Another challenging run this weekend. With temps in the low 70s and humidity approaching 100%, today was not a good day for a long run. Thankfully this was a recovery weekend, so I didn’t feel too bad about shortening my planned 15 miles to 11 and saving my legs for next weekend.

Next weekend I will run the Lewis & Clark Marathon as a training run for Chicago. My plans is to run the first 20 miles at an 8:45 pace and take the last 6 miles easy, finishing just under 4 hours. Let’s hope the weather is a little better than it was today!

Another cool Saturday morning (and another early start) made for a good 24 mile run. Picking up the pace a bit, I averaged 8:45 for the first 22 miles and finished the last two miles easy. I continued my new breakfast routine and ice bath to speed recovery.

With four of my five 20+ mile runs complete and three of them strong runs, I’m feeling more prepared this year than I have in the past. As long as the weather cooperates, I’m ready for a good marathon.

On Saturday I was up at 4:00 AM again and started my run at 5:00 AM – dark and 65 degrees (and less humidity than last week). I tried a new breakfast routine to try to add calories before my run and it seems to work.

Somewhere around 18 miles I recalled the previous week and how hard it was to finish 18. Now with 4 miles left of my run, I still had some gas in the tank. I finished my 22 miles with an 8:35 pace and felt great -- a little tired, but much better than last week. Amazing what just a few degrees in the temperature and lower humidity can allow.

Four weeks ago I started my run at 5:30 AM to beat the heat – you have to laugh when the high temperature has risen by 15 degrees since then. Last Saturday I got up at 4:00 AM to run 18 miles during the coolest part of the day – only 73 degrees.

My second 20 mile run was not as successful as my first, struggling to finish it in over 3 hours with heat and humidity that I forgot were possible. Tomorrow we will finally get a break from the 100+ degree temperatures, but I will still rise at 4:00 AM on Saturday to run my 22 miles.

Over 20,000 people will be diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2007 and more than 60 percent of the patients will not survive. Very little is known about brain tumors – what causes them, who is at risk, what treatments work best. More research and clinical trials are needed to learn about brain tumors and to develop effective treatments.

The American Brain Tumor Association exists to eliminate brain tumors through research and to meet the needs of brain tumor patients and their families. They were an invaluable resource when my mom was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 1999 and that is why I am running the 2007 Chicago Marathon with “Runner’s Sharing Hope”.

This is my 4th "Marathon For Marsha" and this year ABTA has recognized our efforts by awarding a fellowship in memory of my mom. This would not have been possible without your continued support. You can read the official letter included in the article "American Brain Tumor Association Fellowship".

I have decided to follow the Furman Institute for Running & Scientific Training (FIRST) Marathon training plan. This plan calls for 3 runs per week with 2-3 days of cross-training. There are no "easy" runs in this schedule: Tuesday Intervals, Thursday Tempo and Saturday Long runs. I will be trading quantity for quality, reducing my peak weekly milage from 60 miles/week to 40 miles/week. My goal for the marathon is an 8:15/mile pace finishing in 3:36. With the marathon being three weeks earlier than last year, my hope is that the weather will be more agreeable.

Today I received a letter from ABTA announcing that a fellowship has been awarded in memory of Marsha. In part, the letter reads:

The Board of Directors of the American Brain Tumor Association is pleased to dedicate a two year Fellowship in memory of your mother, Marsha Mae Moeslein. <...> This is our way of thanking you for your support and encouragement of our research programs.

You can view the entire letter and news release.

Race day – 34 degrees (27 wind chill) and sunny. I decided on tights, two long sleeve running shirts, head band and gloves. Gloves came off first around mile 4. Next the head band at mile 6. The second shirt came off at mile 18. I was not overheated at the finish despite the temperature reaching 50 degrees.

My training hasn’t gone completely as planned. I had two 20+ mile runs instead of three. I did a 4 week taper with a ½ marathon at pace three weeks out. I struggled with a pulled hamstring since mid-training. With long runs followed by pace runs, I didn’t hit pace. And with pace runs before long runs, I struggled with the distance. Time for a new strategy for the fall.

Well the weather didn't cooperate, but I still had a great race. I finally broke 4 hours and did so decidedly with a 3:50:25! The night before there was a lot of uncertainty in the weather and what to wear for the race. The prediction was for snow/rain, strong winds and temps in the lower 30s. With Craig's help, I finally decided on tights, a turtle neck, long sleeve shirt, head band, gloves and a throw away jacket that I didn't throw away until mile 26. Initially I was concerned with overheating, but the strong winds and temperatures in the lower 30's kept me cool.