cutback!

  I'm so looking forward to the next few days!  After pretty heavy mileage the last two weeks, I'm going to enjoy a cutback week this weekend.  I've done 16 and 18 mile long runs, and I'm going to take it easy this weekend before going 20 next weekend.

It's been an interesting few weeks for running.  The weather here has been pretty rough, and the paths have been snow and ice covered.  I have been lucky enough to be in Florida for two of the worst weeks, but I did get out for the long run on the Lakefront path this last weekend, and it was kind of like running on sand on the beach.  Only it wasn't warm, and you couldn't look out at the ocean! 

I have been hoping the worst is behind us, and the weather would continue to warm up now until spring.  Nice thought huh?  The worst is probably just about over, but as I write this, I'm watching Tracy Butler's forcast, which she has revised to call for colder, windier temperatures over the weekend.  Great.

Regardless, that's an excuse to finally post one of the pictures from Miami.  I can remember fondly the recent chances to run in shorts and T-shirt.  I've had trouble with our computer for the last couple weeks, which explains the shortage of posts lately.  But the running out there was really nice, and I am glad to have had the chance to be out there, even though the reason for being there (the Bears Superbowl game) turned out badly. 

Anyway, the countdown to Boston continues.  There are about seven weeks to go and there are only a few really good workouts left.  I've got plans for two 20 milers and a half marathon (on hills in Cary).  I figured it would be tough for me to get many track workouts in during the winter, and it has been.  Part of that is also because of a lack of motivation.  I know speed work is important for running a good marathon, but I also know I can struggle through on strength training (long runs on hills) alone.  So that is likely what I'm going to have under my belt come April 16th when Boston comes around.  I plan to enjoy the experience regardless of how well I run!

By the way, some of the more popular races for the spring and summer are starting to fill up already.  The Shamrock Shuffle is about to close, if it hasn't already.  The marathon is freaching capacity quickly.  This year is the 30th anniversary, and it even though they have increased the capacity, registration could close by sometime next month.  One of my other favorite races, the Soldier Field 10 mile run is also filling up quickly.  So you may want to get those applications in a while you're thinking about it.  We don't have the luxury of waiting as we have in the past.