Things have been crazy lately, but I haven’t gotten away from running at all! I usually like to write in the blog every day during the heart of training, but I just don’t have the time. So since the last time I wrote, I have since completed the Ocean Drive 10-miler, with a decent result. I unfortunately did not break my PR on the course from 2006 (which is 1:19:53). I did finish on my watch at 1:20:36, so I didn’t miss it by much, but the conditions were a little harsh (but not as bad as last year). I decided to take a look at the finish times compared from year to year to see if the weather truly has an effect on the finish times, and it does, so I’m not worried about it. I did finish in 56th place out of 406, which puts me in the top 22% of the finishers, so thats something to be happy about.

I’m still waiting for the weather to truly break here in the northeast. We’ve had some nice days for running, but more crappy days than nice days overall … this coming week is supposed to start being better out, which I think is the true start of spring. I am heading to Tampa Bay, Florida tomorrow for 3 1/2 days on business, so i’ll get to run in the tropical heat of Florida for a few days, so that will be nice…

I also made a change in my marathon plans, whereas after talking to someone about the Gods Country marathon in June, I decided to back out and schedule another marathon instead. Its two weeks after New Jersey, which will be tough, but is the Delaware marathon. Its a looped course, which is a good change for me, and another state to add to my belt. I was told that the Gods Country is a nice marathon, but really, really hilly and don’t expect to do well. I was told it was a real struggle and does make you think twice about what you’re doing, and I just don’t think I want to feel that downer right now .. so we’ll still get our two marathons in for the spring (if not getting another one in June sometime), and then MAYBE do the 50K on Fourth of July weekend ..

So my 20 milers are getting easier, my body is back in shape again and I can start to feel myself peaking .. which is good. My weight is down and overall the body feels good (except for being sore), so this marathon thing is getting easier I think, but, I guess I won’t know until the end of May..

I have found that I have gotten away from local running races though (shorter distances), probably just because of the poor attitudes these local people have. The local runners really outcast you if you are not part of their club, its really stupid. They feel they are elite and nobody can talk or match them, when most of them are just old farts who don’t know that their time has passed. I just hate it. The marathon crowd is so much different, because everybody respects everyone else, and I think thats the way it should be…

So I hope to write more often (I always say that), especially since the two year anniversary of my blog is coming up soon (next week). Wow, two years with this blog, thats cool!

HAPPY RUNNING!