Clearwater Halfathon '13

Since I've only done (now) 6 half marathons in my whole life, running two of them in a 6 week span is pretty significant!  I started the "marathon program" after recovering from the last half marathon so there was absolutely no taper for this race.  I was willing to get beaten badly and live with it.  No foot speed - one of the things I really don't like about marathon training!  Actually, I'm not really sure the whole marathon distance is for me.  I long for speed!  But, since I'm in this boat, I'm going to row it!  Since the Dane has been dealing with an ongoing injury, the long runs have been mostly solo which is fine except I don't like spending time away from my Dane (when this is normally our time together).
But, I digress.  I will mention that there were two half marathons to chose from locally (St Pete/Clearwater area) but since this one is close, and usually very competitive, I chose this race.  It proved to certainly be the more competitive race of the weekend!  Not really what you want if you are me and not tapered!  Got the race I wanted and pushed hard the whole way but definitely felt stronger in general despite the four bridges on the course.  I finished in 5th overall, second Master.  Got a great workout for sure!
On to the marathon training, it just keeps going.  I love doing the mileage except during the week, when I'm running after work until nearly 8pm, it loses the luster!  I will get through this and through Boston but may not run another marathon for a while!  Not sure, just my legs talking after running 21 miles today, 15 of them solo.  No luster.  No glory.  Just me and my thoughts.....

Motoring along

So, started "official" Boston marathon training after the long recovery from the half marathon in early Dec (see prev post).  I chose to try Pfitzinger medium mileage program as I feel more mileage may make the marathon "seem" shorter.  Who knows.  I have been able to string together a lot of it but have had to be flexible with the recovery days.  The only issue I have developed is with my left soleus getting really tight and downright sore with the medium long/long runs.  Trying to work this out and may need to seek out the ART guy but will see how this week goes.  Took a week off of work between X-mas and New years and got in the mileage along with quite a bit of swimming (including wetsuit open water polar dip!) so not totally out of multisport world!  I am committed to a relay (as swimmer, funny I know) for St Anthony's Tri two weeks after Boston so I HAVE to keep swimming!  

Put together a solid 18 miler that felt a LOT easier than last year so I see that as progress.  Keeping healthy is my main priority but getting in the miles is a close second.  The Dane is running some now so hopefully my lonely run days will be numbered!
Next race will be the Clearwater Halfathon in two weeks.  Haven't done this race in a couple of years and looking forward to the brutal bridges!  I hope to do a bit better this time around as I have spent quality time on the bridges going in!  We shall see....
Go Broncos!