Week 5: 1 month 9 days until THE RUN

Total Mileage: 48.5 miles Total Hrs Run: 8.58hrs Next Weeks Goal: 45miles
Sun. 8/8: on Vacation
Mon. 8/9: Recovered stolen Jeep
Tue. 8/10: Run-4 miles A.M(HOT HOT)/9miles P.M.
Wed. 8/11: Chest
Thu. 8/12: Run-9.1miles
Fri. 8/13: Run-6.4 miles
Sat. 8/14: Run-20 miles

I was a bit concerned about this week when I had 0 mileage going into Tuesday! I decided to tough it out and hit a few miles at 10am. BAD idea it was already about 98 degrees. I pulled over under a tiny tree trying to get out the sun for a minute and came close to losing my breakfast. I finished my run home and immediately took a cold shower. I did manage another 9 miles that night and felt much better. Saturday I finally squeezed in a long run. I parked my truck about 2 miles from home and used it as an aid station. I did four 5 mile loops. Or so i thought they were 5 mile loops. I came in after the last loop and the GPS read 18.5...ugh....I was determined to get my 20 miles though so I ran another 15 minutes. Back I the truck I check GPS 19.97. I ran a lap through the parking lot to get the last .03 miles. I was determined to hit 20 miles....lol.....
Here is what I took and ate during the run(similiar to what I use during an ULTRA)

• I took 2 fish oils,2 advil liquid gels, and 2 Endurolytes(see below) before the run.

• 1 roast beef and cheddar sandwich @ 10 miles.

• Half a Turkey sandwich @15 miles.

• A twizzler stick as I left the aid station each time.(3 total)

• An Endurolyte capsule every 45 min.
  
  

• 35oz of ENDURANCE amino VITAL (drank at every aid station)
  

Note for those wondering why I parked my truck to use as an aid station....I find that if I use my apartment, when I am fatigued about 15 or so miles into a run I am less likely to get my butt back out the door to finish another loop.

Week 4:

Total Mileage: 22.6 miles Total Hrs Run: 3.6hrs Next Weeks Goal: 40miles
Sun. 8/1: Arms
Mon. 8/2: Run 10.7 miles
Tue. 8/3: Run 7.9 miles
Wed. 8/4: Chest/Back/Arms
Thu. 8/5: on Vacation
Fri. 8/6: Run-4 miles (hotel treadmill@3am)
Sat. 8/7: on Vacation

Notes: So all in all a pretty low mileage week. I had planned on alot more. I didnt want my vacation weekend to stand in my way, but it did. I had also planned on running most nights, but waterparks and Six Flags take alot out of ya!
My apologies to anyone following this on the late blog update. My Jeep that was stolen a year ago was recovered on Monday 8/9!!!
Still havent decided on a pair of shoes! We raised another $50 in donations this week as well!
Well thats all for now! Happy running!
Jeremy

Week 3: 1 month 23 days until the Run

Total Mileage: 32.76 miles Total Hrs Run: 5.05hrs Next Weeks Goal: 30miles
Sun. 7/11: Run-8.17 miles
Mon. 7/12: Chest
Tue. 7/13: Rest
Wed. 7/14: Rest
Thu. 7/15: Run-7.26 miles
Fri. 7/16: Back/Run-7.69 miles
Sat. 7/17: Run-9.64 miles

Ok, so I scrapped together a half-way decent week. Not too bad considering the 3 days I took off when my Dad came to visit. I did need a rest week, and I got caught up! So I'm concerned I may have another slightly low mileage week. I may have to pack a pair of running shoes and run on my long weekend visiting water parks, Fiesta Texas, and the Guadalupe. No worries. I feel great! I feel ready to add in a long run each week. By this I mean a 3+ hour or 20+ miler. So far seems to be I'm getting 4 solid days of running. I'd like to add a 5th day, of which would be my long run. Then make one of the other days an easy 5 or so miles. I think this would jump my mileage to around 40-45 miles a week.
On a side note, I need a new pair of shoes. I have been running for most of this year in Brooks Cascadia. I love my Cascadias and swear they are the best trail shoe ever. BUT since I'm training for a road run, I wonder if I should invest in a pair of road shoes...anyone have suggestions or ideas? Guess I will have to shop around. I really dont want to splurge and buy both...I'm still not made of money.

