Going Dark

That's right folks. I'm going dark. No that doesn't mean I'm shutting down the blog (how could I disappoint both of you so close to Halloween). It just means I'm taking my training underground. I figure it works for the pros so it should work for me. Based on the information the PR machine in Dallas has been sending my way there's a good chance that OB's wife, Ang, could not only beat me on race day, but also beat my 1/2 PR. I'm not sure there's anything I can do about it but I'm going to try. I've got a plan. The two weeks I had to take off while I was sick aren't helping.

There's 2 things this could mean:

1. I don't want to tip my hand to Ang regarding my fitness or race plans for San Antonio; or,
2. My pace and distances are so embarrasing after my hiatus that I'm not willing to blog about them or even twitter them.

Here are some pictures from last Friday's neighbor Halloween gathering:

Shane

For those of you who didn't go to movie night every week at Sullivan's during law school (and maybe even for those of you who did) that post title is a pretty obscure reference. As in "Come Back Shane. Shane Come back!" from the ending of the movie Shane http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shane That's a long way to go to my comeback. But it came to mind, so it came to blog.

I may be back. This morning I woke up and felt like I could breathe for the first time in about 12 days. I ran 3 miles at a 9:33 pace and it feels pretty good. I'm not hacking up a lung or feeling feverish so it's all good. Now I need to figure out how to go from essentially zero to 13.1 in 26 days. We'll see what I can do for a long run this weekend and go from there. I think the legs probably enjoyed the break, but the lungs need some work.

Looking back it's pretty easy to see how I got here. Sometimes we get sick because we're exposed to a nasty bug. Other times we get sick because we were stupid. This is one of those times. In the week leading up to my illness I had 3 really poor nights of sleep, thanks to the Doc having deliveries in the night. No I didn't have to go with her but I don't sleep much when she's gone and I know she's coming back. I was also training pretty hard - probably too hard. The new spin classes were pretty fun and I was getting back into yoga and training for a possible PR in San Antonio. To top it all off, I hit Oktoberfest pretty hard despite already having the start of a cold. Truth be told, I'd do it all again. I guess that just proves I can be too stupid to gain wisdom from my mistakes. Life's too short to skip Oktoberfest or go about it half heartedly.

Plus I got all the inside dope I need to motivate me to keep The Turtle next year - sorry Jim.

Lost

This week has been a complete loss (at least from a training perspective). I still can hardly speak and have enough congestion that I can't contemplate running.

And the rest of you in the blogosphere - I'm done with you! All your marathons, mountain biking, pie rides, 5k's and duathlons make me sick. Actually, I'm already sick. Next week though, I'll be right there with you, cheering on your latest adventure or training drudgery. Hopefully I'll be out there too - moving again.

Anyone have any good "4 Weeks to your Best 1/2 Marathon" programs?

Convalescing

The Doc hanging in the garage at Oktoberfest. Note the permanent beer can collection display. No those cans are not stacked on one another. They rest upon custom made stadium style shelves. Only Jim.

Speaking of Jim, here he is with the lederhosen t-shirt and Oktoberfest beads. Dave is sporting the fuzzy beer mug hat. Is that a paisley shirt Dave? You've been living in Uptown too long!

As predicted Oktoberfest did not improve my cold. I've completely lost my voice. It didn't help that the Doc had a delivery cooking all night involving several calls in the night. That made about the 3rd night of bad sleep that week. Combined with an ambitious training schedule I had the perfect set up to get sick. I'm feeling a little better today, but still can't speak and the phlegm is on the move.



As a result I didn't get in a long run last week. I got in plenty of cardio, but really needed a long run to get the endurance up before San Antonio.



Right now I am so looking forward to taking a break. Granted, I haven't exercised for 4 days now and that makes me edgy too, but my body and mind needs a break from training. It's been 9 months of pretty solid training.



5 weeks until San Antonio. I think that's enough time assuming I can get over this cold and get back out there soon.

Oktoberfest Time

Tonight is Tall Jim's Oktoberfest. I just spent the morning helping convert his spacious double deep garage into Shoreview's best bierhall. I'll be playing injured tonight as I'm fighting a cold, but I think I'll be up to the task. The Doc may have to leave me unsupervised for a while tonight as she's inducing a patient and may have to go in for the delivery tonight if it doesn't happen today. What could go wrong (with me being unsupervised not with the delivery)?

I was hoping to get out for a run this afternoon (man it's beautiful outside) but I think that would send me into a major decline and I can't risk it. Sunday I'll get in a long run assuming I feel better. (I don't think Oktoberfest is going to help) - Paulaner Oktoberfest and brats. What's the saying feed a fever, drown a cold . . . I should have it covered.

Anyone want to drive Zman to hockey at 6:45 a.m. on Saturday? Bueller? Anyone?

It's beginning to sound like the third option is off the table for San Antonio - Angie just ran over 6 miles at 8:30 pace. With a little rest 9:00's for 13 should be doable for her. It's looking like I'm going to have to run sub 2 just to stick with her. The first option is also off the table - 1:55 just isn't there either. I'm shooting for a hybrid. Nice dinner and a couple beers on Friday. Near complete rest on Saturday, pasta dinner, the whole pre race routine. Angie and I will head out and attempt to break 1:59:40 (and if one or both of us can avoid peeing on ourselves so much the better). If I don't wet myself at the finish OB will think I left some time out on the course.