2010 in retrospect

Not a bad year
Looking back, 2010 turned into something I never quite expected. One year ago, the farthest I had run was 13.1 miles - and that one hurt. I was only a couple of weeks away from my first marathon, which I honestly thought would be the only one I would ever run IF I survived. When I did it, and beat my goal time at the same time, I don't think it ever occurred to me not to go for another one...so I did two more.


By the end of 2010, I ran on 293 of the 365 days for a total of 1941 miles. That included three marathons, a half marathon, a 10-miler, a 7k, and two 10k's. 2011 will be scaled back quite a bit, as I don't think my body can take that kind of beating...but I'm still planning on doing a fall marathon if it works out.


Boston: Week 1
What would otherwise be an inauspicious beginning to my 16-week journey to the start line in Hopkinton, MA is of little concern when looking back to what was done in 2010.


If there is a good time to catch a cold during marathon training, week one is the time to do it. Nothing too serious, but a head cold can sure mess up the ability and desire to put on the running shoes - especially when it is 10 degrees outside.


I got my speedwork in on Tuesday and a 5 mile run on Wednesday, but then the cold set in Thursday and I skipped a couple short runs. I'm going to try to get in my Sunday long run today, but at only 6 miles I am going to go after the Broncos game if I feel up to it.  I've got a good base, already so I'm not going to cry if I miss a short run or two in Week 1.


An aggressive 15 weeks ahead
I want to attack Boston, not survive it.  I decided after New York City - literally on the walk back to the apartment from the finish line - that I was going to repeat the hard training program that got me to a PR in San Diego.  That program will have me over 40 miles per week in the hardest weeks and ratchets up long run miles in weeks 7-13.  By combining increasing weekly distance with speedwork on Tuesdays and working hills into Thursday runs - when possible - and all Sunday long runs, then I believe I'll be in as good a place in April as I was last June in San Diego.


That's the plan.