Mood:  celebratory
After more than 2 years of preparation, I did it, I'm a marathoner! My goal Sunday was 4:30 and I came in at 4:26. 

Mood:  bright

A little more than a week to go.  I'm feeling better about finishing this full marathon, with slightly diminished expectations.  I'll be happy with anything between 4:30 and 5 hours.  Is less than 4:30 possible? Maybe, but I'm not counting on it, but this race has brought the best out of me twice before for the half, so who knows.

I first decided I wanted to run a full marathon back in the fall of 1976 when Coach Roy Himrod made us run 10 miles in cross country practice.  But after school I got fat and lazy and didn't run much in my adult line until 2008 and 2009.   2010 was to be my marathon year, but back injury kept me from running it then, so here goes, 35 years in the making.    I suspect if I finish this marathon in my expected range, it may be my only one, I may just return to the half as I love that race.  But I'll wait till a week after this race and make up my mind on what's next. 

 

It looks like this Marathon thing is going to happen. I did almost 18 miles last weekend and will do another 13 this weekend. I had hoped to get a 20 miler in before the marathon, but that doesn't look like it will happen.  I've lowered my expectations somewhat and will try for a 4:30 finish instead of a 4 hour one.  2 more weeks!

I managed to get in 14 last Saturday in the cooler weather and really enjoyed myself.  This weekend, I plan on a relaxing 6 on Saturday and then doing a half marathon in Dublin on Sunday. How fast I go will depend on the weather which is starting to look warmer. 

Cooler days?
Mood:  bright
The heat has continued to make it difficult to get in the number of miles I have wanted to, but we have had a few cooler mornings lately, so I'm hoping that will help. I remember going through this last year.  It was 85 when I ran 6 last night and will be close to that for a 5 miler tonight, but looking forward to at least 12 on Saturday.

Mood:  a-ok
Ran a tough 1/2 marathon in Erie, PA yesterday in considerable heat.  It was about 30 degrees warmer than any other previous one I have ran.  I also started out way too fast and ended up with my slowest of 5 halves done so far. I definitely could not have run a full that day. 

Things continue to go well, My next half marathon will be in about 3 weeks in Erie.  I'm confident I will be under 2 hours, but will I be near my PR of 1:48? I doubt it, but it will be a good gauge of where I'm at. I'm not concentrating on getting faster, just going farther as I hope to complete the 26 miles in October. Still I'm hoping the distance work helps me out on the races before the marathon.

 

This holiday weekend, I'll probably run 10-12 on Saturday, maybe run a 5k on Monday and then I'm planning on 14 on Tuesday as I have the day off.  

The Columbus 10k went well, clearly I'm ahead of last year, but now the heat comes and it should be just as hot this year.  I need to do another 14 miles, perhaps this Saturday.  I ran 10 last week, but found out wings late on Friday night don't make for a good Saturday morning run. 

I actually did 14 miles last Saturday, not a blistering time, but it went well, I should have no trouble ramping it up in the coming months.  Still have a slight tendon issue in the left side, but it doesn't bother me running. Stopping sit ups for the month of June, that is where I seem to irritate it.  Columbus 10k This weekend, really looking forward to it.

Mood:  bright
Cruise weight is back off, but would love to lose 10 more before October. I've run 10 miles the past 2 weekends, hoping to do 12 this Saturday.