13 wks in, 7 to go......

342 miles into a 668 mile training plan. I've got 4 weeks left until I start to taper down. My goal is to get above 50 miles "healthily" during the month of March. I'm starting to double up on Tues/Thurs before my evening workouts, and I'm also trying to sprinkle in some extra miles throughout the week, whether that be in place of basketball or spin class.

The last few weeks have been good. My track workout paces have been in the mid 5:30's or lower, and my Wedge Runs on Thursday night have also been great.  A couple weeks ago, I ran my best Thursday night yet with a pace of 6:17.  My long runs have been quite promising as well.

17 Miler: Cold and slippery day.  Ran 13 around 8:20, and the last 4 were 6:48, 6:36, 6:33, and 6:43.  The 6:43 was only because I hit a spot about .25 miles long where it was so icy that I risked falling down, but I was happy with how I was able to make up a lot of time once I got back to a dry road. 

10 Mile @ Goal: This was the same week as my PR Wedge Run. Legs felt amazing.  Every mile was faster than the last except for a slight back track on the last mile.  Could have something to do with my beet juice?

19 Miler: Decent day, a little cold and my first long run after a long travel week with work.  The first 13 were around 7:52 or so, a little faster than I'd like.  When I started into the last 6 at goal, the first couple miles were slower than I'd liked, and I was starting to feel "yucky".  Somehow I really stepped it up though and ran the next two miles around 6:40 and then was below 6:30 the last 2, for a 6:38 pace for the 6.  I was extremely happy with this. 

I've been packing mimosas with me for after I run.  2 weeks ago we had enough snow on the ground that I could sit on a snowy hill, letting my legs chill while I sipped. Last week I actually went down to the river to dip my feet, which was nice as well. 

Getting some small aches/pains with the extra miles.  My left arch has had an odd "stabbing" pain when I'm walking around, mostly during the forward push portion of my stride.  Odd is hasn't effected my running, inside or out.  Yesterday my left achilles started to "click" a little during some movements.  Again, nothing to speak of during running, but it does have me slightly concerned.  I've been icing it at night and using Tiger Balm as well.  Today there is some initial improvement. 

I've found myself getting very excited about Boston lately.  Not that there's really been any time that I haven't been excited, but it seems more real lately.  There's been a WNC Boston Marathon Group page setup on Facebook so the 20 of us that are going can keep in touch and hopefully we can squeeze in a group drink or meal. 

With the 20 ppl from Avl going, a few different teams are being created to compete during the race.  You can have 15 on a team, but only the top 3 times count.  Last year, 10th was ~2:40 for each runner.  I'm an honorary member of the Asheville Running Collective team and with Frankie, Scott, and Marc, we've actually got a small chance of being top 5, which would be crazy.