Early Early Early

Yearg. Time to get up and go. Mark the trails. 14 mile run. Golden Gate Park. I need coffee and rock-n-roll to get started.

Cue iTunes.

Hey, Ho, Let's go!

Fourteen Miles!

In a way, I'm managing my workout schedule around Team in Training. I guess I'm about 4 weeks ahead, so the long TNT runs alternate with my long runs every other weekend. The good news I don't have to be so timid with the distance. At 14 miles I felt great, I could have easily done 16. So in 2 weeks, should I do 16 or 18? I feel like I'm ready for 18 if it's flat, or at least on Sawyer Camp Trail, mostly flat. That's the 12 out-and-back, with a 3 mile retrograde. Can I use the word "retrograde" as a running term?

My time was 2:04:54, an overall pace of 8:55, roughly my target marathon pace. Which is great, except I have to practice my half marathon pace also. If I can run 14 miles at 8:15 then I'm on track for San Jose.

Managing tapers is going to be interesting.

Friends and Tacos

Today's track workout was harder for me than it should have been, thanks to today's lunch. P.F. Chang's is yummy, but not good run food. Marathon training has its own way of enforcing a healthy diet.

The way I was feeling, if it had been a PARC workout I probably would have skipped it. But it was only 3 miles (a short pyramid 400-800-1200-800-400). I powered through - grrrrrrrr - and then we had tacos. It was a good day.

Buddy Run Becomes OYO Run But At Least I Ran

I missed the 7am run and both evening runs (sorry everyone, my bad), but I finally got myself around the Stanford trails by sundown. I must be getting in better shape because I just motored right up that steep hill past the hay sculptures and over the whole upper dish. Then, feeling good and relaxed, I took the campus tour. A lap around Lake Lagunitas, then Campus Drive to Serra Street, past the computer science building. I ran between the quad and oval before coming back up Stanford Ave along the creek. It's one of my favorite routes. I don't know how long it took because I forgot to set my watch. It felt like a good time, though.

I was going to muse on tired stretchy muscles but I think I'll hit the foam roller instead.

Good Recovery Run Today

Twice around campus loop. I needed a slow pace run and I got it. In fact I ran with the group straggler. She kept me slow and steady, and I kept her from using her iPod. I think the recovery run is going to prove important this season. Like heel-toe walks and the IT band, I know when it feels right.

Love. Live Intensely. Enjoy Life.

Travis lived an extraordinary life. That much is clear. I think we all take to heart a little piece of advice given at the service this afternoon, because this morning Travis' run buddies shared as much fun and adventure and friendship as we could get in today, which as it turns out is a whole lot.

And I'm a-gonna blog about it.

What a run! I love Portola Valley trails. So many hills, and I was feeling pretty good. A few trees had fallen across the trail. That and the rope bridge gave it a real Indiana Jones kind of feel. Next time I run Toyon Trail I may try that rope swing. This run starts with a nice long flat stretch, then suddenly runners find themselves facing an almost staircase-steep hill, marked with an arrow pointing up and a smiley face. Although I didn't run the flat part or see the smiley face hill I sure heard people talking about it. What a friendly welcome to marathon training.

I didn't see the smiley face because I marked the upper trails, starting at the water stop and doing a few loops to mark and sweep. It was my first "solo" trail marking and I think I got the hang of it. It takes a bit of planning and strategy to mark five different routes on a network of trails! Teamwork! It's a beautiful thing. I think next time I can take on an area even a bit larger.

Everyone who spoke at the remembrance this afternoon reminded me why people do so much for LLS, and that some people are so passionate about it and live so intensely and achieve so much. Though I can never match their efforts, whatever little I can help seems easy by comparison, like 85% of what I do is just showing up.

Where I can live with more intensity I will do so knowing the rewards. I'll have to occasionally remind myself to enjoy life just a bit more, ask myself if there's more I can share, and and incidentally can I do it today. That's some good advice.

Here's hoping you're loved by everyone you want to love you.

Travis' Memorial is Today

It feels weird to say that.

I have to mark a 12 mile run tomorrow?

With hills and trails and roots and rocks? Dang it dang it dang it dang it dangit dangitdangitdangit!

Why did I sign up for this? Can I do it? Is it going to hurt?

On second thought, there's a motivation to be sharp in the morning and a good excuse to see the sunrise. It's a challenge, and the first time didn't feel so good but I've been training so I think I'm going to pleasantly surprise myself. Running, weights, core, stretching, yoga strap, foam roller, it all feels so good when I'm out on the trails.

So why did I sign up for this? Oh yeah, that's why.

Time to Ramp Up

This is not a picture of me saying "Hooray for my accomplishment!" This is a picture of me saying, "Okay, I can stop running now."

Lately it occurs to me that I will actually be running 26.2 miles again. It's time to ramp up the weekly mileage, hit the gym, bike after work, get into PR shape. Core, track, all the little things that add up over several months.

It feels good.