This was a good week of running with a renewed perspective.
Coming off the disappointment of Jacksonville and slightly beaten up
legs that resulted, I had a good opportunity to practice running at the
proper effort level rather than at the pace that I have set in my head
to be appropriate.  After all, every day of running is different; some
days you just got "it" and some days you don't, and as hard as we pros
try to hit it right on race day it is not always the case.  Some of my
very best running has come in practice.  I remember running mile cut
downs at Stanford during my senior track season on one such day
working my way from the 4:20s to sub 4:10 for the last couple…and it
just felt easy.  I guess that is why running is so addicting, because
when you hit those days there is no feeling like it, floating along
the track or road effortlessly.  I am hoping for such a day in London.

As London draws closer it has begun to set in just what I am getting
myself into.  Last night I had a dream that the London Marathon was
going to be the next day and I was really nervous in my dream.  I
can't help but wonder what my first experience will be like.  I have
heard so many horror stories of newbies hitting the wall.  But then
there are people like my training partner Deena Kastor and Alberto
Salazar who ran right through the wall setting debut records on their
first times out.  I am not going to be proud and say that there is no
way I can hit the wall, but I know that I have a couple factors
working in my favor.  First off, I have a great coach who has done a great job preparing marathoners in the past and has prescribed great workouts that have made me far stronger than I have ever been.  Secondly, I have been able to pick up many helpful hints and see how two Olympic marathon medalists prepare for their upcoming marathons.  I have put in much of the same work that Deena has in her preparation for Boston and I know she is ready to roll, so I can piggy back off of that and assume that I am ready to run as well. However, I know that I will have to run smart out there as the pace will most likely be searing over the opening half marathon.  But hopefully I will have some smart racers to follow out, such as Meb and Baldini.  Lastly, and most importantly I have my faith.  I am not trying to say that God is going to magically help me through the later stages of the marathon, but I have the comfort of knowing that He is always with me, and all those who trust in Him, whether I am coasting along effortlessly or struggling home, I know that He will always be with me and love me no matter what may come.  This gives me the peace of mind that running is all a bonus, something to be enjoyed in the ideal sense, not something to stress about or make a bigger deal than it actually is.  I have already won a prize far greater than any marathon could offer and the good news is that is available to all who trust in His name.

High of the week:  Our St. Patrick's Day party at the Leprechaun's
Hall-ow.  Our new mobile home is very green and we decided to
capitalize on it and had a green themed party complete with green eggs
and ham, green matzo ball soup, and many other green creations.  Our
team is so great.  Even though we see each other twice a day six days
a week that doesn't stop us from throwing parties on every occasion
that we can find an excuse for.  My wife is an amazing hostess
thinking of even the smallest detail to make the atmosphere complete.

Low of the week:  The first three minutes prior to my legs going numb
during a post run ice bath.  It takes hours to fully recuperate, but I
think it really does help in the recovery process.