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Oct 31: 6.3 miles in Central Park (1 lap)
--BEST. TIME. EVER. Yea!!! At the end of 6.3 miles in Central Park this evening, after looking at my watch and seeing I finished in 42:46, 30 seconds faster than my fastest time, I let out a "Yes!" audibly enough that a woman running some ways away looked at me. It feels so good to have cracked the 43:00 barrier and to have done it so close to the marathon!

I had the benefit of perfect running weather tonight. It was dark my entire run because of Daylight Savings, 65 degrees with 30% humidity. For this run I was back in my shorts and running singlet, no tights, and I remember the freedom my legs felt as a result of not having the tights on. I had thought the tights were helping me! Not having tights on made me realize that if I can help it, I'm going to go without them on Marathon Day. Just shorts.

And I flew around the track today. I was wrestling a little bit with demotivation after getting home from work, having that creeping feeling of wanting to just drop the idea of running tonight to work on my book, but I instead got my butt out to the park and I even set my sights on beating my best run. I figured that tonight might be the last possible night I could--I'm not sure whether another 6.3-mile run is in store before the marathon.

Anyway, specificaly, I focused on the advice from my prior second-fastest runs, of just finding ways to shave off 5 seconds here and there, sprint here and there, etc. That's exactly what I did. When I felt I wanted to slow down just a bit, several times I challenged myself instead to just pick up the pace a little bit, because those few seconds of shaved-off time mean a lot to me in the end. It's funny how just slowing down a bit to drink some water from my water bottle can mean the difference of beating my best time, or finishing at a time less impressive!

My body felt great. My legs felt very, very strong, loose, and powerful. They seem to like climbing hills! I felt a little tiny bit of something in my left shin that didn't seem like anything special--just a little movement, but no pain. Other than that, my left hip is causing me no problems, nor is my right Achilles tendon. Nothing I can think of is getting me! Fingers crossed, I couldn't be in better shape. Let's keep it that way, alright?? Ben, avoid getting sick!!

I've tried to plot out my running days this week, so we'll see how they go. I'm trying to plan it so that I run in the morning on Friday, and then nothing until the marathon. That way I'll get about two days of rest, and chances are my body will be geared up for running. I'm not sure how far I want to run for the next few runs, though. I think I'll just leave it up to my mood. :)

Oct 30: 5.6 miles in Central Park (1 lap - upper loop + some)
--For this morning's run, I tried something different. I didn't know if I'd be able to experience in daylight hours the Central Park part of the marathon before the actual marathon, so I jogged clockwise around the park rather than my usual counterclockwise. It was an unusual and strangely beautiful perspective on the park, seeming actually quite unfamiliar, and it helped me mentally prepare for the rises and falls of the track that I take on from the other direction.

The most challenging part I think will be the last .2 miles that I talked about the other day. There, the hills are steep, especially considering you have some adrenaline hit you around mile 25 and it's failing you a mile later, plus some downhill acceleration as I noted in this morning's run that tires you. What I didn't run this morning was 59th St.--I seem to remember that it's slightly uphill and longer than I've been prepared for. Overall, what I noted is that when you finally enter Central Park at 90th St., there's still some considerable ways to run; I've remembered feeling that when you hit the entrance to the park, it feels "home free," but in fact, before it has been slow-going. I think at least the first year I ran the NYC Marathon it felt that way.

So this morning's run was to train my mind, to learn what to expect, and to gauge where I can expend some energy, pick up some speed, and where I'll likely have trouble and need to pace myself, or at least brace myself for some burnout. In the .2 miles near the finish line, I played with coaxing myself to "Pick up the pace, Ben!!" because I might as well give it my all at that point in the race. But I'm still not sure how much physical coaxing I can take at that point. I thought of an idea to keep me going, though: The word "Courage" has been very, very helpful for me at times during training this year to get my through pains and mental tire. I want to put the word in permanent marker on my hand lest I forget to tell myself at times.

