Sugarloaf Marathon

Start: 7:00am
Weather: Clear and Hot
Time/Distance/Pace: 5:30:05 - 26.2 miles - 12:36
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/89557992


Thoughts: I had three goals heading into the marathon: complete it, go the entire time without stopping to walk, and finishing in under 5 hours. I accomplished the first one. The temperature was in the low 80s and the course followed the sunny side of ME 27. I made it to mile 17 fine, running a 10:30 pace, but at that point my feet, ankles, shins, knees and back started hurting. All of the small issues I had during training came to a culmination at that point. From mile 20 on I struggled; running until it hurt too much, walking until I felt I could run again. My brother met me at about 25.5 miles and ran with me the rest of the way. It was a pretty great moment.

Day 207

Start: 5:11am
Weather: Clear and Warm
Time/Distance/Pace: 20:38 - 2.07 miles - 10.00
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/88637118


Thoughts: My final training run. I started off going real slow but then met up with a friend on the road and ran with him at my normal pace. Now all I can do is wait until Sunday.


Total Training Distance: 549.02 miles
Total Training Time: 4D 3:41:58

Day 205

Start: 5:04am
Weather: Rainy and Cool
Time/Distance/Pace: 30:37 - 3.06 miles - 10:00
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/88184391


Thoughts: Another run without any leg pain. I'm starting to feel good about taking four weeks between my longest run and the marathon as I feel that I've recovered a lot in this final week. I just hope that running the big distance won't be harder after a fourth week as compared to after the third week. I looked up the weather report for the marathon and it said it would be a high of 90 degrees, so that should make things interesting. I checked again later and it said 77 degrees. Either way it is going to be hot.


Total Training Distance: 546.95 miles
Total Training Time: 4D 3:21:20

Day 204

Start: 5:11am
Weather: Clear and Cool
Time/Distance/Pace: 31:42 - 3 miles - 10:33
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/87948874


Thoughts: An easy three miles that went by quickly. No part of my legs hurt at all, so I was pretty happy with this run. I'm just about there, only two runs left.


Total Training Distance: 543.89 miles
Total Training Time: 4D 2:50:43

Day 202

Start: 8:34am
Weather: Clear and Warm
Time/Distance/Pace: 1:14:34 - 7.08 miles - 10:32
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/87538522


Thoughts: My last "long run" on training. It is coming to an end. I felt pretty good for this run. My left knee finally didn't bother me. Maybe reducing my distances leading up to the marathon will pay off. My left achilles still has some pressure, but at this point I'm pretty sure it will hold up. It's crazy to think I'll be running a marathon in just one week.


Total Training Distance: 540.89 miles
Total Training Time: 4D 2:19:01

Day 200

Start: 4:42am
Weather: Rainy and Cool
Time/Distance/Pace: 32:05 - 3 miles - 10:42
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/87093557


Thoughts: A soaking wet run, by the end I was drenched. It feels so odd to be running such short distances before the marathon. I sort of feel like I'm under training and ruining my odds of completing. But, I'm following a proven method of training.


Total Training Distance: 533.81 miles
Total Training Time: 4D 1:04:27

Day 198

Start: 5:02am
Weather: Clear and Cool
Time/Distance/Pace: 33:48 - 3.28 miles - 10:19
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/86625013


Thoughts: Again my legs felt good but my left knee was pinching at the start of the run. There was an amazing sunrise so I changed up my regular route and ran down to South Beach to snap a picture of it. I ended up running further than I was supposed to, but I felt good so it didn't matter.


Total Training Distance: 530.81 miles
Total Training Time: 4D 0:32:22

Day 197

Start: 5:03am
Weather: Clear and Cold
Time/Distance/Pace: 30:05 - 3.01 miles - 10:01
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/86368353 


Thoughts: A nice quick run. It was surprisingly cold out, but the sun was coming up so it warmed up quickly. My left knee continued to pinch a little at the beginning of this run, but again loosened up and didn't bother me for long.


