Just a little update

I'm still working myself into a regular routine. Seems like I'll have a good week followed by a 4-5 days of no running. I've been consistently putting in 3 miles when I do run- I think last week I totaled 9 miles :( I've got a few weeks without traveling now over the holidays - I'm planning to use this time to form some good habits so when I do get busy I'll be motivated to still squeeze a run in. I've got about a month and a half before I really need to start the training for a spring marathon.

Today I hit the treadmill for an exciting 3 miles over lunch - Thank god for sports center!

Looking Ahead

I had a good week of running last week. I feel like I’m pulling out of my slump.  I ended up with a little over 14 miles last week with 4 days of running. For now it’s a good place to be – running 3-4 miles at a time.

I’ve had some strange aches and pains – one morning last week I woke up with the oddest foot pain – just back from my big toe??? It lasted a day and vanished. I’ve also had some pain in my lower back on the right side… seems to come and go. Today I could feel it for about the first 1/4 mile I ran then it faded away?  It’s not anything I’m worried about but I kind of feel old!

I’ve peeked ahead to count back the weeks from the Fargo Marathon in May. My plan is to start the official training the last week of January. That will give me about 18 weeks of training. Between now and then I’d like to build a solid base up. I’d like to be running 5 days a week totaling 20-25 miles. I need to build my long runs up to at least 10 miles by then too. It seems easy enough – although I know my work/travel schedule is not going to slow down anytime soon. That means suffering through many 4-5 milers on worn out treadmills in tiny hotel fitness centers! I’m really going to try to get at least one run in outside each week through the winter. The lack of daylight and unpredictable weather should help make that a challenge.

Working hard at not working hard

It’s almost mid- November now and it’s time for me to start thinking about getting back into a regular routine. lately I’ve been working hard at not working hard. Leading up to the marathon I was starting to burn out. The high mileage workouts, worrying about being prepared and trying to fit the runs in around the weather, work schedule, and a regular life as a husband/father had me ready to call it quits with this whole 4 hour marathon quest. After the latest  marathon, I ran a few times and then decided I wasn’t going to run until I felt like running again. I’ve spent these weeks in sort of a mardi gras. I’ve been eating at an alarming pace, not exercising at all and generally not thinking about running. I’ve managed to gain about 7 lbs.

I told myself November 1st was the end of the gluttony. Surprisingly Nov. 1st  was the day I felt like running again. I went for a short 2.5 mile run and it felt great. I think the 3 weeks I spent not running  were important to steer me away from total burnout but it really felt good to be moving again. I can tell I’ve lost some of the fitness I had a month ago –I was breathing hard that first mile and the muscles were sore the next day.

I’ve been out a few times since then and I’m slowly easing myself back into it. I still haven’t fallen into a regular routine. So far my longest run has been about 4 miles- I managed to run 3 days last week. This week I’m determined to get 5 days of running in.

I’m not sure why my motivation is so low. The weather has been great the last couple of weeks and looks like it will keep up for another week or so. I know in a month I’ll be kicking myself because I didn’t take advantage of these warm dry days.