Marathon Training

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Taper Madness

Here it is - 4 days from race day. It is a REST day. I am suffering from Taper Madness.

As hard as I try to sleep later, I just can't seem to get beyond 5am. Certainly, that's an improvement over getting up at 4:30am during the peak of my training when I was logging up to 40 miles per week.

With all of this 'extra time' on my hands, I find myself antsy and rambunctious. There is only so much I can read about the upcoming presidential election before I get so irritated and want to up chuck!

So, this morning, with my extra leisure time, I started to think about the road I have traveled on this year's Marathon Training Journey and was surprised at how many of the states I've covered along the way: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, Maryland, Illinois, Texas, California and New Mexico!. Between traveling for work and my pursuit of running races in different locations, I've managed to hit 10 states this year as I prepare for my 2nd Marathon. That's a lot of territory!

It's back to the gym tomorrow for what will be my next to last training run before Sunday. A 40 minute run at an easy pace. Then on Friday, a 20 minute run and I will be finished with my program. The final test will be on Sunday - Marathon Day!!

Peace My Friends,
John

Monday, October 22, 2012

Final Stretch

As I wake up this Monday morning, I realize that I am indeed at the final stretch of my training for the Marine Corps Marathon. I have 15 weeks of disciplined and planned training behind me, along with a few 'bumps along the road' just to make things more interesting!

Yesterday I participated in my last race prior to next Sunday's marathon. It was the OctoRun 13K and I finished in 1:58:57 (unofficial) beating my time from last year by about 2 minutes. However, there were faster older guys on the course yesterday and I failed to place in the top 3 for my age group (55-59). I thought for sure I was going to medal when I saw a fellow who I passed during the last mile placed 2nd in his age group (40-44) but it wasn't meant to be. I've said before.... It all depends on who else is on the field!

My approach this week is to follow my training plan and to stay hydrated (which is my biggest challenge) and well nourished. No more 600 calorie muffins from the cafeteria at work for my 'mid-morning snack'!

So, here it is, the Final Stretch, and I will be running a Marathon in 6 days!!

Safe Training Folks,
John

Saturday, October 20, 2012

8 Days and Counting

This is my final weekend heading into the Marine Corps Marathon which is next Sunday, October 28! At this point, I have the better part of 15 weeks of training behind me and I am going to use this weekend to log my last long run and pamper myself with a massage.

Today (Saturday) is technically a REST day for me but I am considering going to the fitness center to do some light cross training on the stationary bike and weight training. Nothing too serious. Tomorrow is a more active day as I am registered to run in a local race in Hatfield, PA. The Octorun 13K is an unusual distance (8.03 miles) but it fits nicely into my schedule. My training plan calls for a 60 minute run this weekend and I ran this same race in 70 minutes last year so I think it is a good fit.

This time next weekend I will be in the final preparations for running my 2nd marathon!!

Safe Training Folks!
John

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2012 Races

5K: BCRR Cham-Pain (1/1/12) - 24:33
5.3 Mile: BCRR Predict Your TIme (1/8/12) - 42:30
8 Mile: BCRR Polar Bear (1/15/12) - 1:08:10 PR
4.6 Mile: BCRR Honest Abe (1/22/12) - 42:53
9.3 Mile: BCRR Terrible Tyle (1/29/12) - 5.3 Miles - 46:35
5.3 Mile: BCRR Pick Your Way (2/5/12) - 42:57
Half Marathon: BCRR Eenie-Meanie-Minie-Moe (2/12/12) - 1:58:38
4.6 Mile: BCRR Staggered Start (2/19/12) - 35:45 PR
10K: MCM Irish Sprint 10K (3/17/12) - 54:54
5K: Central Bucks Family YMCA (3/25/12) - 23:34 PR
5K: New Hope - Solebury "Spirit" Run (4/22/12) - 24:45
Half Marathon: St. Luke's (4/29/12) - 1:55:38 PR
10 Mile: Broad Street Run (5/6/12) - 1:25:13 PR
5K: Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure - Phila (5/13/12) - 24:46
5K: Doylestown Red, White, Blue (5/26/12) - 24:04
5K: Chalfont Challenge (6/9/12) - 26:31
6 Mmile: Princeton Healthcare 10K (6/10/12) - 49:40 PR
Half Marathon: 1/2 Sauer, 1/2 Kraut, 1/2 Marathon (6/16/12) - 1:57:11 2nd Place Male 55-59
5K: Herb Kahl Memorial (6/24/12) - 24:32
5 Mile: Run the Gates (6/3/12) - 40:40 PR
10K: Revolutionary Run (7/4/12) -52:36 PR
Half Marathon: Rock 'n' Roll Chicago (7/22/12) - 2:08:26
Half Marathon: Rock 'n' Roll Providence (8/19/12) - 1:59:25
Half-Marathon: Rock 'n' Roll Philadelphia (9/16/12) - 1:57:42
18Mile: LBI 18-Mile Run (10/7/12) - 2:48:30 PR
13K: Hatfield OctoRun (10/21/12) - 1:08:55 PR
Marathon: Marine Corps Marathon (10/28/12) - 4:36:54
5K: BCRR Covered Bridge (12/9/12) - 26:26
5.3 Mile: BCRR Jingle Bell (12/16/12) - 42:23 PR

