Training 01/04 to 01/10

A good solid week of running in the bank. I ended up at 91 miles which is pretty good for me. A few highlights included the New Years Day run and the Nakel Doughnut run. Temps have been pretty low and clearly Winter is here.

Mon 1/4: AM 8 easy miles
Tue 1/5: AM 2 mile warm up + 4x1 mile repeats + 4x400 meter repeats + 2 mile cool down
Wed 1/6: AM 13 with Damon / Matt / Rich / Nilesh / Ed
Thu 1/7: AM 8 easy miles
Fri 1/8: AM 10 miles
Sat 1/9: AM 20 miles
Sun 1/10: 14 miles
Total = 72 miles

My race schedule is starting to fall into place as well. I will do races each weekend for a month leading up to the marathon. Some will be marathon pace, some will be workouts, some will be all out. Here they are: Last Chance for Boston Half Marathon, Shamrock 15K, Malachi 5 miler, National Marathon.

Logan is back at OU for Winter Quarter. At the moment he has a single room. His roommate decided to move out. Hopefully he either keeps the large single or at least gets a good roommate.

Maddie starts back on Monday. I know it is going to take a few days to get back in the groove of things. Time to buckle down!

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National Marathon Training - 12/28 to 1/3

I have been pretty good about following my training plan for the National Marathon, but have had a few schedule conflicts disrupt it a little. This is the first week where I will really lock onto the schedule. I will only hit 90+ three times during the cycle...so this week is important.

Mon 12/28 - 10 miles easy
Tue 12/29 - 2 mile warm up + 4 miles @ 6:30 pace + 4 mins easy + 3 miles @ 6:20 pace + 3 mins easy + 2 miles @ 6:15 pace + 2 mins easy + 1 mile @ 6:15 pace + 2 mile cool down
Wed: AM - 8 miles with Damon / Matt / Rich. PM - 9 miles with Seymour and Dobos.
Thu: 10 easy miles
Fri: 10 easy miles @ Boston Store with Ed and group
Sat: 10 miles with Nakel at doughnut run
Sun: 2 miles easy + 4 miles @ 6:00 pace + 10 miles easy + 2 x 2 miles @ 6:15 pace with 2 min easy between + 2 miles cool down
Total = 95 miles

I have to remember that easy means easy!

+ Logan heads back to Ohio U on the 3rd. I think he is really ready to get back!
+ Maddie got a guitar for Xmas. I hope she stays interested in it. If so....lessons will start in the Spring.
+ Jo will hopefully be running the half in DC while I do the marathon. We will be staying a block from the Capitol. I am really looking forward to the trip.

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Plan in Place

Well my 18% chance for Western States may have well been 0%. I didn't get in, which is too bad because I really doubt I will run another 100 just to qualify for Western again. So the table is set for the National Marathon in DC on March 20th. This gives me enough time to train and not overtrain. It also gives me a second chance should the National not go according to plan. I can always regroup and do either the Flying Pig or Cleveland.

Congrats to the Burning River 100 miler. It has been selected as the 2010 USATF Trail 100 National Championship. I am timing / webcasting / helping this race...so national exposure to Chaney Event Management is on the way.

Got a good 18 miler in today. Final pace was around 6:54 which is not that big of a deal. What was important was that I ran miles 2-5 around 6:20 pace with no impact on the rest of the run. I backed it down on the carriage trail then picked it back up on the way back. The 6:45-6:55 remainder of the run seemed pretty relaxed. This is a good starting point. The key will be to hook up as much as I can with people who run faster than me.

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On the clock

The Western States lottery is in 6 days. I have an 18% chance of getting in. It would be very cool to make it as this was one of my "bucket list" items, but if I don't I don't. I have also been waiting for December 5th to decide on which marathon to run. Originally it was going to be the day I signed up for Boston....but it closed in record time. The economics of Boston prevent them from making the qualifying standards tougher (which they should to). I will just have to enter next year on the first day of registration. Anyway my choices are down to two different marathons. I will more than likely run the National Marathon in DC. I ran the half two years ago and enjoyed the course. Jo and I can stay with Dave and Liz as well which makes it nice. Liz is a rising star in Washington. Maybe one day I can run this marathon and bunk at the White House! My backup plan is the Flying Pig in Cincinnati. I will make my final decision on the 5th.

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Plan B

Well I sat on my rear end and thought I could sign up for Boston in December. WRONG! It sold out in record time! I will keep my eyes open on any opportunity to jump in....but I will now have to find a plan B. I would like a destination type marathon for Jo and I to get away. Any suggestions?

Club XC Nationals is in a month. I will most likely be slow at that race. I really am not motivated to race well as much as I am to just participate.

December 5th is a big day. The Western States 100 lottery drawing is that day. 1,600 applicants vying for 300 spots. Fat chance I will get in. If not an ultra may be out for 2010.

John N is getting the Hood to Coast team together. I would like to be in top shape for that.

Blog updates have slowed down due to this thing called Facebook. Instant gratification always wins.

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What's Next?

I paced the 3:20 group at the Columbus Marathon this past weekend. I really had a nice time and all went well. Running slower does not always translate to running easier. Holding a super steady pace for 26 miles has its own challenges. Here is a photo Jo took around the 12 mile mark.

My work with the Copley Cross Country team has pushed me over the edge to hook up once again with my Masters friends and hit the USATF Club Cross Country National Championship in December. I have put together an aggressive 8 week program to follow. The good news is that I have a huge base and many of the workouts are really extensions of what I have been giving the HS team this year. Should be fun.

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Random Update

I have been blog slacking lately. I don't expect things to pick up anytime soon, so I will post general updates from time to time. Once November rolls around I will really really try to journalize my Boston training. So...on with the show....

Thanks to Jo for everything. She was sweet enough to come down and watch me practice pace at the Towpath Marathon. She will also come down to Columbus for my real pacing duties. I have the 3:20 group. I am looking forward to it. It definitely carries a different kind of pressure, but I think it will be fun. Hopefully the winds are kind and the balloons I am carrying don't carry me away.

Jo and I saw KISS a week or so ago. They played everything from ALIVE...their live breakthrough album. It was great as I expected. A few too many indoor fireworks for Jo. Thanks for hanging in there dear!

Cross Country has been much more rewarding than I expected. The team has really come together and have improved nearly every week. I really hope they can pull a rabbit out of the hat and move through Districts to Regionals. It would be a great team experience.

I am hoping to go back to work soon. I will detail everything once it is finalized. Stay tuned...

My second job is also about to start. I have decided to officially start a Race Event Management company. I hope to provide a service that will complement what SARC does and will be viewed as something unique. I should have the launch set by November 7th.

My recent timing gig at the North Coast 24 National Championship was a real experience. Plans are in the works for a bigger and better structure in 2010.

Maddie is getting through the 6th grade pretty well. Math continues to be a hurdle for her. I wish I could help her more but I have learned that being a helicopter parent is not the best thing to do!

Logan is coming home this weekend from Ohio U. I think he is enjoying Athens and his grades are very good.

That's it for now!

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