Heat Wave Makes For a Nice Time to Peak!

Unseasonably warm temperatures and no more long runs in the training schedule make for a good way to end the year. 

Ever since my epic failure on the Hueston Woods Main Loop run, my confidence on long runs has been shattered; actually, it has been a struggle to get motivated to get out and run at all, especially with the holidays mixed in.  Well, as the day of judgement (the marathon) drew ever closer, the window to peak in training kept getting smaller and smaller.  Thankfully the stars aligned and Jordan was left home alone with no wifey.  Seems that he had been having similar motivation struggles, and he was able to come down to Oxford and meet up for one final long run.

We split our course into two loops, a 6.5 mile loop and a 5.4 mile loop.  Each time we completed a loop we ended back at the house, allowing us to refuel, take a pee, retape nipples, or whatever else may have needed attention at that time.

First two loops went off without a hitch, both of us feeling quite well.  The second 6.5 mile loop was a bit grueling with a nasty crosswind, but each of us felt pretty good at the end of 18.  It was AMAZING how much both our bodies degraded into a slow, shuffling trudge on the second 5 mile loop between 18 and 23.5 miles.  We each dragged through and made it to the end, legs hurting, but feeling a renewed sense of confidence that we are actually going to do this, run a marathon and run it well.  Both of us were coherent and able to move after the run, feeling that another 2.7 miles was in reach and possible.

Once again, I can not emphasizes how awesome it is to have a running partner.  I do not think I could have done that long run without someone to talk to and knowing that my feet were being held to the fire to finish.  Lots of good talk and fun conversations along the run as well.  The deeper and deeper we went into the run, it was funny how the conversations tended to revolve around how much our bodies hurt, and how the hurt seemed to cycle through different body-parts at different times.

Well, my plane tickets are bought and tapering in my mileage can begin.  I now feel like a major hurdle has been cleared and am starting to get excited about the trip... well except for the running of 26.2 miles.  I hope every ones training is going well and that the Ohio peeps are able to get out and enjoy this weather.

Have a happy and safe New Year!