2011 Races

5K: Central Bucks YMCA (3/20/11) - 27:17:18
Half-Marathon: FirstWatch Sarasota (3/13/11) - 2:06:12
5K: New Hope-Solebury Run (4/3/11) - 26:34:54
5K: Bridge Valley Trailblazer Race for Autism (4/16/11) - 27:42:31
10Mile: Broad Street Run (5/1/11) - 1:35:54
5K: Cornerstone Race (5/7/11) - 25:55:87
5K: Race for the Cure - Phila (5/11/12) - 27:19
5K: Doylestown Red, White, Blue (5/28/11) - 26:18:94
10K: Princeton Healthcare 10K (6/5/11) - 54:42:82 PR
5K: Herb Kahl Memorial Scholarship (6/26/11) - 25:13 (3rd Place Male 50-59)
5K: Chalfont Challenge (6/11/11) - 26:04:17
5K: Run Over (Pancreatic) Cancer (7/2/11) - 24:51 PR
Half-Marathon: 13.1 Minneapolis (8/21/11) - 1:59:48
Half-Marathon: Rock 'n' Roll Philadelphia (9/18/11) - 1:59:02 PR
5K: Chestertown 5K (9/24/11) - 25:25 (1st Place Male 50-59)
18Mile: LBI 18-Mile Run (10/9/11) - 3:08:30
13K: Hatfield OctoRun (10/23/11) - 1:10:57 (2nd Place Male 55-59)
Marathon: Philadelphia Marathon (11/20/11) 4:23:46 - PR
5K: BCRR Covered Bridge 5K (12/4/11) - 26:29
5.3Mile: BCRR Jingle Bell 5.3 Mile Race (12/11/11) - 43:39

John's Book Reviews

The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It’s been a while since I’ve been ‘wowed’ by a book so it was with great pleasure that I recently finished reading The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin. Set in the 1800’s in the Pacific Northwest, the characters in this story represent what would be considered an ‘unconventional’ family by some standards in our current society – a family created out of horrific circumstances when 2 young (and pregnant) girls (Jane and Della) come upon William Talmadge (“Talmadge”), a loner who tends to and nurtures his orchards of apricots, apples and plums. Talmadge’s family roots are similarly tragic – he and his sister, Elsbeth, were orphaned as youngsters. And, at the age of 16, Elsbeth walked into the woods and never returned, leaving Talmadge alone and left to wonder what became of her. This lack of closure regarding his sister’s disposition is a key driver to the relationship he develops with Jane and Della - that of a nurturer and always wanting to provide a sense of comfort and belonging.

The complexities of the relationships that Talmadge has with Jane and Della, as well as Jane’s eventual daughter, Angelene, are compounded by the circumstances that drove Jane and Della to escape their painful upbringing and living environment. Trust and a willingness to be nurtured are not always welcome and these are the forces that drive the conflicts between what Talmadge wishes for the girls and the final outcome of the tragic events that continue to shape their lives.

(view spoiler)

Although it is still early in the year, I think it’s going to be hard for me to come across another book in 2013 that is so beautifully crafted and inspirational. Bravo to Amanda Coplin for this splendid novel!

View all my reviews