The Summer of Miles
Good morning from Day 1.
I think I’ve been looking forward to today since October 4th, 2021. Driving home from Minneapolis, I was sore, but excited. The day before, I beat my goal of a sub-3:30 marathon by over five minutes. After the worst full of my life two years prior, and a virtual race in 2020, I finally — FINALLY! — got to run 26.2 in an actual race, surrounded by other runners, in front of more people than the half dozen or so that showed up along my usual trail in Omaha in October of 2020. I did it. Another PR in the books, on a perfect day in Minnesota.
As I drove back to Omaha, I couldn’t help but think about the future, dreaming of what could be, the next time I ran 26.2.
The next time? That’s October 9th, in Chicago. The process for that race? That begins today, though it really began the day after my race in Minneapolis (and St. Paul!). As I’ve improved as a runner, the thing I’ve grown to understand is that so much of this is mental. I have to be ready physically, but I wouldn’t be where I am today without the constant need to get better. And it is a need. At some point in the last couple years I went from running to lose weight, to running as a way to get away from the real world, to running to chase goals, to something else entirely. A need to improve. A need to realize my full potential.
So it begins. Or at least, continues. 18 weeks of training — 126 days — culminating in the Chicago Marathon on day 127. Over 100 days of actual running. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 1000+ miles. In 2020, I went with a plan that was slightly more difficult than the one I used in 2018 and 2019. Last year, as my need to improve grew, I decided to kick it up a notch, running more miles — including doubles three days a week, most weeks — and it paid off. I went into race day more confident than ever before. I had put in the work and it showed that October morning.
This year, I’ll be changing things up again. As I mentioned in my last newsletter, I recently read Advanced Marathoning by Pete Pfitzinger. I’ll be going with his 18/70 plan — 18 weeks of training (the same number as my first four marathons), with the mileage peaking at 70 miles.
It will be my biggest challenge yet. Easy runs will be a little harder than they’ve been before. Weekend long runs will be a bit longer. I’ll lose most of my two-a-days (thankfully), but I’ll have weekday runs that regularly go 12-15 miles. No more stretches where I run 20 days in a row, but I’ll run six days a week, every week, for the length of this training cycle.
Bring it on.
I’m looking forward to the early mornings. I’m looking forward to the grind. I’m looking forward to needing new shoes seemingly every month.
I’m looking forward to the feeling after completing another 20 mile run on a Saturday. I’m looking forward to those tough speed days, where I finish and can’t help but pump my fist. I’m looking forward to scrolling through Strava, seeing the growth over the weeks gone by.
Going through laundry quicker. Rolling my legs more often. Weeks moving too slow, weeks moving too fast. I’m looking forward to it all.
As excited as I was at this time a year ago, it doesn’t hold a candle to what I feel now. The last 6+ months have been fun, and I loved pushing myself to another PR in Lincoln.
But I’m ready to push and challenge myself unlike any time before.
The Summer of Miles begins this week. I’ll see you on the trails.
In Chicago, I’ll be running for St. Jude Children’s Hospital. This will be the third time I’ve run a marathon while raising money, including the second time I’ve done so for the Chicago Marathon. Cancer is terrible and no family should have to worry about bills on top of the stress that comes with everything else.
If you are able, a donation to the hospital would be much appreciated. I’m hoping to raise $5000 ahead of October. You can donate here. Thank you.
Josh, as always, I love reading your blog. In many ways, it mirrors my journey in Triathlon. I have always been a runner but injuries and too many miles left my body fairly broken. Like you, it first started as a way to lose weight, but the competitive side took hold. When the injuries happened, I knew I needed to make a change. Hence trying triathlons. While it has always stoked the competitive side of me, it has become something more. The need to realize one’s fullest potential is a drive like know other. For me, it also has to do with showing my children that anything is possible. When I finished my first full Ironman last May, I knew I wanted to do more and I knew I had more to accomplish. Since that day I have pushing myself to make that happen. Sunday, I will toe the line again at IM Des Moines. My friends and family sometimes struggle to understand why I train and do what I do, but I know. I have my why. Thanks for continuing to share your story. I so enjoy reading it. Good luck as you take on this new challenge, as it is only through adversity can one really achieve their true potential. Cheers and Happy Running!!!