I'm currently training for this year's Hood to Coast Relay, where it turns out I'll be running the last leg. I'm not particularly nervous about anchoring the team, because my team includes several people of ages 60 and up, and at least one of them needs his knees replaced. We're not going to win. Also, Leg 12 is awesome because I get to run into Portland and hand off under the Hawthorne Bridge, and I also get the final leg on the beach. The only bummer is that I'm not sprinting down Mt. Hood this time around, but my knees will probably appreciate that.


Anyway, between HTC excitement and the influence of "Born to Run" I'm looking for more challenges, and I've decided it's finally time for a marathon (as I mentioned the other day). The Portland Marathon is on October 10th this year, which is 10-10-10, so that seems like a fine time to work some magic on the pavement. I had thought I'd want longer to train, but whatever. I think running marathons is probably like having children-- there's never a perfect time, so if you want to do it and the timing is pretty reasonable, you go for it.

I have a training schedule I've been trying to stick to, but adjusting to the FiveFingers and dealing with a really stupid injury this spring set me back about six weeks. Luckily I just found this 16 week training schedule online, which is almost identical to what I've been doing, and I have... exactly 16 weeks! I'll be adding in some interval training and other various cross training activities, but I'm going to try to stick to this religiously. Also, I'm now rotating between my FiveFingers and my old Asics just to make sure I can get my mileage up fast enough. I may have to use the Asics for the marathon, because my weak calves just aren't adjusting fast enough.

Here's hoping I A) don't hurt myself, B) don't die, and C) don't get some stupid-awesome gig handed to me that ruins everything, although in a pinch I could find another marathon...

Wish me luck, everybody!

Labels: running