Still here and still training, but logging it all in a different place

Clearly it's been a while since I've updated my running log. If you're interested to see what I'm up to and what thoughts I have on training and racing, the best place to find that is on my Strava profile, also linked on the righthand side. This training (b)log has served me well for many years, but for the time being, it's just more efficient--and in some ways more informative--for me to keep everything on Strava. Time will tell if that's a permanent solution and true paradigm shift from the traditional running log, but I've found that's the easiest way for me to track my training and races (and *cough* competitions with complete strangers over arbitrary segments...).

Check the Strava feed on the right.

"It's not the years...it's the mileage."

August 12-25

The last two weeks saw a couple of great long runs with Billy and Dale: a 20- and 22-miler at 6:11 pace with the last half of each comfortably under 6:00 pace. I also had a couple of so-so workouts (3 x 2-mile and a 9-mile tempo), but decent mileage.

While my workouts haven't been anything spectacular, I can't remember a stretch of weeks where I've rolled off great long runs. None of my long runs since coming back from injury have been easy. It's a different approach to how I normally take marathon training, but given my work schedule, it's just been easier for me to build my weeks around tough, grinding Saturday long runs.

My last three weeks have been 100, 101, and 97, which makes this upcoming week good timing for a recovery week that also coincides with a bachelor party (mine) in NC over Labor Day weekend. I've had to swallow the fact that 110+ mile/weeks are behind me, but I'm doing what I can to make it work. I don't feel fast yet, which makes sense given the lack of work at or under 5:00 pace, but I'm starting to feel pretty damn strong. My hope is that this will set myself up for a solid marathon at the end of September and a good XC season in November/December.

Again, for the details, click on my Strava link to the right. It feels weird to be neglecting my running (b)log after going strong with it since 2007, but I'd be lying if I said Strava weren't a lot more convenient.

Update (July 19-August 11)

I'm still here, but I've obviously been bad about updating the blog. On a day-to-day basis, for the five of you that read my blog, I've been pretty good about keeping Strava updated (link to the right). I was hesitant at first, but now I have to say I'm a fan of the site.

The last few weeks have been solid (90, 93, and 100) with several good workouts and long runs, including a 20 miler at 6:09 pace last weekend that included some rolling hills with Billy and Dale. I also jumped in a half marathon, which measured a little long, but would have been 1:11:5x., which I'm pretty OK with off of no track workouts at all or much work faster than 5:15 pace. For the first time in over a year, things finally seem to be clicking again.

The new fall marathon target is Half Moon Bay on September 29. That will put me closer to the schedule of the guys who are running Chicago, but also get it done before Valerie and I get married October 5. Needless to say, I have some big weeks ahead of me, running and otherwise.

July 18

AM: 10 x :90 on/off - 8 miles
PM: 5 miles easy

I got in a short but respectable set up pickups in the morning around Bayfront Park from campus, and I followed that up with another easy 5 miles around the neighborhood in the evening. Thanks to my crash at the Double Dipsea, this was my first double in weeks.

July 17

AM: 9 miles easy

Easy morning run in the morning before work. Wednesday mornings after Tuesday evening medium-long runs have been tough lately, but at least my left quad is finally starting to feel normal again.

July 16

PM: 13 miles easy

I met NBSV for the usual Tuesday run. After most finished up, Billy and I mutually agreed to pick up the pace too much, so we wrapped it up early.

July 15

AM: 8 miles easy

Slow, tired run in the morning from work.