Vehicle of a plan

Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success. - Stephen A. Brennan

I more than doubled my weekly mileage over the past couple of weeks. I went from doing medium-short runs on weekends with little in between to long runs on weekends with short runs during the week. Tuesday there was a lack of cardio machines available at the gym, so I ran for 25 minutes. I fast run, 5K speed, down to the Mass Ave bridge and back. I clocked a decent pace. It was flat, in the 40s and just after dusk. I was able to continue with my workout after the run as well. I think I'll start running along the esplanade regularly from here on out. I have no interest in the cardio machines as it is, and well, I've yet to get myself to get up early enough for the morning jogs yet.

Thursday I repeated Tuesday, except that instead of 3 miles, I went 4 miles with a loop across the bridge, into Cambridge and back. A little slower pace. I felt really sluggish coming out. I'd just finish a 1 hour muscle conditioning class. But once I hit the 2nd mile, I was good to go. My pace picked up as my legs warmed up. Afterwards I went back to do my upper body routine. I almost wish I could have run further. I might start thinking about running down to the BU Bridge and looping around in the future. I imagine that that could add an extra mile or two onto the route.

Today was my long run. Now I had a lot of hesitation about actually doing the run this morning. I have 5K in the morning tomorrow and didn't want to suffer any leg fatigue after the 12 miles today. I missed the first bus, so I managed to get out to Bedford around 10am. I started out easy and clocked 10:30 min/mile the entire way. Something to improve upon, but I'm satisfied for now since I didn't want to push myself with the race tomorrow.

I spent the entire time listening to NPR's Planet Money podcasts. I honestly have to attribute how quickly the run passed listening to their decisions on the economy, banks and stimulus. At the moment, I'm just eating up anything that has to do with finance and economics, but only once before had I listened to it, let alone for any length, during a run. How distracting! I'm going to start saving up all of the juicy podcasts for the weekends from now on, so that I can have 2-3 hours of uninterrupted radio talk! Screw music - the sound of Alex Blumberg, Adam Davidson and David Kestenbaum drive my pace!

When I did arrive back home, I caught the bus which dropped me off by the pub where we picked up our bibs, chips and t-shirts. I took a leisurely walk home again, munching on a Kashi energy bar and sipping gatorade. I proudly remembered to refuel with 20 minutes of finishing my workout. I had brought along water in my fuel pack, drank at the end and around mile 8. I still am a little wary of consuming too much water, and I still haven't gotten the stomach for some energy gel or something supplemental, but I don't feel enough fatigue or disorientation to worry too much about my intake. Afterall, I treat myself before the run to a chocolate-glazed donut from Dunkin' Doughnuts. It's the only time I'll eat one of those things - but I can tell you that it actually tastes amazing when you know you have 12 miles or more ahead of you!

I swear - Planet Money and Dunkin' Donuts are the key to long distance running.