...so I guess I'm doing a fall marathon

One of my running mates convinced me to sign up for a marathon clinic through one of our local retailers.  I have done clinics before for shorter races so I developed my own training program last year based these clinics and a lot of reading. Advice from several sources suggested my goal should have been simply to complete the race.  I used a beginners training program that was a free download and tried to exceed mileage targets every week.  I completed my first marathon in 4 hr 12 min!
This year, I have set a goal to break the 4 hr mark.  I am hoping this clinic will give me some new training ideas. Worst case scenario is that I find some new people to run with!  And for $70.00, the investment is low.  So next Tuesday I begin my official 18 week Running Factory Marathon Training Clinic.  This will prepare me to run the Detroit Marathon on October 17th.  (or any other marathon on that day)

Armed with this added enthusiasm, I headed out for my weekly hill workout on Tuesday and planned to conquer the Beast 5 times through 7 miles. My exhuberance got the best of me, not only did I conquer it the required 5 times, I added a slaying of it's junior cousin for good measure!  And for the first time, I did not slow to a walk at the top but kept running, albeit at a significantly slower pace, as I rounded the crown and followed the path downwards.  I completed my run with the last mile at a 8:10 pace.  Apparently this was overkill.  I have not been able to run for the past 2 days because of lower back pain which I attribute to running down the hills perhaps a little too quickly.

Tomorrow night is the annual "Moon in June" 10K.  Considering we race at 6:45 pm, I'm not sure we will be able to see the moon.  Last year it was unbearably hot, contributing to a personal worst time of 54:56.  I was hoping for some forgiving weather this year but the forecast calls for a high of 90 tomorrow with very high humidity.  We could be saved by a thunderstorm!  I am considering putting an icepack under my hat.  I have never done this but it was suggested on a message board.  I don't typically race with my fuel belt but tomorrow I may also freeze a couple of water bottles to carry.  Seems to me that last year the water on the course was not cold.  Last night one of my running mates called to say that he did not see my name on the registration list so today I went to the store to pick up my race pack and sure enough, they had no record.  Then I remembered that this happened last year.  Both times, I registered at the store as opposed to on-line. (saving $3.00 btw)  Perhaps this is a ploy to get you to used the on-line registration tool.  I was disappointed with the schwag too.  Last year we got a great running hat, that I must admit is my favourite hat.  This year; a cotton t-shirt.

Oh well...hoping for a PR and running to feel young.