidewalks disappear at the point I turned around. Maybe I'll park at Point Defiance and run two loops through there, and finish with the nasty hill at the end? Decisions need to be made.

Olive ran the whole way with her pack. I did stop at about the halfway point to adjust the straps since they were working themselves loose a bit. Even without them being perfectly cinched, and the packs being empty, the pack itself did stay on very well - never tipping over or sliding one bit. I do believe the pack is a hit. For the remainder of my half marathon training, I'll keep the pack empty for Olive and then before we start snowshoeing I'll work on adding weight to it so she can get used to actually carrying things in it.

I forgot to mention this last week - Jerome (dive buddy) is working on another Mexico trip for next September. Not to Cabo this time, but instead to Cozumel Cancun (I think - I doubt my memory right now for some reason.) The diving is cheaper here, and with the free airfare, it should end up being a pretty inexpensive trip. Gives me plenty of time to save up for it, and also presents a good use of my vacation that I have saved up (and keep earning.)

My friend W just called - we are definitely going to do something tonight. Probably very casual and easy - tentative plans are for me to bring dinner and then we're going to just hang out and watch movies or something.

Josh and Melissa are thinking of doing a corn maze today - I was invited, but I don't think the timing is going to work right.

Little black dog with her new backpack.

Off to do 8.5ish miles.

Now that I have real internet, I can actually update this journal with real entries. Exciting stuff, huh?!?

Let's see . . .

First of all - I should admit that I forgot my mom's birthday on the 12th. No excuse - I'm just a horrible son. I did call her today though. Not that that makes it all better or anything. I suck, I'm sorry. Happy Birthday mom!

Today I reached a milestone with my running - approximately 3.5 miles into my 5.3 mile run I crossed the 2000 mile mark. Two thousand "career" miles since April 24, 2006 - the day I became a "real runner" (shoes - I got me some shoes.) It took me 31 days to run 100 miles - about what I want to be doing - a mere 100 miles per month. Last week was also one of my best weeks in a long time - I ran over 31 miles. It could have been more, but Friday I cut back by running with a co-worker and her very own little black dog.

Speaking of little black dogs - Olive's backpack arrived today. With all the straps tightened down it fits pretty good. She's just so lean there isn't much to grab hold on. I think she likes it - it didn't irritate her at least. On Saturday's run we'll test it out. I plan on having her run the whole 8.5+ mile route with her backpack. Ideally she'll learn to associate the backpack with fun - just like she associates her harness with fun (since whenever the harness goes on, she's either hiking or running.)

While at REI I tried on some winter coats. Mediums won't work - just too snug, and then if I wore any layers under them, they wouldn't fit. Large it is I guess. Found one I quite liked - it's "only" $230 - but seems to be a pretty nice coat overall. Also looked at some new pants - those are about half the price of a coat. All I know is that if I buy them, I will have to snowshoe - no exceptions. And more than just one time - many times. Olive will be going, so I'm more apt to go this year I believe.

After last Sunday's "forgetful" dive, I managed to get back into the water last night. Haven't yet looked at my pictures, but I know I took a ton of shots of ratfish since they were out in large numbers last night. Heck, right when we descended at the beginning of the dive, I practically fell onto one. Should have the photos loaded tonight.

The book signing on Monday was a lot of fun. Melissa asked how a book signing could be fun - it's just a person signing a book, right? Oh no, it's so much more than that. Sarah Vowell read for a bit, then answered audience questions for a while, and then signed our books. The event was sold out - the Town Hall holds about 800 or so people, but probably 100 people or so stayed to get their books signed. I now have my name written in really large letters on my book.

The time with W was nice - her friend K is pretty neat, and she seemed to hit it off with the person she was meeting there for the first time. The drive home was really quiet - I think we were all so tired (W had been up since 4 or something that day, so by 10 she was exhausted.) I hope she doesn't think I'm always that quiet - I was just tired.

I'm trying to plan something with her again for Saturday. Not sure if that's happening yet, just have to cross my fingers.

