So, as much as i love training for fast marathons, I also enjoy the base building phase. Winter is always a good opportunity for me to base build here in ohio as the snow covered roads are not good conditions for speed workouts or tempo runs.
Base building is a time for me to relax more and just get out there and enjoy the miles. I've loved winter most of my life, from playing in the snow as a child to running in the snow currently. I love running through the park, past the snow covered evergreens hanging over the roadway. I enjoy looking across the frozen lakes, at all the footprints in the snow, and all the beauty that the winter has to offer.
I cross country ski when I can as a way to make working out and base building more fun. I think one of the reason I love this time of year is because I have grown to love the winter since I do live here and decided to take the oppportunity to enjoy it rather than complain about it. That may be one of the reasons I am a happier person inside.
I have Boston coming up, only 2 months away followed by several marathons that I am pacing. I ran Boston 2 years ago when it was brutily hot out and my goal went from 2:40 back to 2:50 yet i finished with a 3:04. The heat just got to me so much. I simply wasn't ready for it. I forced myself to finish just so i could be done running in that heat.
About 3 weeks ago, I paced in the Miami Marathon and since then, dropped the weekly mileage down and have been bringing it back up consistently. Last 3 weeks of mileage were 21 miles, 43 miles and 71 miles.I would like to continue base building but pick the pace up some when the roads become clear from the snow.
This is now my 6th year of running road races and I hope that I can have another fun filled year, remain injury free and get back into competing with myself by setting new personal goals and doing what I love.
