Wheeler Farm Loops

All good stuff Jake. And wise moves.

I like the second point about shorter recovery runs. I love it when I read blog entries like "14 mile recovery run". Not a whole lot of recovering going on there.

I would replace the Mountain Dew (crap, no redeemable qualities) with coffee (a gift from God).

I've done WAY too many 10-15 mile "recovery" runs in the past couple years. Kept me aerobically strong, but I was never truly recovering all the way.

I wish I could enjoy coffee (for the caffeine)... I just despise the taste. I even hate coffee ice cream!

Now that I'm switching to the Bjorklund 1/2, I can pace you in for the marathon!

Maybe, but most likely that will be me finishing 12 minutes after you.

eggsellent. now you can run the mile eliminator.

Nice workout this morning, Jake. 800's in the teens were one of my favorite workouts in college. They really build fitness and confidence.

Great plan and approach. My only concern (and it's a selfish one) is that you won't be racing Grandma's Marathon. That would have been fun to prepare for it together. But, it sounds like I'll still see you there -- killing it in the 1/2!

Bjorkland will be fun. I wish we were going. Looks like RnR San Diego then a summer of misery. Maybe we'll make it out of here for some races.

I'll still be doing long runs, Matt. Just probably will keep them to ~2 hours for April, May and June, so I should be able to join you guys for several.

It's tempting to run a lot of marathons, but I still have never really prepared for one properly. I want to try and do it the right way... Get my 1/2 time down, get my 5K time down, then give myself 10-12 weeks of uninterrupted specific marathon prep.

Looking at the big picture.. Looks like all smart stuff. And, almost off the Dew?! Must be an accomplishment if you made note of it. Nice work!

I'm going to join you on the strides, strength training, and no candy crap starting this week... I'm 4 pounds heavier than I want to be, not good after three 100 mile weeks.

You can still jump on on lent, Jon. I won't say anything about how you started 2.5 weeks late.

Derek - I don't envy your summers. Part of the reason I want to run Chicago is b/c summer training is so great here... it gets hot, but the mornings are perfect, and then could get the boost of both heat acclimation and moderate altitude when going to race. Our winters aren't ideal but you can usually get in most of what you want to get done... I can't imagine dealing w/ 95 degrees at 3am. That's why my parents are gone in a few weeks... they can't handle another one.

I approve this message. I say put "Get off the Dew" on my list of short term running goals :)

I like the Chicago goal except I likely won't be in the area to attend. The last few years have been pretty ideal marathoning weather (as I see it). Big group of people to work with maybe? I'd have to look at the time distributions to see where people are clustering.

Common sense = great (if you can follow it). Running seems to involve the classic distinction between can I?/should I?

Jason - Chicago probably has the best OTQ incentive program out there in terms of $$, which hopefully will draw out everyone who thinks they have a shot, and they sometimes arrange pacers during years when big groups are going for the standards. Add those things to the course and it's a no-brainer for me. I won't be able to get perks like hotel and travel as I would at a smaller marathon, but I have no problem paying a few bucks out of my pocket for a chance to run fast against the best competition.

Sounds like a plan, Jake. Let's hook up for a run soon.