Bangle's Blog: The Hay is in the Barn

Phew!

14 days to race day, and marathon training is all but done. It's all over but the shouting. All that's left is some rest, some easy runs, a little fine-tuning, and a lot of nervous worrying.

You'll be happy to know that cranky bangle has left the building. Just had my longest weekend EVER and that is making me feel a lot better about the condition my condition is in.

Saturday turned out to be a summer-like day with high in the low70s and sunny. I planned to run 9 Saturday and 15 Sunday to practice running on tired legs. Ths was after 9 miles of speedwork Thursday. The 24 mile weekend is more than I have ever done in 2 days (not counting marathon days).

Got a late start due to family duties and left about 11 AM. Plan was to just run, see how I feel, not work too hard. I was feeling prety good though and it turned out to be a fast run, touching on marathon pace (8:10) for the last 6 miles of the run.

Splits: 8:40, 8:30, 8:29, 8:15, 8:07, 8:24, 8:07, 8:05, 8:22

I ran in my new shoes, and had a little discomfort early, but it faded, and I finished feeling much better about them. My calves were more sore than usual, as I guess I am landing differently, but I am getting used to it. So I decided to wear them again on Sunday.

Sunday's plan initially was to go slow, slow, slow. Over 9 minute pace and just get in the miles. If I felt decent at the end, I would try the last 3 at marathon pace. Weather was cooler and nice, a little windy. Well, right from the beginning I thought, dang, I feel pretty good, considering. My first two miles are always my slowest, and it was hard to stay over 9 minute pace! Legs had some life in them! So I decided to just go with it and run relaxed. The pace picked up. Cruising along - felt pretty good. Got to the beach and realized I would be fighting the wind for the last 6.5 miles. Hmm. I hit the turnaround and a strange thing happened. My pace got faster! I was comfortably moving along under marathon pace. Into the wind. On tired legs. Oh yes.

Check it out: 8:59, 8:58, 8:44, 8:27, 8:32, 8:34, 8:20, 8:22, turnaround,

8:03, 8:14, 8:20, 8:07, 8:03, 7:55, 8:58

I rested in the last mile, but not counting that one, the last 3 were at 8:02, and the last 6 were at 8:07!!! Finished it off with a sub 8 just because I could. But by then, I must admit I was pretty tired, and jogged it in. Still, not dead like the end of a 20. Finished with a smile.

So I am declaring myself fit for trial. My calves are sore and I have a sore spot under my ankle, but overall, my legs are adapting to the new shoes OK so I will stick with them.

Here is a look at my mileage chart.

The line represents my 8-week moving average of miles per week. You can see that I am improving year to year and this year's line is above anything I have done lately (or since 1981)! The big dip last year was when I got hurt and missed 7 weeks. Lots of hay in the barn!

Also, since I'm sharing, check out this weight graph. I weigh myself once a week, after my Sunday run. Today was a new low of 151! Have not seen 150 since the early 90's I'm guessing.