It's Coming

Five days from now I will be running the marathon. I am well into my tapering and a bit nervous. My sort-of cold is well gone which is good. Our trip to San Francisco is over and I awoke this morning rested. My run yesterday was acceptable. I wish I were running a bit faster I think on my easy runs - it is hard to visualize 26.2 miles at the needed pace but the training is done and I just need to trust that I can get it done. I know I can run the distance - the question is the time.
I am going to work on my pace chart in the next few days. The 3-1 pattern definitely complicates things. I am hoping I won't get confused during the marathon and that I can find the right pace.
In any event, it has been fun to train for this and it will be good to reach the finish line on Sunday!

Back in Touch

After a week and a half of traveling, I am back at the blog. I just finished my last tough workout before Minneapolis. 14 one mile repeats. I did it. It took awhile but I did them all within the pace that Mr. Galloway had asked of me. It was great weather - mostly in the 50's and edging up to the 60s for the last ones. I hope for the same in Minneapolis.

I don't know how I will do in two weeks but today I ran through two class periods with Victor high and junior high boys on the football field that is enclosed by our track. As the second class period started, I heard one of the coaches say to the boys - that is an awesome woman. Since I was the only female around, I assume he meant me. I had been doing circles around the track during their set up before school began and through the class before so I guess he was impressed. It was a nice boost to my morale as I was worrying if I could finish all the repeats in the time requested by Jeff.

It is so nice to be done. Now just that minor point of the marathon ahead.

Still running

Looks like I have been too busy the past week or so to blog. Sorry about that. I am still following my plan and hanging in there. I am back to nervous about how well I will do in Minneapolis. I realize that I am just at the level to accomplish my goal. Wish I was well within the limits for a reasonable expectation to run 4:30 but that's life.
On Wednesday I will do my very last really long run. Looks like after that I have one more real challenging workout and most of the time is simply maintaining my conditioning.
I ran one of Jeff's mile tests today. I am not really any faster than a few weeks ago - but I am fast enough. Just have to pray that all the stars align and sun shines on me, but not too much.
Judy

26 accomplished

Yesterday my 26 mile run went so well that I spent the second half playing with visualizations and altering my pattern. I was supposed to be running 1/1 but switched to 2/1 at mile 13 and then 3/1 at 20. Wanted to explore running the last piece a little more actively than 1/1. So, now I am pleased I am not very sore today and starting to get a bit excited that anything is possible - must be that Olympic effect.

Encouraging Words for a 60 year old runner!

I have had a quiet week with simple runs as I prepare for Sunday's 26 miler. Of course, first I have to watch the women's marathon on Saturday night. Go Deana!

Here are some encouraging words for a 60-year-old from Dean Karnazes' blog:

RUNNING SLOWS AGING

While the Olympics are grabbing most of the headlines these days, a new study came out yesterday from the Stanford University School of Medicine showing that regular running slows the effects of aging. Researchers tracked 500 older runners for more than 20 years and found that elderly runners have fewer disabilities, a longer span of active life and are half as likely as aging nonrunners to die early deaths.

When the research began back in 1984, many scientists thought vigorous exercise would do older folks more harm than good. Some feared the long-term effect of the then-new jogging craze would be floods of orthopedic injuries, with older runners permanently hobbled by their exercise habit. This study seems to prove these presumptions wrong.

Not only did running delay disability, but the gap between runners’ and nonrunners’ abilities got bigger with time, suggesting that the health benefits of exercise are greater than anyone had previously thought. The effect of running on delaying death has also been more dramatic than the scientists expected. Running slowed cardiovascular deaths and was associated with fewer early deaths from cancer, neurological disease, infections and other causes.

Thus, the dire injury predictions some scientists made for runners have fallen completely flat. Even better, running was not associated with greater rates of osteoarthritis in their elderly runners. The study concluded that runners do not require more total knee replacements than nonrunners.

Anyone feel like going for a run?

Never stop,
Dean

On Track

Today I did one of Galloway's Mile tests and I am on track for a 4:20 finish. Since I need 4:30 to qualify, it is kind of tight but I ran my fastest mile test this morning so perhaps my margin will increase a bit more. It has been a great week. Cooler weather and a programmed in 'easy' week made for a nice group of training days. Since work was unusually hectic, this was good timing.

With the Olympics starting, I hope to get plenty of inspiration for the remaining weeks of training. Next weekend is my 26 miler and I am hoping for cool, cloudy weather. We have had day after day of thunderstorms and just plain rain here. I have been fortunate in that my runs have always seemed to get in just before it starts to pour.

As I look at my schedule for the next two months, I realize it will be hectic but I am determined to maintain my training. October 5 is not that far away.

Back to Normal

Today was great. The temperature was in the 60s and I had a relatively easy workout - the usual cadence and accelerations and just 3 one milers at marathon pace. Somehow I can't run slow enough, even with the 3/1 pattern, but I decided just to try and focus on my pace and not worry too much. I will just have to try very hard not to go out fast in Minneapolis.

I was totally recovered from the 23 miler - glad to discover that - and delighted with the realization that my glutes/hamstrings haven't bothered me in a week.

It was just nice to have a solid, uneventful run.