I'm hoping that I don't bore myself with an update . . .

Right now, I'm at Starbucks - grabbed a coffee and I tried to get a breakfast sandwich, but they don't do the eggs florentine sandwich anymore - instead they have this portobella wrap instead - but it's not good. I tried it last week and it just wasn't the same.

I did get a sample of their pumpkin cream cheese muffin and that was pretty tasty.

Yesterday I took Olive out for my long run of the week - and her longest run so far. We did a mere 7.6 mile run - for the most part we mirrored the Sound to Narrows 12k route (a run I still haven't done - maybe 2009?) There was a diabetes walk happening at the same time so there were quite a few people in Point Defiance, but not too many. Olive wasn't too distracted and she did really well - especially since this route was about a mile further than her previous long run.

Pace wise I was pretty happy with it - I maintained my 10 minute per mile pace that I want to run for the Seattle Half next month. Point Defiance has some long steady hills - not sure how they compare to the small hills the Seattle Half will have.

After my run, I did some stuff around the house - laundry and the like - and then I met with my new friend W and we headed up to Seattle. The plan was to go to Illuminations - I want a candle for my room to freshen things up. Not that my room stinks - which it does NOT - the air just gets stale since I can't leave the door open or the window open during the day when no one is home. I need to build something simple for the window so I can at least keep the window open a bit.

Pumpkin Ale was also discussed.

When we arrived at Pacific Place I realized that I left my wallet at home. Can you imagine how embarrassing that is? The second "outing" with someone new (not sure if they're dates) and I forget my wallet. I'm still pretty upset with myself over that.

We did get my candle - and we did get some pumpkin ale (it would have been just my luck to get carded) and then we headed out to see a movie. Very typical outings, but the two times we've gone out have been a lot of fun.

And we're going out again tomorrow. Sarah Vowell is going to be up in Seattle for her new book, so the two of us, and her friend (along with her friend's new date - they haven't met yet) are all heading up to Seattle. It will most definitely be an adventure since of the four of us, two of them don't know me, I don't know two of them, two of them don't know me, and W and her friend don't know the other person going. Make sense?

I've really enjoy the time we've spent - and the conversations too. Just seeing where things go.

On Wednesday I'm getting internet at the house finally. Just internet - no TV or anything else. I told my brother and Melissa about the internet and Josh wanted to know about TV. I don't watch enough TV to justify the expense of cable - it's darn expensive as soon as you go the digital route and mention the DVR. Internet will be $30 a month (guaranteed for a year which is cool.) I can't wait to have internet again. No more having to download music on one computer, copy it over another, and having to visit Starbucks all of the time.

Thinking about buying a small external hard drive to keep my music on that so then I could store my desktop somewhere and free up that space in my room, but I'm not sure I want to do that. Decisions.

Been looking at my budget for the next year. If I remain disciplined enough when it comes to purchases and saving, I believe that there's a really good chance that I can get everything paid off by March (taking my bonus into account as well.) If I can manage that, I should be able to get a place of my own and get ready to start the next phase of my life again.

While talking to W last night, I made mention that I'm more motivated to get out of Josh's now that I have zero room to spread out. If we stayed in the other house, I probably wouldn't be as motivated to move since I had so much room for everything and definitely didn't feel like I was imposing since I had my own space - and own bathroom. Now that we're all up at the same time in the morning, and having to share one bathroom, I can really see how easy it would be to get into each others ways.

Speaking of Josh - he got a new job at the same company he was working at. He gets all 40 hours a week now, and he left this morning for training - in Georgia. He'll be back on Thursday I believe. That's pretty cool for him - to travel some, get more hours, probably a raise, and have a little more job security by being in a different position.

I should check on my uploads - have two days worth of dive pictures to load - not sure if there are going to be any descriptions, but at least the photos will be up.

Today has proven to be quite low key.

