I guess I never got to writing about nutrition, oh well. One thing I can say, is DON’T eat the way I have been in the last few days .. I’ve had family in due to a wedding, so we’re talking rehearsal dinner (pizza) on Thursday, reception (tons of crap) yesterday, then out again for lunch today (more garbage) .. The good part is that i’m getting the miles in, so it shouldn’t be really phasing me (although we’ll see on Monday when we weigh in).

My speed workout on Thursday (8×800 at 3:35, with 8×800 in between) went well, but was difficult because I hadn’t done any speed workouts in almost a month. I got through it, and it felt great afterward, it just took time to get there. I can really start to feel the beginning stages of peaking for the season, although its about 2 weeks off (just in time).. I just have to keep the hard work up, its obviously paying off.

Speaking of hard work, I did great on my 21 miler today, I cut it short by a mile because I need to build to more mileage next week in some way and I don’t think I can add too much more to the mon-thur runs (they’re pretty long already).. Anyway, it felt like I was running in late September instead of in early August. The temperature was like 55 degrees when I went out .. I was still covered in sweat by mile 8, but it was pleasant to run without being totally wiped out from the heat. I still had to stop for a water along the way (in addition to the water on my fuel belt, which is slowly dying) .. I used a GU-gel in mile 15 just to keep the pace (first time in awhile) and I think it helped, so i’ll probably pick up some more. I had been using some stuff a guy I knew gave me that was made for ultra-marathons (can’t remember the name of it), and it just didn’t work for me, there was too much gel to take in those, I just need to get it over with (my stomach can’t take it). I finished the 21 miles in 3:04, which is just over an 8:35/mile (actually its probably better than that, it was a hilly course, take a look at the elevation mapping on the above link!). I also did the first mile slow because I was tired (did I mention I was at a reception late last night, then up to run at 6:30am????) So the confidence is high going into the last few weeks before the marathon season ..

When I put my shoes on this morning, I did notice that they are getting worn, it might be time for new ones… I’d like to use my ‘free shoe’ card at the running store, but last time I was there, they don’t carry my brand anymore .. I also need to get a new fuel belt, my current one is just dying, I can only hold 3 bottles, and only 1 of the 3 holds it well (they’re all stretched). I have to goto Scranton on Monday, so I might just head up after that and get some gear to save a trip later on in the month before the race .. we’ll see though ..

I can tell that marathon training season is in full swing by the number of additional hits coming to my blog .. I also see the talk picking up on other blogs and forums, as first time marathoners are starting to hit their higher mileage weekends, and marathon veterans are getting in their long runs. Lots of questions, injuries, hydration and fueling techniques, its the best part of the season! Believe it or not, we’re a month out from the Sept-Nov marathon season.. it’ll be here before we know it.

I’m debating on whether to go watch the transition points at the Wilkes-Barre triathlon tomorrow. As I speak there are hundreds (if not thousands) of people heading to our area to compete tomorrow morning. I remember being part of a relay team a few years ago, it was something different, but not really for me .. It was exciting though to see the ‘professional’ athletes go through it and finish.. its exciting stuff.

Speaking of exciting stuff, the Olympics started yesterday and i’m glued to the TV. I don’t like all the events, but i’m trying to catch the cyclists and runners, among other things, its just hard to know whats on when …

Well, we’re on our way to over 65 miles this week (since i’m already at 55 miles as we speak ..). I expect to get 12 or 13 in tomorrow, depends on how I feel. Again, I have to leave somewhere to increase miles next week and then the final week, so we might just do 12, we’ll see.

Thats about it for now! I do want to share my tips on nutrition (what I eat when I train), just have to get to it ..