Keeping it together

Yup, still going. 9 weeks to go and still holding up. I have finally hit a 50+ mile run week which I haven't done since I was 22, if memory serves me. I suspect people think I run a lot of miles.....I don't! During most of the past 20 years of mostly doing triathlons, a 20-30 mile run week was solid for me! I have, luckily, been able to get by on this sort of mileage. During big run focus week for the seven Ironmans I've started, 40 miles was a big run week. But, when you add in all the cycling and swimming, that was about all I could handle! Also, now being a Masters athlete makes the game change as well. Training to race a marathon is not easy. It's fun and challenging but not easy. I have never done this. Training to survive a marathon in an Ironman is a completely different beast! It's much less fun and downright torture at times! I am actually liking this! I have niggles that pop up here and there but I have been running for so long that I usually know what the cause is and how to nip it in the bud. So far! One skill I've honed racing Ironmans is mental toughness. I think I will need all of that for the marathon. Since the run comes last in an Ironman and you have had to deal with so many challenges physically and mentally before the run, it is a real mind fuck out there! I'm not the most talented runner but I know I am very mentally tough. I think this will be very helpful to me in December. We'll see. The goal is to toe the line healthy which is a sure challenge in itself. The next goal is to get a Boston qualifier with a 20 minute buffer for first day registration. So far, so good.

Cheers

11 weeks to go

Decided to run a marathon (my first non-Ironman marathon) during the last injury and, so far, it's been really enjoyable.  I have, in about four weeks time, gotten back to a really good aerobic run base.  I have had to escalate the long run rather quickly so that I can later do more specific work within the long run.  The goal is to not only get Boston qualifier but to do so with 20+ minutes to spare for early registration rights.  I have been within minutes of doing the goal time in an Ironman marathon (Hawaii, no less) so don't think it'll be impossible by any stretch.  I just want to stay healthy and run as well as possible on 12/18.  I'm thinking now I have enough time to get in some good mileage.  Got over 40 miles this week and won't generally go much over 50 per week as my injury risk is too high going over.  For me, quality miles makes all the difference so that is what I'm committing to.  How it turns out, we'll see.  Good thing is I'm healthy and getting fit.  Still swimming and lifting weights but haven't cycled in a few weeks.  Unfortunately, I am signed up for a sprint triathlon in three weeks and hope I don't totally forget HOW to ride a bike!  It's just for fun but will be seriously painful, I'm sure.  So, all good and loving running in the fall weather (yes, sometimes we get fall weather in FL)!  Will sit back and watch the drama roll out in Kona next Saturday and, no doubt, gain even more motivation!  That's good because long run goes to 15-16 miles next weekend!
Cheers.