Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Six weeks and counting...

A month has passed and I keep inching closer and closer to the Chickamauga Marathon in November. I had to check out the reviews and website to remind myself how much I CAN NOT WAIT for it! It is reported to be a incredible, small and scenic race. Runner up in the Runner's World poll for most scenic marathon and third place for overall best marathon. Can't go wrong with any of that from what I can tell! Six weeks. Tick. Tock.

Training is just kind of mediocre at this point. I am making my miles but they aren't exactly comfortable. I am attributing some of it to the heat. I absolutely should be getting up earlier on Saturday's for my long run but have been doing most around noon which is 90 degree heat is not ideal as anyone would know. I have sort of a Saturday ritual that gets in my way. I like to call it sleeping late. Some people call it catching zzzzs. Call it what you like. I need my rest. I am an 8 hour a night person. By Friday night, I am in serious sleep deficit and catch up on Saturday. It is a trade off. My legs may be fresh when I run but it easily 15 to 20 degrees warmer when I get out there.

Last week was 17 miles. It actually was not too bad until the last 3 miles and those seemed to last forever! I finally finished The Help. Loved it right down to the end. I am now on to Freedom, the new Oprah pick. Not that I usually go with Oprah's picks but I have to admit, it looked like a good one. So far, it is pretty enjoyable.

I broke up with Hal Higdon this past week. No particular reason, just trying to freshen up a bit. My new BF is Team Continuum. I am using the intermediate training plan. I know, it really is not all that different from Hal's plan. I think I like the idea of my mid-week runs being X minutes instead of a specific mileage. Somehow mentally it seems more palatable and as we have discussed it is SO mental. Who is up for 20 on Saturday? Here we go!

In other news, CR finally found a job that suits him. It has been a couple of years of a hodge podge of business plans, rebuilding motorcycles and home improvement sales. This one just fell in his lap. He told me last night that it is the first time in his life he truly LOVES his job. How lucky is that? I don't think I can say I have ever had a job I loved. I have liked a few, enjoyed the people and what not but never love. I might be jealous. What a relief in so many ways.

Have a great day!

8 comments:

Amanda said...

Sounds like things are going along for you and that marathon is getting closer. I just switched to Jeff Galloway and he does two workouts a week by minutes and then miles for the long slow run....It's the run/walk/run method and I'm trying it on for size. So far, I like it and I hope it will help me get through the Goofy in January :)!

Glad to hear the job situation is better - it is awesome when you love your job. I used to have that and right now it's swung to the opposite pole, but we do what we have to I suppose!

Jennifer said...

Sounds like a great marathon, I need to find out more about it, never heard of it before. I can't believe you run so late, I would wilt, as it is, still 96 here yesterday, I am going out pre-dawn. Great news on the job front. Keep on truckin'!

Ewa said...

I find it very difficult to run in the heat. But fall is just around the corner so it ought to cool down.

Lindsay said...

Dang. Long runs, in Georgia, at noon. You are officially crazy :)

I'm pretty jealous of CR and a lovable job! I don't hate mine... but I sure don't love it either.

KovasP said...

I've enjoyed running much more since I switched to time rather than miles. Hooray for a job to love.

AZ said...

If you are doing long runs in 90 degrees then your marathon training is coming along very well. That heat just takes it out of you.

Congrats to CR.

Aron said...

that sounds like an awesome marathon :) SO EXCITING!

Tina @GottaRunNow said...

I hope to run 20 or so this Friday. Chickamauga Marathon sounds like a great marathon to run.