New Year - New Plan - New Goal - Same Awful Economy

I just finished two great weeks of training.  The first week of February was 55.5 miles and last week I hit 55 miles.  I am trying to follow a Pfitz 12 week 70 miles and under training plan.  This would make my goal race the Frederick Marathon.  I haven't signed up for the race yet and I'm not sure I'm going to but I can't train without a goal.  Here's last week.

• Monday -        Rest
• Tuesday -        8 miles, last 3 @ 7:30 pace
• Wednesday - 11 miles, last 5 @ 7:30
• Thursday -       5 miles, easy 9:00 pace
• Friday -         11 miles, last 5 @ 7:30
• Saturady -       5 miles, easy 9:00 pace
• Sunday -        15 miles, steady avg 8:15 pace

Sunday's long run was great.  Ran the first 8 miles with two friends.  It's always easier running with someone, especially if your the one pushing the pace.  The last 5 miles was a little tough.  Not the distance but pushing the pace.  I think my nutrition was off.  I gave Hammer Nutrition Perpetutum a try again.  After a really great session with Perpetutum last week I think it gave me some problems.  Last week I ran my last 8 miles on the treadmill and used the Perpetutum.  I was able to sip the concoction and it worked so well.  This week all of the miles were on the roads and I ran the first 8 with no fluids or nutrition.  I had made two bottles, one for after the first eight when we came back to the cars and I had a second bottle in my amphipod.  I think I drink too much of the first bottle too fast.  The entire remaining 7 miles I felt sluggish and bloated.

I really believe that the key distance running or endurance events is proper fueling and nutrition. The trick is getting your nutrition right so that you get the correct amount of calories and electrolytes so that you can keep going.  The weather definitely plays a factor on mixing your nutrition.  Things tend to go sour in 100 degree days in your stomach. 

I'm not sure if I'm going to run any races this spring.  They have gotten so expensive that it almost takes the joy out of running.  I mean $120 for a marathon is just crazy.  Especially if the weather is really bad you feel forced to get out there and race in the bitter cold and rain because you shelled out so much cash.  I enjoy running because I like the way it makes me feel while I'm running and how I feel after a good long or hard running.  I call it pleasantly sore.  I love the way my legs "hurt".  If you don't run you wouldn't get it. 

I can do a lot right now for $120 bucks.  I don't need any more shirts or hats.  I normally bring my own GU and other nutrition.  Water I do get from a race course but come on it's almost free.  I've done a few Rock-and-Roll races and the commercialisim is just crazy.  The bigger races have soley become about the money, not the sport.  Right now the only reason I'd run a race is one where I think I can BQ, otherwise I'll just train.

May you live as long as you want, and never want as long as you live.

May those who love us, love us.
And for those who don't love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if he can not turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles,
So we may know them by their limping.
May you live as long as you want, and never want as long as you live.