Thoughts on required gear.

Not sure what day we are on for this sickness bug I'm harboring but it's still here but better. I've had a rough time getting out with family stuff anyway, top it off with some growing demotivation and thoughts of it will get better if I rest, I haven't been running nearly as much as I'd like. 

As always "at least it's only March" pops up but soon it will be May and I need to have the miles in if I hope to race well. All that base mileage from December and January come in handy now and I should bounce back quickly. Worcester Marathon may end up just a training run with no goal planned since the big workouts I need to do may beat me up too bad now.

I've made a list of previous race finishers that are running Lakeland this year, all of which were top 10 previously or people I know to watch for. Looks to be about 10 guys who made the list. Most are previous top 5 and you know want the win! On a positive, if I recall, they all are off the course record by an hour at least, and their finish times vary by 3 hours.  So, seems to be a pretty even field unless there are any dark horses signed up, like hopefully me! However in these distances things can vary drastically depending on weather, navigation, etc. I guess it's good to have an idea though.

Started looking at the required gear to get a little motivation. I've got pretty much all of it but just want to be sure I'm not carrying extra dead weight. Currently I'm looking at the required extra base layers, top and bottom. I can't find a specific weight requirement, only long sleeve top and bottom. UTMB says minimum 180 grams for a size medium top. The Lakeland race directors say it cannot be used or worn during the race except for emergency. So you can't start with it on. Weird. Well I've got some really light pieces and if it's for emergency and is just going to sit in my pack I'm going light as I won't need it unless I'm dropping out and need someone to come get me. The "can I use this during the race" isn't a question, these need to be lightest and most packable possible, function doesn't matter.

This is a bit different for the waterproofs required. I've already got the lightest weight waterproof breathable top and bottom (well at least until recently a new jacket came out) and it could be used during the race so not much room for picking and choosing here. It is what it is. 

We do have a drop bag halfway where I'll have changes of running clothing and shoes but these things  and what I'm starting with will be determined closer to the race depending on the weather. 

Just some thoughts. 

Sick running

So it's still hanging on. I am feeling better though which is a start! I finally got on my computer to upload some photos too which is nice. Most are from this morning but the night that the moon and Venus were right next to each other was a couple weeks ago.

moon and Venus

Despite feeling like crap and not really seeming like I've been running I did get in a few runs this week. Not the mileage I want but all things considered.... 

This morning I woke at 4am having a coughing fit and opted to stay up, had some coffee, enjoyed the silence and the birds out side. Well that is once the stupid dance clubs shut down the "thump thump thump" of the shit ass music they play all night! 

Got out the door at about 530 I think, not in total darkness for once, and had a super easy six miles with photo stops not worrying about time or anything.

The canal activity is up now that the river level is down and the weather has been nicer. The narrow boats have pretty small motors so any bit of high water they stay off the River Severn. 

smoking stove

The stinky smell of the wood stoves reminds me of waking up in a tent when I was a kid camping with the scouts. Mildly uncomfortable sleeping in the cold morning, the stink of smoldering trash or whatever we had thrown in the fire the night before. I have no idea what wood they burn but damn does it smell bad!

new pavement

As I've mentioned for about a mile down the canal they've been paving the tow path. I'm not sure why but in talking to the caretaker he thinks it's to cover the concrete slab covered power lines. Too many idiots have been stealing cables to get money for them so he thinks it's to protect them. Anyway I wish they'd do the section up the canal into town. It's so uneven that when it rains it's nearly impassable. I just hope the more rural section down canal stays dirt, it's fairly even, drains well, and doesn't really get a lot of commuters. Besides, I prefer the softer surfaces! 

The foot issue I had going on seems to have gone. I'm still unsure if it actually was my new shoes or not. I have been running in the other models though and they all just seem a bit more comfortable. 

Sickness!

And plans change temporarily. Some how picked up a sickness bug! Took a few days off over the weekend to try to shake it but it's holding on. Just a mild cold but it's been keeping me up at night. Oh well just push on through for now. I was getting psyched for running again too! 

All the paths here are fairly dry so I can return to my normal running routes. One bad, but maybe good thing is that the canal path has had about a mile of it paved. Good because it is less muddy, bad because it's paved. I'd much prefer to run on the dirt! 

The weather has improved as well so soon it will be shorts time. I always have trouble changing it up from my 3/4 tights. I honestly think it's because they have a zip pocket perfect for my phone! It's also slowly getting lighter earlier, just when I get used to the dark. Well I'll be cast back to the shadows temporarily March 30 when the UK has it's daylight savings time. 

So just putting one foot in front of the other, waiting to feel better, then ramp up the miles and the speed work. Hopefully this foot issue I've had heals up as well.

Worcester Marathon? Shoes. Minor injury.

Got in my longest run as of late, 16 miles this past Saturday. Felt good and averaged around 6:56 minute miles. This week is a relatively easy week with a  long run of 14. So far I've been stuck on the treadmill since the wife is out of town this week. No fun since I've had a mild cold; achey, tired, mild sore throat. 

Seriously considering the Worcester Marathon on May 4th I think. I could use the miles so I figured why not race it. All I really need to do is add in a few marathon specific workouts and I should do ok, I have the base miles. A little bit of rearranging to the normal schedule to accommodate a short taper. 

Main thing I'd need to do would be some faster miles to get my leg speed up and focus on holding a faster pace for longer. Since I train at around seven minute miles very easily I'd like to think I can break three hours. So I did some research and figured out a few key workouts and what pace they need to be at. I'd love to run a 2:45 which may be feasible. I'll see how these key workouts go with that goal in mind and adjust accordingly. 

My left foot has been aching a bit which is odd. A pain on the outside right at the "knuckle" of my little toe. It seems to go away once I'm warmed up but still a but of a concern. I keep thinking it may be my new shoes. I've been in the Brooks PureCadence for a while now. I got a new pair of the Cadence 3 in January and they do fit a little narrower. The upper seems to be a little stiffer too compared to the Cadence 2. We shall see, I'm going to push on through, keep my eyes open for close out Cadence 2's, and hope for the best. Kind of bummed out about the width change as the Cadence 2 was awesome! I do have two pairs of the PureGrit 2 though which fits wider so if need be I've got back ups.

I've been super happy with the Brooks PureProject line of shoes. Yeah the narrower fit MAY be an issue but otherwise they are awesome. As mentioned I've been running in the PureCadence for a while and I've raced and trained in the PureGrit 1 and 2. I also recently got a pair of PureConnect 3 to try out. Basically a more flexible, less cushioned, neutral version of the Cadence. I love the flexibility of it but a tad bit more width could be nice. I've just been hesitant to wear them with my toe issue. I don't necessarily need the support of the Cadence, since changing my foot strike support is useless, but I preferred the feel. 

Well, on with the miles. Hopefully this mild cold goes soon but at least tomorrow I'll be running outside which is so much nicer on my sinuses.