The word "Courage" helped for this run, which was just a measly 5.6 miles in 42:32 (I didn't do Great Hill, but I did do the feeder road twice), and it was in a very busy early morning park, just about 49 degrees and windy. There was the Poland Springs Marathon Kickoff this morning (probably the reason so many bottled waters were being unloaded the other day--not for the actual marathon!) but they weren't running on the track yet. My thought was that it was so busy because people were doing their own "last minute" training runs of some significance to them. I'm guessing alpha desperation marches more so than beta tapering jogs like mine.

Again, physically I felt fine today, though my body was tired. Or was it my mind? I didn't push myself because of the new perspective on the park, whose hills are quite something to climb from this other direction. I might have not had the energy I needed for the pasta/carbs I have foregone (I believe) over the last day or so, meaning I'd like to get some in me and see if it boosts me runningwise. From today's run after having just done 8 miles the previous day, I think instead of the advised off Friday and 3-mile Saturday, instead I want to do two days off before the marathon. I have to see how this works with my schedule though--I might need to do a Friday morning run, which might not make much of a difference.

Boy, it's coming. My mind is starting to shock a bit... Keep focused, Ben!

Oct 29: 8.0 miles in Central Park (1 lap + 1 lower loop)
--Yet again, I made a second-fastest time for 6.3 miles (I did it in 43:23, just seven seconds shy of my record and five seconds faster than my previous second-fastest time), and on top of that, I believe I made my fastest time for 8.0 miles--55:37!

I've been trying to concentrate much harder on the marathon that is forthcoming. Today, I focused on making myself thee most important/significant person, and it helped my focus. I kept up a fast pace throughout much of the run and tried to sprint just a bit in places. I didn't expect to have such a fast finish, but the cold weather (42 degrees!) may have have numbed me to my legs and thus kept me motoring along.

Nothing much to report. The morning was cloudy, and before my run I did my arms routine and my short Pilates routine. I'm thinking for the marathon that I try to keep it to some degree "slow & steady" for the first 10K of it, because I will conserve energy this way. I've noticed that in general while I do slow down naturally after 6.3 miles, I also have a nice base and can usually run for a long period of time after then without too much effort. But maybe I won't approach it "slow & steady," given this is the day I've been training for. There is adrenaline that kicks in on race day, especially when you're on the bridge at the start of the race and amongst all those people. I might fly even faster than I do in Central Park. Who knows!

Oct 28: 6.3 miles in Central Park (1 lap)
--I got a little lazy at the last minute last night and decided that I was not going to go for a run that evening, and instead I was going to drink an energy drink and work on my book. It's funny how some of the ideas in my book are picking up again, just as my marathon training is winding down (but not after the marathon training is over--ha!). The ideas picked up again this morning, and instead of doing a run around, say, 8:30am, I procrastinated by writing and talking on the phone until leaving the apartment around 11:30am for my run. And during my run, I took my sweet old time, and did 6.3 miles in 47:11--a "leisurely" pace for me.

I saw some marathon prep going on in Central Park. There are "Marathon Route" flags lining the course, the bleachers look nearly complete in their assembly, and there are trailers in place. When I closed in on the finish line area, there were people unloading palettes of bottled water. After passing the finish line area, I jogged backwards a bit to try to take in the finish line scenery, to gauge what kind of final energy I will need to complete the race. It has surprised me in my prior races how much distance there is between the re-entry to Central Park from Columbus Circle and the finish line at Tavern on the Green--I keep thinking it is much closer than it feels. Not that it's far away, but when you've jogged 26 miles at that point, .2 miles you'd think would be just a few joyous strides and 30 seconds of running time. Not true! And it doesn't help that those last .2 miles are uphill!

The temperature for my run this afternoon was brisk but felt really good--partly sunny and 48 degrees. But I felt rather demotivated to run today--I'm not quite sure what the reasons are, but some of them may be increased writing interest, having had an energy drink last night, the slow-down in training, and just the friggin' looming of my longed-for goal! I probably best stop the practice of predicting what my running will be for a week and instead just report on my runs. I'd like to keep up with my training, so I need to remain just as focused as I've been rather than let the focus slide. I need to schedule my runs, make them important, just as I've done for much of this summer and fall. Yes, Ben. Yes, Ben!!!

Oct 26: 6.3 miles in Central Park (1 lap)
--Perhaps it was seeing an old friend on the walk to the subway on the way to tonight's run, but I felt strong and energized for today's run. Or maybe it was the protein bars I've consumed. Or the weights I did this morning. Or the peanuts and cashew butter I've had. Was it just caffeine I've had? Was is two days' rest? What about the 48-degree temperatures? Might it have been the elasticity of my running clothing, giving me added "bounce"?

The questions are trivial, but seeing my old friend did give me a boost. The boost didn't translate timewise, though, as I did 6.3 miles in 45:30, a rather average time for me. However, this was not much of a surprise since I did not do any sprinting for tonight's run; instead, I just kept up a strong, fast pace.

I don't think I've mentioned this before, but eyeline has an effect on stride and speed. On the more humid days, I'd keep my head down and looking a few feet in front of me. On the cooler, stronger days, especially when I want to go faster, my eyeline is much farther out. Lately I've experimented at times with keeping my eyes focused on the farthest point I can see in front of me on the track, which is actually kinda fun as I feel "pulled" to that point.

The strength of my body just surprises me, and I'm impressed with how lean I've become. My friend said I looked like a "man." I think that's the first time I've been called that, what with my rather young, boyish looks. It felt strangely good. 30 years old: Finally a man! :D

I skipped my Monday run to write, as it was dreary and cold. I lucked out because it would have rained on me during the run. I'm glad I got out tonight. I will get out tomorrow night and then sometime on Friday, plus Saturday. It's getting closer ...

Oct 23: 6.3 miles in Central Park (1 lap)
--I think I think I think I scored my second-fastest time this morning! Can you believe it?? Yet again, running at a speedy pace over a longer distance than recommended the day after my long run and doing phenomenally!

I ran 6.3 miles in 43:28, this time 13 seconds shy of my record rather than 16 seconds shy as I ran on my birthday. The weather was cloudy, very windy, and just about 49 degrees. I wore what I wore yesterday--running tights plus an armless singlet--and it's nice to have confirmation that I don't need long sleeves in weather sub-50 degrees. I might not even need tights, given that some runners in the park were wearing shorts, but I didn't mind the extra warmth and support that tights provide. I think it's funny getting on the subway platform to see people bundled in jackets and scarves, frigid, while I'm fairly comfortable with my very thin, sleeveless top on!

I only had a minor concern toward the begining of my run that my suspect right Achilles tendon, which has not been a bother for a while and for which I did nothing after yesterday's run (no ice, no elevation, no ibuprofen), started to give off dramatic sensations. I suspected it was just the pulling of fabric from my tights over my calves, and sure enough, when I pulled up the material a bit, I no longer sensed any issue. But the event did get me wondering if I needed to warm my calves up more before running, especially in weather as cold as this.

On Great Hill I really sprinted hard to some System of a Down song (it helped drive me), though I could maintain that pace only up about 2/3 of the hill before slowing to a crawl, then getting back to a more normal pace. It seemed to work, though, as I started to notice my overall improvement in speed after that hill, my time a minute or two ahead of my usual time when I finish the hill. This knowledge helped motivate me to keep at this morning's run and try for a 42-minute finish. It seems that goal is still something to achieve, though I feel it inside me that I may be able to luck out before the marathon and finish sub-43 minutes--I just have to keep finding more places to sprint! It's just 15-30 seconds I need to knock off on my faster days, Ben!

Upon completing my run, I had no idea that I'd done that well. I had figured I'd finished in the 44-minute range given how I much time I thought it took me to complete the final stretches in the park. I was wrong. Fortunately!

