They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and during this summer I learned some of the truth in that quote.  I like to be lazy in the summer, even sleeping in some mornings.  It’s too hot, there are vacations to shorten your long runs, and some days you’d just rather drink coffee and watching the sun come up from the porch than on the road.

But the vacation’s over and I’ve busted out the training schedule and paid money for races.  I also gotta say, I’ve missed the workouts.  I could live without the humidity but I’m ready to get started.

And I’ve got some work ahead of me, no PRs but I’d like to try out the higher mileage in an attempt to make the marathon itself easier, maybe even run the whole way without walking breaks.  I also want to try out the higher mileage to test the waters for ultramarathons.  I promised my wife I’d stay away from those races until the kids are older, and while I won’t cross that line she drew, I will get a good look at the other side.  I like the idea of running forever through the woods but am unsure if I’d feel the same way after 30 miles.  Sooo, my training schedule gradually increases until reaching 50 miles/week for 3 weeks (with rest weeks in between).

But my main goal is simple: run a lot and try not to walk during the marathons.  Yes that’s meant to be plural, as I’m training for theLouisianamarathon and the Beaumont Gusher marathon, which are 6 weeks apart.  Both have been fun and I’d hate to miss either.  Yes, I could just run the half, but I can’t stand to see all that open roadway and not keep going for the full race (that might be some kind of metaphor; if it is, I call dibs).

I’ll keep you posted on how it goes.

Last Week:

Mon – Rest

Tues – 5 Miles

Wed – Rest

Thurs – 4 Miles with Hills

Fri – Strength & Flexibility (Yoga stuff)

Sat – 4 Miles

Sun – 10 Miles

Total – 23 Miles

Current Audiobook – George Orwell’s 1984

Things don’t look great for the main character, who’s being tortured in the Ministry of Love