March 20 - 26

 Mon - 6.3

 Tue - 6.3 w/ 4.0 @ 8:00.5 pace

 Wed- 6.3 moderate

 Thu - 6.3 w/ 2.0 @ 7:49 pace

 Fri - 6.6

 Sat - 13.1 w/ 10.0 @ 9:02 pace

 Sun - 12.1

 Tot - 57.0

Big guys in two's

 So I did light out today.  No water, no stops, just get after 2 hours.  I clipped through the opener in 9:11 and was down to 8:41 by mile 3.  It was aggressive,  but I was willing to see how it would pan out.  Between miles 4 and 5 it was apparent I bit of more than I could chew.  I tried to find the rhythm, but by mile 6 the pace edged into the low 9's.  

 Still trying to hit the workout, I tossed the shirt at halfway and kept on trucking big mama style.  By mile 9 I made the decision to barrel through 10 and kick back to reality.  I was sub 9 average through 9 and hit 10 in 1:30:18 before easing back so I could fight another day.

 Finished at 13.1 in 2:05:24 for 9:34 pace overall.   Cutting the big engine off was the best thing to do.  Three weeks from now there will be an opportunity to get after it again.  

 7 weeks to the big dance.  In an attempt to gauge a possible finishing goal, it is not out of the realm to consider a 10:30 currently.   That is probably top end for me.  Sure, there is time left to train, but the last 5 years have taught me I just can't suck it up the last 15 miles because I want to.  The toughest thing is over estimating the ability to want to start going after people after halfway.  That just happens.  Then it turns out a bit like today.  

A time I remember oh so well

 When awake in the middle of the night,  often thoughts lead me to running.  In anticipation of Ice Age in just over 7 weeks, a process begins of what should I be doing?  Even though the die has been cast it is tempting to look over past years and look for patterns which worked.

 What could I be doing?  Well there is a could, but can I perform/train to this degree?  Most times the answer is no.  There were things pulled off in prior training I simply cannot do.  I cannot string together 3-4 days in a row of 10-14 miles at moderate pace, rest 1 day and boom out a long one.  Not going to happen.  This is why you see all the 6.3 mile runs of various paces.

 Are you getting in enough long runs?  The thing is the definition has changed significantly, even in the past 5 years.  Runs over 30 miles are a pipe dream.  They take too long, they wear me out, and a fair dose of walking, like 25-30% is honestly a different workout than mostly straight running.  I have to use time.  Mostly the longer effort will be 4:00 - 4:30 time wise.  How I  break up the effort is dependent on how I feel that day.  Sure, I might get around 5:00 hours once,  but this will more than likely be a test effort of what I'll look to do May 13th.

 So what looks like one other piece you could add?  It is hard to look over a lifetime of running and step outside yourself and make a practical decision.   The decision I made was every 3rd weekend, instead of a longer Saturday effort to run 2 hours at a moderate pace (stay on the line, be somewhat aggressive) on Saturday and the 2 hours Sunday at whatever pace.  No doubt about 30% walking this day.

 So far I am pleased with the weight loss and the tempo efforts.  I was 175 today.  It seems reasonable to reach 170 by May 13th.   There is no doubt shedding 10 pounds has made things easier.  There are other items I simply cannot control.  Most of the numbness in my left leg has gone, but I'd say I'm 90-95%.  This seems permanent, but when you go to the biggest dance of the year you dance with the one who brung you.

Didn't put enough dirt down

 I foolishly went on line to scan for races.  I thought, maybe I'll find a race around the half marathon distance and go have some fun.  For $109 dollars you can do this.  That's okay.  I can create my own fun for far less than this.

 There appear to be many races.  I don't pretend to know what all goes into setting the cost of events, but you can cash me out. 

 Just over 7 weeks to Ice Age.  For a moment I began to over analyze what I need to do.  Best to stay on the same path and not overdue anything.  One push for me has been dropping weight.  I am about halfway to my goal.  If I could get to about 172 it would be helpful. 

 The focus has been dropping weight, run almost everyday,  introduce tempo work to increase economy,  and work on the run/walk ratio to be used.  It is not as easy as it sounds.  I have used different mixes based on each half mile.  One I like is .37 run / .13 walk.  There are multiple reasons for doing this type of setup, but the main reason is that for about the last 5 years I totally tank the last 10 miles.  Like Evil Knievel crash and burn.  I have to get there in better shape.  It's hard to listen to yourself.

March 13 - 19

 Mon = 6.3

 Tue = 6.3 w/ 3.0 @ 8:07 pace

 Wed = 6.3

 Thu = 6.3 w/ 4.0 @ 8:14 pace

 Fri = 6.3

 Sat = 22.2

 Sun = 7.3

 Tot = 61.0

March 6 - 12

 Mon = 6.3

 Tue = 6.3 w/ 2.0 in 16:28

 Wed = 6.3

 Thu = 6.3 @ 8:45 pace

 Fri = 6.3

 Sat = 21.2

 Sun = 7.3

 Tot = 60.0

Gonna do some things we've never done before

 I have to tell you...I really am enjoying living where we are in Florida.  Thinking my job was over after putting in for retirement at work and then that not happening has increased my overall outlook.  To have people ask me to keep working and fill two roles has been challenging.   I'm gaining momentum here and now at 61 have relieved myself of all false expectations, misguided doubt, and following the donut eaters.  I could give a rat's rear-end about whatever it is someone is trying to influence me on.  It is a shame that the when I was a child I thought as a child, but now that I'm a man I've put childish things away passage finally kicked in when I hit 61 last year.  When you finally come to grips that maybe a handful of people care about 10-15% of what you do then it's time to go full Canned Heat and goin' up the country.

 In running news...I am progressing.  I think sub 11 hours is a reality.