This coming week looks fairly standard, though Hurricane Wilma may have a role in the weather as it moves northeastward. I run Monday, off Tuesday, run Wednesday and Thursday, and only possibly Friday. Saturday is an 8-mile run (ha). Fairly light week! It's kinda weird to have an 8-mile run as a week-ending goal!

Oct 22: 15.8 miles in Central Park (2 laps + 2 lower loops)
--In 1:59:11 I completed my last really long run before the marathon--15.8 miles on a rainy day in Central Park--and it felt rather blasé!

The temperature was the coldest I've run in this year--48 degrees--and the wetness didn't help the chilliness of the morning. Despite wearing running tights for today's run, my shins took quite some time to warm up, making my run feel a little slower. They were so "cold" that I didn't feel my feet hitting the pavement; it was as if I was just raising my thighs and "things farther below" were stiff but taking care of themselves. That wasn't so much of a good feeling, though, because I "lost consciousness" of my lower legs, having which would have benefited my striding by having stronger "push-off." (It's not as dramatic as it sounds--I'm having a tough time explaining.) The lesson, though, is that for the marathon, should it be a cold November 6th, I want to make sure I get my shins really warmed up. Not quite sure how I'd do that other than maybe a little light jogging or running in place in addition to stretching! We'll see what I come up with.

I took two days off before today's run partly to rest, and partly just because I felt like doing it and I wanted to write and relax instead. I ran more heavily in the beginning of this week than usual, without even having had a usual Tuesday rest day after the long-run Saturday (22 miles), so I felt I earned the added rest. Last night I had pasta to load up for today's run.

The run didn't feel all that fast today, but nonetheless this was my fastest 15.8-run mile of the year. The most recent 15.8-mile runs were at 2 hours even, and my first one all the way back on August 6th was 2:08. So, hey, not that bad, Ben. I'm really a little unimpressed with myself and these times now--not depressed by these great times, just kinda cool-headed about them. Ha! Weird.

So literally, it's downhill from here until the marathon. My longest run per the competitive marathoner schedule over the next two weeks is 8 miles next Saturday. There are not even any 6-mile runs scheduled! That's not what I'm going to do, though ... This week I'm going to run 6.3-mile runs, and we'll see about next week. :)

Now, just stay healthy, Ben!!

Oct 19: 6.3 miles in Central Park (1 lap)
--I flew! Alas, I didn't break my record, but I was just 15 seconds shy! I did the loop in Central Park in 43:31. I thought I might have broken my record given that I was sprinting for more of my run it seemed, and given that I sprinted up Great Hill almost entirely, with a lot of strength, too! Oh well: Not that bad a time to log on this, my 30th birthday!

The weather again was so good: 66 degrees, 57% humidity, and in the darkening night sky. Such a peaceful, fun time to run. My body felt great, and I even surprised myself at how I flew in my start with no problem--my legs just glided along! Tonight I was really practicing this new running stride I've been developing of late--the silent upper body "squat run," which isn't so much now a sit or a squat but more of a transfer of all consciousness to my legs and a de-emphasis of my arms and upper body. With the squat run, I just zip along effortlessly!

I was blasting by runners today--I felt super-human. I had had caffeine before bed last night and today in the morning but I don't think that really had anything to do with my success today. This morning, I also rose early to do my arms routine plus a new Pilates DVD for posture that I have--it was kinda lame and so overly instructive that it gets confusing.

Not much more to report... There's a slight chance I won't run tomorrow night if I go to see a friend's softball game, but barring that, I'll likely be in CP doing another 6.3 miles before Saturday's last sizeable run before the big race--15 miles, or more like 15.8!

Oct 18: 8.0 miles in Central Park (1 lap + 1 lower loop)
--Nice and slooooooow this morning. I did 8 miles in Central Park in perfect running weather, I think just shy of 70 degrees under bright blue skies and 40% humidity. I had no interest in going fast today as I really went fast last night. Plus, I was a little undermotivated to run this morning, having run much less than a day prior. But I did want to run a more significant distance today, which I did, and with that I am happy. I finished the 8 miles in a ridiculously long 1:04:18, but I was only passed by one guy who was taking shortcuts and stopped well before me. :)

Nothing special to report physically. I was fine, though my body didn't seem to have the "oomph" it usually does for a run. Part of that was my not wanting to push it, and part of that was probably not having recharged long enough.

