Disney is a little over a month away and training is progressing well. What a run this evening. Wasn’t as difficult as I thought it would be, I was getting tired at about 16 miles but pushed on and the last one was difficult but I kept the same pace for the run except for first 2 and last mile (10 seconds more for those miles). I’m only 3 weeks away from my taper now so this is getting to the good part. November turned out to be a good month for mileage, 128 miles (206km). Anyhow as the snow and rain were coming down I had to keep the run inside again on the treadmill which is so booring. This is turning into the training from last years winter, but at least my legs aren’t giving me grief like last year where I was on the elliptical at this point.
Anyhow for the stats, 18 miles in 2:34:45 for an average pace of 8:35 minute miles. I’m very happy with this training session. We’ll see how I feel tomorrow, had a good stretching session after and downed a good protein shake.

Well today was a 5 miler before the long run (18 miles) this Sunday. Left leg is still bothersome so I laid up a bit and slowed the pace. Made sure not to push to hard and I’ll have to do the same on Sunday to make sure I don’t end up like last year doing the last month on elliptical. Anyhow all in all the legs felt good after during my stretch. There is a slight shin splint on the left side but have laid up and reduced intensity early enough that it should be able to recover even through the running. Anyhow for the running stats de jour, 5 miles in 42:25 for an average pace of 8:29 minute miles. That is still great considering after the injury last year I was running 10 minute miles. Also the weight is getting near marathon weight, I’m currently at 175lbs. And so far this month I’ve run 110 miles (176KM). Things are moving along well.

Well today’s run started well enough but the pain in the left shin started creaping back. I didn’t do the 8  I wanted to do but it was merely because of time. I had a meeting I had to get to so cut it to 7 miles. That was probably good as it forced me to lay up. We’ll do the 5 tomorrow and assess if I need one or two days rest before my long run. My long run this week is 18 miles so that will really determine how the leg is. I have to make sure I don’t get injured this year before the race, this is the best shape I’ve been in going into the Disney Marathon. Only 5 weeks left till I taper down. Anyhow for the running stats, 7 miles in 58:05 for an average pace of 8:18 minute miles.

Well running inside seems to be the common theme lately. Anyhow headed inside during my lunch hour to get my short run in. Today was a 5 mile run and it was pretty effortless once the legs warmed up after mile 1. Did a good workout on the legs yesterday and had a long run last weekend so really wasn’t sure what I was in for. Anyhow did the 5 miles in 42:52 for an average pace of 8:34 minute miles. Very easy run, didn’t push it at all, slow and steady was the theme today. Have some serious mileage to put in this week so have to make sure I don’t push it.

Well tonight is recovery from running night and an intense workout. Did chest (decline and incline press, pec-dec), triceps  (cable pressdown and reverse cable), legs (leg press, leg curl and sitting calf raises), shoulders (rear deltoid, lateral raises and shoulder press) and abs (reverse crush X 80lbs, leg raises — superset with dips and crunches). Really worked out hard and see how I feel tomorrow. I’m noticing the leg workouts especially are helping with the recovery from the running. I’m recovering much quicker and the left leg issues with the tendon and shin splints seem greatly diminished. Try and get at least 4 workouts in this week if possible. Tomorrow is a running day. This weeks running is 5 miles, 8, 5 and 18 on long run day. Only a few more weeks until I start the taper.

This was a going away party at Mike and Tara’s place. Had a great time. Thanks for the invite. Few pic’s Mary and Gary took.

Well decided to do my run inside tonight because I’m sick of the cold already and the ground is pretty slick and hard so figured I wouldn’t take any chances. Went to do a 17 mile run and really wasn’t sure what I would be in for. Last week was my reduced week and it didn’t go well, couldn’t get through my 11 mile run last week so again, this week I didn’t know what I was in for. This was an easy first half but then the legs started to get tired and heavy and running on the treadmill is definatly booring. I love the way people look at you when they see you have been on their the entire time they’ve been at the gym. Anyhow I was staring at the Booster Juice in the lobby as I was running because it closes at 7pm on Sundays but if she’s still in there she’ll keep selling shakes. At this point it was already 10 pm and I had another 20 min to go. I finished and she was still in there and I got a good protein shake to finish off the workout which always helps in recovery. Anyhow for the stats, did the 17 miles in 2:24:00 for an average pace of 8:28 minute miles. Very tired at the end and can’t wait to see how the legs feel tomorrow.

Well I’m obviously over what ever I had at the beginning of the week. Tonight I did an 8 mile run like it was nothing. Even kicked up the pace a bit from what I’ve been doing the last week and a half (since the half marathon). Did 8 miles in 1h6:54 for an average pace of 8:21 minute miles. Following the run did some good stretching and had a good workout. Did back (wide grip chins and dumbell rows), biceps (dumbell curl and preacher curls) and abs (weighted reverse crunch 80lbs, leg raises and crunches). Followed all that up with a good banana’s awhey protein shake from booster juice and a large black coffee. Always feel like my day is complete when I can get all that in.

Well went for a good hard workout this evening. Did very hard ab workout as well as chest (incline and decline press, pecdec), shoulders (rear delt machine, shoulder press and lateral raises) and legs (leg press, curl and sitting calf raises). I’m just exhausted now, should sleep real well. This year for my marathon I’m going to be in the shape of my life. Just have to say healthy, no injuries and keep the legs strong.

Well still recovering from what I had on Sun and Mon so didn’t want to push hard at all. As you might have read I couldn’t finish my 11 mile run on the weekend and had to cut it down to 9 miles.  Following that my legs hurt so I took the required two days off (even though I only wanted to take one). Today I figured I’d add a mile to the run but keep the pace right down so I did a nice and easy 5 mile run. Was very relaxing, resisted temptation to up the pace and just kept it very easy. Did the 5 miles in 43:28 for a pace of 8:42 minute miles. After I was done my legs felt amazing. Tomorrow I have an 8 mile run to get in and I’m going to do the same as well as the following 4 miler and probably my long run this weekend.