I guess it's rare to go through marathon training without some problems along the way. As problems go though, I can't really complain too much. I was pretty sick all week with some sort of stomach virus. It only kept me from running (and work) one day, but the other days were very slow, and painful. The most important run of marathon training, of course, is the long run on the weekend. Fortunately, my long run was pushed to Sunday. I did the March Madness half marathon in Cary. So, I got an extra day to recover a bit, and the distance wasn't too extreme.
That was about the only thing that isn't extreme out there however. I've mentioned the weather is traditionally awful during this race. Well, when the announcer at the start this morning mentioned that the weather was, in fact, pretty nice, he was roundly booed! These people like their pain!
The race caps out at about 1000 runners, and it sold out months ago. I've always heard the hills are the challenging part of this race, and that was an understatement. The hills come up on you at the end, and you wonder when they are ever going to let up! We were humming along at about 7:30 pace through nine miles, when the big hills arrived. The pace dropped off noticeably from there on in.
My friend, who has run this race numerous times, and agreed that it is a bit of a mixed blessing. It is great training for the Boston marathon. Some of the runners I heard say it's harder than Boston. But, on the negative side, it is hardly a confidence builder. I finished (barely) with the overwhelming thought that what I had just run was only half of what I have to do on April 16th. Great. 
Anyway, the finish line of marathon training is in sight. I've got a hard week ahead, capped by one more 20 miler, then my favorite part of marathon training: Taper!
Hey, on a different subject, if you want a laugh, check out the link here to my high school alma mater. I went back last week and helped out with their video messages. I got to interview the track coach, and members of the school play. It was a hoot! Big thanks to all my friends at Streamwood High School for welcoming me back! http://www.u-46.org/shs/ Click on the Sabre news network link on the top right of the page.
See you on the roads!
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