Doubts are creeping in

Runs
Mon- Rest
Tues- 8 miles
Wed- 8 miles, 5x600m V02 max run
Thurs-Rest
Fri-Rest
Sat- 8 miles with Striders
Sun - Rest

Total: 24 miles

As you can see, It is the second week in a row where I have not reached my mileage. My nagging thigh and groin pull seem to be staying put. I have lsot alot of confidence. This Pfitzinger program has not had much speedwork adn I do not feel that I am getting faster. I have logged many more miles than I ever had, but I have not had the fast runs work out yet. The only 2 MP runs I have had have not gone well. The first was 12 with 5 at Half marathon pace and I could barely keep it at marathon pace for 5. The scond was the 15 miler I didn't run this Sunday. It was supposed to be 15 with 12 at MP. I got a half mile from my house and my thigh didn't loosen up like it normally does. I bagged the run.

I have decided to take Ibuprofen and intensive stretching and maybe a massage this week. In addition, I may get some new shoes. If these do not improve things, then I'm just going to run my self into the ground. Either, I'll overcome this and improve, or I'll make my injury worse and won't reach my goal. Either way, taking alot of time off is going to be counterproductive to reaching my goal, so  I have nothing to lose.

Every year I have run, I have had some issues. ITB, shin splints, etc. This year has been my healthiest, so I am more angry that I am having issues. In reality, I'm actually better than I have been in any training cycle and have gotten use to the lack of pain.

Garden:
Lots of tomatoes. 18-20 in the last week alone.

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It's hot as Hades in Texas

Runs

Mon-Rest
Tues - 6 miles, Recovery
Wed- 14 miles, General Aerobic
Thurs - Rest
Fri- Rest
Sat- Rest
Sun- 14 miles

Total - 34 miles

I had a very busy week at work, coupled with a nagging pain along the the lower inside of my left thigh and a mild groin sprain (go ahead with the jokes), i decided to utilize this "stepback" week to rest even more. Plus, a trip to visit my parents in Dallas was already making the thought of a long run in teh 100+ degree heat seem like a bad idea. The pain in my thigh/groin does not stop me from running and infact my pace seems quite ok. My "recovery" runs are getting faster at a simialr level of effort.

I did a 14 miler at River Legacy PArk in Arlington, Texas. It is a shaded 7 mile point to point trail. It is a cement trail with alot of bikers, but off to the side is a worn path from teh few runners using the trail. The parking lot to this path enters teh trail at mile 1.2. After studying the trail map, I realized, water was not going to be plentiful, adn mapped out a couple of out and backs. I first went from mile 1.2 back to mile 0 and then came back to mile 1.2. I then went out toward mile 6/6 and turned around. I intended on going back to mile 0, return to my car for an even 14. It was hot as hell and I saw alot fo animals and reptiles. Small snakes, lizards, and frogs. As I was running the final leg back to mile 0, Isee a BOBCAT on the runnign trail, walking toward me. I don't know much about wildlife, but I didn't think running by this animal was a smart thing to do, so I turned around and high tailed it back and did my final 2 miles on a different route. A BOBCAT. In suburbia. walking on a trail. Pretty cool, unless I got mauled.

This week, I will get back on track. The pain has not gone away, but i'll deal. I switched my 15 mile with 12 at marathon pace scheduled for last week to this week to avoid doing it in 100 degree heat.

If I lived in Texas, I would never do a fall marathon. The training would be too brutal.

Wisdom tooth watch- A has dry sockets. not fun times in our house. Plus United lost out luggage. My Garmin, sunglasses and my glasses were in there.

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Get busy running or get busy sitting on the couch eating chips and salsa

Runs

Mon-Rest
Tues - 6 miles, Recovery
Wed- 12 miles, General Aerobic
Thurs - 9 miles, Threshold Run (See below)
Fri- Rest
Sat- 5 Recovery
Sun- 20 miles

Total - 52 miles

Another 50+ mile week. The body is holding up well, while the mind and psyche is faltering. My Thursday run sucked. It was a pace run. It was supposed to be an 11 mile run with 6 at Half marathon pace. I did 2 warm up, then did 3 at hmp. I stopped to take a gel and gte a drink of water. When I started back up, I felt nauseous and came back on the pace a bit and finished the next 3 at a slower pace (about 30 seconds/mile slower than my MARATHON pace) I bagged  my cooldown by 2 miles (1 instead of 3). I really lost alot of confidence in that run. With all these miles, I am running more, but I don't feel like I have gotten faster. I am seriously thinking that turning my speedwork over to Pfitzinger may have been a mistake. There is speed built into this schedule, but as evidenced by my run on Thursday, I am in no condition to run a 3:15 yet. I'll keep doing the miles as prescribed. Others have shown great benefit from this plan, and I have as well to some extent. I'm 30-50% more mileage than I have ever done at my peak and my body isn't rebelling. That accounts for something.

The stomach issues weren't gel related. It's that feeling after you have sprinted a mile and you feel like you are going ot puke.

My 20 was nice. I felt good, without the usual soreness post run. I think If I wanted to run a slow marathon today, I'd have no problem. The problem is I want to run a "fast" marathon.

I have 10 weeks to get my mind in gear and go Emeril on this plan and kick it up a notch.

A had her wisdom teeth extracted on Friday and is in a lot of pain. Life ain't too much fun at the homestead right now, but in the grand scheme of life, this is nothing to be concerned about. Friends of mine are going through way tougher fights right now and that puts life into perspective. I'm not an overly religious person. However, when bad things happen to good people, I don't know how to resolve that spiritually. I could either look at it as God couldn't exist and let things like this happen, or I could look at it that God has to be involved and has a master plan for us. I don't have an answer. I never will. All I know is that it sucks, but from what I have read of this friend's family, they have the strength and faith to conquer this.

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More mileage, yet not feeling confident

July 24-30
This was Badwater week. I counted my run/walking in Death Valley in my mileage, but it wasn't all running

M-12 miles (badwater)
Tues- 9 miles (badwater)
Wed- 0
Thurs- 0
Fri- 0
Sat- 3
Sun -12

Total - 36 miles

July 31 - Aug 6

M-Rest
Tues - 10 miles (4 at race pace: 7:20)
Wed- 4
Thurs- 11 miles. On the treadmill due to rain
Fri-Rest
Sat - 7 miles- with strides
Sun - 18 miles at the lakefront

Total - 50 miles ( A new high by 8 miles)


It has been a little let down since Badwater. Most of my excitement and energy was focused on that. Now it is over. I'll copy my race report in another post. I now must focus my energy on the marathon. I am handling much higher milege than I ever did before, but I don't feel like I am faster. The heat and humidity has made the runs seem harder than it should be. I hope this starts to click soon.