As the taper begins, I hit the road and the hills again. Today's easy run consisted of six miles of hills. These were not easy hills, in fact some of them are quite big, but I ran them at an easy pace. The last mile is all downhill and I ran this at a relaxed pace. I was totally focused on being smooth, almost as if I was floating or rolling downhill. I good stretch of this downhill is pretty steep, but I never felt like I was putting on the brakes. I just concentrated on a quick but relaxed turnover. This last mile ended up being a 6:30.

No pains in my right foot.

Victor

Cross-training: 0.0 miles
Running: 6.0 miles
Shoes: Puma Complete Heras
WTD running: 34.0 miles
WTD total: 37.5 miles

posted by Not So Competitive Runner at 9:30 AM | 1 comments

Today was a serious recovery day, after three hard days of hills and MP runs. A little rowing, some weights and core strength exercises, and walking. I'll count this as 3.5 miles.

My right foot is much better. The homemade arch support seems to be working.

Victor

Cross-training: 3.5 miles
Running: 0.0 miles
Shoes: n/a
WTD running: 28.0 miles
WTD total: 31.5 miles

posted by Not So Competitive Runner at 9:27 PM | 0 comments

This is the last day before I start to cut back.

I ran 12 miles his morning, with six being at marathon pace. I am still a little beat up after yesterday's hill so this was not all that easy. I was able to maintain a 6:50 pace for the six miles over moderately hilly terain. I also had to deal with occasional ice as melting snow had frozen overnight. I could have held this pace for another six, but no way I could have held if for 26. I am tired and have run hard lately, so I think I still on pace for something close to 3:00, but going under that will be hard. Weather will be critical.

I did some research last night on my foot pain and I appear to have a fallen metatarsal arch. I seem to remember having similar pain many years ago. I cut up another shoe insert so that my arch is better supported and that seemed to make quite a difference.

Victor

Cross-training: 0.0 miles
Running: 12.0 miles
Shoes: Brooks Radius 2005
WTD running: 28.0 miles
WTD total: 28.0 miles

posted by Not So Competitive Runner at 8:42 PM | 0 comments

Today I went for my hilly 10 mile loop. My right foot is still hurting me. It feels like I have a bruise under my second metatarsal. I cut up an insert to take the pressure off that spot and it seems to help, but was still sore. Thank goodness for soft, Vermont mudseason, dirt roads.

I ran all the uphills pretty hard, but not all out: something above a tempo effort. I am feeling a little tired, but otherwise OK.

Victor

Cross-training: 0.0 miles
Running: 10.0 miles
Shoes: Brooks Radius 2005
WTD running: 16.0 miles
WTD total: 16.0 miles

posted by Not So Competitive Runner at 7:56 PM | 0 comments

Normally, I'd start to taper, now that it is three weeks out from the marathon. But because I was sick for those nine days, I'm going to cut my taper down from three weeks to two and a half.

Today I ran an easy six miles on hills. I was feeling pretty good so I threw in 10 strides. My right foot is feeling a little sore, not in the usual sport, which is the outside bunion, but under the second metatarsal. It must have come from running that 21 miles completely on pavement. Usually I get to mix in a couple of miles of dirt. Well, there won't be any dirt at Boston, so I better just get used to it.

Victor

Cross-training: 0.0 miles
Running: 6.0 miles
Shoes: Nike Pegesus
WTD running: 6.0 miles
WTD total: 67.0 miles

posted by Not So Competitive Runner at 8:33 PM | 0 comments

What a great run! I cruised through 21 very hilly miles at about a 7:05 pace with relatively little effort. My HR averaged a comfortable 152. Down hills were run at paces approaching 6:30 and up hills were rarely over 7:20. I was in CT for the Easter weekend, so I did not get to run my usual Boston Simulator run. But the course I ran was just as good. After about 3 miles of steep rollers I ran a steady downhill and with the wind for about 5 miles. These downhill miles were pretty gradual but persistent. I then ran uphill for the remainder of the out and back loop before reversing the course. Even on the steeper rollers before ending the run, my legs felt fresh. So I am thinking I'll still shoot for a sub-3:00 marathon. Of course that will depend on the weather and on how quickly I am able to settle into my pace.

I got my race number late last week. 8226! Not at all good. This puts me in the 8th coral. From what I have heard, the start has been narrowed in order to allow people to start running once they pass the starting line. I hope that is true.

Victor

Cross-training: 0.0 miles
Running: 21.0 miles
Shoes: Brooks Burn
WTD running: 55.5 miles
WTD total: 67.5 miles

posted by Not So Competitive Runner at 9:57 PM | 0 comments

Because of Easter, I will have to run my final 20+ run tomorrow instead of Sunday, so I took today fairly easy. I started with some rowing and core strength and then hit the roads for another six miles. I felt pretty good and even threw in six strides on the way back.

Victor

Cross-training: 2.0 miles
Running: 6.0 miles
Shoes: Nike Pegesus
WTD running: 34.5 miles
WTD total: 46.5 miles

posted by Not So Competitive Runner at 12:30 PM | 0 comments