The last marathon in Lowell, MA was on 10/20/2013 and the next is in Philadelphia, PA on 11/17/2013.

By the Wednesday after the last marathon I am ready to start training again.  2 days of rest felt good.  Monday was definitely necessary as the soreness in my Quads was very prominent.  No pain, just lots of lactic acid.  Tuesday the soreness was noticeable but didn't affect my walking stride...just could feel it with every step.  This morning (Wednesday) the soreness is only when I roll it out so I will begin training for the Philly marathon with 26 days to go until race day.

I am using a model I found at Patrick Hitches site.  I'm not going to be as intense in the work out as describe, but use it as a model to frame the next few weeks.

Weather was perfect conditions, 50's with sun and scattered clouds.  It was a bit cold to start, but I knew within minutes of running, the cold edge would be gone and having a chill would be helpful.

I kept to a pace plan for negative splits so I started off conservatively slower.  My target pace was 11 min/mile for the first 3 miles, then 10:45/mile for the next three, then 10:30 for the next three, then 10:00 for the next three, then 9:30 for the next 6, then 10:00 for the remaining of the race.

It was a great strategy.  I wasn't really able to run as slow as I wanted so for the first 12 miles I was at a 10:30 pace then was able to keep my plan.  So for the first 12 miles I was passed....a lot.  But for the remaining 13 miles I was at a constant pace passing folks.  Only in the last mile was I slowing down and having two folks pass me by.  It really felt great.

I had learned a bit to make sure to keep cool and starting around mile 12, at every water station I just dumped the first two cups of water down my back.

It was a stellar day and in the end I beat my last person record by 30 minutes to finish at 4hours 28 minutes.  The only real mistake I made was at the final 150 feet when I saw the clock ticking down and the announcer kind of goaded me into making a burst to beat 4 hours 30 minutes...I should have known that was a mistake and more importantly known that my time was a good minute off the clock because I started to far back in the pack.  Never again will I fall for the burst for the finish to shave a few seconds off the clock...not worth it.  I got so nauseous.  Thankfully I didn't stress my muscles out but felt terrible in the tummy for a good 15 minutes because of the push.  I had been feeling fine up until then.

Something to learn for next time....Nov 17th in Philly in memory of my friend Jonah Adels.

To run at night or early morning?  Both are great but different experiences.

Running at night is my favorite for the summer time.  Always cooler temperatures, plus sunset is so late in the day anyways that running at 9 or 10pm doesn't feel like it is so late considering how recent the sun set.  Running at night also can be much more convenient.  Things at the house are done and settled (like kids in bed, work done, house in order), it is quiet and when you get done, the day is done.  This is compared to in the morning having to know that when you get back there is a list of things to take care of and the household to get ready.  Mornings seem more like a time crunch, whereas evening seem like an unwind.  Also running at night seems to be my best speed workouts.  I am more apt to want to really push on intervals or hill climbs, knowing that I will sleep really great when the effort is done.

Running in the morning propels me into the day.  There is something exciting about waking up before everyone else and getting out the door on your own.  Often the stars are still out (depending on how early).  I wouldn't recommend morning runs for speed workouts, but endurance training on long slow paced runs.  The longer and even paced, the better the endorphin kick and a great boost to getting the day started.  Breakfast feels well deserved after a nice run (I usually run on very little in my belly...maybe a small bowl of oatmeal or a banana and a glass of water).

Mixing it up is good and often necessary just to find the time to do the runs, though I wouldn't suggest doing a night running followed by a morning run the next day.

Imagine an institute of learning that promotes engaging learners in a beautiful environment hosting a regular running and learning event.

Now imagine if you will, hosting weekly regular small running and learning events that build to larger events on a schedule tied to Daf Yomi Siyums.

Imagine at those larger events happening on the frequency of maybe every other month being a weekend Shabbaton event with learning and sharing and running.  Elements at every level of learning and running.  An entry to running or learning or both.  A sustaining event for those knee deep as runners/learners.

A Run Yomi Siyum tied to a Daf Yom Siyum in which there is a marathon to be run, either on your own, or as a relay of one, two, three, four, five chevrutammates (Chevruta Teammates).  Smaller events for beginner runners and children.  All this culminating at a beautiful campus with a pool and lake to cool off for the runners and music and learning and great organic food grown right on site.

I think I am imagining something at Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center with Hazon.

Last weekend was my last long run (18 miles) until my next Siyum/Marathon on Oct 20th in Lowell MA.  The weekend long runs taper down until the weekend before I am only running 10 miles.

I look forward to the long runs.  Definitely an endorphin kick, but everything mellows out.  The neck strain from work.  The calf and shins do their best to stay in my mind, but once I relax it out and run loose, the run feels like satin and the after run stretch feels like warm salt water taffy.