Quick update

Last week ended at 92 miles. I forgot to add the 3 x 1/2 mile warmup runs when I calculated the mileage needed on Sunday. I'm tired. The highest weekly mileage I've ever logged. Monday was spent in all day Certified Negotiator Training so I ran with the afternoon group. My legs cramped before we'd gone a mile and I cut the run to 9 miles. Tuesday was another full day of training and I just skipped running. Wednesday I wasn't very optimistic when we arrived for the afternoon group run BUT I was pleased to run 12.5 miles at a respectable 7:15 pace. Even better when you note that it was 100 degrees at the start. Thankfully Ruth had a GREAT shady and slightly hilly route planned for us. So tomorrow we leave for the Grand Canyon. Predicted highs are in the low 70s so I am actually planning to get a few runs in. I'm thinking 5-8 miles every other day.

Old Friends Run Marathons!

Yesterday I came across a name from my ancient past. Jay Menna and I met at UT, hung out together for several years. There was one trip to the beach that shall not be discussed on a public blog. There was an original blues composition titled "I've Got Flat Tires" but I can't remember the words. He was in our wedding party (25 years ago Tuesday!). Anyway I found him on Facebook and promptly sent a friend request, not certain he would remember me. Well he did and one of his first comments was he plans to run Grandma's Marathon in Diluth in 2 weeks! We're going to get together tomorrow for lunch a catch up on the last 24 years.

Yesterday was school board night and we went kind of late. Family matters delayed me getting to bed until after midnight and with school out for the summer, there was no mandatory alarm set this morning. I slept 'till 8:30 and didn't head out for my run until 9:30. Ran a loop from our house out D-K Ranch, Raincreek, Lost Horizen, Raincreek, Great Hills, Jollyville and back for 15.6 miles at a 7:37 pace. I'm sitting at 50.5 miles for the week with 3 days left. The new lacing pattern on my shoes has made a big difference.

Improved lace up

Ran 10.5 this morning on my usual route plus the Sadie loop. I added a loop over at the top of my laces before heading out to tighten up the heel cup and it worked better than expected. I think I will be able to get some additional mileage out of the current shoes. I feel confident that if I lace them this way from the start, I'll get at least 300 miles out of the next few pairs. Am on track for my first 90+ mile week. Next week is 2 days of Certified Negotiator Training and our trip to the Grand Canyon so mileage will drop to 40 or so for the next 2 weeks. When we get back, I'll build back up to 80 or so and get synched with the Team Rogue plan until October.

Shoe Distress

Yesterday was the 14 mile version of Sadie's run with Team Rogue. I like that the mileage is back up to the "usual" level but I personally don't like to follow a map in the dark on runs with 50 or more turns. I guess one way to look at it is I will appreciate our other runs that much more. The run went OK with two exceptions. I developed a slight side stitch around mile 12 that slowed me down a bit. I ran through it and am beginning to feel that even if I get a stitch in my next race I can work through it. The bigger concern was my shoes. It was hot and very humid so I soaked through my shoes pretty quick. About halfway through the run, I noticed that my feet were hurting a bit and my shoes felt sloppy. The laces were tight and I didn't want to stop and mess with them during the run. When I got home though, I checked them over and found that the heel cup has completely failed allowing my heel to literally slip off the sole. I was not running in these shoes last summer and this week has been the first week of full on sweat soaked runs. I am going to have to figure something out because this pair only lasted 150 miles which is less than 2 weeks. I had been getting 250-300 miles out of each pair this past winter. I'm going to change the lacing pattern and attempt to tighten up the heel cup but I'm not too optimistic that that will help.

Running Fast Is Hard – Running Easy Is Fast

A Plug for Rogue Training System’s Austin Marathon Training Program

I will once again be coaching an Austin Marathon group for Rogue Training Systems this fall. The exact day and time remains to be set and I will update this entry when I know the details. I have had an amazing year running with Team Rogue and I look forward to bringing many of the lessons learned to my coaching this fall. My coaching philosophy this season will be based on the premise: Running Fast Is Hard – Running Easy Is Fast. If you are looking to run your first marathon or your best marathon at the 2010 Austin Marathon I encourage you to sign up for Rogue Training System’s program. You can read about my running ups and downs on my blog: A Geezer Running Amok.