I had intended to go on my weekly long run, but decided against it. The main reason was that if I did my long run today, I would then be running for nearly fourteen days straight and that's not the way I want to train for my half marathon. So I took today off, and I'll start my six-day a week schedule tomorrow - running on either Saturday or Sunday as my long run.

Treated myself to breakfast this morning since I woke up fairly early and I was starving. When I got back, Josh and Melissa had found a new dog. It seems that this black lab puppy jumped into the yard while I was gone. She looked like a cross between Koda and Olive (skinny black lab puppy with a block head.) Long story short on the new puppy - she went to the humane society. Very well behaved dog and obviously taken care of quite well. She just got out of her yard somehow.

Tried to get online this morning, but for some reason my computer would never turn on. Couldn't figure it out - everything was hooked up right but it just wouldn't turn on. It works now though. Go figure.

My dive gear is all packed and ready to go - Jerome just called to confirm the time and plan - Titlow at 4:30 for probably a 30 minute dive. My camera is all ready to go, and my light is charged. I'm hoping to see some cool things and maybe attempt at getting some pictures. Just have to see how that works out.

Brought some more stuff back to the garage - let Tink run around the yard some. He wasn't as energetic as he was on Friday, but he still ran around while I was there.

Tried to figure out the new packing/storing at the house. Used most of the plastic bins I bought; just can't figure out what to do with the under the bed. And I have two extra bins that I bought for some unknown reason, but they aren't being used, so they will probably be returned to Target sometime this week - might exchange them for a regular under the bed sized container. Or not.

Total mileage for the week: 30.33
Longest run: 19.3 (4/27)
Weight on 5/2: 187 pounds (1 pound more than two weeks ago) (Not trying to be concerned about putting on one pound every week for the past two weeks - it's just numbers.)

Month end mileage for April: 125.89 (best month ever)
Mileage plateau hit on 5/1: 1500 miles (since 4/24/2006) (Took less than one month to go 100 miles)

One more week untl my marathon. Seven days. Actually, less than that since the run will be in the morning, and it's afternoon now.

Lots of feelings - mainly nervousness and excitement. The nineteen miler last Sunday was a huge confidence booster for me. And it came at the most ideal of times - I now feel like I can actually do this.

Yesterday was a pretty significant milestone for me - I logged the longest run that I have ever done. I set out to do 20 miles - as close to the first 20 miles of the marathon course as possible, but ended up only doing 19.3 miles. Yeah, only 19.3 miles. After leaving Point Defiance, I veered off the course and just ran straight down Pearl Street.

Even though I didn't do the whole 20, I am VERY happy about the 19 that I did log. I feel that my confidence is back, especially since the next six miles are six miles that I have ran quite a few times and there shouldn't be any issues with them.

I was dreading running the 5 mile loop of Point Defiance due to the hills that are there, but I can honestly say that they weren't too bad - I won't go as far as to say that they were easy - which they weren't - but they weren't as bad as I was expecting.

My time for my run was 3:43:39 - an 11:35 pace - is a bit longer than I would have liked, but I'm still on track to meet my second of three goals for this race.

First Goal: To finish safely

Second Goal: To finish safely - under 5 hours

Third Goal: To finish safely - under 4 and a half hours (this isn't possible - maybe next time)

I want to thank Josh and Nicole for helping me out yesterday - having them at the beginning and end of the Point Defiance loop was exactly what I needed.

One thing that amazed me yesterday was that after running all that distance, I wasn't even breathing hard, but my legs were on fire. While I was moving, everything was fine, but whenever I was forced to stop (traffic, or a stop light,) my legs would just refuse to want to get going again, and then they would burn like nothing else. Suppose that that is what I'm going to have to tell myself during this run - just keep moving and it will all be okay.

Less than twelve days to go . . .

( Map and elevation graph here . . . )

Just found out today that there is going to be a new half marathon in Tacoma that will run over one of the Narrows Bridges - I might have to keep that in mind this August. (Guess that the Tacoma Narrows Bridge Run - first and only time across the bridge - wasn't exactly as advertised.)

