Update.  This was one tough week, where I did 40 miles.  Now I have only two more hard weeks and then I taper  

Thoughts as the race draws near:  Quite pleased at how my training is going.  While I have miss many of my goals (they were purposely set very high) - my 2012 effort (by God's grace) is way over what I did last year.  Last year I was running just to complete the distance, this year my goal is to increase my speed - and I have.  For example my last year's training 20 miles I did at 11:45 per mile, today I did it at 10:17.  With this considered - my time in the 2011 marathon was 10:32 per mile, which was over a minute faster per mile.  This year IF I can do the same - my time should be closer to 9:15 per mile.  

Matthew 28:20 "...and lo I am with you always even unto the end of the world."  

Commentary:  This verse records a promise which Jesus makes to the church - not only that he will never forsake us.  But that He will be with us - in some spiritual/personal way.   A great verse to refect upon during the darkest of days.  

 Update.   It was a good week across the board!  Praise God. 

"And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel." (1 Kings 18:46)

Just a quick update.

"Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi."   2 Samuel 18:23

Half-way done!!  Lost 14.7 lbs! Ran 184.5 miles!  (By the way, after my first 8 weeks training last year I only ran 135 miles)  Praise God!

My run today I did at an average pace of 9:12 per mile.  If (that's a big IF), I can hold that pace for the marathon that means a 4 hour, 1 minute, which would be a vast improvement from last years run. 

It's been a tough week.  I think  have a bug or something - because I've been coughing and sneezing, and feeling a bit tired.  

Anyway I was able to get my weekly running schedule - but at a slower speed.   I did however lose 2.7 lbs this week - which is nice to see. 

 Not a good run on Saturday.  I just couldn't pick up the speed - and decided to listen to my body - and make it an easy run, by swapping it with next weeks 10 mile run. 

 I could use a good dose of motivation also.  I think if I can make it through the next couple weeks - I can make it to the end.  After two weeks I'll be half way through and only have three runs which to push out a new distance.   :)

 
While not reaching my goals - I am well pleased anyway.   Weighing in at 211 lbs - I have lose a total of 10 pounds over the last 5 weeks.
As for my time this week - I did not come close to my goal - however it was the fastest 1/2 marathon distance, I've done so far - by 10 seconds.

I decided to make my schedule a bit more realistic.  My weight goals were not doable, at 5 lbs a week - so I changed this to 2.5 lbs per week. 

I also changed the color codes whereby yellow means it's passed the prior week's goal, red means it did not, and green means, the same - that I made the present week's goal.  

Next week - my long run is almost the distance of a half-marathon where I hope to do it in 1 hour and 57 minutes.  If successful - it would be the first time I've done that distance in less than 2 hours.

Saturday's running stats:

Weather: 29 degrees, and sunny

Been a good week training - reached my speed goal and very happy with this.  Been reading Ryan Hall's book 'Running with Joy' during this week and finding his suggestions helpful.  1) Not aiming for self-glory, but God's glory in running.  2) keep easy runs easy, and long runs hard.

Felt the runner's high today around 2 miles - just a feeling of euphoria that puts a smile on my face as I run. 

With the 'holidays' - keeping to my diet is going to be a problem.  

- Brian

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Cor. 10:31)