Monthly review for Oct

In Oct I ran about 187 miles, an increase from the 175 miles in Sept. My weekly mileage totals for each week ending in Oct were: 23.0, 49.8, 29.0, and 55.0 for each of the Sunday nights in the month. The number I like to follow the most is a moving thirty day total (see graph):

As of Oct 1st my previous thirty total was 167 miles and was 187 miles on the 31st. This was the month of 20 mile long runs and high mileage weeks followed by lower mileage weeks and 12 mile long runs.

Review: This month started with me skipping a 5 mile run due to some pain and just not wanting to get on the treadmill that day and skipping a 6 mile run the day after my 20th high school reunion and lots of beer (it was lots of fun). However, after that things went well for running. Each of my 20 mile runs (the major measuring stick) went better (faster) than the previous 20 miler. My pace on my last 20 miler was around 10:15; this is about what I was hoping it would be at this point and so the training has worked.

This month: The important thing over the next 3 weeks is to not gain weight. I will not be running as much and thus burning fewer calories. However, experience tells me your hunger does not decrease right away from running less. I'll be careful with food and have cut out beer until an hour or so after the marathon.

Upcoming: Nov is the taper month and the marathon is on the 21st. I can't predict how it will go but I should come in around (+/- 15 minutes) the same time as I had last time (5 years ago). The taper should help and sleeping well for two nights before the marathon might help. I've done all of the 20 milers after waking up at least 4 times each night to put the boy back to bed. I'm starting to think about my next set of goals. As of now, I want to work on running 12 miles as fast as I can on back to back weekend days for about two months and then work towards the 40 mile run in the late spring.

10 miles around town

This morning I ran 10 miles around the town. I set out to take it easy after yesterday's 20 and since I was wearing new shoes (but same brand/size). However, my pace for my first mile was 9:27 without really trying to push it at all. So I backed off and ran the next mile at a 11:02 pace. This didn't last long as I felt good and just decided to run at whatever pace I went. I ended up running a few miles under a 10 minute pace and did the last mile in 9:22 (I was pushing that mile).

I ended up with a 10:05 pace overall and ran 10.05 miles in total (I didn't try that). It was a good run. My best pace runs seem to come the day after running 20. I'm not going to run 20 the day before the marathon to test that theory. I took in 100 calories (1 Gu gel) and 1.2 liters of water. I could have used more water near the end but didn't want to stop to refill my bottles.

The last two days have been good. I don't know why I was feeling out of shape but I don't feel that way anymore. I feel ready to do the marathon in about the pace I was aiming for. I'm now in the taper. I don't really like it, but I trust the research so I do it.

20 Miles around town

This morning I did my last twenty miler before the marathon. I used Gu gels since that's what the marathon will have at aid stations. I set out to run this one with an overall average pace of about 10:30 per mile but I ended up with a 10:16 per mile average. So each of the twenty milers was done at a faster overall pace than my last one. I was really happy about today's pace because for some reason (not data supported) I was feeling really out of shape. I took in 3.4 liters of water, 2 endurolytes, and 500 calories via 5 Gu gels.

My first and last mile were both under 10. I'll needed to be careful in the marathon not to go out to fast. I'm not looking to blow my last time in the marathon out of the water. My simple goal is to beat that time or just get close to it. I'm really using this marathon as a step towards my first ultra. I'm not going to push super hard unless I find myself in the lead after 20. I don't want to be sore for more than a few days.

Overall: It was a really good run and I had fun.

Notes: I got new shoes (same brand and size) today after the run. Photo above from a new little path I found around mile 9 on map below.

10 Miles around the complex (thursday)

Last night I ran 10 miles around the complex. I took in 0.6 liters of water. It was nice to run outside and I am looking forward to my 20 mile run tomorrow morning and the Sunday morning run.

Overall: It wasn't my best run but it wasn't bad either. I might be getting close to needing new shoes. If I do get them, I get them soon so I have time to break them in before the marathon.

5 treadmill miles (Wednesday)

I ran 5 miles on the treadmill yesterday. We moved my wife's birthday dinner out to wednesday night from Monday since it never happened due to the car accident. I'll run the 10 later tonight.

Yesterday's treadmill run went fairly well. I ran the first mile at 10:30 and then varied the pace between 10 and 9 minutes per mile for the next 4. I took in 0.6 liters of water.

I'm very ready to run outside tonight and this weekend.

5 treadmill miles

I ran 5 miles on the treadmill this morning. I did the first mile at a 10:30 pace and then did intervals based on the boy and me needing a drink or whatever. The intervals were done at 10, 9:30 and a 9 minutes per mile pace. The four remaining miles were about evenly split between those three speeds but in no real order. I took in 0.6 liters of water.

Note: No neck pain or pain of any kind while running, so that's good.

12 miles over two days (Sunday and Monday) and car accident

The last two days have not been the best in running or my life outside running. Sunday I was able to get in about 7 miles on the treadmill. Work, the boy and other tasks limited my time and attention. I ran about 5 miles yesterday to get in the 12 miles that was scheduled for Sunday.

Last night while driving to my wife's birthday dinner we got hit from behind. Wife and son went to ER but checked out ok. The boy probably came out of it the best being in a children's car seat. My wife and I are both sore. My neck and back of my head are a bit sore (feels like the day after a good wrestling or martial arts practice). Car somehow made it out of it ok, probably helped we got hit by the same size and height midsize car and not a SUV.

Up next: Five miles scheduled for today. Will start them but will stop if I'm not feeling at least ok or better.