Pre-race day!

Well folks, tomorrow is the big day!  I missed some runs the past two weeks due to minor heat exhaustion, a sore back and work…  But, I managed to squeeze in one 20 miler and a few long runs ranging from 18-16 miles…  I hope I am ready for 26.2 tomorrow, good luck to you all! I hope to see you at the finish line!  God bless and thanks to all of those who have followed me along this journey! 

Happy running and God bless!
"Fight the good fight, finish the race, and always keep faith"
2 Timothy 4:7

Awesome August

First and foremost, happy birthday to my wonderful and lovely wife!  I love you with all of my heart!  

I missed two maintenance runs this week because of rest/recovery after the 20-miler on Saturday…  My monthly mileage total for August was 106 miles (3 shy of my monthly mileage PR).  I could’ve set a new monthly mileage PR if I had run just once this week…  I wasn’t feeling up for it though and have no regrets about resting up.  “Records were meant to be broken” and I’ll have another shot at it!

I begin my two-week taper and will only have to run 12 miles this weekend.  I am as ready as I am going to be for the Marathon!  Giddy up!  Oh, and my USAF Marathon Bib number is #1883

"Safety doesn't happen by accident"  Have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend!

 August 2011 Mileage

 (click image for full size)

Happy running and God bless!
"Fight the good fight, finish the race, and always keep faith"
2 Timothy 4:7

The Big Twenty!

I shifted my long run from Saturday to today (to allow for a recovery/rest day from Friday’s 10K fun run).  I wasn’t feeling up for the challenge this morning because I was tired and didn’t sleep well…  But still, I woke up and hit the pavement…  I am glad that I did!

The starting temp was 64f and it felt great!  It didn’t get hot all day, despite a clear sky!  The finish temp was around 75f with a 12-16mph wind (which kept things cool).  Well, I did exactly what I did the past few weeks; I placed two liters of Gatorade-water mix in a thermos cooler on my front porch…  My make-shift water station worked out great!  Hydration was on spot today!  I didn’t have to refill my bottles until after mile #10.  I stopped by the front porch and refilled the water then ate a Gu energy gel, mint chocolate flavor (yummy)! 

I was doing fine up until mile #16 which is where I hit “the wall.”  I don’t know what happened but my legs felt like jello and my pace suffered a bit.  Each step felt like I was carrying a ton of bricks in my shoes…  Blah…  Well, I ate another Gu energy gel (this time, Lemon Sublime) to help out.  I ended up getting to the #18 mile mark then I alternated a ¼ mile of walking then running up until the final mile where I walked about a ½ mile.  I was done… 

Splits:

#1  8:48           #11  10:08

#2  8:56           #12  11:43

#3  9:14           #13  10:24   13.1 split: 2:06:15 (9:38 pace)

#4  9:16           #14  11:06

#5  9:35           #15  11:58

#6  9:23           #16  13:48

#7  9:12           #17  12:50

#8  9:16           #18  13:39

#9  9:17           #19  13:24

#10  10:06       #20  14:04

20 @ 3:36:11 (10:49 pace) overall.  Overall, I was very pleased with today’s run!  I thought for sure that I wouldn’t make it the distance…  I never felt like quitting but my legs were fatigued.  I’ll have to dig down deep to get through the final 6 miles…  Take care and enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

Happy running and God bless!
"Fight the good fight, finish the race, and always keep faith"
2 Timothy 4:7