Run a Mile Days

The late spring weather we've been enjoying for the past few days will morph into mid-spring weather tomorrow.   That's okay since mid-spring is a great time to run in Hog Heaven.  Mid-spring is in the forecast for the next 10 days.  Rejoice.

I ran one-hour maintenance runs both yesterday and today.  Took it slow and easy since I've noticed a bit of a tweak in my right groin area.  I don't think it's serious, but I'm going to take it easy anyway.  It's too close to race day--May 6 for the Colorado Marathon--to take a chance.  There's too much training in the book--over 3 months worth--to get sidelined now.  Tomorrow is cross training.  I'll see how I feel on Thursday morning before deciding what to run.  Or not.  Stay tuned.

An organization called the American Running Association (ARA) is sponsoring a Run a Mile Days event from May 6-12 in honor of the May 6 anniversary of the first sub-4:00 mile run by England's Roger Bannister back in 1954.  The ARA's short-term goal is to get schools and clubs across the country to sponsor mile runs during the week of May 6-12.   Their long-term goal is keep kids running and exercising year-round.  For the full story, see here: http://running.competitor.com/2012/04/news/national-run-a-mile-days-set-for-may_50181

Runners' World magazine posted this eloquent tribute to ultra running legend Micah True, aka Caballo Blanco, on its website:  http://news.runnersworld.com/2012/04/02/rip-micah-true-run-free-man/ 

Countdown Calendar:  Colorado Marathon--34 days
                                   Pikes Peak Ascent---138 days
                                   Madison North Face Endurance Challenge 50-Mile--166 days

The Penultimate Long Run

I took advantage of excellent running weather--overcast skies, light wind, temp in the upper 40s--for my long run yesterday.  I went out intending to do 24 miles, but felt good at 24 and ran 3 more miles.  SLOW AND EASY of course.  Two minutes slower than my projected marathon pace.  How I would have fared at marathon pace is an open question.  The weather can't get any better.  Even for Colorado in early May. Maybe the gradual downhill nature of the Colorado Marathon course will help.  My route yesterday included over 1400' of elevation change.  Half up and half down.  

I took a brisk 4-mile hike today for cross training.  Considering that I ran 27 miles yesterday, I didn't feel too bad.  Just a couple of minor aches.  I don't know if it helped or not, but I soaked my legs in a cold tub for 15 minutes after the run while drinking a large glass of chocolate milk.  Later, I rolled out my quads, calves, and hamstrings.  I figure that such a regimen can't hurt and could help.  

Searchers found the body of ultra legend Micah True, aka Caballo Blanco, Saturday in New Mexico's rugged Gila Wilderness.  True had been missing for four days after heading out for a 12-mile run.  See full story here:  http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/renowned-ultrarunner-micah-true-body-found-by-searchers-in-new-mexico-033112

With the Colorado Marathon coming up in exactly five weeks from today, runners can begin to anticipate the period of tapering before the race.  The idea of the taper is to allow the body (and mind) an opportunity to recover and refresh before the big day.  Mostly by doing less.  No more long runs.  Fewer weekly miles.  Less intensity.  Most taper periods begin two or three weeks before race day.  I like three weeks.  Old joints and muscles need the most TLC.  Most marathon training guides include a taper period in their training schedule.  These differ in details, of course, so as always, everyone needs to find what works best for him/her.  Here's a brief intro to the marathon taper:  http://running.competitor.com/2012/03/training/how-to-taper-like-a-pro_50079