The Goal is BOSTON

No run for me today.  My legs feel good surprizingly especially since its been a while since I've run 4 days in a row.  I'm taking the day off today and hoping to run my long run outdoors tomorrow.  It looks like the temperature may get to 39 F tomorrow and its supposed to be the warmest day for the next couple of days.

I'm gonna go pack my clothes for tomorrow.  Hopefully it wont be too bad....

And the cold remains!  The morning temps here are 20 F  so unless I was with someone else theres no way I'm getting out and running in the dark when it's that cold (yes, I know that means I'm a pansy!)

After work I drove to the gym.  I completed 6 miles on the treadmill.  The first three at a slower pace then the last three at marathon pace.

My legs were feeling pretty good, but the heat in the gym must have been running a lot due to the outside weather it was H-O-T!  I ran on the middle treadmill where  I could see the entire gym.  Unfortunateley now that the sun starts setting around 4:30, right when I had started the second three miles, the sun was glaring right through the window illuminating me and blinding me at the same time...even though I was running totally blind and probably doing permanent damage to my retinas...I did feel somewhat like a rock star!

I finished the run and stretched pretty good.  I went downstairs and changed ect.  Then went to dinner at Carabbas Italian Grill.  I love that place! 

I am not running Wednesday.  I may do some weights late in the day/early evening.  Thursday looks like it's going to be the warmest for the next couple days, so I am going to try to get my long run in outside after work. 

I told myself that if I completed my long run outside this week I could sign up for the Tobacco Road marathon. I havent run that far outsde since October and am a little nervous...but no time like the present right!

It's still cold....not as cold as up north (man I feel for you guys!  be carefull outside if any one reading this is about to go out for a run!).  I found myself wishing I had a wii-fit so I could play the running game...has any one played that one yet?

After work I hit the GYM.  I went to a different Y which is smaller than the one I went to yesterday but the treadmills dont shut down after 30 minutes.  I had to wait about 5 minutes before one was available. So I stepped on an old school stairmaster and warmed up. 

Eventually I got on the treadmill and put on my headphones. 

I love to listen to all sorts of things when I run.  Currently I'm listening to a book on tape.  Its a book called "The Strain" by Guillermo Del Torro and Chuck Hogan.  It's so good.  It's scary so it makes me think about how running keeps me in shape in case I ever had to run away....yes, I know it's fiction, but sometimes its whatever gets you through it.

I ran 6 miles all at a similar 6.5 pace.  I cooled down with a slow jog and a walk for a couple minutes. 

I started thinking about my "Comfort Zone" while I was finishing my run.  Do I stay in my comfort zone with running.  Is that why I decided to do the ultramarathons instead of sticking with the marathon? 

Maybe this venture of trying to make Boston, of telling other people that I want to make boston will help me litterally run out of that area where I already know I can succeed and into somewhere I'm not entireley sure I'll get what I want...but where I know the fight for the goal will take me somewhere new.

The Gym was packed!  If it hadnt been cold outside theres no way I would have run on the treadmill. 

Sunday I ran 6 miles total.  I got new shoes as the old ones I'd had since August were finally wearing out.  I'm usually much better at replacing my shoes but alas...I was lazy.  The shoes were great.  Nice and comfy.  I like to compare a pair of good running shoes to walking onto a pillow...the "pillow effect" I call it...thats when I know its the right pair of shoes for my feet.

I ran the first 3 and then had to re-start the treadmill as after 30 minutes they auto shut down to enforce the 30 minute time limit.  The next two miles were ok, it was crowded and hot upstairs where the workout room was.  Every one was definateley working on their new years resolutions.  The last mile I decided to try to run the pace I will have to keep up for the marathon.

I increased the treadmill speed to 7.2 and was huffing and puffing in no time.  It's been quite a while since I ran that speed on the treadmill.  I realized I'm gonna have my work cut out for me over the next couple months.  Thats ok though, I love challenges!