If you have ever tried to crank up the miles, you may already be familiar with this problem. Working out once a week is an incredibly disasterous way to increase the number of miles...

Everytime I get out there with once a week trainings, it feels like no progress is being made - I want to be moving further and faster but it doesn't feel like my body is able. Of course looking back, I've gone from six to eight in a matter of months, going from eight to twelve in a matter of months as well. For some reason though (well now that I have this wild idea that I'm going to run my age), it just isn't coming fast enough. I guess I felt at some point that I should be able to go further in a shorter amount of time simply because I had acheived some great interim goals. In running, as in life I guess, it's just as hard or harder to get from those short term interim goals to the next milestone and on to the final destination. I need to try just as hard if not harder, learn new skills (hydration is getting to be a problem), and continue to refine the process that I'm using to go after those goals.

After the SoundersFC run a couple weeks ago, I've done ok - one 13.25 miler last weekend (2:36) - one 8 miler last wednesday (1:22) - and I'm getting ready to head out again today. Definitely cranking up the frequency so that my body and mind are prepared for going further is the way to go. I'm trying to figure out this dailymile thing to see if I can track my runs there or not - right now I am using Google maps to collect the map data and an associated running app on my phone to capture the statistics of the run.

I've been busy studying all day and have way more studying to do before the SoundersFC Match tonight. With not having been outside for a run in a while and this being a gorgeous day I think I've come up with a great solution!! Study hard until 6 or so, sneaking in dinner somewhere along the way and then taking off for a run to the match....

There is a 7:30pm kickoff so I'll have an hour and half for a 9 mile run, so I should be able to make it in time to get a beer before kickoff (at least that's what I'm going for). Here is the route I'm going to take:

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The biggest hurdle will be keeping my pace going down there without the assistance of my running partner Buddy. If I'm going to do the Seattle Marathon, I'm told I can't have a dog with me so I guess I'll have to get used to it - but it's still a bit of a shame to actually start running without him. I'm not sure my running or dedication to endurance will have any influence on the win tonight but I sure hope it does as we need the points!!

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TechCafe). Part of it is that I am swamped with work and school. Part of it is that it just takes time to get 8-14 miles in a few times a week. A lot of people tell me I should put the running in early or late in the day. I do get up early and I do go to bed late - usually I am working or studying though. I'll hit the treadmill or the stationary bike in our basement with a school book and go for an hour or two at a low enough pace to get the reading in. It keeps me alert so more information sneaks into my brain and it keeps me moving. The downside is of course that I'm not outside with my throttle wide open. My usual strategy is to fit one in after a family event. This usually ends up being my youngest son's soccer matches. We'll all drive over to the match and cheer him on, then when the match is over I spend an hour or two running home while the rest of the family drives the car home. Definitely a good way to integrate running into your regular schedule.]]>