Long Run

It's been a long day & I just completed a long run. I'm wrapping up Week 4 of Higdon's marathon training schedule. This week's long run called for 11 miles. I did one circuit of my bread & butter 5 miler & a 6+ route I've recently added to my repertoire. I planned one Gu & water stop at the 5 mile mark.

I did okay. My right hip & knee got a little hinky in the last mile. Nothing I couldn't gut out but, I wonder if my afternoon of raking took a little out of me. I was up 'til one Saturday night reading Dean Karnaze's book. That couldn't have helped. I certainly a little tired but, I suppose I could have gone further. Next week calls for a 12 mile long run.

At this point in my training I have to be honest with myself. Barring a major increase in speed there's no way I'm going to do much better than a four hour marathon. Basically that's fine with me. Face it. I'm twenty three years older than I was when I ran Bostonfest in four hours.

I want to do the marathon training. That's doable.

I want to finish the marathon. That's highly likely. I'm very confident I can do it.

I'd like to be within striking distance of four hours.

Time will tell.