Total Training Distance: 527.53 miles
Total Training Time: 3D 23:58:34

Day 195

Start: 11:47pm
Weather: Clear and Warm
Time/Distance/Pace: 2:09:40 - 12.01 miles - 10:48
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/86036068


Thoughts: I ran the first half of this run by myself and then two of my brothers joined me for the second half. Within the first mile my left knee started to bother me. It was pinching ever once in a while and one time it was painful enough to hinder my stride and caused me to yelp. After that it loosened up and I was fine. The best news for me was that my foot didn't hurt the entire run. It was nice to have a warm and sunny run to end such a rainy week.


Total Training Distance: 524.52 miles
Total Training Time: 3D 23:28:29

Day 193

Start: 5:05am
Weather: Clear and Cold
Time/Distance/Pace: 43:47 - 4.01 miles - 10:56
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/85521622


Thoughts: My legs felt pretty good for this run. I've been worried about my left foot for a few weeks now, but as my mileage tapers off in preparation for the marathon my foot is getting a better recovery between runs. Hopefully it will be 100% by May 20th.


Total Training Distance: 512.51 miles
Total Training Time: 3D 21:18:49

Day 191

Start: 4:55am
Weather: Rainy, Windy and Cold
Time/Distance/Pace: 55:06 - 5 miles - 11:01
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/85037018


Thoughts: A rainy morning run, and I was worried about my foot. But, it made it the whole 5 miles without becoming painful.  It probably helped that I missed yesterday's 3 mile run.


Total Training Distance: 508.5 miles
Total Training Time: 3D 20:35:02

Day 188

Start: 6:29am
Weather: Clear, Windy and Cool
Time/Distance/Pace: 3:49:21 - 14 miles - 15:49
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/84411094


Thoughts: This was a cool trail run through Wompatuck State Park in Hingham, Massachusetts. I got up early and drove the 15 minutes to this forested park from my parent's house and the park was empty besides one other trail runner. The first half of the run was through rocky and rooted forest trail. It was mostly flat but was enjoyable for having to be careful about footing. The second half was along paved bike trails that wandered around Andrew River Reservoir and then through more forest. One of my favorite parts was running across the top of the dam that creates the Reservoir, with water on one side and a big, slopped, concrete drop-off on the other. By the time I puttered to 14 miles my foot was killing me again and the park was pretty crowded. A 5K was organizing as I was leaving the park and there were people everywhere. My time was terrible during this run because of my foot and for having to stop every half mile or so to check my map to make sure I was taking the correct turn on the multitude of trails.


Total Training Distance: 503.5 miles
Total Training Time: 3D 19:39:56

Day 186

Start: 4:59am
Weather: Clear and Cold
Time/Distance/Pace: 42:00 - 4 miles - 10:30
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/84012240


Thoughts: This was supposed to be a 5 miler, but after skipping Tuesday's 9 mile run because my left foot hurt I decided to just run until my foot began to aggravate me again. It was for the best that I shortened this run because I hadn't laid out my clothes the night before so I was off to late start anyway. Needless to say, I'm concerned about being injured this late in my training and having to skip and shorten runs.


Total Training Distance: 489.5 miles
Total Training Time: 3D 15:50:35

Day 183

Start: 4:54am
Weather: Rainy, Windy and Cool
Time/Distance/Pace: 44:00 - 4.06 miles - 10:50
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/83362961


Thoughts: This run was during a complete downpour and I chose the wrong direction to run around the island so when I hit the front of the island I had the wind going against me. I had my iPhone in my pocket in a ziploc bag and it said I was done before I actually was and even tagged some people from my address book in the run. By the time that I was done the tendon to my big toe on my left foot was very sore, I'm hoping it doesn't hinder my training.


Total Training Distance: 485.5 miles
Total Training Time: 3D 15:08:35

Day 181

Start: 2:49pm
Weather: Clear and Warm
Time/Distance/Pace: 3:51:43 - 20 miles - 11:35
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/83104521


Thoughts: I finally did it. And by "it" I don't mean complete my longest run of the training for a marathon. I mean that after the third or forth time that people saw me run by within a four hour period I finally got them to shake their head and mumble "is he fucking crazy?" Yeah, I'm fucking crazy. So why don't you go sit back down on the couch, your BP is rising.


So yeah, I made it through the 20 miler. That's supposed to mean that I'm ready for the marathon, but it is still hard to imagine running another 10k on top of that. The RunKeeper is off because my iPhone died before I completed the run, I guess that means it can't handle tracking runs that long and playing audiobooks. Good to know for the marathon in four weeks. I hurt more than I have before during a run, but it helped that friends of mine came out on to their porch to cheer me on each time I ran by their house.


Total Training Distance: 481.44 miles
Total Training Time: 3D 14:24:35

Day 179

Start: 3:46pm
Weather: Clear and Warm
Time/Distance/Pace: 54:36 - 5.47 miles - 10:00
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/82690549


Thoughts: This was a beautiful run around the Race Point bike path in Provincetown, Massachusetts. The family went on a mini-vacation and I was very excited to find this bike path for my run. It was a perfectly clear blue sky, very warm and pretty windy out, but despite its location the run was pretty sheltered from the wind. I only saw a few bike riders the entire run. The path went from sand dunes to beech forest to swamp and back to sand dunes making the run feel very exotic. I enjoyed the run so much that I continued to run until I made the full loop, even though it was beyond my 5 miles.


Total Training Distance: 461.44 miles
Total Training Time: 3D 10:32:52

Day 177

Start: 5:46am
Weather: Clear and Cool
Time/Distance/Pace: 1:56:04 - 10.01 - 11:36
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/82153447


Thoughts: I was pretty sore for this run. I definitely ran my short run the day before too quickly. But, when I feel good it is hard to keep the pace down. The sun began to rise as I got to the east end of the island, which always make it worth getting up early to run.


Total Training Distance: 455.97 miles
Total Training Time: 3D 9:38:16

Day 176

Start: 7:09pm 
Weather: Clear and Warm
Time/Distance/Pace: 48:44 - 5 miles - 9:45
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/82079669


Thoughts: A nice warm evening for a run. The highlight was an incredible, bright red sunset near the beginning. I had the normal pains in my left knee and achilles, but I ran this pretty quickly and they never got real painful. I'm slightly concerned that I ran this in the evening and that'll be running ten miles early the next morning, but my legs are getting pretty well conditioned to the distances. This is the longest week of the training, so as long as I make it through the week it is downhill from here.


Total Training Distance: 445.96 miles
Total Training Time: 3D 7:42:12

Day 174

Start: 11:47am
Weather: Clear and Warm
Time/Distance/Pace: 2:27:39 - 13.78 miles - 10:43
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/82066339


Thoughts: This was an incredible run on the Rec Bike Path in Stowe, Vermont. I ran it with my brother and the weather was perfectly warm. I ran through downtown Stowe and then next to a river for three miles and then met up with my brother to do eleven miles on the bike path. The path twists between farms, through woods and across bridges spanning the river. The entire time there were spectacular views of Mansfield Mountain. My legs felt fine the entire time and when the run ended I still felt great. 


Total Training Distance: 440.96 miles
Total Training Time: 3D 6:53:28

Day 172

Start: 5:56am
Weather: Clear and Cold
Time/Distance/Pace: 52:58 - 5 miles - 10:36
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/81103143


Thoughts: This run actually felt pretty good. My left knee and achilles weren't better, but they felt fine during the run. I tried to keep my pace between 11 an 12, but kept speeding up. I was working from home so I started later than usual. I'm glad that I don't always run at this time because the newspaper delivery lady drives like a maniac. If I always ran at this time, I'm certain that I'd eventually get hit by her.


Total Training Distance: 427.18 miles
Total Training Time: 3D 4:25:49

Day 170

Start: 3:41am
Weather: Clear and Cold
Time/Distance/Pace: 1:41:43 - 9 miles - 11:18
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/80689295


Thoughts: My left knee and achilles hurt for most of this run. Miles 3 through 6 felt pretty good but beyond that they hurt. Hopefully my legs will be recovered by the long run on Saturday. A week from that Saturday is my longest run and then the distances taper off. I just have to make it to that point and then I should be fully recovered in time for the marathon.


Total Training Distance: 422.18 miles
Total Training Time: 3D 3:32:51

Day 169

Start: 4:52am
Weather: Clear and Cold
Time/Distance/Pace: 57:46 - 5 miles - 11:33
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/80477928


Thoughts: This was a pretty rough run. Yesterday I played tennis and basketball and ended up aggravating my left knee and left achilles. I limped through the run, hoping that my knee and achilles would get better before the next run. We'll see.


Total Training Distance: 413.18 miles
Total Training Time: 3D 1:51:08

Day 167

Start: 6:45am
Weather: Clear and Cold
Time/Distance/Pace: 3:12:58 - 18 miles - 10:43
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/80107507


Thoughts: I felt real good for this run which shows with the under 11 minute pace over 18 miles. I went 6 miles before my achilles tightened. It was 13 miles before my knees and hips began to hurt. And, I didn't hit my wall until between mile 16 and 17. Those last two miles were utter hell, but I made it. Pretty cool that I've also broken the 400 mile mark and 3 days of total training time!


Total Training Distance: 408.18 miles
Total Training Time: 3D 0:53:24

Day 165

Start: 4:42am
Weather: Clear and Cold
Time/Distance/Pace: 52:36 - 5.01 miles - 10:30
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/79687772


Thoughts: This was the first run in a long time where I didn't feel any pain while running. Again I planned on running an 11-12 minute mile, but I felt so good that I just let my pace be whatever it would be. With nothing, including my achilles, not hurting during the run it has increased my confidence that I will be able to complete the marathon.


Total Training Distance: 390.18 miles
Total Training Time: 2D 21:40:16

Day 163

Start: 3:42am
Weather: Clear and Cold
Time/Distance/Pace: 1:42:17 - 9 miles - 11:22
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/79282621


Thoughts: I woke up at 3am in order to get this run in before work. I felt pretty darn good and kept my 11-12 minute pace up the entire time without any issue. For the last flat straightaway I even picked up my pace. It's nice to not hit a wall during a long distance run, and I'm now feeling pretty confident about completing the marathon.


Total Training Distance: 385.17 miles
Total Training Time: 2D 20:47:40

Day 162

Start: 4:54am
Weather: Rainy, Breezy and Cold
Time/Distance/Pace: 42:07 - 4 miles - 10:31
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/79074318


Thoughts: I ran this faster than I should have, but I have always loved running in the rain. My Achilles loosened up pretty quickly, so this 4-miler was a breeze.


Total Training Distance: 376.17 miles
Total Training Time: 2D 19:05:23

Day 160

Start: 6:58am
Weather: Clear and Cold
Time/Distance/Pace: 2:17:54 - 12 miles - 11:29
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/78710745


Thoughts: I felt pretty good for this run. I didn't hit a wall and my Achilles never pinched like it did the previous week. At around 10 to 11 miles in my hips began to hurt, but that only bothers me during the run so I'm not concerned about it. I continue to ice my heel and it typically feels fine prior to my Tuesday or Saturday runs but begins to bother me again afterward. As long as it doesn't get worse I think I am fine for the marathon. I keep hoping that it strengthens up and the pain goes away all together.


Total Training Distance: 372.17 miles
Total Training Time: 2D 18:23:16

Day 158

Start: 4:42am
Weather: Clear and Cold
Time/Distance/Pace: 56:52 - 5 miles - 11:22
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/78344559


Thoughts: I kept my 11-12 minute pace to take it easy on my Achilles. Basically all running now revolves around my Achilles, and most of my thought during the day. I'm icing it several times a day which seems to help. It still hasn't hurt since last week's long run but I feel pressure and I'm always aware of it. I'm hoping that if I continue to take it easy and ice it often that it will either toughen up like my knees or at least hold out until the marathon. Speaking of which, we booked a condo at Sugarloaf for marathon weekend, I'm starting to get excited for it.


Total Training Distance: 360.17 miles
Total Training Time: 2D 15:55:22

Day 156

Start: 4:11am
Weather: Clear, Windy and Cold
Time/Distance/Pace: 1:32:07 - 8 miles - 11:31
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/77910177


Thoughts: Quite the blustery morning. I kept the pace slow because of my tender Achilles. At this point I'm pretty much going to be running 11-12 minute miles to make sure I can get the distance in during the week without injuring myself. I've resigned to the fact that this is just my first marathon and I shouldn't be worried about my pace at all. Near the end of my run I was surprised by a fireball shooting across the sky. It was slow and bluish-white and turned to green as it approached the horizon. It lasted at least two seconds. I submitted it to the American Meteor Society's Fireball Sightings site, the second time I have done so.


Total Training Distance: 355.17 miles
Total Training Time: 2D 14:58:30

Day 155

Start: 4:50am
Weather: Clear and Cold
Time/Distance/Pace: 47:40 - 4 miles - 11:46
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/77691071


Thoughts: My Achilles was sore and tight so I took it nice and slow. It loosened up a little bit after a mile or two but it never got comfortable to run on. I need to just keep exercising, stretching and icing it and hope it doesn't become a bigger issue.


Total Training Distance: 347.17 miles
Total Training Time: 2D 13:26:23

Day 153

Start: 5:37am
Weather: Clear and Cool
Time/Distance/Pace: 3:14:56 - 16.01 miles - 12:11
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/77298026


Thoughts: This was a fun run. My wife and I stayed in Portland overnight for our anniversary, so I started from the hotel and ran to Casco Bay Lines via Portland Trails paths. The first half of the run flew by because it was all new trail to me. The second half was on Back Bay and East End trails which I've run before, but at least it wasn't the same loop on the island. I never really hit my wall during this run, which was exciting because it finally felt like completing a marathon was possible. The only real issue I had was that my Achilles started pinching at 13 miles, which concerns me.


Total Training Distance: 343.17 miles
Total Training Time: 2D 12:38:43

Day 149

Start: 4:08am
Weather: Clear and Cool
Time/Distance/Pace: 1:32:25 - 8 miles - 11:33
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/76465215


Thoughts: I had to set my alarm clock to 3:30am in order to wake for this one. I kept my pace pretty slow because my previous run had finished only 8 hours earlier. Unfortunately, by the end of the run my left Achilles had started bothering me again. Hopefully, it can recover before my long run like last week.


Total Training Distance: 327.16 miles
Total Training Time: 2D 9:23:47

Day 148

Start: 6:59pm
Weather: Clear and Cool
Time/Distance/Pace: 42:27 - 4.01 miles - 10:36
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/76407947


Thoughts: A rare evening run as I couldn't leave my son home alone early in the morning to do my run. It was a nice evening; it was almost warm, the sun was setting and there were peepers out (what are they doing out in March?). My legs felt decent; surprisingly recovered from the weekend, though my calves were a little tight.


Total Training Distance: 319.16 miles
Total Training Time: 2D 7:51:22

Day 146

Start: 9:46am
Weather: Warm and Clear
Time/Distance/Pace: 2:45:29 - 15 miles - 11:02
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/75950109


Thoughts: A long ass run, but I completed it. I hit the wall at about 13.5 miles and shuffled through the last 1.5 miles. It didn't help that I was doing the same 1.8 mile figure-8 loop because I had to check in on my son who was home alone. This was my first run with my Brooks Green Silence, and I loved them. I had to slow myself down after the first mile because I ran it in 9:30 without realizing I was going so fast. This was also the first run of the year that I did in shorts, it was nice and warm out and by the end of the run I had a sunburn on my forehead. Probably the first sunburn I've ever had in March in Maine.


Total Training Distance: 315.15 miles
Total Training Time: 2D 7:08:55

Day 144

Start: 4:42am
Weather: Cold, Icy and Clear
Time/Distance/Pace: 1:01:58 - 4 miles - 15:29
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/75531307


Thoughts: My left Achilles has been giving me a hard time. It only pinches a little during long runs, but it's been "creaking" during the day. Besides being annoying, it worries me that it may lead to something worse if I don't take care of it. From what I've read most people suggest taking 2 weeks off running, but at this point I can't afford to do that. My miles are really ramping up and if I skip two weeks I will not be able to complete the runs the following week and would probably injure myself. So, I've added some stretches for my Achilles as well as eccentric heel raises and icing twice a day. I also walked these four miles instead of running. I'm hoping that the four days off from running will be enough to prevent injury from my 15 miler on Saturday. Good news though, my Brooks Green Silence showed up today. Oh, and 300 miles total training distance!


