Here We Go Again...

Yesterday afternoon, as Anne and I were relaxing and I was still mid-runner's "high" following my morning run, I suggested that maybe I really did want to run the 2008 Nissan Buffalo Marathon. Anne and I had traveled to this race twice: in 2005 for the half and 2006 for the full, both "firsts" for us during our most recent adventures in running. For two months now, I have been toying with a few different possibilities for a "tent pole" Spring run and having felt confident with my last few training runs, a good 26.2 seemed to be in order. We booked a hotel within a few miles of the start and the reality of our decision began to sink in. As the day proceeded my confidence waned, but I remain committed.

Of course, plans for Buffalo naturally leads to thoughts of Boston... this is normal, right?

A quick look at the qualifying times for the Boston Marathon show that I (as a, then, 39-year-old male) would need to run a sub-3:15 marathon in 90+ days at the 2008 Nissan Buffalo Marathon over Memorial Day weekend in late May to qualify for 2009. Considering that my previous PR at the distance is only 3:49:23, and Buffalo in 2006 was the last marathon I finished (see finish pic to the right!) almost two years ago, this goal seems more a dream.

Despite some sporadic training of late, I still feel pretty confident that I have a strong base from which to prepare and though most training plans are layed out for longer than the thirteen weeks I have remaining to prepare, I will find a plan which fits into my schedule to best prepare me for success. Though I would like to set the goal of 3:15, I think a fair (and more realistic) comprimised personal goal would be to come in at 3:30. This time, were I to achieve it, would still represent a significant improvement of 19:23, an achievable goal.

So, despite aches, committments, family, students, coaching and school, we have a date, a race, and are seeking a plan... and so it begins again...

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!