The Marathon Plan - 2012

Leadville, CO 2009 Marathon

It is hard to believe that this year is just about over.  Marathon season in a lot of places are over and winter is beginning to set in.  It going to become colder and colder as I begin my new quest for what I like to call "The new Revival of Marathoning Part 2"


This blog has slipped away from its initial purpose which is to document my adventures in hiking, camping and marathoning.  Now i am back 


What happened?  I decided that after 21 marathons that have taken me to places like Rome, Italy, Vancouver, Anchorage, Honolulu, Grand Canyon and other great places that 6 years of running was starting to burn out my mind.  Yes, my mind, not my body, but my motivation to run.  This was a huge surprise to me that something like your motivation, your spirit would actually stand in your way of running.  It was time to take a break.  So I did.  


Last Maraton I ran was the Goofy Challenge in January 2011 Orlando, FL.  It was not my best time at all, probably my worse time, since I really only got about 6 miles of training in before the Disney marathon.  I ran the Half Marathon on Saturday and then the Full Marathon on Sunday. I was slow as I can be. However, i was not sore at all.  


Part 2:  After coaching the Fall team for the Chicago Marathon and starting to get re- motivated, I mind and spirit started to feel the energy again.  Seeing so many of my runners accomplish what only less then 1% of the world population do, started to spark something within myself.   Since I coach for Team in Training for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society I started to remember the reasons of running.  It is not why but its because I CAN.  Like one of my runner and Friend Jenna would say, I RUN BECAUSE I CAN.  Jenna became an tremendous inspiration to not only myself but to our whole team.  Jenna just coming out of a very rare form of Leukemia, started to train for the Chicago Half and Finished it.  


Coaching has given me a new spark and fire for running again.  It brings me great joy to see a runner just off the coach train for months and then finishing a marathon.  This is a life changing event.  Running a marathon will change your life.  It just shows you that you are more capable of what you think you can do.  You are your only limit.  


The excitement is back.  I have BIG PLANS for 2012.  So far the plans are 
1.  ING Miami Full Marathon in January
2.  Suntrust Washington DC Marathon in March.
3.  Madison, WI Marathon in May


Ultras
1.  Dance with Dirt Ultra 50 miles in Baraboo, Wi - which includes obstacle, river crossing...etc
http://www.dwddevilslake.com/


2.  The North Face Endurance challenge 50 mile Madison, Wi in September


So far that is what I am aiming for.  

Marathon #16, 5th in a row in Champaign, IL

Well... it is upon us another marathon and unfortunately, I got sick this week... Trying my hardest to say healthy and get rid of this.. but I think it is now in my chest. You know the rule above the neck you run below, do not run. So, I am hoping that by some magical miracle that I will feel 100% better and be able to run the marathon tomorrow Saturday. I am in a dilemma and ok, call me obsessive, but I have the following choices..
1. Run full blast for a PR (not going to happen)
2. Run the half instead of the full.
3. Run the full and be a fool.. but do the run / walk program.. Run a mile / walk a minute and take it easy
4. Don't run at all and either do the Marathon in St. Louise or Ann Arbor on April 26th. St. Louise is flat, while Ann Arbor is in the trail and hilly...

Stay tune.....

Great 10 mile run

Lakefront during the summer time

Late afternoon yesterday, I decided to go for a 10 mile run. I have not really ran more then 6 miles since my last Marathon about 1 month ago in Sedona...so I started to get nervous. I went out to the lake and realized I forgot my gloves and my hand got very cold. But I braved it and continue on. The lakefront was quite, it was peacefull compare to on saturday's morning. I had a slow start, since my body was still warming up. Ran from Wilson to Diversay near Oak Street beach and back. I had to good and faster run on the second leg of the 10 mile run. Some of my splits were at 7:30min miles to 9:00min miles.. not less then that.

My breathing was easy and my legs just floated.... I believe I am ready. Finished my 10 miles in 1:30

take care