It’s tough to say running is not fun but sometimes it just isn’t. At the moment I am looking at my running kind of like a baseball player looking at his average after going 0 for about 20. I am just not swinging at the ball right. The mechanics seem to be a little off. I will keep going out there and it will come back.

All of the runs I had this week were basically a struggle for the most part. Legs felt a bit heavy. Just couldn’t seem to get the breathing right. A few little twinges here and there. A big knot appeared in the left hamstring. It was a battle.

Mileage wise I did get up to the range I wanted to be. The upper 30’s, 38.8 to be exact. My optimistic goal for the week was 40 so I am happy with the 38+. On two of the runs I pulled up a mile from the end because I was pretty much wiped out. Had things went just a bit different 40 would not have been a problem.

My pace was quite a bit off. The runs early in the week were not too bad. The long mid week run and today’s LSD were down significantly. Like I wrote above I think it’s just a slump and I’ll break out of it.

Now is a time for me to do a little analysis. Try and see what I might be doing differently than I was last May for example. Last May I was cruising along quite nicely. A few things come to mind. The one that I think might be the biggest issue is my mental attitude towards running is off. I think the hotter temps have a lot to do with that. Accepting the fact the heat is not going to end for a month or so would help. Then the little things seem to be annoying me more. The little aches and pains seem to be occupying my mind more than enjoying the scenery or the virtual running an event scenarios that I play out during a run. During these next couple of days, which I am not going to run, I am going to work on the mental attitude a bit.

It is going to be a step back week. That’s what the plan calls for and definitely needed.

The feeling of getting back into the groove is a very good feeling. For those few weeks after Grandmas Marathon I just did have the gumption to get out and run. I think I have gone through that scenario following all 8 marathons that I have completed. In these last two weeks I have returned to the joy of running.

The mileage in the last two weeks has been up where it needs to be. The week prior to this I was just under 28. This week I moved it up to just under 32. Next week I should come close to 40. I will be right on track according to the schedule that I think will prepare me for the Walker Marathon.

I added a new twist in running this week. I purchased a pair of Vibram Fivefingers foot wear. Wearing those is pretty close to barefoot. There is just enough protection to prevent the sharp pain of a rock or some other debris that may be encountered. I ran the first 3 miles of my 12 miler on Saturday wearing the new gear. I found them to be quite comfortable. I wanted to continue but based upon all that I have read I need to build up mileage slowly. So I will slowly put mileage on the new footwear and hopefully find myself doing some long distant runs at some point in the future.

The weather this past week was certainly runner friendly. Have to take advantage of that when we can. Have a good running week.

Trying to work on two running events is going to be occupying my time for the next 10 weeks or so. I believe I have an idea on how to bring it all together. One thing for sure is that I am going to enjoy preparing for both.

This weekend I thought maybe I would try to simulate running the Ragnar Realy event that I am running in August. I am looking at running 3 legs around 7 miles each. I began the simulation at 11:30 on Saturday. I ran 7.1 miles. On Saturday night at about 10:00 I headed out and completed 7.2 for the second leg. This morning I was running just prior to 7:30 and completed 7.4 miles. Certainly was something different from anything I have done in the past. I enjoyed the whole affair.

For the most part I am quite pleased by how it all went. The first two runs where pretty much normal. Pace was right where I wanted it to be. The second run seemed to go a bit smoother than the first. At the beginning of this morning’s run it was pretty much one that I just wanted it to be done. As I went along though I started to get more comfortable and cruised through to the end. I was a bit stiff and sore this morning hence the wanting to get it done. Other than that I had no problems.

For the next 3 weeks now I will be more in marathon training mode. That means I’ll run a few short runs, a middle distance run and the long runs at the end of the weeks. Pretty much routine stuff. I hope to get off the road and onto some trails for some of those runs.

I think having the two events will give me the opportunity to add some variety into my training. I will be throwing in another set of 3 runs in less than 24 hours a couple of weeks prior to the relay event. Once the relay event is over I’ll complete a couple of regular training weeks and then taper time. I am looking forward to training and completing both events.

The starting point of course is trying to figure out a training schedule. I completed that task yesterday. One obstacle or glitch is fitting in the fact that I am also running the Ragnar Relay in August. That needed to be worked into the schedule somehow too. I think I have all my bases covered. I did my first training run last night.

This event is primarily a trial run. Trail running is something that I have very little experience in. I have run two trail runs. I enjoyed both of the events quite a bit. Both were a number of years ago. I ran the Big Woods Half Marathon in Big Woods State Park located near Nerstrand Minnesota. I also ran a 9 miler in what is known as the Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove MN. The Walker Marathon should be a spectacular event for me as well.

One item that I am trying to determine is shoes. I ran the previous trail runs wearing my road running shoes. The distances were not that long so I think I was able to get by. Going over 20 miles on trials this time has me thinking that maybe I should invest in trail shoes. I’ll be seeking advice from others.

Going from blue to green and by the time the run comes up should be red, gold, orange and yellow..

Marathon is done. No reason to push me out the door if I don’t feel like running. I completed the task. Nothing to look forward too.

The post marathon blues have a foothold on me. I absolutely need to try and get loose. I certainly don’t want to slip further down.

The question in my mind is to what’s next. I have to come up with what’s next. I have the Ragnar Relay but that’s not pushing the right button right now. I think I am beginning to crave the longer distance running. Can’t help but wonder am I on the threshold of going beyond marathons. There is going have to be some soul searching done.

To start I need to pick a fall marthon. Regarding that subject to those that answered my question of Walker or Whistlestop marathon posted in comments on Sam’s blog, thank-you. I am still undecided but leaning towards Walker. The trail running seems to be a bit more intriguing for me. Perhaps as I am training for a fall marathon the answers will come to me.

I not only do my best thinking while I run, there is certainly a lot of soul seraching going on during the long runs.

Stay tuned.