TwentySixPointWhat?

Broke out this morning for a quick slog through town. Calf muscle feels better, but ice is needed. Gearing up for MCM - hydrating, carb-loading and trying to get as much sleep and as little stress as I can manage.

I started off this morning with little to no motivation to run. I had this massive long run looming over my head, it was bitter cold outside and I'd much rather prefer to spend my morning bundled up in my rocker with a nice cup of coffee. By the time I finally drug my sorry butt out the door it was 9:20 and the prospect of running 18 miles was no less daunting. I've never really experienced this feeling of wanting to bag on my long run before; I was in new territory. My plan was to run Bubba twice and then kick it back to the cannons via the trails. As soon as I hit the trails I resolved that if after my first loop I wanted to stop, I could stop. Bargaining with yourself on a long run is really an effective motivational tool. Only I never got to the point of making good on the bargain. On my way back up the backside of Hamilton's Crossing a muscle in my left calf let loose and running the 2.5 miles on the trail back to the road was about as much tolerance as I'd...

It turned out to be a beautiful day despite the rains yesterday but the clouds came out about an hour before the gun went off and it was bitter cold. I like the cold so this shouldn't have been an issue but it was and I should have been smart about warming up instead of being flat-footed at the start. In the end I added a full minute to last year's finishing time but ended up taking 2nd place 18-29 age group. The lack of speedwork/hills in my training schedule really roared its ugly head but hey, it could be worse.

This is usually just my training blog but today I reclaimed my passion for running. . . and that my friends, is noteworthy. Not long ago someone joined me on a path to completing his first ever marathon, MCM - with 2,600 miles between us running became the 'tie that binds'. For the past couple of days I've seriously neglected my training more than usual because it was too painful. I've learned my lesson and took my ass out the door for a nice long 8 miler. . . MCM is in 9 days - one 5k tomorrow; 18-miler on Sunday and then it's nice and easy next week. whew - bring it on!

Ran 3 easy miles this morning - am supposed to go for a long bike ride with T- this afternoon but a little 5k at a nice slow pace to get out the junk is a good thing. 3 miles in 28 minutes. . . could be worse!

I really can't recall why I decided to run this race in the first place. Perhaps it was the chance to run a hard 20 miles with a running partner, perhaps it was to prove that I could still do it without batting an eye. Regardless of my reason, I did run and I ran with what strength I could muster. I discovered something about myself during this run; my mind is a powerful thing. It gives me strength to perform acts that would otherwise tear me down and I'd be unable to accomplish. I discovered that I do it because I can.

Had a hard time waking up this morning to run my 16 miler. It was crisp but I like the cold so all in all it was a beautiful morning. I hopped out of bed with exactly 10 minutes to get my butt out the door and I succeeded. . . taking the time to fill my fuel belt, braid my hair, AND wash my face. I grabbed a powerbar and crossed my fingers that C- would be late. Whew! One disaster averted because yes, indeed C- was running a few minutes late. So there I stood on the street corner, a scantly clad runner, chowing down on her mobile breakfast. The run itself was fairly uneventful, well, kind of. As we're running I mention to C- that I was up at 6:00 with my throat on fire. . . at which point she tells me that I shouldn't be running. Mind you, we're not even 1/2 mile into the run and so I lie and tell her I'm feeling just fine. By the time we reach the front lot to pick up S- and H- I'm feeling better and it's a beautiful morning, so what's there to co...