Getting back into things

So... I decided in the spring that I wanted to run the Chicago Marathon... I signed up in March...

Things were going well, until I started traveling every week for my job... I was simply exhausted all the time, grouchy and depressed... even when I cut out social time and booze and every distraction from sleep I could think of, I always hit a plateau at 20mi/week...

Eventually, after a few months of this, I got sick, and I didn't make the long runs for a few straight weeks... so I decided to call it quits...

I spent about a month sort of running, sort of biking, sort of lifting, sort of... recovering from being totally burned out...

And now, I'm ready to get back into things.

The plan for the next month or two:

Monday: Rest day (traveling)
Tuesday: Speedwork in the morning + weights in the evening
Wednesday: Cross train
Thursday: Weights
Friday: Long run
Saturday: Cross train
Sunday: Short run + weights

Gut-check in mid-October... see you then.

Halfway through winter: Feb 1st - Feb 8th

Sunday -- A warm winter day in Chicago

5 mi, lake shore north. When I looked at the forecast a few days ago and realized that it was going to be above freezing on sunday, it really lifted my spirits. When I left this morning it was about 2 degrees over freezing and breezy (a nice breeze, not the death ice winds from Canada), and basically felt fantastic. Apparently I wasn't the only person who thought so, since I saw dozens of other runners along the lake, along with cyclists, parents with strollers, people walking their dogs, etc. Another plus about this was the fact that the trail along the lake was completely clear, so I was able to hit a nice stride about 2 miles in.

Upon arriving home, I made blueberry scones and hot tea with milk. Life is good.

Monday



Tuesday



Wednesday



Thursday



Friday



Saturday



Sunday