3:10:59: London Marathon

"Good Afternoon - we are pleased to confirm your entry for the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon..." - and just like that, my running life got flipped-turned upside down. I'd like to take a minute and sit right there, and tell you how I'll become (again) the prince of the trails, AKA my lair.

Remember me? I used to blog all the time and run, but more or less fell into a deep slumber and life got in the way. Well, I'm back in the game, and back on track to continue my quest to finish all the World Marathon Majors. Yesterday, I received word that I was accepted into the 2017 London Marathon, which was a shock to me. Which means I need to get my @ss into gear...and fast!

The second half of 2015 was more or less a wash for me, and I started 2016 attempting to claw my way back into shape. But many successes in life, which included buying and moving into our first home, getting married, and trying to balance out new responsibilities! In between, I squeezed out minimal running and a few mediocre races which included a repeat victory at the KT82, an age group win and top 6 finish at the Mo Cowbell 5K, an age group win and team victory at the Mud Mountain 5K, a 3rd place finish at the Father McGivney 5K, an age group win and top 5 finish at the Belleville Gingerbread 5K, but my overall fitness level declined due to lack of consistency.

2016 started off with some good workouts and making progress on lost fitness, but was derailed unexpectedly by a foot injury which kept me out for almost 2 months. Upon return, I kept a basic base of 20-30 miles with a workout here and there but nothing substantial. With a lack of plan and no one to hold me accountable, I fell completely out of shape and struggled for motivation...until yesterday. It's basically like a switch just got flipped, and I am back in the mode again. So some immediate changes have to be made:

1) Consistent running - I have to start running again on a regular basis. My current "streak" is 5 days. Might be my longest this year, so off to a good start. 40 mile weeks need to be the norm, so time to build back up to that level.

2) Better nutrition - no more crap, plain and simple. I need to lose about 15-20 lbs. just to get at a decent training weight so I can do the harder workouts. This crazy heat will definitely help accelerate this issue.

3) Plan and Accountability - the next couple weeks will be getting my legs ready to handle the pounding, and work on turnover. The tentative plan is to target a late fall half marathon to help transition into early 2017 marathon training. Coach Crystal has been hired, and she will be working with me to phase in a good running plan, and other ancillary parts to make this work.

Time is of the essence, and there isn't too much of it. 9 months out till the marathon with much catch up to do, so need to get to work. I also have to realize that I am not in my 20's and not the same runner as I was before, so I need to be smarter and more efficient about training. I am going to use this blog as a journal to document this struggle/challenge. This probably won't be a PR marathon, but I respect the distance and race too much to make a fool out of myself, and want to be as prepared as I can. By the end of this year, I should have some more concrete goals nailed down, and can work accordingly to achieve.

Saturday, June 25th - ~9 miles. Early run on a nasty, humid day. Out and back on the trail towards Troy, and turned around a bit past the Maryville YMCA. With the horrible heat/humidity, I have not run with a watch very much, and just getting the distance/time in. Nice to see a few people out on the trails, so not alone. Felt like poop towards the end and took a walk break with less than 2 miles to go. Looped around the neighborhood to get in the rest. The 5:45 a.m. start was too late, as I need to be getting done no later than 6:30 on mornings like this.

Sunday, June 26th - 5 miles. Out and back towards Troy. Another late morning start, and felt like complete crap. The weather just zaps any energy out of you, and I can't imagine I was doing anything faster than 9 minute pace, and I was running very flatfooted which isn't good for my back. More walk breaks towards the end - struggling, but need to get this done.

Monday, June 27th - ~4.5 miles. Looped my trail/Glen Crossing loop, then some laps around the neighborhood. Weather calmed down a bit, and actually had a nice breeze albeit still warm (but better than the weekend). Legs finally had some pop, and felt easy to run for once. Stopped to talk some Game of Thrones action with the neighbors and was a pile of sweat, but finished out ok.

Tuesday, June 28th - 6 miles. Evening run with Yoch - out and back towards Home Depot. Legs were tired, but kept a reasonable pace up. I hadn't run with a watch in a long time, but we were cruising in the low 8's and it felt fine. This is a good sign, as I was scared that 8 minute pace would be too hard for me these days. 49:02 was our overall time, and we were dicking around the last mile which prevented a negative split. Felt great, could have done a few more miles at that pace with no problem.

Wednesday, June 29th - 4 miles. Dragged my useless carcass out of bed for an early run before work, which is almost unheard of. Out and back towards Troy, but veered off straight on the trail instead of towards Drost Park. This section is about a mile long, shaded, and very flat. Legs were tired, but the morning was absolutely gorgeous - sunny and mid to low 60's, with some humidity. Glad to knock this out - 32-33 minutes.

More basic running to be done, and will hit one day up for some minor speed work. But here is some catch up on my life (late 2015/2016), in no particular order: