Running Update

I am now in marathon training.  I officially began after we returned from vacation on July 9th.  This marked 16 weeks until the marathon.  It's about an average length of time for marathon training, somewhere between 16 and 20 weeks.  I ran through June but didn't do any runs above 10 miles, and only one above 8 miles.  I concentrated on speed, trying to increase my 5K times.  I suspect I can run somewhere in the range of 27 minutes for a 5K depending on how flat the course.  It was a nice break, but now I am back in long run mode.  Each weekend, I do a long run and by Friday I'm planning when, where and how I will fit the long run into the weekend schedule.  I've been ramping back up, from 8 to 9 to 10 miles.  I will do a 12 miler next weekend and then take a breather before hitting the pavement for mileages in the teens to 20 mile range.  Typically, my long runs increase for 3 to 4 weeks then I get a rest (which still includes a 5-6 mile run).  I supplement the long runs with 2-3 runs throughout the week - mostly in the range of 3-6 miles.  It's not too rigorous of a training program.  The main thing is to get used to being on your feet for that long. 

Speaking of feet, that's where my main issue is with all this running.  So far, I have been mostly injury free.  I have only one nagging thing to speak of - my left knee has bothered me off and on for the last week or so.  I think I have pinpointed it to the treadmill.  It seems to hurt more after I run on the treadmill, but doesn't bother me on outdoor runs.  I wonder if there is something about being forced to run at a given pace causing my stride to be messed up.  It's a bummer though because I will absolutely need to train on the treadmill as an alternative to outdoors.  I'm going to try and figure it out so that I can continue to use the treadmill as an alternative.  So the main issue though is feet.  Warning - TMI - I have lost 3 toenails and am losing a 4th.  It's not fun, and not very convenient in summertime when toenails are fairly visible.  I have been using new shoes since before my half, that are a size bigger and have also gotten new socks (no more cotton) that seem to help.   But I still seem to have toe pain after my long runs.  It's definitely better but still not perfect.  I am not sure what else to try, but I'll keep working at this too.  I can only imagine how my toes will feel after 15, 20, and then 26.2 miles! 

So that's my running update.  Less than 90 days until the full marathon!  As the number of days gets smaller, I get more nervous.  I try not to think about it, and know that I am doing the training so I will be fine!