Running update

I just realized that last week was the most weekly mileage I will run throughout this marathon training. A 5/8/5 during the week with an 18-miler on Saturday (36 total miles). I suppose it's not that much for competitive runners, but for this old man... I can feel it.

I only have two more long, long runs left before the actual marathon: 19 and 20 miles. Both of those weeks have midweek runs of 5/5/5 though. Fortunately, this coming Saturday I drop back to 13 miles. Whew.

I suppose I felt the same way last year, but I really dread running anymore. It doesn't matter if it's double digits or a simple 5 mile jog. Sometimes I'm just downright nervous before heading out. Like, what if this is it, and the wheels fall off, or I just can't finish, or... I don't know what?

It's weird because I haven't really had a "bad" run yet this year, like I did last year. The 17 miles a week ago Saturday was pretty brutal. But, actually, the Tuesday and Thursday runs of 4-5 miles are THE WORST ones of the week for some reason! I think I've been trying to go too fast on the shorter runs.

For instance, yesterday I wanted to try to average under 9-minute miles on my 5 mile run. I did the first 3 miles under 9, but then I just died. The last 2 were over 10-minute miles. Yet I have had several 7-8 mile runs where I average right around 9-minute miles. It's crazy.

I think the key is to always have my first mile be the slowest. Like today. I started out at just under 10-minute miles, and as usual, around miles 4-6 I feel great. I then ended up with miles 7 and 8 being the fastest.

Last Saturday's 18-miler wasn't too bad either. I wanted to go really slow... like 11-minute miles. I was actually able to maintain that - and even though I drank too much the night before and didn't get out as early as I would have liked - the 3:16 hour run went better than expected.

Health-wise... I have a little tightness above my left knee, and every now and then the inside of my right ankle reminds me it's there. Otherwise, aside from some really tired legs, I don't feel too bad. The knee only bothers me once in awhile. I need to do better at icing it.

One last thing. Today while doing the 8 miles, I remembered the need to smile while running. Not all the time, but every now and then. It really does make a difference. Just the physical act of forcing a smile even, and realizing what a great privilege it is to be able to run - especially at my age.

I will admit, there are times during just about every run where I wonder why I am doing it and I'm ready to stop at any time. But there is no feeling like that cool-down walk at the end of a run. I'm almost 57 years old, I've smoked too much, drank too much, done so many stupid things... and yet here I am. So... yeah... finding a smile while bouncing along the trail is not hard to do. For however slow I am, I cannot deny... I am a runner.