This Week in Running 10/22 - 10/28

Day	Mileage / Workout	Comments
Sunday	Off
Monday	Off
Tuesday	7	Pretty solid run after a layoff
Wednesday	5	2 Miles at 15:47 with a headwind
Thursday	7	Average run
Friday	5	Average run
Saturday	13.5	Long run (9:49 pace throughout)
Total miles for the week: 37.5; YTD: 1495

Me goofing around on the Strip

Week's Summary

Not a terribly great week.  However, I did go to Vegas for some much needed recovery.  I was there for Shari's birthday and I did a whole lot of nothing.  The most exercise I got was walking the Strip and moping around the pool.  And maybe sauntering to the buffet troughs.

I did pick it up at the end of the week and managed to get in my typical 2 mile run in a record breaking 15:47 (at least the best 2 mile pace for me in a while).  I also managed to squeeze in a long run of about 13.5

I am worried about the Vegas marathon, which is coming in 2 weeks.  Here are my reasons:

1. I really didn't get a 20 mile run in.  A few weeks ago I did a 19.  It went okay, but not great.  
2. I did not have a massive mileage build-up.  I think I topped out in the mid 40's.  Maybe that is fine for people, but I like to hit the upper 50's / 60's -- at least for one week.
3. I've been banged up for a lot of the summer and I am fighting an aggravated calf strain.  I can still run on it, but my calf for the past few days has been upset.
4. My recent long runs haven't been "good".  I seem to go okay for about 7 - 10, sometimes 13 miles and then I run out of gas.  For someone who wants to run 26.2... that's not good.

On the plus side, I feel fairly well rested.  I am not burned out from previous marathons but I am sort of ho-hum about it this year.

My last few marathons have been painful reminders that I am not fast and that marathons are simply tough.  If I hadn't registered for Vegas a year ago and I didn't have a streak going, I'd probably switch down to the half.  But the streak is driving me.  I am not sure how many other runners have done the Vegas Marathon every year since the Rock n Roll people took it over but I aim to go for 10.

I think my strategy on this one is to conserve my energy and really try to hit the split that I think that I can carry through for the second half.  Normally I try to get to the half way point around 2:05.  Maybe I need to hit it at 2:15 or so.  I'll have to take into account the weather as well.

One of the sad realities of running a marathon this time of year is that the weather and environment is absolutely perfect for running.  Every day, I come home from work itching to log a 10+ miler.  But I can't -- I am tapering.  A long run at this juncture is only going to jeopardize my race, not help it.

Upcoming Races

11/12: Las Vegas Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)
11/23: South Davis Recreation Center  Turkey Trot 5K - Bountiful, UT (Confirmed)
11/25: Lamoille Canyon 5K Turkey Trot - Lamoille, NV (Probable - Weather Pending)
03/03: March Madness Half Marathon - West Bountiful, UT (Confirmed)
03/18: St Patrick's Day Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Maybe)
04/21: Salt Lake City Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed (2018))