System Update

I have increased the mileage lately, and I'm pleased to report that the body has handled it well thus far. I have been eating and sleeping much better than I did last fall, and while I haven't nailed down an exact routine, I've been doing my drills more and more as a method to prevent injury. ("Drills" consists of lunges, calf raises, wall sits, and post-run stretching more than normal).

I have done two good long runs already after fearing that I had gotten behind: an 18.5-miler and a 20-miler. I hope to do a 22 and another 20. As far as races are concerned, I have to say that I am indeed going to pass on the Cupid's Cup 5k. I am eyeing the Charlotte 10-miler that goes down the McMullen greenway and is held later this month. The mileage will only get higher and the work even harder between now and then, but after that it will be taper time. 

Week In Review

Distance: 27.9 miles.
Highlights: A couple of good tempo runs; some cold-weather running gear purchased and received; marathon planning.

This week marked the end of my slacking period that followed Thunder Road. I am proud to say that, while the mileage was low due to many days off, I still ran at least 10-11 miles every week for a long run and put together several good workouts - not to mention a great race - during this "slack" period.

More importantly, I made a choice for the next marathon, or at least the next marathon's date: it will be March 18, either at Tobacco Road or Wrightsville Beach. I am strongly leaning towards Wrightsville but am going to wait a bit before making a final decision.

I found a new marathon plan, and I'm thrilled to get started. It is much more mileage-based than my last one, with heavy emphasis on medium-long runs and tempo runs, and without all those crappy 800- and 400-meter repeats. In fact, this plan is similar to what I did in the fall of 2010, when I achieved good fitness remarkably quickly by piecing together some marathon workouts with the help of Eggers, Brinkley, and Oelz. I will be doing a 12-week cycle which starts this coming week.