I may try to rise early tomorrow to work out my arms and do Pilates. I had thought about doing that before today's run, but I'm glad I didn't. Keep cheering me on, though! The marathon will be here any day now, and I'm psyched for it! Then, my life can get back to effin' normal!!

Oct 17: 6.3 miles in Central Park (1 lap)
--Feeling a bit hypomanic, but also just overall really strong in this cool, cool weather, I busted out 6.3 miles in 43 minutes, which is a tie for my fastest time! I forgot (again) to bring my watch with me so I went off the time on my mp3 player, hence the lack of seconds to determine if this indeed was my fastest time. But it sure felt like it.

I was booking today. I was trying yet again at times that "sitting" run I mentioned a few runs ago, when I feel as if I sit when I'm striding and when I keep my upper body still/silent. It seemed to work again remarkably to make me really speed up without losing my breath or energy! Remember that for race day, especially on the downhill areas!

The weather was very cool and felt great--56 degrees, 55% humidity, windy, and getting dark. People were layered in scarves and hats and here I was, feeling very comfortable, wearing a sleeveless running singlet and shorts. Ha! The run felt just awesome--I was buzzing by people, just keeping a very fast pace ... I even got to watch my shadow as I jogged along--kinda cool!

Apart from a fast time, not much to report. I do another run in the morning tomorrow, actually. I'm toying with doing 8 miles. We'll see!

Oct 16: 6.3 miles in Central Park (1 lap)
--Nice weather today. It was pretty cool-feeling, at least for my breath--the cold air I forget is sometimes heavy and makes breathing during the run harder. I lucked out with another beautiful morning for running, sunny, with 65-degree temperatures, 44% humidity, plus wind. I completed the 6.3 miles in 45:59, just a second shy of 46 minutes, and while for some reason I want to feel bummed about this time, it's not even 46 minutes, which for a long time was a hard nut to crack!

My body was only a little sore, meaning I didn't quite have my strength or range of motion back from yesterday's 22-mile run, but I did fairly well considering the pain I experienced for a long time after that run! I probably could have done better on my time had it not been for a breast cancer walk that was going on, keeping me on a slighly farther loop of the track, adding distance to my run. Also, before my run, I did an arms workout and my favorite short Pilates routine which could have affected my energy for this run (but I don't think they did). So despite a loss of running days this week, it seems I still have "somethin'" in me!

The competitive marathoner schedule advised 4 miles today. It seems that most of the runs from now until the marathon are 5-mile runs, which I don't think I'm going to do. I'm think I'm going to keep pace with doing 6.3-mile runs with the occasional 8-mile run. My feeling is that if I start pulling back my distance, my body will expect less mileage, and come the marathon I'll be too tired in the upper-mile range to move onward strongly. It sucks to wrestle with your mind and pain at those stages of the run. All things considered, I've done pretty well in my training with the longer and longer runs, weeks I've put a decent amount of mileage on my legs and in some really tough weather. Plus, if I drop from doing 6.3-mile runs to 5.2-mile runs in my remaining training, it would probably mean dropping the incredibly important Great Hill in Central Park, which gets me pushing myself on hills and there are a lot of important, tough hills to climb over the marathon course.

We'll see how I take this: In stride? I don't think so!

Oct 15: 22.0 miles in Central Park (3 laps + 2 lower loops + some)
--Excrutiating pain! My gosh, I was wondering whether other people saw something that I couldn't after I finished my 22-mile run today in Central Park. I was walking around slowly, hobbling actually, and people seemed to be looking at me. When a man asked me where the zoo was, I pointed it to him then asked if to him I looked okay. He said I looked fine, I had my color, so I felt better. But man, the back-of-the-leg pain was intense today!

