Training Update – What's Next?

Today was my 70th workout since returning from Denali starting from July 16th.  I’ve started to do some speed training (“fartlek”) to complement “tempo” training – e.g. long trail runs.  I’ve signed up for the following races:

Sony Ericsson City of Oaks Marathon in Raleigh on November 2nd, just two weeks from Sunday.  My friend Mike and his wife are running the half-marathon – and we’ll hopefully run the first 8 miles together (since after that the courses split for marathon and half-marathon).  I’ll run this race on the way back from a grueling Europe business trip (Germany-Slovenia-London-Paris-London –> in one week , so that will be challenging.

California International Marathon on Sunday December 7th in Sacramento.  The CIM is supposed to be one of the fastest marathons since it is net downhill, so for that race we’ll try to get a personal best and somehow get below 4 hours, but if not that is ok also.

The long term goal is to do a 50 miler (after the 50k successful run last month).  I think Kim and I will run a 50k “training” race in early February (trails with massive uphills – doh!) and then a 50 miler in May-June timeframe in California.

I’ll do a nice training run on Saturday with Jen of around 10-13 miles (if all goes well) – but we’ll try to go at a nice easy pace to save my legs.  Given that this is only 2 weeks before the marathon, I’ll still do some 6-7 milers along the way but try to stay injury free for Raleigh and make sure I finish

Meanwhile, strength training and/or stationary biking is going on – on alternate days.

Oh – and my iPod is currently missing but maybe it’s an omen since Raleigh is a NO-HEADSET race, meaning if you’re caught with headphones on of any kind – you are disqualified and taken off the course.  I can’t quite imagine running without my favorite music and listening to just my footsteps, but I’ve done it on shorter runs.  But it’s not the same as running long with friends since, when telling stories and talking makes it so enjoyable and the camaraderie and bonding that takes place while enoying the scenery is so nice!