Agnew's Mind He's got a long journey ahead of him.

Marathon Minutes

    by Matt

Ladies and Gentlemen, the time has arrived. A THIRD marathon training plan. After a tough training plan last time due to injuries I never encountered before (knee and outside of my foot) along with my usual injury (right shin), I was determined to be healthy and build some confidence going into my hometown marathon. The entire month of June and July were very, very focused. Running nearly every day and resting well, I logged 7 miles a day consistently building up my mileage base. I set my hopes and dreams on the very prestigious sub-four hour marathon. Yes, I am planning on 3:59:59. Can it be done? Well, sure. The first time around during training, I envisioned myself crossing the finish line. I could smell it, see it. I even day dreamed that I shocked the world and even won the whole thing. Well, that didn't happen. The second time around, I didn't visualize anything. I had been there before and been to the promised land. With my 3 injuries I mentioned, it was tough to get excited. If it wasn't for the experience I had running the first one, I would have never finished the 2nd marathon due to horrible knee pain. So now? During those June and July confidence-building months, I could see it and smell it again! Not bloody nips or black toenails....but me crossing the finish line with 3:59 on the clock above me. In order to do this, I need to be quicker, faster, and resemble a Kenyan. I'm on my way. Next, I'm following the 3:59 marathon training plan from Runner's World. If followed, I'm sure to break 4 hours.

Week 1 of 16..... let's go.

Monday: Day of Rest

Okay? First day of training a rest day? I'll take it. Normally, I would be running seven miles.

Tuesday: 4 miles, 10 min/mile

Easy enough. I'm also used to running 7 miles on Tuesdays. I ran 4 on the treadmill. The dream is still intact. It felt good knowing I was running the first of MANY miles in the training plan.

Wednesday: 4 miles, hills

I have this huge mile long climbing hill right by my house. I misread the plan and thought I was supposed to run them at 10/min miles as well. Nope! It doesn't specify. That was the fastest I've ever run up and down that hill. Plus, it was about 100 degrees and the most humid day of the week. I came home and had to lay down.

Thursday: Rest

Okay... I'll take it. Plus, I had a busy day.

Friday: 4 miles 10/min miles

What the hell happened to me? I have extreme soreness in my right leg. Not exactly my old friend shin problem. It's more of a sore spot instead of a pain. I only could finish two miles before limping off the treadmill.

Saturday: (Long Run substituted due to my Sunday morning needed for recovery from Ganter and Courtney's wedding) 9 miles

Ah, Kelly drive, my old friend. I will return. This is something I missed for the most part in my 2nd training. After popping some Advils, I feel that I will be ready. Update coming soon.

Here's a picture just for Jon: