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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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So far so good for the new Lunartrainers.

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

Monday, February 8, 2010 - Ryan

Today's schedule called for another 9 miles @ 6:45/mile. I did an out and back from the house at lunch time. My legs didn't feel too tired, which is a plus give my 22-miler on Saturday. I really tried to push myself on the hills today as well. I know Mardi Gras won't have any of those, but it still can't hurt to train hard on them.

I'm really going to buckle down this week with my training so I can be in top shape for the Mardi Gras Marathon in 3 weeks. I started taking my Race Caps Supreme today. I'm just not sure if my speed is there to run a PR in NOLA, but I'm hoping I can find it before 2/28.

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Hopefully my new Lunartrainers will come in today or tomorrow. Mine have about had it.

Congrats to the Saints on winning the Super Bowl, and if you didn't see Jay-Z at the beginning singing an opera-style remix of "Run This Town", look it up.

Daily mileage: 9.0
Weekly mileage: 9.0
Miles on Lunartrainers: 379.0
Miles on Lunaracers: 98.8