"I run to see who has the most guts..."

When I use a quote from the late, great Steve Prefontaine as a title for the blog, you know its serious.  Really though, the Rochester Marathon is coming up in exactly 4 weeks, and I can honestly say that I feel about 100 times more prepared for this one than I did for the fateful Buffalo marathon three months ago.  Perhaps it's because I have been properly training, instead of properly acting like an idiot; but also, I just feel it in my spirit lately.  I do not deal well with mediocrity, and while even running a marathon is certainly an accomplishment, (shit, only 1% of the US population has ever even run a half-marathon)- I am not really satisfied with being that one percent.  I would ideally like to be at the competitive side of that, granted it may take me 5 more marathons to become that competitive runner, but each one gets me a little closer.  And I guarantee, 'guts' have never been something I was lacking...

I have been having issues with my shins (namely the right one) as of late, I guess that must truly be my trouble spot for running since it's what put me out of commission in high-school cross country.   My runner friends, and my own good sense advised me to take a few days off and do low-impact training for a week or so; and the pain has subsided a lot.  (A good thing, considering that if it hadn't subsided with the stopping of impact, I would have been looking at scanning for a stress fracture.... NOT my idea of a good time)  So, tomorrow morning, it's back to the running game.  Planning a nice 22 miler for my next day off, and then a relaxing taper before the marathon September 18th, closely followed by the Pittsburgh Great Race September 25th.  Should be a hell of a time.  I think after those two, I'll have my race necessities all set until the Turkey Trot on thanksgiving.   Shin pain aside, (and not too bad considering my newfound extensive knowledge of taping and binding my legs so i look like a crazy person) I am seriously looking forward to this race.  I truly cannot wait.

I guess I forgot to mention in the past few blogs that for the past two or three months I've gone meat free.  I had been eating very small amounts since the move back to NY, mostly seafood, but I decided to cut it out entirely and have been seeing good results.  More energy, better muscle recovery, etc.  Have been closely following another blog, set up by an ultramarathoner on the west coast who saw great improvements in running ability and times after going meat-free....

For anyone who's interested, the website is:
http://www.nomeatathlete.com/


Writing with a bag of frozen peas on my leg... (no joke)

Liz