Week 9: Talk to me Goose!

Photo courtesy of the Chicago Tribune

Time until marathon starts: 57 days, 16 hours, 1 minute, 57 seconds
Miles run since last post: 35
New favorite Gu flavor: Strawberry-Banana
Times run slowed-down for air show gawking: 4

LAKEFRONT PATH ( 15 Aug., 2008 ) - After a trip to the orthopaedic doctor and many more x-rays, I officially left the disabled list last Tuesday! I have had a lot of catching-up to do, and am just about back to where I should be. To help make that happen, today I cut some time out of my much-needed PTO to run a half-marathon by myself, sans wingman.

But who needs a wingman when you have Top Gun playing out around you?

Week 12: On the disabled list

Time until marathon starts: 77 days, 15 hours, 18 minutes, 31 sec
Weeks since last long run: 2
Number of x-rays on foot: 3

LINCOLN PARK ( 26 July, 2008 ) - This morning, I got to sleep in and not for a reason I’m too happy about. I’m on the disabled list because I sprained my foot… bad.

Week 15: I wish that I knew what I know now…

Time until marathon starts: 98 days, 19 hours, 25 min., 27 sec.
Miles run since last post: 47.5
Early morning runs since last post: 7

LINCOLN PARK ( 05 July, 2008 ) - While most people stayed in bed and nursed their Fourth of July hangovers this morning, I got up at 5:30 to meet my training group and run 9 miles - officially the farthest distance I’ve ever run at once in my life. This left me with a strong sense of accomplishment until I realized that I will be saying the same thing almost every Saturday from now until showtime.

As I enter week five of my training, I’ve heard a myriad of training tips and tales. Some interesting, some useful, some totally out there. Here are a few things I’ve learned this far: