Phase III Begins with Trip to Catalina

The La Jolla Half Marathon marks the finish of the 2nd Phase of my marathon training program.  So begins the 3rd and final 6-week stage, with 3 weeks of continued mileage building and endurance strengthening, followed by a gradual tapering in miles and intensity, with a hoped for peak in readiness come the weekend of June 6th. 

I'm heading out early tomorrow morning with Quin for a 3-day 6th grade field trip to Catalina Island.  I had a great time chaperoning Bailey's class when she did this 3 years ago, so I'm very much looking forward to this trip.  It'll put a crimp in my training plan since I doubt I'll have the chance to do any running Monday or Tuesday.  I'm hoping we'll return early enough on Wednesday for me to get a few evening miles in.  I want to do a 22 mile long SLOW run on Saturday or Sunday, and I'm thinking about suggesting to Joan that I drive over to Hernandez's Hideaway, run to 4S Ranch along the Lake Hodges north shore, turnaround and head back to the Hideaway, where she and the kids could meet me for brunch/lunch...assuming they're open.  If not, then I'll just do the route from home.

There are no more events between now and the marathon.  La Jolla was the last.  Other than a little stiffness in the ankles, I feel pretty good.  I'm sure I'll feel the DOM stiffness in my legs tomorrow morning, but I think I'm recovering from runs like this much better than I used to.  That's a good sign.

It's still 6 weeks away, but I'm already looking ahead past the marathon.  What will I do with myself then?  Keep training?  I plan on running the Scripps Ranch 4th of July 10K and I'm entered in the final leg of the Triple Crown...America's Finest City Half Marathon in August.  Beyond that?  I don't know.  I continue to think about whether or not I want to shoot for another marathon in December or January, and maybe see about working to get a Boston Marathon qualifying time.  That would be a nice goal, but running like this -- as much as I like it -- takes quite a bit of commitment.

I've been wanting to take another month of Master's Swim.  I've only been putting it off because it's just too much to add along with the running training. I might consider that for July, and then return to marathon training after the A.F.C. event.  The other thing I thought about pursuing was the P90x program.  If I can borrow it from someone, I'd like to give that a try.  What I like about swimming and running is that it's functional and not a vanity pursuit of physique.  Something about P90x just bothers me as being narcissistic.  That's probably not fair.  I would like to see if I couldn't shape myself to look a little better, but I'm sure there would be strength and conditioning benefits beyond simply what shows up in the mirrors.  We'll see.  I won't be buying the program, so that could shoot the idea right out of the water.

I won't be online again until Wednesday evening, so my ponderous recap of the half marathon will have to wait.  Maybe by then some photos will be available.  I don't expect to see as many as I did in either of the Carlsbad events.  There just weren't as many photographers along the race course in La Jolla.  Maybe I'll get a good finisher's photo for a change.  I've yet to have a good one snapped yet.

Time for bed.  'Nighty night.