I am now officially a month into my training and let me tell you, this stuff doesn't get any easier. I am learning more about myself on a daily basis and every time I plug miles out underneath my feet. I desperately need to drink more water and get a little more sleep but, all in all, I am still doing fine.
Since my last report, a lot has changed. I have a new apartment. Settled in quite nicely. There is a lot to do over where I am and there is a nice little track of miles I can run that doesn't even put me in risk of being run down by a motorist which is great too. My Dallas Mavericks also did what some might have deemed the impossible and bested the infallible Miami Heat for their first ever NBA Championship. It was a lot of fun to watch and I couldn't be happier for those guys, Mark Cuban and all of my friends who have been fans and supported this thing for so many heartbreaks and let downs. It was a lot of fun to enjoy. I'm still a bit in shock.
Anyway, the running. The running is going alright. I get a little frustrated from time to time about not being able to jog the entire way. I try my best to run most of the time, but sometimes i have to walk. I pull over and stretch a bit, grab a pull of water and get right back to it if I can. My manual is still calling for 4 days of running weekly with the first three being the same distances each of the past 3 weeks.
On Tuesdays I run 3 miles, Thursdays I do 5, and either Friday or Saturday I do 3 again. Where the variation has been recently is on my "long run" days. Over the past 3 weeks, my long runs on Sunday mornings have increased from 7 to 8 to 10 this week. This will also be the first time that I will eclipse 20 miles in a week so I'm pretty scared and pumped about that too.
Every Sunday I do something. Have never done before and it's pretty effing cool. My guide tells me not to worry about timing myself and just get the miles in and that's what I'm doing. I am, however, still am cognizant of how long it takes me and my 8 miler last week took me about an hour and a half. I can say I probably ran all but 2 of those miles and that makes me happy.
It brings me to my latest chapter of my book. It is about hydration which I needed to learn about. The days my runs have seemed to go better are days when I have consumed more liquids the day before and day of. I also need to desperately work on my stretching too. My 32 year old legs just aren't what they used to be, but they are getting used to the beating.
I am looking forward to working on the visualization techniques talked about in my training manual this week and finding a focal point and hydration level that will help help me push through the long stretches. I am a marathoner! I look forward to my runs every day. I have stopped running inside and have started pounding trails and pavement. I am also working on running first thing in the morning before it gets too sweltering. I have also learned how to carry a small water bottle when I run as to not get too out of sorts.
This process is fascinating to me, though. The way the brain can power your legs over obstacles that you would have never deemed possible. The way you can accomplish more just by getting off the couch and trying to do something. The way you feel after accomplishing something you set out to do. It is just great. I am so happy I'm doing this. I am also happy so many of you have chosen to read along and take this journey with me. I really feel like I'm just babbling from time to time, but I'm glad you guys enjoy reading it. I will do a better job of keeping you guys current.
Here are my new running buddies. Have had them about a week and put about 12 miles on them so far. There isn't too much give, but that's the point. They focus on a more mid foot strike point and I enjoy the way I have felt while running in them. I also love running in my Nike Free Runs. They are fantastic.
Also, since tomorrow is the parade, I would be remiss if I didn't put this up.
