Marathon training update

I believe I am going into week 10 of my 18-week marathon training program. I am using Hal Higdon's 'Novice 2' schedule just like I did last year. While this will be my second marathon, I am still in the 'just-make-it-across-the-finish-line' club. My concern is not to take minutes off my time, but simply to make my time here on earth be of a higher physical quality. In other words, I feel better when I exercise; and I exercise better when I'm working towards something.

So, that said, the training is actually going 'okay' so far. My longest run this summer was the 17 miles this past Saturday. It was a bit of a challenge, but I survived. This next Saturday will be 18, then drop to 13, then 19 and 20 (with a 12 in between), and THEN I begin the taper leading up to the weekend of the event. The Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday runs will mostly be 5/8/5 respectively. This is getting into the real grind of the training. I likely won't have much energy until just before the event in the last couple weeks of September.

A definite positive this year is that I FEEL good though. Last year I had the bruised (or broken) ribs to deal with, and my foot bothered me off and on. Oh, and the blister I ran with all summer! As of right now I don't have any nagging injuries. No blisters, no plantar fasciitis, nothing. Sure, my legs are plenty sore (especially after this Saturday's run), and I occasionally need to ice my knees (soreness), but nothing that hinders my running at all. That's been a big plus.

I was thinking last week... one thing I've been trying to work on lately is keep my body movements to a minimum, and maintaining a proper body alignment. Not only do I try to minimize facial expressions (grimacing robs energy) and arm movements, but just like in the above picture... I try to imagine balance my head on top of my shoulders, and shoulders on top of my spine, and spine on hips, hips on upper legs, legs on knees, on ankles, etc. The idea is to minimize the friction of joints and ligaments as well as any jarring movements on the body. I want to run smooth and easy. I believe it's better for my body physically, and my mind mentally. Ultimately, I still want to run like a 5-year-old on the playground, but keep in mind that I do have 56 years on these bones of mine. And, oddly enough, remembering to smile and enjoy it actually does make it better too!

So... that's where I'm at. To be honest, I am tired of running. I dread it before every single run anymore - even the short ones. But those moments when it feels just right... it feels alright. Besides, I don't know what else I would do.