11 things: Baltimore Marathon edition
I know for the second straight month that I’m getting away from my goal of “11 things” posts, but with the Baltimore Marathon just days away, I made a promise to myself the other day to do some reflecting.
There’s no better way to reflect than an 11 things posts. Here are 11 things that have happened during training, lessons I’ve learned, things I never posted and other random thoughts.
1. I listened to this song a lot on my long runs in the last month or so. To hear it when the sun is coming up often gave me a sense of peace and helped me find strength when I needed it most.
2. I’m pretty sure I experienced the biggest variety of weather this time around. With a majority of mid-week runs in the middle of the day, I had the hottest conditions I’ve ever run in, with temperatures often near 90 or slightly above. These past two weekends, it’s been half that at the start.
3. In a 16-week span, I ran 456.7 miles, which is 51.9 more miles than the 16 weeks prior to the Richmond Marathon last year.
4. I’ve been much more diligent about recovery runs this year with running a couple of miles or so the day after big runs.
5. I have walked 117 miles since the beginning of July 1. That’s just walking miles logged on Daily Mile. That’s miles I’ve walked at work and family walks on Sunday; actual mileage is probably a bit higher. I’ve also hiked a few times too. I wrote a long time ago about walking more and how it would impact training, and I have nothing but great things to say about it. All this walking silently pushed me over 1,000 exercise miles for the year recently.
6. As a weather junkie (see No. 2 above), I’ve been looking at long-range forecasts for this weekend as soon as they were available. Accuweather’s 15-day forecast and the Weather Channel’s 10-day forecast have surprisingly stayed consistent. Saturday is looking good right now, but I know things can change. After seeing hot weather for Chicago return this past weekend, I’m mentally preparing myself for the worse.
7. I’ve never once doubted setting my 3:45 goal. In fact, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made in training. It made my training much more intentional and focused with every run. Whether all this pays off Saturday is obviously to be determined, but I like heading to the start line in this mind frame.
8. I took my first ice bath after one of my long runs. I can’t bring myself to ice bath No. 2.
9. I stretch after all my runs — sometimes it’s just a few minutes for short runs, often it’s about 10 minutes after a long run. I rarely stretched before.
10. I ran 148 miles on Saturdays. That’s more than Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays combined. The lowest day was Monday, with 37.4 miles. In August, I stopped running on Mondays (besides 8.3 on Labor Day) when that became a regular core day.
11. I talk a lot about having fun and encourage people to always have fun on a race or run. In looking back at the past 16 weeks, I can honestly say I had fun. From the sunrises, to seeing families of deer, to laughing with co-workers on lunch runs, this has been an awesome experience.
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Sounds like your training has been great and now you're ready! Sending good vibes for great weather! Good luck!!
Not a fan of the ice bath? I can relate. But you seem to have found some other good recovery methods with stretching, walking and recovery runs.
I'm very excited for you this weekend!
I love #11. I think all of us runners and athletes need to remember to always have fun! Best of luck to you at Baltimore. Can't wait to hear how it goes!
David..number 8 is dead ON! I've had the same experience. I use ice packs on my knees after every run, and have occasionally used @arcticease, but an entire ice bath is just not my bag.
Love the Chris Tomlin song…you can't help but be inspired by the beauty of everything around you while on a run. We are truly blessed to be able to do what we do!
My recent post 21 more sleeps…
I've tried Arctic Ease, but wasn't a big fan. Some people love itthough. I actually like Epsom salt baths the same evening of a longrun.As for Chris Tomlin, I put a few of his songs on my playlist thissummer. I have a wide range of music tastes, and don't actually listento music much when I run, but those songs always helped me stay calm.I'm going to have a playlist ready in case I need it Saturday.
Good luck at Baltimore!
My recent post Barefoot Running with Michael Sandler
Well, now I want to do my 11 things. David, this is great. Thanks for sharing. Are you going to a meet up in Baltimore. I would love to actually meet you in real life. BTW, I have no doubt you are going to meet you goal. Kick ass and have fun.
Right now I'm not planning to go to a meetup - I haven't seen anyone talk about one on twitter or dailymile - if you know of something, send me a message on my contact page (one of the links at the top of the page). I'm mainly trying to visit a few friends and be a tourist for a couple of days, but would gladly meet up!Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
I like this reflection on your last 16 weeks.I think seeing the sunrise is one of my favorite things about the early am long runs too.Good luck on Saturday!
You have put in the miles and had your Cheerios…success is imminent.
My recent post bikerly: @egggman No but a couple weekends ago I heard "PYT" on the radio twice in one day…did @AlYankovic reproduce that? @dorthybitestoto
You are a huge numbers nerd, you should be an accountant. Actually, my credit union has a loan officer position, apply!
I can't believe you only did one ice bath.. I did them for every long run of 15+ miles.
It's been awesome virtually training with you! I have no doubt you're going to have a great race.
Accounting was my original major in college, but the newspaper world consumed me. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
I end almost every long run with Amazing Grace and How Great is our God by Chris Tomlin. Helps me to give it back to where it all belongs. Good luck this weekend David. You are one of the most focused, and honestly inspirational, runners that I know. I know you will do great!
Thanks so much for all your support on here, dailymile and facebook. It means a lot to me. Hope to see you at a race sometime! Maybe the Christmas Classic??
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Woohoo! I can't believe you aren't looking forward to your next ice bath. Did you make sure to add the ice AFTER you got in the cool water?