Flu Strikes Marathon Hopeful

Wouldn't you know it. I announce November 27th as a my official training start and then I'm struck down by the flu. While I've run through some nasty colds, even I had the sense to realize this morning's run would be impossible, if not suicidal. I've got that awful, achy flu feeling from head to toe. The good news is that I have been getting in 13K runs for the last three Sundays. I know I'll have no trouble doing the distance next week. Alison and I ran a speedy 10K steady this past Wednesday evening from the Running Room. And Frederica, Terry, and I ran an incredibly frosty 7K along the river very early Friday morning. Many, including us, think we are insane by beginning our run at 6:15 in the dark, but I've figured out that you have to get up pretty early in the morning to experience the beauty of the black Ottawa River juxtaposed against a fresh snow and the predawn sky. The very best view of this is had when running on the path from Tunney's Pasture, just at the point when you can peer under the driveway bridge to see the river and across it the Gatineau shoreline. It would have been even more magical if I had had the sense to put my long underwear on before leaving the house. Well, I've got at least three more months to get winter running right.

Gearing up for a Nov. 27 Training Start

Now that the bulk of my Team Diabetes fundraising is behind me, I'm psyching myself up for my next round of marathon training. If I begin on Sunday, November 27, I'll have 18 weeks to get ready for the City of Rome marathon on Sunday, March 26th. I've made an 18-week schedule to accommodate some lighter runs on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Last winter, I began my marathon training (for my first ever marathon, the National Capital) in early February. That meant some chilly nights and treacherous footing, but soon I was into spring running. My longest runs were generally beautiful, early spring Sundays. This won't be the case when training for Rome. I'm anticipating that my 30K+ runs could involve some rough conditions. I guess I should stay positive. You never know what the weather will bring.