Today's Question and Deep Thoughts

I noticed that in deducting the difference between the chip time and gun time of my Lewis & Clark Marathon I ran the first half about 5 minutes faster than what I ran my half marathon in April. I believe that the training at greater than half marathon distances was beneficial in the improved HM time. That leads me to today’s question:

In order to improve full marathon time and to build better stamina for the 26.2 miles, shouldn’t I work towards longer than marathon training runs? If I continue in my training to max at 20-22 miles, how will I ever see any significant improvement? What distances is everyone maxing at in marathon training? We are currently running 4-5 miles on Mondays and Wednesdays with our long runs on either Saturday or Sunday each week. Would it also make any sense to up my weekly mileage? We are currently in the 14-18 mile range just after completing the marathon less than two weeks ago. I do know that incorporating some speed work into my routine at least every other week will help improve time and endurance, so I’ve got to get beyond talking about it and just “get it done”. I know I may not be the fastest horse in the race but I also know I’m not the slowest mule on the course either. While I’m able I still want to do the best that I can in my runs and that means improving my times when possible.

It was sort of funny today sitting in the Oklahoma City airport, yes I’m traveling again. This time I am off to Colorado from Monday to Friday. Anyway, the fact that I finished the Lewis & Clark Marathon is finally sinking in for me. I sat and was people watching, a favorite time passer for me when I travel. In watching the other travelers I felt a pride in knowing that I’ve accomplished something that so many others haven’t even thought about much less attempted. I’m not really feeling all that cocky just good about what I’ve done and the journey that I’ve walked and ran over the past 2 years.

My shin problems are back again it seems, still in the right leg. Today the pain wasn’t as noticeable when I got up as it was yesterday. I’ve started taking my liquid anti-oxidant again (Monte Vie) and I’m wondering if that is truly the reason the pain is lessening. I know that anti-oxidants are capable of great things in the body.

It is so incredible to think that I’ve got a half marathon coming up in less than 3 weeks and I’m not nervous about it or apprehensive about the distance at all. The feeling is that it’s just going to be another training run. I’m really looking forward to what November, December and January will bring. Running 3 marathons within 90 days to achieve my first level as a Marathon Maniac, that creates a bit of the jitters.

The time between now and November 18 will be spent training again, building base mileage as I work towards new goals. Now that I know I can do the distance, I’ll be signing up for the Tulsa – Route 66 Marathon this coming weekend. I am already committed to the Honolulu Marathon on December 9 and the Houston Marathon on January 13. I’m excited to have these targets out in front of me and equally excited that upon completion of them I will have four marathons behind me in four different states. On a long term note, I’m toying with the idea of eventually running 50 marathons in 50 states, a lofty goal for a newbie, but food for thought and another reason to run.

Looking ahead to next year, at least the first half of the year, I see an entry into the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon (running the full this time), then about a month and half later entering the Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, MN because that is within an hour of our grandkids and a good excuse for a vacation with them.