The Hardest Week So Far

This week will culminate with a whopping 17 miles on Sunday (and 18 the next week). As I was saying, I feel that my good work last week is preparing me mentally and physically for what is to come. My foot has not been hurting after work outs and I am still being very careful with it. I have however, noticed that my speed is catching back up.
Due to strange mood problems and sleeping habits, I totally skipped Monday's cross training. Tuesday I did a good 4 miles, which, considering how beautiful the morning was, left me wanting more. This morning I ran about 9 miles, this is at least a mile over what was indicated, but as I said, great weather and all, plus I feel that pushing a bit this early in the week might help with what's to come.
Tomorrow I plan to listen to my training guide and do an easy, comfortable 4 miles followed by rest and then the big 8/17 c0mbo. I might get some cross training in, but if I do, it will be rather mild. I want to be rested and ready for what's to come.
I'm almost there!

More about last week.

I ended up indeed running six very good miles on Friday, followed by 7 on Saturday and 11 on Sunday. I also went to lift weights on Saturday. By the time the week's work outs were over, I felt pretty good about myself. It helped that it was a step back week, of course, but I feel like I got a good lead into this week, which won't be so mild.

Week's runs

Monday I sort of took off. It was cross training day, and since the previous day had been so harsh, I just went out for a walk.
Tuesday I ran 4 miles and lifted weights at home.
Wednesday I ran 5 miles and worked on my abs and my arms with my wheely thing.
Today I didn't do anything.
Tomorrow I plan to run as long as I want, probably around 6 miles (I should have run 4 today) and I also want to go to the gym. Although I might leave that to Saturday and work here instead. I need to start going to the gym a little more often again. That will start in earnest next week.
Saturday is a 7 miler, followed by an 11 miler. Easy week. Next week the long run jumps to 17, so that will be a sight to behold...

I need more speed

The drowsiness continued last week, so that Thursday and Friday were a wash as far as exercise of any kind went. Yesterday, however I ran around 9 miles, maybe a little less. Today I ran probably above 15 miles. My pedometer said over 16, but I know it is not accurate and that it tends to log too much when I walk, which I did do during this work out. I'm a bit sore, and my foot is rather stiff, but other than that, no problems. I do have to work a bit on speed. I realize I'm supposed to be doing these well below what I plan to do on race day, but all the same, 2:45 minutes for 15 miles is not really very good.
The coming week is a step back week for me. I plan to follow it and not just add miles one day because I didn't run on another day. I also plan to work on speed. Specially during Saturday's pace run. I want to make sure I finish the marathon in something close to decent time. The way I'm going, we are talking 5 hours, which is still within the limit, so I can still finish, but it is just too terribly long. So I'll be working on speed from now on, always deferring to the sore foot when necessary. But with the shorter runs this week, foot should not be a problem at all.

I am working a bit from memory

Since I haven't updated since a week from today, this is what I think I did.
On Thursday 7th, I believe I didn't do anything. Friday I did around 6 miles. Saturday I put in 7 miles. On Sunday I did do 14 miles, starting from home and running to and around W&OD trail. I ran slower than I'd have liked, but all the same, I am pleased. During the weekend I did do some weight training work at home, but I've not been to the gym, partially because I was missing my card. Monday I did some more weight training work. Tuesday and today I did nothing. I've been very drowsy and sleeping too much. I'm hoping to have a better day tomorrow and this weekend does have a 15 miler in the making. My foot is doing quite well, and I think the break is doing it good. I am a bit afraid of lagging behind and not getting enough training in, but I've got a good 10 weeks to go, so I should be all right.
Also, I used google pedometer and finally managed a much more accurate calculation of my trail. My pedometer is only about a half mile off. The new one sucked, so I returned it. Next week I'll go to my running store and see if I can buy something useful.

I did well today

Had a very respectable 8 mile run (I was to run 7). I think instead of resting on Friday I'll do the 4 I should have done yesterday. Sunday's long run is 14 miles, so I've got to be up early for it and I'm also thinking I'll find another trail to run, perhaps right here by work where the W&OD starts.

The Weekend

I did run on Friday, 9 miles, actually. I'm calling Saturday a cross-train day due to an hour long self-defense class and a hike up a rather cool mountain in Atlanta. Sunday I ran about 6 miles. I'm afraid today I'm too tired to do anything, what with not enough sleep, a flight and the like. I do hope to raise early tomorrow for a good run/work out!