Yes, yes, I know, late again with my race report. Still working (in theory) on my Chicago Marathon race report. The short version is that it was a great day, a great race, hot, sunny, with lots of walking late in the race, and super glad it’s done!
Time to turn the page, and my attention is now fully turned to my next major race, the First Light Marathon, on 1/9/11. This race is happening, as plane tickets are purchased, and hotels are reserved. Looking forward to a couple of days in New Orleans, and then a fresh marathon PR (hopefully) in Mobile on race day.
I don’t really create training plans, except to ballpark the dates and distances of my long runs. I was originally planning my first long run last weekend, but then had a chance to go for a fun (leaf peeping) bike ride up to Piermont with some twitter friends. Couldn’t pass that opportunity up and so postponed my first long run a week, to this week. Of course, forgetting that, I was thinking I might drive out to Eisenhower Park for the LIRRC 5 miler on Sunday. Unfortunately, I’ll run long this weekend instead, and have to put running in a LIRRC race off to another time.
Met with the group (@dnorton, @bklynrunner, @jenbolstat) by 8am, on a perfect day for bike riding, warm (not hot) and very little wind. Meeting spot was the George Washington Bridge, and we headed over the bridge and up 9W about 16 miles to Piermont. After a stop at Bunbury’s Coffee Shop for some awesome muffins, we headed out for a look from The Pier, which has an awesome view of the Hudson River. Then turned around to head back. The hills are a bit nastier on the way back, but managed to get through it. The ride was much easier with friends! I took the subway to and from home rather than add the necessary 20 miles to bike the round trip – no sense in pushing things if not currently training for anything on the bike.
Then yesterday I decided to join up with Josh and his crew for speed work. They informally meet for speed workouts in Central Park each Tuesday. Now that I am also speed working, and the day worked out for me, I decided to be a little social and meet up with more folks I know through Twitter but had not really met before. @speedysasquatch led the way, and I was joined by @sharonpaige, @magdalenafox and @herroyaltallness. I was arguably the slowest of the group, but no matter. Did my best to keep up on the 6 x 800 meter workout at the Great Lawn, which was followed up by a blast of core work which I’m definitely feeling today! I believe I won the ‘dirtbag’ award afterwards, as both the newcomer, and the dirtiest of the bunch after literally using the dirt and lawn (and surrounding acorns – ouch) to support the core work. In all, ran about 5.3 miles (I think because I forgot my watch/GPS at home) – good work.
In other news, since the marathon I have been dealing with some pain in my right heel/foot. Nothing major, noticed it early, and a regimen of ice twice daily seems to have done the trick, so I’m feeling back to full health. I’m looking forward to my long run this weekend, continuing speed work, and working my way back into the shape required to NAIL a 4:30 (really 4:22 PR) marathon in January.
Marathon Fever is in full swing, as the MCM folks get to strut their stuff on Sunday! Good luck to you all…