Perhaps part of the fault was not running for the last four days. In NYC, it has been rainier than any time I remember, staying dark, cloudy, wet, and dreary for seven straight days. I woke up today to cloudy skies and just rolled my eyes--there was even mist as I left my apartment. But during my run, the blue skies fought their way through and it's made for a gorgeous day so far with just a few clouds. The temperature? 73 degrees. The humidity? 57%. It's windy. It doesn't feel nearly as warm as 73 degrees. When I left the apartment, it was 60 degrees with 87% humidity. Quite a change in a few hours!

I used the "slow and steady wins the race" philosophy for today's run. I did the first lap intentionally slowly, getting 6.3 miles in in 47 minutes. But the next 6.0 miles, I added some sprinting and did it in 46 minutes, finishing that loop at 1:33. The next loop I finished at 2:21, and I finished all 22 miles in 2:53:17. No stops for water ... no stops at all, actually! I just ran and ran and ran and ran.

Sprinting was interesting today. I tried something strange and new. When I had a stretch of road, I kinda "sat" a little and let my legs do all the running. I even didn't use much of my arms, just tried to keep them still. The result was really surprising--I seemed to be coasting along much, much faster but without the post-sprinting burnout. I tried it a few other times and it seemed to work. Of note, I tried it more on slightly downgraded or downhill areas, but still, I seemed to be motoring much differently than I usually do when I sprint in such areas. Interesting!

My body was getting tired of running close to the 18.5-mile mark. I didn't want to do the rest, so it was a mental challenge to keep myself going. I've had worse days mentally, but it was there. I again attribute the attitude that emerged to not having run these last four days. Literally, I've been a little stir-crazy, which I think was my body saying to me, "Ben, get me outside and running!!"

I don't have the opportunity to take a nap this afternoon for too, too long because I'm expecting a Fresh Direct order. But I'm eager to get some ibuprofen in my system. The back of my legs and my butt are still sore, an hour after finishing the run. That's a little unusual but understandable.

I'll see if I run tomorrow. I need to keep disciplined with my training. Today's long run is the last super-long run I have this year before the marathon. Next Saturday's long run is 15 miles (15.8 for me), then the runs turn into piece-of-cake runs just before the marathon. I don't want to lose ground! My goal is very close, and I want to make a strong finish. Hopefully I can make up for the lost running days this week. Cheers!

Oct 10: 6.3 miles in Central Park (1 lap)
--43:11. That's how fast I did 6.3 miles this evening. And that's more than a minute faster than my fastest 6.3-mile run. So that means I yet again broke a record for myself this year.

Some interesting antithetical factors to note that seemed not to bar me from accomplishing this feat. 1) I was up at 4am this morning, having had a rather-full night's rest, but not having had a full night's rest the prior night. 2) The temperature was 58 degrees, but the humidity was nearly 100% with even a little drizzle. It was also dark out and very, very cloudy. 3) I was on my feet nearly 9 hours straight today without sitting. 4) I ran 15.8 miles yesterday.

To my advantage (perhaps), I had a Red Bull energy drink at 4:30 this morning, but I'm not sure of its effects on my run. I was not bodily tired or sleepy for this run, having rested for about an hour before it. And my left hip was not the least bit sore. I'd taken a couple ibuprofen--one before bed last night and one at 4:30am--but no ice or elevation, and no Achilles popping to speak of! I was not passed at all this run except by a fast runner who started before me, whom I passed, who passed me, who then stopped running only after about a mile.

For this run, I really sprinted up some hills. Of note, I sprinted up Cat Hill much faster than I usually do, plus I sprinted up Great Hill and really maintained a fast pace going up other hills. I had several System of a Down songs in a row to help move me along. All the while I was really, really hoping to beat my 44-minute record, which was somewhere actually I think around 44:27, meaning I had to find ways to shave off about 30 seconds and that meant maintaining a fast pace and finding new, additional places to sprint. I had no clue that I smashed my record so, so well. I figured with my luck I'd finish a few seconds above 44 minutes. Fortunately, that was not the case!

