Progress

So, despite all of the brutal heat and humidity last week, I still ended up totalling 28 miles and my goal was 30, so I'd say that a shortage of only 2 is pretty great, considering.

I had to do my long run on Sunday this week, and it was only 12 miles, so I didn't think about it too much ahead of time. I didn't do my normal carbo-loading with pasta the night before, or get myself particularly mentally prepared... I just sort of thought, "oh yeah, I have to run 12 miles tomorrrow." And the run was fine. I (stupidly) went at about 1:00pm, at peak heat/humidity, so that was really my only problem, but my legs and lungs and everything felt fine. I sort of had this feeling that I have tuned my body well enough to just make it do what I want, and the whole preparation ritual that I've been doing and psyching myself up isn't as necessary anymore. I mean, it's definitely going to be necessary this coming weekend when I have to run 18 miles but now, for twelve, it's just another day of running.

I suppose I am starting to understand those weirdos out there who, after running several marathons, become bored and seek new challenges like ultra-marathons and super-ultra-marathons and death races (yes these actually exist) but don't worry mom & dad -- I'm never going to get that crazy.

I am also officially half-way through my 16-week training program, meaning there are 8 weeks left until the race. I'm getting really excited, and I know that this second set of 8 weeks is going to be more difficult than the first, but I think I'm ready for it.