Marching Out Like a Lamb...

Sure, there's still a week left in March to turn things around a bit, but even with a solid week of training to end things I can definitely say the month was a big hiccup in my training plan. First there was the shingles, then the nasty cold I picked up on the flight back from Arizona that has turned me into a veritable snot factory (clinical term) for the past 10 days. The good news is, I've been able to at least shuffle through 10 milers every day since returning to DC, so I'm not falling completely out of shape. The bad news, of course, is up until yesterday those 10 milers were pretty slow, and I certainly haven't had the energy to go any further. The days of running doubles and racking up the vertical miles seem so very very long ago. ...BUT, this is all part of the game, and being mentally strong through low points in training can only help in being mentally strong during the late miles of a 100+ miler, so I'll keep plugging ahead and know better days are right around the corner...

I'm a bit bummed I won't be able to shoot for the sub-7 hour Bull Run 50 I had planned in a couple weeks, but at the same time I'm happy my lack of top fitness means I can just plan to train right through BR50 (no taper) with the main focus of getting back in top gear for the Massanutten 100 in May. Sure, I wanted to do well at both, but if I had to pick one to be in top shape for, MMT would be it. Avenging my DNF there in 2008 is first and foremost on my 'To Do' list!

Speaking of races, it was no fun having to miss out on the Tobacco Road Marathon this past weekend, but I honestly couldn't even say the word "marathon" without hacking up a lung on Sunday, so there was no way I was going to be able to run it. I know I've been saying it for the past couple years, but one of these days it'll work out for me to finally run a regular 26.2 marathon again. If nothing else, I'm simply curious as to how fast I would go. I know my 1 mile PR is pretty much out of reach in my old age, but I think I could still hammer out a low 2:40s marathon (which is what I was hoping to run at Tobacco Road). One of these days I'll get back out there to give it a go...

Races and sicknesses aside, we're just starting to hit a sweet spot for running weather in DC. The Cherry Blossoms are popping out and it's usually in the 50s for my evening run after work this time of year. Sure, it'll be 95 and humid in the blink of an eye, but for right now this great weather is just what I need to officially leave the winter illnesses behind and jump-start my training for the Spring. I may even take a spin around my old Hains Point training loop this weekend to enjoy a 3 mile run through the "Long Pink Tunnel"!

There's no mistaking the arrival of Spring in DC!