Funny - how I could just decide to run a half marathon - 13 miles doesn't see so bad anymore . . .

Total mileage for the week: 12.52
Longest run: 4.05 (4/23)
Weight not taken this week
Ran 3.1 miles with Koda today

It almost looks like I started to taper off for my marathon - which is 14 days away - but that's not the case. I decided to give myself a weekend off - I didn't dive, I didn't run - just relaxed. My reasoning for this includes how much difficulty I've had with the longer distances, plus there are quite a few trainers and plans that seem to recommend doing long runs every other weekend.

On Sunday I'm going to head out to attempt my 20 mile training run - Josh is going to help me out by being a water boy at the beginning and the end of Point Defiance Park - which is a five mile stretch that is probably going to be the most difficult part for me due to the number of hills inside the park. At lest the temperature will be a lot cooler due to the tree coverage.

Crossing my fingers that I can get over this distance hurdle . . .

Total mileage for the week: 36.78 (best week yet)
Longest run: 15.35 (4/13) (longest run yet)
Weight on 4/18: 186 pounds (1 pound more than last week)

With less than three weeks until my marathon, I don't have a whole lot more running to do. The unfortunate part of that is that I'm struggling with distances over 14 miles.

My run on 4/5 was supposed to be 16 miles, and I only managed 14.5 - and had horrible stomach issues at around mile 8. (Thankfully Starbucks has public restrooms!)

And then on 4/13, I was supposed to do 18 miles but only managed 15.35. Not a good record so far.

I think I have a couple of issues - one is dehydration - for these longer training runs, I have to bring all my water with me, whereas during the actual race, there will be plenty of water stops.

Secondly - my pace time. I have come to realize that my 10:00 minute/mile pace is unrealistic for these distances. For a half marathon - yes - I could definitely manage that fast of a pace, but not for a full marathon. So I need to slow down - somewhere between 10:30 and 11:00 (at which I would still finish below a five hour time limit.)

My mid-week long run - 11.25 miles - went off very well. No issues at all, and I managed to maintain around a 10:36 pace or so. Quite pleased with that - plus I felt great the whole run - and continued to feel great after the run.

Today was supposed to my longest run - and last long training run - 20 miles. But I didn't run today. I'm going to run next weekend instead. Since I put in almost 40 miles this week, I decided to give myself a break this weekend and not run. I was supposed to a short 4 miler yesterday, but lost track of time and that run never happened. Poor Koda - she was supposed to go with me too.

Total mileage for the week: 20.15
Longest run: 10.15 (4/10)
Weight on 4/11: 185 pounds (0.5 pounds less than last week.)

Only managed four running days this week, and my long run ended up being on a work day. The reason for this was because I did my normal long run on a Saturday instead of a Sunday. This coming weekend I will be back on my normal schedule - Sunday will be my long run (18 miles.)

Forced myself to go a few seconds slower than a 10:00 pace on Thursday - while it was a bit difficult at times to maintain that slow of a pace, I did manage to complete the run with no stopping or walking (other than a walking to fuel break in the middle) breaks.

Going to run in a completely new place on Sunday - figure a change of scenery will be good for me - I've seen this neighborhood and the trails at work so often now, I need somewhere new to run. Plus I've decided that while I don't particularly care for out and back routes, the best part of them though is that I'll be forced to run my mileage - you go out 9, you've got to come back 9.

Total mileage for the week: 34.14
Longest run: 14.5 (4/5) (longest run yet)
Weight on 4/4: 185.5 pounds (0.5 pounds less than last week.)

I decided to do my weekly long run on Saturday instead of Sunday this week. It was supposed to be 16 miles, but I couldn't get my body to go any further than 14.5 miles. I am quite a bit disappointed that I wasn't able to get that last mile and a half in. Having quite a difficult time getting past that 14 mile wall - and I'm going to need to since the marathon in now officially less than five weeks away.

