Training, training and more training

I have a couple of thoughts to share this evening and one being that I have got to stop being so stubborn. As you all know I have been training for my BIG run in January and I have been playing fast and loose with the training program. I am now officially behind by seven work outs and unlike the last time I did not miss count a week so I have no breather room. I am going to have to go hard to get caught up and stay caught up, this has been ridiculous. I know better and should do better.

Now that being said I have been in a near constant state of training for over six months by the time marathon hits I can say unequivocally that I will be glad to put this event behind me. I will then be able to change up my training regimen for the 15k classic in Jacksonville in March before I take some needed time off from the training and racing schedule I have placed myself under.

I would just like to point out for no reason other than to say it and I believe I really like Bluegrass Music...it just connects me to my past in a way that other music does not...thank you to Pandora Internet Radio.

Now back to the discussion at hand - I had fun over the holiday weekend and I hope you did as well. I spent time with friends and family and for the first time in a long time I was not stressed or regretting anything. I missed my father-in-law in a major way and the calm and loving presence that he he was when I spent time with him. I did spend sometime working through my own emotions and I know I am not done with those emotions, but I know he would want me to move forward so forward I go.

I have been training for a long and I had friends come in from out of town and I was glad to have them here because for the first time in a long time I had people running with me (no my beautiful wife I did not forget our June race, but this was a touch different). Now, I have run with friends in July and family in June and again 9 years ago when the Brunswick Bridge opened, but for the most part I attend races alone and race alone, so this was a good time and a pleasant change from my routine.

At the race I had to constantly remind myself that this was not a race (but it was) and that it was just a training session (it wasn't) and I could move at a comfortable pace and not kill myself (I pushed - hard - my pulse rate was 91% of my max at one point). I finished last in my age group, but I enjoyed seeing the 300+ people in Savannah that I inspire to come out and race. I had no idea my influence reached so far, but lets face it when your steveinspired, your inspired no matter where you are. My friend Ben blew me away with his speed, it was really great to shout words of encouragement to him and know that helped him go farther and faster (steveinspired). I also appreciated seeing him at the end and having him return the favor with his words of encouragement. I later joined him and we gave encouragement to his wife Tara; it was a good team feeling. I should point out that Ben came in 2nd for his age group and that is wonderful and I enjoyed seeing someone I know walk away with his prize.

The best part about having friends in town is I had a training partner for the first time ever (again Meg I did not forget about you, it was just different). He pushed me outside of my comfort zone for my training and I think I had become more slow and sloppy then I had realized. I ran harder, kept my breaks, and felt better at the end. Now granted it was a short distance of 8 miles, but still it was nice, so I am going to attempt to push harder for my four mile run that is coming up to see what I can shave off for my benefit. I had watched a training video about working speed work into your routines, so I am going to see how that works for me and get a feel for adding some speed with 6 weeks to go. That may seem ridiculous, but lets see what happens.

I also have a small confession for everyone out there...I think I purposely let my phone die last nite so my alarm would not go off. Now, don't let this effect your determination to continually improve yourself, like I said I have a stubborn streak in me and I am working to show my self that at my age I can not pretend to be a 20 something instead of a man rapidly growing toward forty. I need to remember I am a marathoner now (presumptuous? maybe) and I have to take better care of myself. Sleep better, eat better, drink less, care for my aches and pains, and not be unwilling to seek help when help is needed.

So, I want to wrap up with this for everyone to consider - Coming in first matters to the person who comes in second, but the person who never gave up and finishes the race is an example of determination and will, they should be cheered as loudly as the person coming in first.