Total Training Distance: 300.15 miles
Total Training Time: 2D 4:23:26

Day 142

Start: 4:34am
Weather: Cool and Clear
Time/Distance/Pace: 1:16:26 - 7 miles - 10:55
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/75123811


Thoughts: Again I felt pretty good on this run. The weather was mild for the second day in a row, which is encouraging. I didn't have any real pain to fight through, though my hips began to ache near the end of the run and my left Achilles got tight. I'm starting to think my hips, rather than my knees, are what I have to worry about.


I'm planning on running Tough Mudder in July, so soon I'm going to have to look at training for it once I've completed this marathon. I also have to schedule out training for the MDI Marathon in October and see if there is any overlap between the training schedules. I think I will take a shot at Hal Higdon's Novice 2 training.


Total Training Distance: 296.15 miles
Total Training Time: 2D 3:21:28

Day 141

Start: 4:51am
Weather: Cool and Clear
Time/Distance/Pace: 31:49 - 3 miles - 10:36
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/74921523


Thoughts: All in all, I felt pretty good. I was pretty psyched that my legs were able to recover from my long run so quickly. They weren't 100%, but there were no sore joints or cramped muscles. The temperature is starting to get up there as well, no need for winter hat and gloves.


Total Training Distance: 289.15 miles
Total Training Time: 2D 2:05:02

Day 139

Start: 6:54am
Weather: Cold and Clear
Time/Distance/Pace: 1:43:40 - 10 miles - 10:22
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/74563253


Thoughts: I've hit week 20 out of 30 as well as broken 2 days worth off total training time. This was the best 10+ miles I've run so far, I did not crash at 7 miles like I have previously. I tried out Clif Shot Bloks during this run to see if a boost in carbs, caffeine and electrolytes would help. I had a serving before my run and another at mile 6 and my pace didn't continue to drop like it normally does (miles 8 and 9 were actually better than mile 7), so it seemed to help.


Total Training Distance: 286.15 miles
Total Training Time: 2D 1:33:13

Day 137

Start: 4:59am
Weather: Cool and Clear
Time/Distance/Pace: 44:43 - 4 miles - 11:10
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/74249090


Thoughts: I took this run easy, making sure that my legs are able to recover for the long run this weekend. Tomorrow I'm planning on buying new running shoes, Brooks Green Silence, and registering for the Sugarloaf Marathon.


Total Training Distance: 276.15 miles
Total Training Time: 1D 23:49:33

Day 136

Start: 4:35am
Weather: Cold and Clear
Time/Distance/Pace: 1:13:04 - 7.01 miles - 10:26
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/74091972


Thoughts: A very good run indeed. I had recovered from the race and long run on Sunday and my body felt ready to run. I kept a good pace for the entire run. I think this was the first time I didn't feel fatigued after 6 miles. It seems that 7 miles is just about as far as I can run in the morning when getting up at 4am and leaving enough time to shower. When the mileage goes up, I'm probably going to have to start getting up at 3:30am.


Total Training Distance: 272.15 miles
Total Training Time: 1D 23:04:50

Day 134

Start: 5:00am
Weather: Cold and Clear
Time/Distance/Pace: 38:04 - 3 miles - 12:41
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/73747937


Thoughts: Probably the most painful three miles I've ever run. My legs were completely exhausted from the 13 miles the day before. I am going to look forward to taking a day off.


Total Training Distance: 265.14 miles
Total Training Time: 1D 21:51:46

Day 133

Start: 12:13pm
Weather: Cold, Icy and Clear
Time/Distance/Pace: 1:57:55 - 9.8 miles - 12:02
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/73670069


Thoughts: This run was after run the Irish Road Rover 5k, where I had a pretty quick time. I paid for that quick time. My hips hurt from the beginning and my pace was slow throughout. Where Back Bay wasn't muddy it was wet, and where it wasn't wet it was icy. By about mile 7 I was ready to quit, but I kept pushing through. I tried to measure my run out so I ended back at my car at 10 miles but came up a little short. I would have finished those 0.2 miles but it was getting too close to boat time. I run the next two days, hopefully I recover before next weekend's long run.


