Taylor Keto

Friday So this weekend I was suppose to do a 23 mile run.  My Saturday and Sunday were completely booked, so I attempted to my long run Fri. evening.  Unfortunately, I only made it about 11 miles until my calf muscles began cramping and I could only push through 2 more miles with the cramping legs.  I'm glad this wasn't the marathon race because it would of been a DNF (did not finish).  Through all my training do far, this is the first time I've had problems with leg cramps.  When I started the run it was around 90F outside, and I was on the tail end of my Fri. fast, so I may have been low on electrolytes.  I did have an electrolyte drink with me that I was drinking, but it may have been to little to late.  The run was disappointing because I had to miss my last 22 mile run because of work, so I was hoping to make up for it during this run.  I have a 10K race scheduled for this coming weekend and then one more 20+ run scheduled in a couple weeks....

Sunday Normally on the weekend I would be writing about my weekend long run.  This weekend I should of been running 22 miles, but my work schedule got in the way and I was not able to work it into the schedule this weekend.  I did do some reflecting on why I started running.  When people ask me why I would ever want to run, let alone do a marathon, I used to struggle with s good answer.  I used to just say I run for those who can't.  But, as I thought about it more I've come up with a better answer.   Running teaches and reminds me constantly that I am capable of so much more than I ever imagined.  Little changes made consistently everyday can result in astronomical outcomes.  This mindset can be easily applied to any and every area if your life.  You have to remove can't from you language and from your mindset and remind yourself daily that you can. Remember, if you want your life to change, if you want your paycheck to change, your rel...

Saturday Part of my marathon training consists of speed work and running at my 5K and 10K race speeds.  Todays training was a 10K race.  The race I took part of today was a 10K race sponsored by One Sole Purpose which is an organization providing shoes for local children.  It is part of a three race series I signed up for called Run Across Springfield.  There will be another 10K race in October and finishing up with the marathon in November. There were around 685 people who signed up for 5K and/or 10K with about 200 in the 10K.  I was able to finish 89th overall with an average race pace of 10min 45sec per mile.  The 10K portion of the race consisted of a lot of hills, so I think that slowed my overall pace down a little more than I was hoping for.  For me it was still a good race, but I think I can do better.  We'll see how the next 10K race goes in October. Strava showed it as my best 5K and 10K efforts.  So, woohoo, new PR. I had a few alm...

Monday Today is labor day here in the US and I put my weekend long run off until today.  When I run at my MAF pace it makes my long runs take forever.  My MAF (Maximun Aerobic Function) pace dictates that I keep my heart rate at around 130bpm for this 50 year old runner.  Today's run was a 20 mile run and it took me just a little over 5 hours to complete.  I started off at a very easy pace keeping my heart rate at around 120.  I gradually picked up the pace for each of the first 10 miles. Abd tried to keep it steady after that.  Unfortunately, my smart watch died at around 15 miles, because I forgot to charge the day before. The charge normally last for 2-3 days.  So, I'm not sure how the heart rate did for the last five miles.  But, I did end up walking the two miles. Averaged around an 11:30 minute/mile.   Since, my training schedule is off a little this week, I will probably do some cross training tomorrow morning and let my legs and ...