March 1, 2010 - Ryan

I'm in serious recovery mode after the Rock n' Roll Mardi Gras Marathon this weekend. Leanna, Scott and I made the trip down on Saturday morning, got in some carb-loading and MSU basketball at French Quarter Pizzeria, and then called it a night in order to get some sleep for the race (I'm sure Leanna would dispute the "sleep" part seeing as she slept on the couch because she gave the 2 beds to the marathoners).

Race recap:

Weather: Absolutely perfect. The start was in the 40's and the finish was probably in the mid-high 50's. Sunny throughout

Course: Flat as a pancake, but the roads weren't the best. The only "hill" (and I use the word lightly because it was more of a short incline) was around mile 21.

My race: Well, we decided to walk to the start line, which took a little longer than expected; so long in fact that we missed the start of the race. I had to run to the first corral and ended up starting the race about 6-7 minutes after the gun went off. This forced me to dodge my way through people for the first few miles in order to find a decent spot to settle into a steady pace. I really think this hurt me as I had to spend extra energy running across the street to find open spaces in order to get decent mile splits.

Much like the Blues Marathon, I ran hard until around mile 22 when I started to fall off. Again, not sure how to fix this issue, but I'm going to start with lots of rest. I'm really looking forward to not training for a marathon for a few months and then after Chicago, I might take some time off from marathons and focus on half-marathons. To me, there's not much enjoyable about running a fast first half and knowing that you've got to do it all over again, and its going to take longer. I really can't describe the pain in my legs starting around mile 22. My mind tells my legs to move faster, but they physically can't. I think its part genetic in that the human body can only store enough glycogen to last about 2 hours of strenuous exercise, then the body starts burning fat, muscle, or any other source of energy. It makes sense that this would happen around mile 22 for me.

Also, I need to find a better shoe to race marathons in. The Lunaracer works for me in races that max out at half-marathon distance, but after that, the bottom of my feet start to really hurt.

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for RNR Mardi Gras Marathon

I was very proud of Leanna for decided to do the half marathon. She had signed up for the full, but had a stress fracture in her shin that put training on hold. However, she's been running a little she thought she'd try the half. She hand't run longer than 14 miles since Thanksgiving, so needless to say, running a half without training would be challenging for anyone.

Scott ran a great race as well. He cut 23 minutes off his PR, which is very impressive.

Daily mileage: NA
Weekly mileage: 41.2
Miles on Lunartrainers: 59.0
Miles on Lunaracers: 125.0

Friday, February 26, 2010 - Ryan

Well, the taper is almost over and race day is Sunday. I dont feel as prepared for Mardi Gras as I did Chicago, so I'm not expecting a new PR. Maybe this approach will help since I'm not nervous about the race at all. I'd just like to run this one under 2:55.

I did an easy 4 miles with Leanna Wednesday and have been resting since then. I might do an easy 2-3 miles on Saturday morning and then it's race day.

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for RNR NOLA 57

Daily mileage: NA
Weekly mileage: 15.0
Miles on Lunartrainers: 59.0
Miles on Lunaracers: 98.8

Monday, February 22, 2010 - Ryan

The taper continues...

I ran 4 miles @ 8:27/mile with Leanna yesterday through Reunion. I ran in my Nike Free just to see how they felt on an actual run. They felt good, but I could tell they weren't as cushioned as my Lunartrainers. Needless to say, I won't be running Mardi Gras in them.

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for RNR NOLA 54

Today, I ran an easy 6 miles @ 7:25/mile from work today. I'll probably do 5 miles tomorrow and maybe 3-4 on Wednesday before shutting it down until Sunday.

Daily mileage: 6.0
Weekly mileage: 6.0
Miles on Lunartrainers: 59.0
Miles on Lunaracers: 98.8

Sunday, February 21, 2010 - Ryan

Well, I've been enjoying the taper this past week. I did 5 miles @ 6:36/mile on Tuesday through Reunion. I really like running there because it's easy to get 5-10 miles in and there is no traffic at all, plus the terrain changes from flat to rolling hills, to steep, long hills.

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for RNR NOLA 52

I did a short tempo workout on Thursday (4 miles @ 5:49/mile) and a cool down mile. I felt like I needed a good speed workout to give me a little more confidence for Mardi Gras next weekend.

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for RNR NOLA 53

I've got an easy 7 miles today, and then another easy week next week before the race on Sunday.

Daily mileage: NA
Weekly mileage: 16.0
Miles on Lunartrainers: 53.0
Miles on Lunaracers: 98.8

Tuesday, February 16, 2010 - Ryan

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days. A lot has been going on. First and foremost, I got engaged to my wonderful girlfriend, so that was very exciting. Secondly, work has picked up a little, but not too much.

I got in my last long run before Mardi Gras on Saturday. I did a 15 mile @ 6:43/mile out and back from my house. I wanted to start off a little slower and then run hard the last 3 miles. All in all, a good last long run before the marathon. That gave me 46 miles for the week. Hopefully my speed will be there to break 2:48.

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for RNR NOLA 50

I rested Sunday and then did 6 miles @ 6:31/mile yesterday in Reunion. This week will be full of 5-milers and an 8-miler this weekend.

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for RNR NOLA 51

Daily mileage: 6.0
Weekly mileage: 6.0
Miles on Lunartrainers: 43.0
Miles on Lunaracers: 98.8

Friday, February 12, 2010 - Ryan

First of all, I want to wish my wonderful girlfriend Leanna a very happy birthday! She's such a blessing to me and I'm so thankful I get to spend another birthday with her. Hopefully the "white death" will subside so we can go eat tonight.

I was about to get in 8 miles @ 6:33/mile. It felt like a really good run for me. Not tempo fast, but faster than I do most of my 8-10 mile runs. I'm off today and then probably going to run 15ish tomorrow.

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for RNR NOLA 49

I'm looking forward to starting my taper next week in order to have fresh legs for the Mardi Gras Marathon.

Daily mileage: 8.0
Weekly mileage: 31.0
Miles on Lunartrainers: 22.0
Miles on Lunaracers: 98.8

Wednesday, February 10, 2010 - Ryan

I tried to do some speedwork last night on the treadmill, but, due to my hatred of the treadmill, I failed miserably. I did 3 1-mile repeats and then called it a night. I just can't make myself stay on that thing. It doesn't matter what TV show I'm watching, I can't stop looking at the distance / time.

I had a great workout today. 9 miles total, broken down:

• 4 miles @ 6:44
• 4 x 800m repeats (400m jog between each)
• 2 miles of 1 minute sprint, 2 minute jog
• Cool down

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for RNR NOLA 48

So far so good for the new Lunartrainers.

Daily mileage: 9.0
Weekly mileage: 23
Miles on Lunartrainers: 14
Miles on Lunaracers: 98.8