Total Training Distance: 262.14 miles
Total Training Time: 1D 21:39:15

Irish Road Rover 5k

Start: 11:02am
Weather: Cold and Clear
Time/Distance/Pace: 25:11 - 3.12 miles - 8:04
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/73640616


Thoughts: On this day in my training I was supposed to run a half marathon, but there were none available locally. So, instead I ran this 5k with a bunch of coworkers and followed it will a 10 mile run. It was a run through downtown Portland with about 900 people. It was a fast run with many hills and the crowd was really screaming at the finish line. I really upped my pace for this run and was very pleased with my time, though my left hip hurt after the race was over.


Results: http://www.coolrunning.com/results/12/me/Mar4_IrishR_set1.shtml


Total Training Distance: 252.34 miles
Total Training Time: 1D 19:41:20

Day 130

Start: 5:08am
Weather: Cold, Windy and Snowy
Time/Distance/Pace: 33:00 - 3.04 miles - 10:54
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/73498566


Thoughts: It was blizzarding out and my wife was kind enough to put my STABILicers in the garage since winter is "over." So it was the hardest 3 miles I've run in a while and was rough on my hamstrings because of all the slippage.


Total Training Distance: 249.22 miles
Total Training Time: 1D 19:16:09

Day 128

Start: 4:41am
Weather: Cold and Clear
Time/Distance/Pace: 1:02:44 - 6 miles - 10:27
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/72783534


Thoughts: 6 mile runs have become as difficult as 3 mile runs were a month or two ago. At one point they were my long runs, now they are half the distance of my long runs. That gives me hope that the longer runs will become easier as well. Hopefully in another month 12 mile runs will be no sweat.


Total Training Distance: 246.18 miles
Total Training Time: 1D 18:43:09

Day 127

Start: 4:53am 
Weather: Cold and Clear
Time/Distance/Pace: 30:19 - 3.04 miles - 9:59
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/72630214

Thoughts: A decent run. My muscles were still worn out from the 12 mile run on Saturday, but they were not sore at all. RunKeeper freaked out partway through the run and plotted swimming to Falmouth and running a mile or two there. So, I had to just use my time and plot my run by hand.


Total Training Distance: 240.18 miles
Total Training Time: 1D 17:40:25

Day 125

Start: 7:03am
Weather: Cold, Icy, Breezy and Clear
Time/Distance/Pace: 2:13:02 - 12 miles - 11:05
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/72319104

Thoughts: Not the best weather for a long run, at least the temperature wasn't too low. I felt real good for 6 or 7 miles and slowly lost my pace. My goal is to be able to do 10 miles at a 10:30 pace when I do my 20 mile training run, and right now that isn't doable. By the start of mile 11 I was at a crawl. I would have been able to complete a half marathon at this point, but I know I would not be able complete a full one. It's hard to believe that the long distances will get easier so completing a marathon seems possible. I just have to believe that it will happen.


Total Training Distance: 237.14 miles
Total Training Time: 1D 17:10:06

Day 123

Start: 5:00am
Weather: Cold and Clear
Time/Distance/Pace: 29:49 - 3 miles - 9:56
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/72009476

Thoughts: A quick and easy run. I might have said this before, but I barely notice these 3 mile runs now. That's pretty exciting because I can remember back to when I started to run again (last July?) and 3 miles was my long run and was very tiring.


Total Training Distance: 225.14 miles
Total Training Time: 1D 14:57:04

Day 121

Start: 4:34am
Weather: Cold and Clear
Time/Distance/Pace: 1:03:28 - 6 miles - 10:35
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/71703905

Thoughts: My first long run during the week (I guess I consider 6 miles to be long). I get up at 4am every day but I usually take the morning pretty slowly. This morning I had to start my run by 4:30 or I wouldn't have enough time to shower before having to leave for work. So, that was a challenge in itself. The run went well, though I started to feel pretty sluggish during the last mile. My knees are still holding up, though I've been hampered with a tight left hamstring for months now.