My body feels in really good shape. Having gotten a hug yesterday, the remark was that I was strong. Strong?? Me?? I do feel a little bit stronger--my body is rather lean with a little more contour than usual in my arms, my buns, and my legs. And my stomach is firm. The comment about my strength was surprising and nice to hear.

Tomorrow I am off from running, and I think Wednesday I'm back on track. Hopefully the weather is clear and cool! These last three days have been "depressing weather"--very, very cloudy, damp, and rather dark. I'm eager to get back in sunny weather, which just makes me feel so much more alive when I'm running. Cheers!

Oct 9: 15.8 miles in Central Park (2 laps + 2 lower loops)
--Yesterday it was damp and rainy all day, so I didn't get my long run in. Instead, I did it today. The weather was better today than yesterday--58 degrees with 87% humidity, but really blah and cloudy. I had only about 3 hours of sleep last night, but I managed to get in 15.8 miles in the afternoon in a decent time--actually, just the time I'd hoped for: 2 hours even.

The run seemed a little bit hampered by the humidity as I was a bit slower this run, but occasionally streaky, litely sprinting in places when I wasn't really thinking. I don't think my tiredness was so much a factor. I feel a little bad/guilty for not having gotten in my long run yesterday despite the rain, but I need to kick that and remind myself that that's the past I just gotta keep on with my training. Yeah!

The first lap was interesting in that about 5 miles into it, I developed a cramp in my left upper ribcage, near my arm. I'd never felt anything like that before, and there was a bit of time I thought it would stop me. To get through it, I said, "Courage" and that helped take my mind and fear off of it. Overall, my body felt in great shape--during all 15.8 miles, I don't believe I was passed once! Running this distance was mentally and physically "a piece of cake," which just amazes me still.

I heard word that my brother is coming to NYC the week of the marathon for Mizuno, the company for which he works. He's going to be at the marathon trade show, and if all goes well, he'll be at the finish line to meet me. I really hope he can--I think that would just be so cool!

I have about a 4am rise tomorrow morning which might really aggravate my being tired, so I might not get a run in tomorrow. However, I'm planning on a run. I'm not sure if I'm going to have to work my regular job after my morning job, so it's to be seen what's up. But I think things'll work out for me to run. I hope so. :)

Oct 7: 8.0 miles in Central Park (1 lap + 1 lower loop)
--Thinking I'd only do 6.3 miles today, I made it to the 72nd St. traverse and my body said, "Do 8.0." So I did.

It was a muggy day today--72 degrees with 91% humidity. But for some reason, it felt really good. I took my time today in running, finishing the 8.0 miles with no sprinting, no fast-pace running, in 1:01. However, interestingly enough, I was not passed by any other runners. It felt good to do just a leisurely jog today. Tomorrow I have a 15-mile run (meaning for me 15.8), but it might have to get pushed back because the weather forecast changed I think because of tropical storm remnants invading the city this weekend, drenching it. If I can pull off the run tomorrow, I will, because I want to.

Oct 5: 6.3 miles in Central Park (1 lap)
--44:28 was the time on tonight's 6.3-mile run in Central Park, and I'm wishing it was under 44! I was booking for today's run, moving what felt like very powerfullly along the course, never passed, and feeling strong. Not just strong, I felt heavier today, which may have been simply the result of eating protein bars and not running these last two days (schedule conflicts), or it may have been the result of eating a LOT of ice cream these last few days. (Mm! Blahhh...) Whatever the case, the excess weight (which might not be there--my thighs just felt heavier when stretching) did not hinder me. Nor did my left hip. The only hindrance for a bit was my shins (I didn't make circles with my feet before the run), and maybe my concentration for a part of the run, possibly because I was running unchallenged and fairly solo.

The temperature for tonight was noticeably humid (74%) in 68-degree warmth. It affected me less than I thought it would. But darn: I really wanted to finish in the 43-minute range. Shaving off 28 seconds seems somewhat tough given how fast I was going, but without either the aid of cooler temperatures or a fast-moving challenger trying to lap me, I may have difficulty. But I do think it's very, very possible. I hope I can pull 43 minutes off well before the marathon, when tomorrow it will be a month away!!

