Hitting the road

This will be the last post before the A1A Marathon tomorrow. I'll be back Tuesday to report. If report is delayed too long, call 9-1-1.

Forecast for race day is perfect for spring break but not so much racing. It reminds me of the conditions in Atlanta for the ING Georgia Marathon last March.

Sunday forecast for Ft. Lauderdale, FL

• 6 a.m. 69F, partly cloudy, 87% humidity, wind from the ESE at 8 mph (ocean breeze)
  
• 7 a.m. 70F, 84%
  
• 8 a.m. 72F, 79%
  
• 9 a.m. 75F, 73%
  
• 10 a.m. 78F, feeling like 81F, 66%
  
• 11 a.m. 80F, feeling like 83F, 62%

And you wonder why I wish the watch had a temperature gauge on it?

I went up to Baldwin Park today with my two dogs to watch the 5-11 year olds run the "Smile Mile" races. Some 10-year old smoked the mile in 5:30. He had plenty left over too. I love to see kids racing.

Mrs. T and I are leaving shortly. First stop will be the race expo to see Michelle and her Bondi Bands and pick up the race packet. I am not in the market for Bondi Bands after getting my haircut Wednesday but it'll be good to see her. We've been in two races over the years - Marine Corps 2006 (13 miles together) and Blessing of the Fleet 10 Miler 2007.

Mrs. T and I will be staying over until Monday so I am packing the beach gear in case we feel like sitting out on late Sunday or Monday morning.

FYI most pitchers and catchers have reported to spring training (including the Red Sox today) so spring is near as is the Boston Marathon.

I promise to call all my peeps who have asked for race reports sometime Sunday. See ya!

Taper week

I did my last "long run" of 10 miles yesterday. It was perfect weather. Upper 50s. I didn't think I was going fast but it went by at 8:58 mile pace. That got me thinking (I know that can be dangerous).

I've used the FIRST training method for the last four marathons I have done. The pace for my runs over the last four weeks seemed especially fast by comparison so I had to check it out.

1. My last 10 miler was 50 seconds a mile faster than the last two.
2. My last 15 miler was 35 seconds a mile faster than my next best one.
3. My last 20 miler was second only to training for Georgia this time a year ago, by 45 sec/mile.
4. My next to last 15 miler was 20 seconds/mile faster than the best of the previous trainings.

I think I am ready to kick some South Florida sand. I will be running solo. No pals or friends. Mrs. T will be there but on her own. If she's smart she goes to the mall while we're all out there running. That's okay. I am ready to run one on my own.

I have new Kayanos (XIII) to wear with 20 miles broken into them. I am good to go.

Good luck to Runner Susan on Part Two of the Crazy-thon. May her blisters disappear and the route be all downhill in Austin.

Distracted

Since New Years my habits have changed. You may have noticed. I have not posted as often.

The principal reasons for not posting can be traced to my laptop crapping out and an assortment of books I wanted to read that I finally got around to reading over winter break. The pleasure of reading books and the monthly Runner's World have been a distraction.

The laptop I use now is limited in its abilities as are mine to upgrade it. I should just go out and buy a new one but I am waiting to hit the lottery first. Shoot ... I don't even IM with Runner Susan anymore because I haven't downloaded the program on the laptop.

Regardless, I am still running. In fact I'll be enjoying the ocean breezes of the Atlantic next Sunday in Ft. Lauderdale for the third annual A1A Marathon. It's the smallest marathon I will have run so that will be a different experience. I do fear the crowds of the half marathon runners getting in my way at the start but that should just keep me bridled from going out too fast. I do not expect too many spectators either. I hope towards the end of the race - when the sun is up (6 a.m. start) - there will be a few bikini-clad fans on the beach to urge me on.

I have been spending several thoughtful moments as I drift off to sleep planning my race strategy. That has to be a good thing. Maybe I won't forget when I start running.

I am also already looking forward to Chicago because of the friends who are going to run it too: Susan, Maddy and B-I-L Rich so far. Are you?

I have been way too good the last two weeks staying away from the normal adult beverage that tastes so good after a long hard day at the office. It's helped bring my weight down a little too. I sense I am heavier than ever for this marathon. I will have to do some research and check that out.

This past week: Tue-3x1600 at 8:05 pace (slow); Wed-3 miles easy; and Thu-8 miles tempo at 9:15 pace. This weekend will be a short easy run today and a hard 10 miles tomorrow. Weather is perfect with low 50s in the morning.

Speak, oh masters of the universe

I did 7x800 intervals last Tuesday which were satisfactory in the 3:45-3:55 range but then wasted a scheduled four mile tempo run on Thursday by simply going easy. I didn't push myself at all. 9:51 pace, which is definitely easy.

Today called for a 15 mile long run, stepping down from last week's last 20. Next weekend is just 10 and the following Sunday is the marathon.

I opted to warm up with a jog to downtown from the house. The first mile was at 11:00 and the second at 9:40. I arrived to the applause of a large crowd of runners (10-12) who waited an extra six minutes for me to get there. I was late.

Having already warmed up I had groovy legs looking to stretch. At the first intersection, that same pack of fasties that merged with us two weeks ago turned the corner again. I was already ahead of my usual group and several of them made the effort to run with me and the fasties.

I wasn't looking behind me. I love the sound of people chasing me. I kept moving and staying ahead of the crowd. Two fasties passed me in the second mile while the rest stayed on my heels. We were moving at a sub-9:00 pace.

It was then that I had to decide. Do I run a marathon training long run or turn it into a forceful tempo run for 10 miles? With the second group of fasties still behind me, my competitive juices kept pushing me forward.

At the four mile stop, we had arrived at an 8:57 pace. At the seven mile stop, it was an 8:52 pace. The final three clocked at a 9:01 pace. I was feeling exceptional for all but the last half mile. I knew I had spent myself. The humidity was causing me to breathe laboriously but I still felt good.

I had some water and started jogging the last three miles towards home. They went by at a 10:29 pace plus I accompanied a newbie jogger who I inspired to take up running a year ago. He manages 30 minutes a day at 9:00-9:30 pace. I gave him kudos and encouragement and eventually pulled into the my neighborhood with a sore cramping left calf.

I waded in the pool's cold water which felt very good. I stretched and, while doing so, marvelled at my fast twitch muscles still vibrating in the feet and calves.

So ... do you think I did right by turning the long run 15 into a tempo 10 plus warm-up and cool down? How will it affect my racing condition?

Call me crazy .... Chicago

First thing I did this morning was sign on and sign up for Chicago.

October 12

... come heat wave or Arctic blast.