Training in Montana

Ran at lunchtime and Garmin has a hard time connecting when I'm downtown. I finally had to stop running after .6 or so miles so it could connect - it was driving me crazy and I wanted to know my speed. It quickly connected and I was on my way, but threw off my numbers.

I started off slowly then kept forgetting it was a recovery run as I was enjoying going Marathon Pace and faster. Legs felt good, everything felt good, but I was hungry and looking forward to leftover stew that my SIL made yesterday. Yum. It kept me going fast, then I backed off for the last couple miles.

AP: 8:41. Splits 9:12, 8:38, 8:18, 8:46, 8:28. Temps in the mid 60s. Thinking of my TOU friends and their prep - wishing I could be there to do some cheering.

6 miles this beautiful fall morning. A bit nippy on the hands. Legs pretty tired, but given that I ran at lunchtime yesterday and gave a good effort, plus still recovering from 20 miles, I felt good. Had a couple miles in the low to mid 8's so that made me happy. 18 days to marathon and counting.

AP: 8:45?

Long sleeved shirt, gloves the whole way. It's only a one-day cold front, but Fall is nearly here. I had a hard time waking up and nearly just slept through this run, but I talked myself into it. I was half asleep the first mile, but after a ways my legs woke up and I got into a nice typical rhythm. I'm glad I got out. 45 degrees with 93% humidity and a 10 mph breeze. It wasn't cold, but chilly through the tech shirt. Glad I ran this morning. Not thrilled, but glad.

AP: 9:11

4 MP miles. Warmed up with 1 mile, then reset the Garmin and hit my 8:15 pace. It was mostly uphill the first two miles, so pushed it good most of the downhill miles, then did a 1 mile cooldown towards home. Temps were 56 which was just about perfect. I wonder if taper madness is going to set in during the next 2 weeks....

AP: 8:07 (for MP miles)

First day of football today, so I dropped off the two oldest boys at 7:15 for their mandatory "first day meeting" and went for my long run. I got back just before 9 and they'd only been waiting a few minutes, then I hit the West High track across the street to finish up the 12.

Overall it was a good run. Kam had advised hitting MP on the last couple miles when I would be tired, and I was planning on doing the run near my house and hitting my pseudo Veyo hill at mile 3-4 so that would've tired me out for the ending. That plan changed, so at mile 3.5 I decided to do 3 MP miles then to wear me out and then hit MP again the last few miles. I struggled that first fast mile, but after that my body woke up (took a gel?) and I was hitting my strides. I kinda couldn't slow down after that, so I decided to push it as best as I could. If the marathon is anything like today's run I should be very happy. I felt great and the rest of the day wasn't too bad. Not too sore, but hungry every 30 minutes. I hate that about long run days. Overall, good last 10+ run before SGM. The football went well - youngest's team tied it up with 22 seconds left on a 2 point conversion, other two won handily, oldest played quarterback a few series and had some great tackles including a sack. Fun day.

So excited for all my TOU friends and FRBers. It was a good day for the blog.

AP: 8:33. Splits 8:51, 8:49, 9:04, 8:34, 8:20, 8:15, 8:11, 8:26, 8:05, 8:35, 8:17, 9:01 (forgot to stop my watch for a while).

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/115128356