Getting Into the Groove

I have heard the rule is don't talk about it.

But of course I can't help it.

I can't help but express myself.

And I know doing it will just jinx it; ruin it probably. . . but oh my goodness it is eating me up inside and I just have to yell it out loud:

THE RUNNING IS GOOD!!!!

You know what I really want to say is GREAT! But that will jinx it even more. . .

I haven't spoken about running for awhile. Really not since my most awesome marathon ever a month and half ago. And I have struggled with being sick. I was laid up and couldn't run for about week after the race due to a chest infection but mostly because I had a high fever.Definitely not wisely, but I have been known to run with bronchitis so really it is fever that is the running deal breaker for me. And that is what took me out this time.

After I got an antibiotic I kicked that infection to the curb and hit the pavement. The running was there. The paces faster, the distances the same. I was full steam ahead and planning for my 3rd Georgia ING marathon; my 3rd marathon in 4 months.

Then I caught the cold Ryan had been nursing for 2 weeks. I wasted no time and went to the doctor. At this point I was advised by many running compats to give up the ghost and bail on the Ga ING marathon.

After a few days rest for the cold though I hit the pavement again and the running? It was still good. Great even. But 2 colds in a month after not having been sick for over a year left even me a little less than optimistic.

So I've tried to keep it to myself (as best as I keep anything to myself) and weighed it out.

And here is what I've been up to running wise the past 5 weeks:
Jan 17th: marathon PR 3:28 7:57 avg pace
Jan 18th: one hour yoga
Jan 19th: Still sore from the marathon. Surprised at the soreness so I do the elliptical and stationary bike for 40 minutes and then stretch for 10 minutes.
Jan 20th: I run 3 trail miles at a 9 min avg pace. It is really cold and my chest feels heavy. I think I am still tired from the race.
Jan 21-25: I am so sick that I lie on the couch and barely move because I have a fever of 103. Get drugs on the 24th and feel human on the 25th.
Jan 26th: one hour of yoga where I revel in new found flexibility. Who knew all it took was not running to be able to touch my toes and do splits again.
Jan 27th: Test out the running legs; 10 hilly miles at an average 7:47 pace. Still coughing and need my inhaler but the pace and legs are back!
Jan 28th: Tried to do treadmill intervals and fail. End up with 5 miles at an avg 7:53 pace. Lift weights for 20 minutes. Swim 2000 yds in 35 minutes. Consider entire workout a failure.
Jan 29th: Double run day. 6 miles in the am at an 8:28 pace. 4 miles in the afternoon at a 8:06 avg pace.
Jan 30th: 16.25 miles at a 8:17 pace. Run was hard but is 30 seconds faster than I usually do this run.
Jan 31st: 45 mile bike ride where I have my ass handed to me.
Feb 1st: one hour yoga
Feb 2nd: 6 mile hilly hangover run at a 8:17 avg pace
Feb 3rd: 21 mile hilly long run at a 8:38 avg pace. Still having problems with chest congestion but feel good. Still on antibiotics
Feb 4th: Not my smartest move ever. Treadmill intervals. 2 mile warm up @ 8:30 pace. Then 3x 4min @6:35 pace with 4 min recovery. Ran it out to 6miles and an average 7:43 pace. Stretched the gams out real good.
Feb 5th: 4 mile trail run at a 8:37 average pace. Dead legs.
Feb 6th: 6 mile hilly loop. Everything sucked. 9:52 avg pace.
Feb 7th: Another crappy run: 3.3 miles 8:58 avg pace. Bailed on the run.
Feb 8th: 30.3 mile bike ride with Steph. Very nice, easy day.
Feb 9th: 2.25 mile trail run with the kids. 12 min avg pace.
Feb 10th: 12.48 mile hilly run. 8:09 avg pace.
Feb 11th: sick. Try to do treadmill intervals. Bail .6 mile in.
Feb 12-13: Back on the couch
Feb 14th: yoga. Still congested but okay.
Feb 15th: 2 mile trail run with Beau. 14 min avg pace.
Feb 16th: Flat 6 mile run. 7:22 avg pace.
Feb 17th: 12.48 hilly run. 7:58 avg pace.
Feb 18th: Push the envelope and try to do treadmill intervals. Bonked half way and ended up with 6 miles at an average 8:05 pace. Swam 2000yds in 35 minutes.
Feb 19th: 6 mile hilly run in the am at an avg 8:22 pace. 3.10 mile trail run in the afternoon at a 8:20 pace.
Feb 20th: rest day
Feb 21st: 21 miles hilly run at a 8:14 avg pace. Freaking BEAUTIFUL run.
Feb 22nd: One hour yoga and 2000 yd swim in 35 minutes.
Feb 23rd: 12.48 mile hilly run in 7:48 pace in the am. One hour mat Pilate's in the afternoon.
Feb 24th: 8.14 mile hilly easy run with the dog. 8:31 avg pace.
Feb 25th: Finally showed the treadmill who was boss. Successful intervals: 7 miles at an avg 7:41 pace. 12 minutes stretching.
Feb 26th: 4 mile easy run: 8:20 avg pace
Feb 27th: 24.62 mile rain soaked hilly run at a 8:26 avg pace with the most stellar Kate Brun. Here is a our picture that we took at our 14 mile-ish pit stop.
I just have to say that I am so flattered that she wants to run with me! The girl, and I say girl cause she is 22, has a marathon PR of 2:54 and has many 3 hour and sub 3 hour marathons under her teeny tiny waist. Clearly, it is I who benefits from running with her.
Feb 28th: 3.26 miles on the treadmill at an avg 7:39 pace. One hour yoga.
March 1st: One hour yoga.

And so, and this brings me to my point, I have gone ahead and signed up for the Georgia ING marathon despite many wiser and more gifted runners telling me not to.

What can I say.
I am optimistic.
Chalk it up to my new blondness.
We'll call it blond ambition.

See, here I am with Ryan a month ago being browner and obviously with a less sunny outlook:

And Ryan did say there is no such thing as too blond. And I did just tell Pookie today that I am feeling I could be blonder. She did mention something about the limits of the hair to bleach ratio but WHATEVER! I say, in regards to blondness and the marathon: Bring. It. On!

I have no ideals of another PR but I think at the very least I can expect in the next 29 days--assuming a 2.5 week taper that at the very least--barring sickness or injury-- I can run a sub 3:40 marathon. And really, I swear, that will make me happy.

Yes, of course, I would loved to run a 3:30 sub 3:30 even.

But I am not planning on it.

Whatever the day brings it brings.

I just want another a marathon before summer gets here and it is too hot. I LOVE the epic-ness of a marathon. I like being out there for a few hours, running, enjoying the world and being with people who like to do the same.

Right now, for me, happiness is running long and far. That is what I want to do.

I just got to keep it together, you know.

I am sure, having put it all down here. Tomorrow will totally suck.