Marathon Training

Sunday, September 30, 2012

10 Mile Long Run in Rock Hall

While I was visiting family in Rock Hall, MD this weekend, I took advantage of the perfectly flat terrain and ran a 10-mile long run down to Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge. This was my first long run since running the Rock 'n' Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon on September 16 so I was very anxious to get out on the road again and log double digits! All went very well. It was a beautiful morning, clear skies with a temperature around 64 and my foot managed just fine.

It is hard for me to believe that 4 weeks from tonight I will have another marathon under my belt - the Marine Corps Marathon is on Sunday, October 28. I will be working on my confidence over the next couple of weeks. Technically, tomorrow begins week 13 of my 16 week marathon training program and it is the last week of the speed training phase of my program. I will be modifying the program as I don't want to risk any additional injuries so I will be sticking to easy runs this week to make sure I log the distance.

Next Sunday I will be running the LBI 18-Mile Run in Long Beach Island, NJ. That is another perfectly flat course so that will be my next to last long run before the marathon. Tapering will beging immediately after that race.

Safe Running and Training Folks!
John

Saturday, September 29, 2012

10.5 Miles in 2 Days

Coming back from recovery requires patience and prudence. In other words, listen to your body and don't do anything stupid!

After being on the sidelines for 11 days, I resumed running on Thursdsy and Friday this week. I stuck to the treadmill and ran 5.25 miles each day at an easy pace. Day 1 went without a hitch but yesterday was more of a challenge. My left foot was sore and tender for the better part of yesterday so I was icing it again last night. Today will be a cross training day on the stationary bike and I will attempt my first outdoor run tomorrow while I am visiting family in Rock Hall, MD. (It's nice and flat there so I am targeting another 5 miler at an easy pace.)

I am registered for an 18-Mile run in Long Beach Island, NJ next weekend on October 7. I absolutely have to get another long run in at this distance prior to my Marine Corps Marathon adventure on October 28. I ran LBI last year under grueling conditions (85 degree temps) and it was once of my most miserable running experiences so I am looking forward to more favorable conditions this year.

Whenever I get frustrated I remind myself that I've been through much worse than this. Two years ago at this very time I was in the midst of recovering from a ruptured tendon in my right foot (non-running related injury!) that required 2 surgeries, 8 weeks of non-weight bearing rest and many months of Physical Therapy.

So ... Yes, I will recover from this current 'bump in the road'.

Safe Running Folks,
John

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Back in the Saddle

My recovery from a badly bruised foot is slowing and systematically proceeding in the right direction. Yesterday I had an appointment with the Orthopeic doctor and he ruled out any type of fracture (with x-rays) so I have clearance to resume running.

It has been 11 days since I ran - I've stuck to cross training on the stationary bike and I have respected my rest days. I have to admit that I am apprehensive but excited at the same time. I'll stick to a more controlled environment by running on the treadmill this morning. My objective is to run at least 4 miles at an easy pace today. I'll see where that leads me.

The Marine Corps Marathon is just 4 1/2 weeks away. I should be at the peak of my training program at this point leading up to my final 3 week taper. I am going to have to make some creative adjustments to my program but I want to see how this morning goes before I get too crazy!

Safe Running 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