Victoria Vacation and Gearing Up For Marathon

Okay, sothis week being on the island (Vancouver Island, SO BEAUTIFUL!), I was keeping in plan with my training that I would step back slightly for recoup reasons.  I ran 24 km yesterday instead of beyond 30 (20 miles) for my longer run and all week has been shy of my usual 10 km treks.  

This week I will amp it up again to the beyond 30's and continue until taper time.

Rest, Relaxation and Restoration.  I felt all three this week as I spent time with my wife, three kids and good friends of ours and their kids.  Out every morning early with my buddy not for a run(which happened later in the day) but to Starbucks for Java and quiet coffee time.  It was too great.  Lots of hiking and exploring the ocean shores of Victoria  and surrounding area.  

9 km in Victoria

A Little R and R and R.Rest Relaxation and Running!  Went on a scenic run in the downtown of Victoria with my buddy Jeremy.  He had a route he liked and we did it after a long day of exploring the island with our combined families (six kids!).

WE reached a 4 minute km at one point, but our slow start made it over a 5 min average.  I am not normally pushing my times as I am trying to avoid injury before the marathon.  So far so good.  I notice it takes about 4 km to get my wind and hips loosened. The longer distance is pushing my body beyond the boundaries of what I am used to, so this is a new realm for me!

Improved Running This Week

I am happyto report a much better 33 km run (21 miles) today.  I hydrated before leaving.  I had my gatorade and ran pretty much a great run.  2 hours 54 minutes 47 seconds clocked.  That would make a 5:16 pace, which is a great improvement from last week's lame-oh.

My training for the fall marathon has taken a good turn, and I am adapting well, my hips feel releatively great and my body is not feeling as traumatized as the last week weeks.  Could hardly walk a couple hours after.  

This is me on the same route I took today.

I took a cold bath and forgot to take a recovery drink.  Oops!

20 miler, lack of sleep, and dehydration, OH MY!

I had a terrible nights sleep Sunday night.  2 hours approx.  At 5 am I finally got up and prepared for my long run.  Pressing forward, I actually got 33 km in!  That is 20 miles in translation.  I had three packs of Gaterade with me on my fuel belt, but the last 7 km were very difficult as I think I was getting dehydrated. 

I felt like I was doing a little shuffle like Tim Conway by the end.  You know, that old guy character??? HA!

With 20 miles under my belt, I am planning a little pull back by the next couple of weeks, for mini recovery.  Thanks to a couple of encouragements on my readers commentaries.  Thanks!

My hips feel great.

One thing I notice is my stomach muscles, my lower abs ache worse than anything by the end of my run!  I dont know why!

I had a pounding headache afterward for a good 3 hours.  This makes me think I did not have enough fluids.  Ran out, as i lost on of the caps on my fuel belt bottles so I can only bring three with me.  Mental note to get replacement!

Daunting Long Runs

Honestly,I have felt the lst week that doing more than 27 km like I did last weekend quite overwhelming.  How can i keep up this training?  over 30 km every weekend?  My abs hurt for some reason from last weekend.  My abs?  My legs are still a bit stiff too, which is normal for a couple of days after my long run, but thinking about doing it again each weekend for through august feels like "really???" right now.  

I read a lot of blogs on running, many are 'ultra-marathoners" donig stupid amounts of km.  How do they do it?  It requires retarded amounts of time, for one, but how does their body not break down?

I know this will pass and I will probably look back and smile at how I always feel like this taking on a new challenge.  I did this for getting for 5 km.  Dang it, 10 was a huge hurdle to jump!  but this 30 km, I am so proud of myself yet , wondering, can I keep it up like I need to for a marathon training?  

I am not following a training program specifically either.  I have read enough of them to know I need to get over 30 km for a few weeks long runs in training and then ease off just before in tapering.  I have my running bud that is following a very detailed regime.  I have been running a lot longer runs for a consistent time though, so its not such a surge in mileage for me.

Anyhow, I thought I would just say this feeling out loud as I psych up for Saturday.