Marathon training?

so it's been nearly a month since I last blogged.......so much for getting back to it in the new year.  I've never really been one to make "resolutions", but I am goal-driven, so this represents a small "fail".....nothing I can't recover from, but I'm going to have to do a better job.  So as I sit here, enjoying my February vacation, still lounging about in my pajamas, slurping down my 3rd cup of coffee on this lazy Tuesday morning, I'm contemplating just what I want to do today.

The reason I've put a question mark in the title is because it really doesn't feel as if I'm in training for my 4th marathon.  As I mentioned a while back, I'm trying the Hanson's Marathon Method training plan (beginner) for this one, having previously gone with the Higdon plan.  Currently, I'm at the beginning of Week 5 of 18.....and the way the plan is structured, the "fun" doesn't even begin until Week 6.  The first 5 weeks consist of easy runs....ending with a long run of just 6 miles.  As I've been struggling with health/injury issues, my weekly mileage totals have been all over the place so far:

Week                     Plan                      Actual
1                             10                            16
2                             15                             4
3                             21                             8
4                             21                            18

I've previously mentioned that I've been dealing with some heel pain, so I've been working on stretching my right foot often, but over the past 10 days or so, I've been icing that bad boy down and it's REALLY helped a lot.  As a teacher, I'm on my feet all day long, so any foot-related issues tend to get magnified, but I feel like I've turned a corner this week and things are going to get better from here on out.

After one more easy week this week, the Hanson's plan kicks into gear in Week 6 with the introduction of speedwork and a tempo run, as well as an increase in weekly mileage.  I'm thankful that I've carried a solid base forward from last year, but I know I'm going to have to be very careful as things get harder.  I know from previous experience that the training buildup will be difficult, but my goal is to make it to the starting line in Burlington, VT in one piece.  Getting injured is NOT part of my plan, so if I come in a little undertrained, I'll take it.

My next race is coming up in 3 1/2 weeks (New Bedford Half Marathon) and I've got a few friends who are also running that one, so it'll be fun to see them out there.  For me, it's a training run and a "check-in" to see how my training is progressing, so I'm not trying for a PR.  Having run it once before (2009 - 2:04), I know what to expect from the course, so I think 2:10 is a realistic goal.  Of course, I know all too well that the day will bring what the day will bring, so I'll just wait and see.

So today, it's not snowing.......and the rain isn't supposed to start until later this afternoon, and with the temps currently around 40 (with 10+mph winds...feels like 33), I'm thinking I might actually lace 'em up and head out for an easy 5 miles........sounds like a plan.  Time for this diesel to get moving!

See you all out there on the road!