Week 2: 1 month 30 days until The Run

Total Mileage: 34.6 miles Total Hrs Run: 5.43hrs Next Weeks Goal: 35miles
Sun. 7/11: REST
Mon. 7/12: Run-7.9miles
Tue. 7/13: Chest
Wed. 7/14: Run-11.7 miles
Thu. 7/15: Run-7 miles(Hills)
Fri. 7/16: Back/Biceps
Sat. 7/17: Arms/Run-8 miles

So this week went well. Did a decent job of sticking to the training plan that I keep in my head...
I was a little disappointed in the weight lifting I did this week, but my focus is on running. I must say I was exhausted most of the week. I didn't finish most of the runs until after 11pm. After protein, dinner, shower....that put me in bed around 1 am and at work by 8am. I was averaging 6 hours a night. Something I will work on. I did have a lot going on. The brothers were in from out of town on Sunday, and I went to a concert on Friday(which means drinks!). All in all I am right on track.

Next weeks goals I want to keep the same. No increase in mileage until I balance out my rest situation. A few things coming up this week are my Dad is coming in Tuesday and Wednesday. This may effect some mileage. I am not worried and wont be discouraged, I need the rest:)

Week 1: 2 months 6 days until the run

Total Mileage: 27.5 miles Total Hrs Run: 4.43hrs Next Weeks Goal: 35miles
Sun. 7/11: Arms
Mon. 7/12: Run-7.2miles
Tue. 7/13: REST
Wed. 7/14: Chest/Run-6.36miles
Thu. 7/15: ABS
Fri. 7/16: Back/Run-9.75miles
Sat. 7/17: Arms/Run-4.2 miles

My goal was 30 miles this week. I came up 2.5 miles short, but I am still pleased. Every run went very well. My endurance seems to be increasing nicely. Muscles still seem to be playing catch up to my lungs. Monday I had big plans of squeezing in 10-12 miles, but about 2 miles into the run I wasn't able to cross a busy intersection due to traffic. I took a detour for about a mile and planned to cross under I-20 through a grassy field. About 50 yards through the grass I came upon a huge/steep ravine, that would have been a pain to cross. It was at this time I felt the little burrs sticking and scraping my skin! I looked down and realized from just above my waist on down I was covered in tiny little burrs. I shuffled awkwardly to a cement slab. It took me about 10 minutes to pick enough of these things off to be able to move without chaffing my body terribly. Check out the pictures below. They were taken after running about 3-4 miles home.

Note: When I say just Arms or Chest that means I lifted weights and specifically worked those muscle groups.

Post #1

Well this is a new idea for me. I am not sure if anyone will even be interested in following, but the plan is to post either weekly or daily training updates. I would like to keep a pretty decent blog of mileage and hopefully GPS of my routes. I have added a counter on the right side showing how much time we have to the run.
So for a little background. I haven't competed in an Ultra since a 100 miler in February and a 50k at the end of February. I came out of that 50k pretty beat up...well mostly my right leg ITB. I took it easy for about a month and have been regularly running 20-30 mile weeks since. I haven't covered any distance further than 10 or 12 miles.
My goals over the next 2 months will be to work my weekly mileage up about 10% a week until I am averaging 60-75 miles a week. My personal goal will be to hit 100 miles a week.
I am also going to try and get a few races in. If my stamina and energy level are up I think these will make for good training runs.
My #1 goal is to stay injury free until RunningforWild kicks off. Once I hit the road on that I can destroy my body as long as I need to hit the finish line...
I am very excited. As stated before this is a first for me, so any advice or suggestions are welcome!