Thursday's long run at work was good though - did ten miles and I "aimed" for running a bunch of hills. The route I took is kind of funny to look at since I got around quite a bit around work:

( Elevation and route for Thursday )

The long run on Saturday was harder than I wanted it to be - had a "bathroom emergency" at about mile 8. Not sure what the cause of that was, and it's definitely something I'm not looking forward to repeating ever again. I wonder if it was because I was starting to get dehydrated? That's my biggest concern right now - water. I know what I can carry, and on my training runs, I'm using every drop of it. But the race course will have water stops, so I just need to make sure that I get water at every stop, whether or not I think I need it.

Like last week's run, I was really struggling mentally - tried to convince myself that I could do this. I'm just hoping that when I do the marathon, since there will be other runners around, I"ll maintain that momentum that I need. Plus I'm trying to recruit people to be there for me. Josh seems pretty set on supporting me at some point in the race. Not exactly sure what I'll want him there for, but at the halfway point, it might just be enough to have a friendly face to encourage me.

I ran the first 8 miles or so of the marathon course - and I don't think the first portion is going to be very hard. The hills are quite manageable, and I believe the only hills of any significance will be through Point Defiance. I have no ran close to about 75% of the full course, albeit at different times, but at least I am quite familiar with what to expect. The section through Point Defiance concerns me since I hadn't ever ran that portion after running 10 miles, so it will be that more difficult.

Only two more long runs of any significance are scheduled - next Sunday will be an 18 miler, and then on April 20th, will be my 20 miler - the longest training run before the marathon.

Total mileage for the week: 24.5
Longest run: 14 (3/29)

Total miles for March 2008: 105.4 - my third highest month (January 2008 had 109.73 and then April 2007 had 105.42.) I was sick the second to last week of March, so my mileage took a stumble, otherwise this month would have most definitely been my best month.

Weight on 3/21: 186 pounds (0.5 pounds heavier than last week)

This week brought me my longest run. Ever. Fourteen miles. And let me tell you - it was the hardest run I had ever done.

My first issue was that I didn't dress properly - the weather was quite varied. When I started out, it was in the high 40's, no rain, no wind and clear skies. During the next two and a half hours, it rained, turned super cold, had some sleet here and there and then some more sunshine.

Looking back at my Garmin data I can see that I started out too fast - I need to learn to slow myself down in the beginning so I have the strength to run during the latter stages of the run.

Aerobically I felt GREAT on the run, I just had issues with my calves getting super tight on me after mile 12. I kept having to stop to stretch them out, but it never seemed to do have done any good - they remained tight for the next two miles.

This was the first run so far where I started to doubt that I am capable of doing a full marathon. I did beat my half-marathon time - that was a goal on Sunday, but then the last mile was even worse than the one before it. Even the promise of a hot shower and greasy cheese pizza couldn't convince me to keep going without stopping.

This coming weekend I have the first of my last three long runs. This weekend is 16 miles (18 and 20 are on the next two weekends.) April 20th will be a 20 miler and the beginning of my final tapering before the big day - May 10th - 26.2 miles.

I have just about forty-six days until my first marathon.

And for the first time, I am legitimately concerned about my training.

After last week's 9 mile run, I started to feel sick, and as of yet, I haven't been able to kick that sickness. I missed my long run on Sunday (my longest run ever) and I missed my first official run this week. This weekend is an easy weekend, but it's my last chance to make up any lost time. After this Sunday, I have three long runs - 16, 18, and then 20 miles on April 20th, and that's it. The last time I ran any distance over ten miles was on the 9th of March - over two weeks ago.

My training schedule this week shows me doing a 5 miler on Thursday, and then I'm supposed to have a 10k race on Sunday. I think what I'm going to end up doing is about three tomorrow (depending on how I feel,) then five on Thursday, then up to maybe seven or eight on Friday, and then Saturday do five or so (maybe take Koda for a run again,) and then Sunday do a make up 14 mile run, that way, the 16 miler scheduled for the 30th won't seem to long. Of course, this all depends on how I'm feeling.