Yassos kick my ass-os...

After a difficult Thanksgiving week of running (2-4.5 mile runs and a 20 with a missed 4 miler and 8 miler), I knew I had to get back on track this week.  Heck, it's only 78 days until I run the Myrtle Beach Marathon.  Of course I am ahead of most rookies training for their first, but I can't rest on that fact.  So, this week has been a good week figuratively getting back on the track by having 3 of my 4 runs done with the last scheduled for lunch and I also literally did get back on the track for my Yasso 800s yesterday.

This was a difficult run.  I fortunately got out of work early so I could enjoy my run in the sun and the warm weather we've been experiencing.  I drove to the local middle school track which is a gravel surfaced track so it's like running on some of the so-called "trails" near my house.  I could tell the first mile warm-up that it would be a mental battle the entire way.  My pace has gone to 3:40 for my Yassos from the 4:15 it first started as and the self imposed 4:00 I had it become right before I did my Half clear back in August.  4 or 5 Yasso's are not tough.  8!!! Holy Crap.  I got done with the each of the first 3 and each time was thinking, maybe I should just do 6 of them and cut my run down to 6 miles instead of 8.  From 4-7 I told myself that I could get to 7 but I was done there.  I didn't have to do an 8th, I was already tired and had pushed it and didn't need it.  As I jogged a 1/4 way through that cool down, I said, dude, it's one more, get it done!  I ran it in similar fashion as my other ones, a strong first 150 meters where I was like, no problem, but then 650 meters where I am telling myself dude you are slow, you won't even finish this lap in under 2 minutes.  I proved myself wrong and fought through the doubt and excuses.  After finishing, I have thought a lot about it and decided, I really need experiences like this and they will make for a better marathon because I will fight through plenty of doubting when I hit the wall.  An easy 16 miler this weekend. :)

MTY kick ass...

So a long time ago I touched on my Uncle's made-up MTY runs.  They are 2 miles at Marathon Pace, a mile at Tempo pace, 1/2 a mile at slow/long pace and 1/2 mile at Yasso pace.  My pacing has been sped up dramatically from when I first started these.

• Marathon pace was initially a 9:45, then got switched to a 9:09 after my 1/2 and has dropped another 30 seconds to 8:35.
• Tempo has gone from 9:07 to 8:35 to 8:00
• Slow has gone from 10:30 to 10:00 to 9:30
• Yasso has gone from 4:30 to 4:00 to 3:40 (1/2 mile times)

Yes, 3:45 is my goal but shooting for a 3:40 Yasso will help give me the needed wiggle room.  Well, my MTY that I ran fully committed and keeping pace in mind went awesome.  It was on a trail at the Adams County Fairgrounds and I ran until it dead ended up north.  I met all my Yasso times and it's a great start.  I am stoked.

89 days from Myrtle Beach Marathon...

This past weekend was a significant one.  It marked less than 90 days until my brother and I join the 1% of the population that will ever do a marathon in their lifetime with my seasoned veteran of an Uncle.  It also marked my brother's first half marathon and abother full marathon for my Uncle.  This one in PA.  My brother's half showed the difficulties experienced in a race, having cramped up just after the 10k mark after waiting for the port-a-potties.  My Uncle is a machine and even with inadequate training ran a comfortable "Training" run of 3:41.  If I can get that time, I will have ran a perfect marathon.  *sigh*  My Sunday run was awesome.  I listened to the end of the Sunday morning football games and caught the entire first half of the Broncos first half.  I ran 16 on Sunday.  I once again missed one of my 4 shorter runs.  It has been my toughest obstacle to get that 5th run in.  The long runs go well and have never been cut short.  This is the week I just do it. Copyrighted by Nike.

I've neglected you...

To my very few readers (if any, since I may just be typing to myself) and to my blog, I am sorry for my neglect.  Yes, I started a blog about a half dozen times and then I deleted every single one of them.  I just didn't find my running interesting and doubted that others had as well.  But since my last blog was still in summer it seems and we've gone right to a wintery time, I figured I better get back on board.

I have ramped up my running.  My toughest challenge is that elusive fifth run.  I have missed it in two consecutive weeks.  It is early in my training but let's be honest, I  am not one for excuses and I decided to start this challenge and I intend to finish it.  I have decided to do 6 runs this week.  I only did four last week, so I owe it to myself.  Of course one of the four was a 20 mile run through snow/sleet/cold weather/light wind but it was a great experience and instead of saying, yeah I am finished, I was thinking, I wish I could go another 10.  Running has become a source of enjoyment I never imagined possible.  I used to run sprints in wrestling and football and I knew I could handle it.  I would go as fast as I needed to but I would never have to run more than a minute.  When I ran longer distances for training, I would always ask when am I done instead of what it has now become of when can I do more?  It is not easy balancing family, work, running and other responsibilities, but I have found a love for running. 

It is crazy to think about but my Uncle Tim, Brother Alex and myself and only 3 months and a few days from toeing the line together.  Well, my Uncle will be in a wave about 1000 runners ahead of me, I'll be somewhere in the middle and my brother will start with me and we'll see how things go from there.

So in the last month and a half I have done 7 consecutive 30+ mile weeks with 3 of those being 35 mile weeks.  The 40 mile week is next week.  I should have plenty of time from Thanksgiving to Sunday to get in that long run.  I am tempted to run from Boulder to Broomfield after the CU game.  Now will it be plausible?  I am not sure. 

Things I have learned in the past 6 weeks:

• The weather drops 15-20 degrees within 30 minutes.  I ran last night after leaving work at 4:30 and got up near the house just after 5 and it went from 50 to low 30s that quickly.  I was cold the first mile of my run, but felt great the rest of the way.
• I (and marathoners) am (are) insane.  I saw a handful of people out walking their dogs during my 3 hours and change run but that was when the weather had cleared up for a little.  Unlike weeks past, the bikers, walkers and others were not noted.  Marathoners are crazy running in these conditions.
• I am ill equipped for the cold or dark.  I need more reflective clothing and definitely something I can wear to keep me warm for my shorter runs.  My cold gear top and bottom are AWESOME, but a warm jacket and some pants are probably needed as well as gloves.
• Colorado can't decide its weather from hour to hour, so I better be prepared for whatever hour or condition it is and have gear for all occassions.
• The human body is amazing.  I ran 20 miles, 18 miles, 17 miles, 16 miles and 15 miles twice.  I never imagined with less than 24 oz water and only about 150 calories consumed during those runs that my body could feel so amazing after the fact and me not be opposed to more.
• Old worn down shoes can cause aches that aren't needed.  My old shoes have very noticeable wear and probably close to 700 miles on them.  I ran with my new ones this past week and they are a savior.  My ankle, knees and other aches were much less these last few days.
• Last, I am excited for another run and especially the long run.  Only doing 15 and then back up to 20.