Pfitz Pfitz Pfitz.  Looks funny no matter how many times you write it.  Pfitz.

I’m halfway through week 3 of the Pfitz 55/18 training plan (18-week plan that peaks at 55 miles per week) and it’s pretty taxing (like corporate bonus taxing after all the bailouts).  I’m sure the reason is that it’s a pretty big increase in miles for me since the Country Music Marathon.  After running the last three days in a row, tomorrow’s rest day seems to be a Pfit-ting reward.  So much, in fact, that I think I might even take Friday and Saturday off too!

Gasp!?!?!

Yes, 3 (planned) days in a row.  Of not running.  Maybe.  With the Fairfield Half Marathon coming up on Sunday, I’m certainly not running on Saturday.  Friday is supposed to be an easy 4 miles.  Thursday is a day off.  So all I’m really missing is 4 miles and moving my Saturday long run to the race on Sunday.  Knowing me (and I like to think that I do), I’ll probably run the 4 miles anyway.  That said, if I don’t run on Friday, I’ll look back at these three days as a crash taper cycle in preparation for the race.  Undeniably I want to be fresh so I can beat Colin and regain the title of “winner of the most recent half marathon: the Mike and Colin story – as told by Mike”.

Also going with the theme of the title, I just bought some new shoes!  Well, they’re the same Brooks Beasts that I’ve been running in since Marine Corps, but a new pair!  Picked them up at Running Warehouse for a pretty price and even got an additional 15% off my order!  Even better, they give free 2-day shipping and it’s being shipped today!  Wow!!!  Exclamation point.

This morning’s run was a little bit brutal mixed with a dash of ouch and a smidgen of when-will-it-stop.  Falling under the category of Lactate Threshold (which Ev found hysterical), it involved running 4 of the 8 miles at half marathon pace.  How fitting considering there is a half marathon coming up.  Well, hopefully it isn’t a precursor to the race, because it did not go as well as I would have liked.  For 4 miles I was struggling and burning.  Some may be attributed to running the previous two days, but overall I’m going to need to slow way down for the race if this is what it’s going to feel like.  If I remember last year’s course (and I most certainly do), it is a hilly beast.  (Aside: Maybe my shoes and the course can be friends (if you didn’t catch my subtlety, my shoes are the Beast and the course is a beast.  If you did catch it, bravo, and I apologize for such a pointless aside).) Anyway, we’ll see how the race goes and I’ll be sure to report back. I’m sure you can’t wait to hear all about my victory.

The details:

The Route