Week 3 of a 16 week marathon training program

I finished 46.9 miles this week. Should have logged another tenth to make it even. Didn't notice at the time. I feel pretty good so far. I have been running mostly at a slow pace between 10:30 and 11:00 minute miles. My longest run has been 15 miles. We have been running the Punta Gorda Bridge on some days which is 1.4 miles long with a moderate grad as a hill workout of sorts. I have done some 2 minute accelerations on treadmill days but again not pushing too much yet. I am concentrating on more of a mid foot landing so this is taking some adjustment but my calves are no longer sore. I think my knees feel better as well. My plan is to get used to the mileage then start to push the speed a little. Since this is an overseas marathon and I really don't want to injure out so I need to be conservative on the training. I have also been trying to run a mile now and then in my Vibram Five Finger shoes to help strengthen my feet.
I will continue my weight training which is mainly body weight based. Push-ups, planks, birddogs, lunges, squats and pull ups. I

Vibram Five Fingers

Got my Vibram Five Fingers today. Took them for a short trot around the block. The felt amazingly good and free. Hope to begin using them a little each day gradually building up. I hope they allow me to develop a more midfoot strike and decrease injuries.

Dublin Marathon training has begun

It is official. I have signed up for the Dublin Marathon in October. My training has started. Ran 13 miles today. Weeks mileage up to 37 miles. Taking suggestions from both Daniels and Pfizigers programs for an 18 week program. Will keep the P90x program in the mix as well as incorporating some barefoot running. I really became a believer in the benefits of barefoot running after reading "Born to Run". Fantastic book. Getting the long runs in before the Florida heat gets to bad will be one of the major challenges. Today I felt great but we ran pretty slow. I have been concentrating on form over speed and it seems to be working already with the near absence of knee pain.

Happy Fourth of July

A great day to be an American. About 250 runners showed up to North Port's second annual Firecraker 5K. It was a steamy morning in Florida already in the 80s F at 7:30 am. The course was out and back in a residential neighborhood starting from Dallas White Park. My time was slower than usual but fast enough to get second place in my age division. Addie did a personal best for the summer although she was unhappy to be behind me. I think this will be the last race finishing in that order given her steady improvement and my stagnation.
The rest of the day was great ending with a traditional barbecue with friends and family. The fireworks were great again at Boca Grande.

The last leg of our vacation was West By God Virginia or Morgantown, WV. The park is a rails to trails along the Monongahalia River. A beautiful place to run along the river and by the West Virginia University Aboretum. We took another run across the line in Mt. Morris, Pennsylvania up a country road called Bacon run. Deer and wild turkey can always be spotted along the way. It is also a huge hill workout. The weather was mild in the sixties Farhanheit. This a a great change from the Florida humidity. Nothing beats going back to the place you grew up to run by so many fond places were great memories were made.