Tomorrow is another day off given a schedule conflict, meaning a relatively lite running week. This Saturday I have a 15-mile run. I'll probably run 6.3 or 8.0 miles on Friday morning so that Saturday morning I can get in that run with enough rest. While Friday looks warm and humid, Saturday looks very, very cool. I hope I do the 15 very fast!

Oct 2: 6.3 miles in Central Park (1 lap)
--It was noticeably warmer for today's run, which I did in the afternoon rather than the morning. 77 degrees but virtually no humidity (35%). My face was sweaty from the start, and my left hip was sore, slowing me down a little bit, but I managed to pull off 6.3 miles in 47 minutes. That's a little slow, but I cite the 22 miles I did yesterday, plus the warmer temps. No problem!

The skies were just gorgeous--blue, blue, blue. Not really much to share, I suppose; I was only supposed to do 4 miles by the competitive marathoner schedule today, but I wanted to get as many miles as I could out today because running tomorrow may be out of the picture (I'm working on a film). There you have it!

Oct 1: 22.0 miles in Central Park (3 laps + 2 lower loops + some)
--Something is up, it's positive, and it's not from steroid use! I'm surprising myself with my runs of late!

Today was the third-longest run I've ever done. It was 22 miles in Central Park, and I did it in 2:49. What's amazing about that time is that I completed earlier this year 20.2-mile runs in 2:46 and 2:52, and this run was nearly 2 miles longer. I am just amazed that I pulled something like this off so fast.

I knew I something was up with my body after my first lap. Granted, the weather was cool at 66 degrees, negligible humidity (41%), and clear, blue skies. But though I didn't feel that fast, I was passing groups of people, and I completed my first lap in 44 minutes--my still-fastest 6.3-mile time. I wasn't even pushing myself that much! Then, I did the next 6.1 miles in 44 minutes as well, meaning I finished 12.4 miles in 1:28. I finished 18.5 miles in 2:18, then 20.2 in, get this, 2:33! I really am baffled by how much strength and time I've picked up in the last couple of weeks. It's really starting to seem that the improved weather has played an important factor in my speed and times, because I haven't changed very much in my life of late other than adding a little bit of Pilates and the occasional protein bar.

This run I had to pee right from the beginning, so remembering the bathrooms at the Boathouse, I cut in and out of there in about 30 seconds for which I stopped my watch. I stopped near the end of my third lap to refill my water, and other than for a 2-second stop to remove a twig from my shoe, I didn't stop for the entire run. I even had bursts of speed in the last few miles, and I didn't finish all that exhausted, though my legs were in sharp pain, especially in the backs of my thighs and knees. Also, my left hip was very uncomfortable as I was walking off this run, and I had to limp a bit, though with a little mindpower I seemed to be able to adjust.

Just before the run I had a banana in preparation for potassium depletion. The last two nights I had pasta, but I think two nights in a row of pasta might be problematic for my digestive track and I should probably avoid pasta on the next-to-last day before the race, only having it the night before.

Upon the finish of my run, my arms had salt crystals on them, as did my eyelids! That's a cool feeling. Overall, I'm just a little bit in awe that this training I've been doing seems to have changed my body in such a way that I don't quite even understand. I don't understand how I could be going that much faster with that little effort. I don't feel like "all that" as a runner, but if passing people quickly says anything, I guess I'm better than what I seem!

Anyway, I hope I stay healthy, and I hope my recuperation from this run is fine. I am not sure whether I'm going to run tomorrow, but I probably had better when I can because the beginning of this week for running looks almost out of the question. The reason I might not run tomorrow morning is because of a visit from my super, during which he needs to bust some holes in the wall. Meaning: I'm going to have to plaster and paint. Perhaps I can squeeze out a lap in CP while the plaster is drying. :)