Let’s face it. Yes, I’ll admit it. I’ve slacked BIG TIME on my training. Seemed like all motivation was lost during the months of March and April. And I’ll throw in February for that matter. April was supposed to be a good month as far as training. But my laziness has spilled over into May.
I struggled through a 12.6 mile run yesterday. And I emphasize that it was 12.6 and not just 12.0 because my goal was 13.1 (half marathon distance).
It didn’t help that I had to go to the bathroom around mile 8. And as mile 10 came it affected me. I should have stopped and took a break but I figured I’d power through it.
I was going to go for that additional half mile to make it 13.1 but I was already walking and couldn’t muster anymore power to get my legs moving again.
I started my run around the Foothill/LaCresenta area – where I get my hair cut. I ran Foothill toward and past Sports Chalet in LaCanada then turned around and headed home.
I was feeling pretty good at mile 8 except for my bowels, crossed the street at Glendale College and ran on Mountain and took some zigs and zags till I hit Doran and a straight run to Brand… mile 10. I was about 2 miles from my sister’s house so I made some detours to make it a 5K run but at mile 11.5 I started back toward my sister’s house and knew I would be short. I figured I’d run past her house and back to make it a half mary but when I got to her street I started my walk and that was it.
I rushed into the house and went to the bathroom… whew.
I’m not making any excuses about cutting the run short, but man, I was relieved to be… well… relieved! 
So what day is it? May 16? That gives me 17 training days left. And where my running partner is tapering, I’m trying to catch up… trying to build the mileage up with the goals of making the marathon my ‘long run day’.
Can I do 20ish miles on Sunday? If I can I’ll be a little bit more confident in my ability to actually finish 26.2 on June 3. I’ll make it a day… run slow, take breaks, eat… which is something I’ve neglected to do in my past long runs… I need to eat! Refueling might be the key to success. Right? Right.
WHO AM I KIDDING?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
I’m dying over here. My wife says I can do it. Is she NUTS?!?!?!? Okay, there’s nothing out there I can’t do. Believe me. It’s the competitive nature in me, which, fortunately or unfortunately has rubbed off on Jake.
One thing good about this run is that I know what shoes I’ll be wearing. A pair that has nearly 300 miles on them – my Saucony Grid Omni 5. After the marathon they will be retired. I just hope my newer shoes can protect my feet like these did on those long run days.
For those of you interested… you have 17 days to train for the marathon.
Run with me!!!