slacking

Good thing about this week: hit the gym twice. Bad thing: missed 3 days of running. Ouch. here's a look at this week's training log: too may x's

Trail Running is hard

We got through about 6 miles of the run before it started to get dark. Took about an hour. If I ran that trail a couple times a week, i'd be in great shape -- and road running would seem downright easy. The obstacles and elevation changes make for a serious workout. We ran the North side of the trail, but next time I hope to do the whole thing.

Trail Running

So I am plannng a 10-mile trail run today. I've only trail run once before -- at Tim's Ford State Park, and that was kinda wimpy since the trail was (poorly) asphaulted. Today, i'm going to Scott & Livie's house and running Hamilton Creek. It's actually a mountain bike trail (single track) and Scott and Livie's house backs right up to the trail. Check out the map here Afterwards, we're going to bottle some beer -- a batch of Oktoberfest that Mende brewed, and a batch of IPA.

starting over is tough

started running again today. 5 miles was planned, and i cut it to 4 and a half. it was one of the more difficult runs i've had. legs were very tired only 20 minutes in. i felt like i was working real hard but going very slow. averaged 8:30 pace. revised training schedule to begin today and finish April 29. 25 weeks to the marathon.

Back in the saddle...

After taking 2 weeks off, I am back to training. I've decided to run the Country Music Marathon in April. I was planning on running the Disney Half-marathon in Jan, but registration already filled up. Thinking about the Tom King half in late Feb/early March (not sure when). New goal time: 3:50:00. I know I can do it. The plan: more time in the gym, more intervals, more speed work. Training officially begins tomorrow. Well, at least that what the training calendar indicates on nikerunning.com. I wonder why it's so early???

marathon pics

Here's some pictures from the big day

	Before the race. We had breakfast at the hotel. We were suprised that it wasn't free...found out when the guy charged us $7 for juice, coffee and a bagel. Geez... I sipped on water and sports drink all morning after having a clif bar when I woke up.
	This was in the final stretch of the race. Less than a tenth of a mile to go...
	After the race, we went to a Pizza joint in GreekTown. I opted for the 25 oz. Guinness -- a suitable reward, i thought.

Detroit Marathon

I finished my 1st marathon and it was a fantastic experience.

The Race:

• miles 1-3: flew by! Lots of fun, lots of music -- Mexicantown was cool.
  
• miles 4-8: The bridge to Canada and Windsor. Bridge was a breeze, Windsor was clean...feeling strong
  
• miles 8-10: Tunnel back to Detroit was hot and muggy. Was nice to get back to cooler weather.
  
• miles 10-13: i noticed i was getting tired, but running through the city and all the spectators pumped me up.
  
• miles 13-15 were great, but i started thinking about what miles 20+ would be like
  
• mile 16 - stop to pee at a port-a-john. whoever was in there was taking way too long, and after about 45 seconds, i decide not to wait any longer and i take off
  
• mile 17 - my left quad started to twitch like it wanted to cramp up. i decide to concentrate on the scenery of Belle Isle and try not to think of it.
  
• miles 18 & 19 - Belle Isle is nice. The weather is fantastic, and i still feel pretty good despite the leg
  
• mile 20 - yep, it wants to cramp. I stop and massage it out (cost me 20 seconds or so)
  
• mile 22 - it's starting to hurt, another stop to massage it. (cost me about 45 seconds this time)
  
• mile 24 - the cramp won't go away, and massaging does nothing to alleviate the knot is has become. I resolve to run through it...only 2 miles to go now.
  
• mile 26 - what cramp?
  

Afterwards, there was no pain...just feeling tired and exhausted...Can't wait to run another one!