You’re a Nut! You’re crazier than a coconut!

I am resigned to the extreme improbability of qualifying for the Boston Marathon by running the San Francisco Marathon. Chuck pointed out to me a few weeks ago that the course record for San Francisco is over two and a half hours---the record in Boston is 2:07:14. After stewing for a bit on this discrepancy, we realized that the best runners were an entire minute per mile slower in San Francisco. If our pace declined a similar amount (or more), our training target of 3:10 would result in performances above three and a half hours, far beyond the qualifying time for Boston. I just do not think we can do it.
Regardless, am I training harder than ever? Yes, I am.

I woke up between 6:00 and 6:30 AM every morning this week to run---4 miles on Monday, 10 on Tuesday, and 5 on Wednesday. I biked for 30 minutes Monday night, tossed with Paul for an hour on Tuesday, and lifted weights and worked my abs for over 45 minutes last night. This morning, I ran a 6.6 mile, 46 minute tempo run---that's below a 7 minute per mile pace. I warmed up on the first mile, then cruised the second and third. I started my fast tempo as I rounded the corner onto Bonita then gradually increased my speed for the entire fourth mile. I took perhaps a 200 meter rest, cruising after the fourth mile, then ran tempo again for the next two miles, finally slacking off a bit for the final downhill half mile. I felt great, I felt strong, I felt fast. I wonder if I could push myself more on my pace runs.

To echo Chuck's thoughts, I have never been in better shape. Let me qualify that remark: I have been in better shape specific to ultimate frisbee but I have never been in better general shape. I increased my calorie intake this week and my body responded favorably, adding a few pounds of muscle and stored carbohydrates. This goal and the training have made me feel happier and healthier than nearly anything else ever---high school cross country and some period of playing with the Braineaters certainly compete.

Still, the runner's high is unparalleled. I remember how it felt to run as a child, the unbridled freedom and abandon of throwing my body over my feet as fast as I could. During cross country, that feeling became more controlled, but still present at the end of every race. I would kick, opening my stride up as fast and long as I could, confident that the moment had arrived to let go of everything and just run fast. I get to feel like this all the time now; it's amazing.

So, I'm not giving up on the San Francisco Marathon and I'm not giving up on qualifying for Boston. I will run San Francisco as well as I can, enjoying every minute and every mile but not worrying about a certain target time. (Chuck: I'm still going to beat you.) And then, on October 1st, I will run again, in Portland on a flat course known for participants setting personal records. I will run the race in three hours and qualify for the Boston Marathon.

I rule!