The 20 Mile Training Run (aka weather research)

Ok. So I just completed this weekend my long training run in Malibu of 20 miles for the marathon. I actually did 20.2 miles, but who's counting? (My actual path is shown above) Anyway, the run went really well. Better than expected actually. I think it's because my training partners and I have been running in Phoenix and the lowest it gets temperature wise is about 75 degrees in the morning. I started in Marina del Rey and it was 55 degrees. By the time I finished, it was a boiling 71 degrees.

So, to my running pals that think I've abandoned them on our long run, I was simply doing temperature based running research and yes, temperature makes a big difference. We're all going to knock it out in Seattle because their temps are similar to what I ran.

The run was actually one of my best. I started in Marina del Rey, went through Venice, Santa Monica and up to Malibu and back. 20 miles is still a long way, but easier with good weather and a view.



So now we being our tapering down period in getting prepped for the June 28th marathon. We will actually be running fewer miles on weekends. I am looking forward to this since my knees and legs hurt after these long runs. (Although running a quick mile the next day makes it easier. Thanks Jason)

I'll keep you updated as we taper down and get ready for the actual marathon. 20 miles ran in one shot. A great accomplishment. A very memorable run. The longest of my life.

But it's still not 26.2 miles as the marathon will be. That's coming in a very short month.

Going long!

Even Lance Thinks Marathons Are Tough

"For the level of condition that I have now, that was without a doubt the hardest physical thing I have ever done. I never felt a point where I hit the wall. It was really a gradual progression of fatigue and soreness."

"I can sit around for a year and do a 10k, no problem, even a half-marathon. But the marathon is scary and intimidating enough that you can't just phone that in. You have to train.


-Lance Armstrong, [commenting on running the New York City Marathon in his post-cycling career]

OMG 18 miles is a long way to run...

I know I shouldn't start off a post with that type of title, but c'mon.  Who runs 18 miles without stopping?  It's not normal.  I'm now convinced that a half marathon is a much smarter race distance.  Especially since at the 13.1 mile mark of last Saturday's run, I thought to myself, "If I were running a half marathon, I'd be done training by now" and also thinking, "why not run the half marathon in Seattle?"

But, I set out to do a traditional marathon and that distance is 26.2 miles.  So off I run.  

However, I also need to rationalize a bit.  The temperature in Seattle this past Saturday was 49 degrees for their low.  My Phoenix low was 72 degrees, their HIGH for the day.  So, I'm thinking that 18 miles in Phoenix heat has to have a conversion factor of some type so maybe it's like running 22 or 24 in 50 degree weather?  I sure hope so, because the heat is a killer.  Even when I start my long run Saturday training at 5:30 AM.

Side note:  The Chicago Marathon that killed one marathoner and halted the race was stopped because it got to be 88 degrees.  When I finished on Saturday, it was 94.  Just for the record.

Injury update:  So the ass injury is about 98% healed.  I ran the 18 last week and felt strong cardiovascularly, muscle wise and injury wise so (knock on wood) I think I'm good to go.  It's just a heat battle now.  And a mental one.

Side note 2:  I'm not only bitching about the heat.  The toll running this distance takes on your body is not to be underestimated.  I could barely walk up/down stairs on Sunday.  Thank god for ibuprofen.  I'm OK now but WOW, nobody tells you about this stuff before you embark on the "I'll run a marathon and get that off my bucket list" adventure.

Going long!

Injury update

So I'm in Dallas this week.  Did a workout at the gym and it went well.  I'd say the pain is 95% gone and I was able to run for 45 minutes on it with no problems.  Now I need to get back into hard core training!  Less than 2 months until the marathon.

I have an 18 mile run this Saturday, so I'm hoping the endurance will come back soon.  Otherwise, I'll be in for a v e r y slow run.  In the heat no less.

Going long...

Built For Comfort, Not For Speed

Sorry I haven't written in a bit. I've been hitting the training running up to 16 miles now. The 20 mile long run is coming soon. 5/30 to be exact. No real problems to report.

That is until...

I got my first running injury.

Yes it was bound to happen and is considered a right of passage for all runners. Too bad it had to happen when I'm in serious high mileage training weeks.

I think I got it from running in PV up 32nd street to Lincoln where it gets hilly. Perhaps it was the downhill from there? Who knows. The point is I have (literally) a pain in my ass. No, not there. But close. It's an Ischiogluteal Bursitis. Lots of fancy things. It's literally and figuratively a pain in the ass. Makes running and sitting difficult.

So I've been training less. Less mileage. No hills. No intervals to speak of. Keeping hydrated, stretching and seeing my new best friend, Dr. Kevin Sherman at Ironcare Sports Therapy to work out the area. And that's really been helpful.

So, I've got a 12 mile run this Saturday, 5/9. Then we are moving to 17 miles, 18, and 20 before we start to taper down.

Marathon in Seattle is on 6/28.

I'll keep this blog posted as I progress.

Going long!