As I may have mentioned in
my last post, I ran a lot over the previous 20 weeks in preparation for the Chicago Marathon. One thing that I didn't bring along for most of my many runs was a camera or even a phone. On really hot days the last thing I want to do is to wrap a tight Velcro band on my arm to hold an electronic device just so I could take a picture or two. It's much easier and comfortable to slip a camera into a jacket pocket. That means I'll probably be snapping more pictures on my fall and winter runs.
In any case, I do have a few pictures from this summer although they don't really show me training - unless you count races as training!
May (366 miles):
June (374 miles):
July (282 miles):
 |
| On the 4th of July at the DK5K |
August (400 miles):
 |
No races, but I ran 400 miles in August (a PDR). I only had enough
spare time that month to take one picture. This one was taken before a run. |
September (312 miles):
 |
Finishing the Oui Run 5k two weeks before
the Chicago Marathon (src) |
October (20 miles so far):
 |
| My run on Sunday |
I'm going through the typical taper stuff - struggling on runs that are barely a handful of miles and wondering if my legs will ever loosen up by Sunday. The scale is also inching upwards as I nourish myself with as much cheese, eggs, and fat-rich meat as I can possibly eat while washing it all down with several glasses of whole milk. I haven't even started carb loading yet, so watch out! As for race strategy, I'm kicking around the idea of just hanging with the three hour pace group the entire marathon rather than trying to go it alone. I really want to run even paces or a slight negative split, so if I do go with the pacer I'm hoping that they'll have a similar strategy and execute it like a metronome.
Let's see how this all works out!
Those gifs of you running are pretty cool! And just in general, look at how awesome your summer of running was! I mean sure, hot and gross, but you accomplished SO MUCH in terms of PRs, AG awards, etc. I hope you have a great race on Sunday!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I figured out how to do those animated gifs in Photoshop after I bought my Run for the Animals finish line pics. Yes, if all goes south on Sunday, at least I had a pretty awesome summer of running - it's the journey not the destination as they say! Thanks for the well wishes! :)
DeleteGO GET 'EM PETE!!! You are going to have an AMAZING race this Sunday!!! Unfortunately I'll be in DC for the Army 10-Miler so I won't be able to spectate, but I'll be thinking about you!!!
ReplyDeleteYour monthly mileage is truly mindblowing. Do you realize you ran more miles in two months than I am going to run this entire calendar year!?!?!? Those gifs are amazing. I need to try your diet of cheese, eggs, and fat-rich meat with whole milk. THAT is a diet I can embrace wholeheartedly. =)
Thanks in advance for cheering from afar this weekend. Good luck to you in DC for the Army 10-Miler! I've always wanted to visit DC, so I need to schedule a race there to force me to finally go! It was fun creating those gifs. Hopefully, I can find a series of pictures from another race to make a new one! I'm trying out the HFLC (High fat, low carb) diet which is from the book I read, extremely healthy and besides it seems to be all the rage with certain athletes. However, I'm going to "cheat" and turn up the carb-loading tomorrow! :)
DeleteAre you purposely eating high fat? I'd love to hear more about this strategy.
ReplyDeleteGood luck on Sunday! I hope to see you at some point. It's going to be an amazing day!
Sara. Yes, I'm eating a diet high in saturated fats combined with low carbs. The long and short of it is that the low fat high carb diet is pretty bad and pretty much explains the health epidemic we've had the last 50 years in the country. I have a book to recommend to you if you're interested! Anyway, good luck to you. Yes, it will be amazing! :)
DeleteI am so excited to see what you are capable of this Sunday. Your training mileage is astonishing. I'll be at mile 13 with Marcia cheering you on!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to waving to you on Sunday! :)
DeleteYour training has been truly epic and I can't wait to see how it all plays out on Sunday. I'll be in the usual spot (13) cowbelling with Erica and Wendy. I suspect you're going to be coming through pretty darn close to the elites!
ReplyDeleteGet ready for world domination!!!! Seriously though, have a blast. You kicked so much ass this summer in your training and in your shorter distance races. You have a lot to be proud of already. :) Rooting for you!
ReplyDeleteGood luck, Pete. Remember, you know you can run 16 miles at your goal pace, so just get to the 10 mile mark as comfortably as you can, with plenty of water and nutrition in you, and then enjoy the ride (of course, be prepared for a tough last 4 miles either way). And if you go with the 3 hour group, don't be surprised if you put some distance on them those last few miles.
ReplyDeleteI hope your race went well! I was cheering you on from work!!
ReplyDelete