 My new Asics arrived today, I'm not sure if other runners get a little sentimental when they retire a pair of shoes... but I somehow do. The clearly worn shoe is part of a pair that saw three marathons. I was warned about the Nimbus Gel 19's, about how they had a narrow toe box. When I wore them for the first of three marathons during the Utah Valley Marathon in June my toes paid a heavy price. The run was primarily all downhill and the shoes were not even broken in yet. They were almost shelved after that, but I decided to hang with them and to see how they felt after another month in them, just to be sure.
After the break-in they began to feel almost as good as the 20's I had the previous winter into spring. So this week I decided to venture into another pair of 19's and make sure they are VERY broken-in before the Monumental Marathon on November 3rd. I normally take a pair until the 500 mile mark, but due to the training schedule I'm retiring these at 423 miles. And about miles... I did the math today and I'm just three miles shy of matching where I was at this point last year. This is important to me because of the about of illness and injury I went through for the first six months of the year. I had this sinking feeling that I wasn't even going to reach the miles I turned in during 2017. If all goes well, I'll clearly beat that old amount soundly.
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 As promised I said I would return to Dayton for the Air Force Marathon, and I said I would complete 2 marathons in 6 days. First the part about the 2 marathons. Dayton was on my list and I signed up for Erie on a lark, and the fact that so many people raved about the course, and the added challenge of 'can I really do this'. I indeed did do.. but was almost done in... and felt like doo doo at mile 12 (in Dayton).
Last year Dayton was a complete mess and only I'm to blame. I started on 3 hours of sleep, chin splints, a broken toe, I didn't hydrate, started the run on a completely empty stomach, and worst of all I wore a cotton shirt in hot and humid weather. Needless to say I wound up on a stretcher at mile 14 getting an IV. I swore on that day I would never make the same mistakes and give up. This year presented it's own obstacles as they all do. The temps and humidity were a bit higher, but I was better prepared. That is of course for the fact that my body was still bouncing back from Erie. At mile 11 I hit a snag, a slightly pulled muscle and inflamed tendon in my left thigh. This turned into a limp/run and I found myself at the medical tent at mile 14 having to make a decision. I grabbed a water, some Tylenol, and took a break to stretch. I know there would be no PR's today, but I only came to town for my medal. So long story short, I slugged it out and ran my worst time ever in the hottest temps as well. And I'm perfectly fine with that, I learned what my body is capable of at this point and I'm happy that I'm still expanding my horizons. And to cap it all off I was able to see The Memphis Belle on display. Next up, The Monumental Marathon in Indy on November 3rd!
I had the absolute pleasure of participating in the Erie PA marathon yesterday and had an incredible experience. Sadly I’m still in the hunt for Boston and did not make the 2019 field, but that’s okay. I will make it in my own time.. I'm too determined and know this takes patience and focus. Now the cool stuff. I kinda killed it. I took 18 minutes off my personal best and ran a 3:44:50... To add to the good news I took 33 minutes off the horrible time I ran in Utah. I'm still dwelling on that one, but this really helped put it behind me. Next Saturday I’m in Dayton for the Air Force Marathon to earn my medal. I had a bit of a problem last year and ended up on a stretcher, never again.
Basically yesterday was an achievement and I needed that performance. My pace for the first 18 miles bounced between a 7:45 and a 7:55 mile, the wall did hit me at 22 as it seems to do, but I did come back at mile 24. I anticipated the leg fatigue but wanted to see what I had in me for this. Dayton will be more of a relaxed run, I'm there to finish and meet more great runners. Just a break from the running updates as I prepare for the Erie marathon next Sunday. In the meantime I just wanted to share the latest single from my favorite band 'The Joy Formidable'. The new album is out next month and they're currently supporting The Foo Fighters until the end of September. Music is such a big part of my life and this band always amazes me. Enjoy! |
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