Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Final Weigh-In

I'm down to 171.4.

I'm like an honorary Kenyan.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Pat Report - Buffalo 2011 (5/16/2011)

Welcome to Taper Town.  Population:  Me.

I got my 20 mile run in yesterday.  This is the last long run on my training plan.


Legs

I'm sore today, but not completely wrecked.  The second 10 miles yesterday were actually easier than the first 10. 

The idea of 6 more miles on top of yesterday's run sounds hard, but not impossible.

Considering how many miles they have on them already this year, the knees are holding up pretty well.


Allergies

The allergies have taken a sudden turn for the worse.  I couldn't run on Saturday because I was too busy barfing up the previous night's post-nasal drip (I'm very attractive to live with...).

The new allergist took a few things out of my shots over the Winter.  Whatever is in bloom right now isn't in my shots anymore.  It's killing me.

In the meantime, I've doubled my Flonase and neti pot efforts.


Weather

I hit the bike path around 9:30.  The forecast was for showers, so I started out in full rain gear.  And what happened?  It got sunny and hot. 

I went back to the car after 10 miles and changed into shorts and a short sleeve shirt.  And what happened then?  It started pouring two miles later.  Oh well.  At least the rain was enough to get the amateurs off the bikepath.


Weight

I've been a steady 173.2 the last few weeks.  I was hoping to get under 170 by race time, but I'll take it.  I'll still be a full 3 to 4 pounds lighter than I was for the half marathon last year.  And I've definitely added muscle (I can tell I'm stronger than this time last year because I'm not hunched over by the end of double digit runs).


13 days until race day.

One more long run left.

Monday, May 9, 2011

*ring ring*

*ring ring*

Me:  Hello?

Caller:  Hello, this is the Rhode Island Blood Center.  Is Patrick there?

Me:  Yes.  Speaking.

Caller:  We know you've given in the past and we'll be hosting a blood drive in your area this week.  Can we count on your support?

Me:  Well, I'm running a marathon in 3 weeks.  So I kinda need to keep all my blood for myself right now.

Caller:  Oh!  OK.  I understand completely.


(and... scene.)



I did a little experimenting with the routine for my 14 miler on Saturday.  I figured this was the week to do it.

I ate a little extra.  I wore different socks.  I pushed my tempo in the middle.  I wore long sleeves when it was over 65.

None of these things were good.  The conclusion that I came to was that I had pretty much been doing things the right way (for me) all along.  I ended up 1 second per mile slower than I was for my 18 mile run the week before.

So I'm back to my normal routine for next week

Monday, May 2, 2011

18

The 18 mile run went really, really well.

I felt strong, smooth and fast.  And I couldn't have asked for better conditions.  Low 60s.  Dry.  Partly cloudy.  I hope I get that on race day.

I also didn't feel like I was dying the day after like I was after 16 (although that may have been a combination of running in the rain and being 5 days removed from the stomach flu).

My only minor complaint was the pollen.  The allergies were getting a little crank by the end.

I think I'm going to make it.