Total Training Distance: 222.14 miles
Total Training Time: 1D 14:27:15

Day 120

Start: 7:04am
Weather: Cold and Clear
Time/Distance/Pace: 29:29 - 3 miles - 9:50
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/71564760

Thoughts: A good run. These three mile runs fly by so quickly now, I don't know what to say about them.


Total Training Distance: 216.14 miles
Total Training Time: 1D 13:23:47

Day 118

Start: 6:41am
Weather: Cold, Breezy and Clear
Time/Distance/Pace: 1:10:10 - 7 miles - 10:01
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/71262457

Thoughts: I was real happy with this run. It was my first long run that I was able to keep at a 10 minute mile pace. Late in the run my left knee started to hurt, I guess that's to be expected when running around 20 miles a week. I just hope that I can recover over the weekend so that the shorter runs are pain free. As long as the pain isn't week-long, I can stand it after the long runs.


Total Training Distance: 213.14 miles
Total Training Time: 1D 12:54:18

Day 116

Start: 4:53am
Weather: Cold and Clear
Time/Distance/Pace: 28:41 - 3 miles - 9:34
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/70996659 

Thoughts: My legs felt a little worn out, but not sore. I was able to keep a good pace, though I might have started a little fast. All in all I felt good and these 3 milers are starting to feel like nothing. Which is a good sign.


Total Training Distance: 206.14 miles
Total Training Time: 1D 11:44:08

Day 114

Start: 4:47am
Weather: Cold and Clear
Time/Distance/Pace: 50:32 - 5 miles - 10:06
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/70737656

Thoughts: This was a pretty good run. The temperature was more reasonable and my legs felt good. I hit 200 miles total training distance, which is a decent feat. I believe I'm closing in on the halfway mark for distance.


Total Training Distance: 203.14 miles
Total Training Time: 1D 11:15:27

Day 113

Start: 4:52am
Weather: Cold, Clear and Windy
Time/Distance/Pace: 32:32 - 3 miles - 10:51
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/70609524

Thoughts: Brrrrrrr! With wind chill it was -12 degrees out. My legs were still sore from Friday's workout and Saturday's long run, so my pace was pretty slow. I'm starting to worry that I'm not going to be able to recover completely before next Saturday's long run. I'm thinking that I may have to switch my Wednesday and Friday workouts so that Friday is completely upper body and I won't risk having sore leg muscles on the day of my long runs.


Total Training Distance: 198.14 miles
Total Training Time: 1D 10:24:55

Day 111

Start: 6:02am
Weather: Cold and Snowy
Time/Distance/Pace: 1:53:35 - 10 miles - 11:21
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/70338169

Thoughts: That was rough. I worked out on Friday and my legs were a little sore when I woke up, so at best I felt maybe 85%. As the run went on my legs got more and more exhausted and by mile 8 my pace dropped to nothing. I put up two water stations this time and that seemed to help. I hope that by my next long run my legs have grown accustomed to the distance.


Total Training Distance: 195.14 miles
Total Training Time: 1D 9:52:23

Day 109

Start: 4:35am
Weather: Cold and Clear
Time/Distance/Pace: 29:55 - 3.01 miles - 9:57
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/70049774

Thoughts: After running distances of 9 and 5 miles, this 3 mile run flew by. My legs felt a little tight, especially my glutes and upper hamstrings, but otherwise I felt fine. I'm still excited that I have no knee pain even though I'm up to 20 miles per week. I'm still getting used to getting up at 4 instead of 4:30, I didn't realize how much of a difference 30 minutes makes.


Total Training Distance: 185.14 miles
Total Training Time: 1D 7:58:48

Day 107

Start: 4:39am
Weather: Cold and Clear
Time/Distance/Pace: 49:48 - 5 miles - 9:57
RunKeeper: http://runkeeper.com/user/cadebro/activity/69780844

Thoughts: First morning getting up at 4am to run and first run of this distance on a weekday. All considering I felt pretty darn good. I'm excited that I'm breaking my dreaded 20mile/week barrier this week and my knees feel fine.


Total Training Distance: 182.13 miles
Total Training Time: 1D 7:28:53