And the schedule says...

So it's t-minus 12 days until my official marathon training starts and I'm planning my training schedule. I'm using Hal Higdon's online training guide and it neatly spells out mileage for every week. I, however, felt the need to take it a step further and coordinate my miles with what I have going on and assign runs to each day. Without going into the feet-numbing details, here are some highlights of what I have to look forward to.

Week 5
This is the week where my long run reaches double digit miles. On October 10, I'm scheduled to run 10 miles. This should be interesting since I imagine there will be a birthday event for my niece and I'll be in Decatur. Guess I need to start mapping some routes.

Week 7
In most marathon training programs, the long run of the week takes place on the weekend. This can be challenging for people who have, you know, lives. On this particular week, I'm going to be having a life and going down to Columbia, MO to attend Mizzou homecoming with my friend. The likelihood of me running 12 miles that weekend is not so good. So instead of my 3, 6, and 3 mile days during the week, I am now scheduled to run 6, 9 and 6 mile days. The good news is that if can survive the week in the vertical position, I only have to run 3 miles in the Show Me State.

Week 9
On this illustrious week, my long run jumps to 15. While this is nothing particularly special in and of itself, what makes this noteworthy is that the long run the week before was only 10 miles. Progress is pain. Sigh...

Week 12
The good news: this is only a 3 day work week. The bad news: I get to run 5 miles before Thanksgiving dinner. More good news: guilt-free Turkey Day! (or pasta day, as is the case in my family)

Week 15
The dreaded longest run of the training schedule falls during this week. I have the pleasure of doing a 20 mile run on the shortest day of the year. Given my anticipated speed level, that could very well mean this run will encompass more time than actual daylight on that day.

Week 16
Christmas week! In my infinite wisdom, I decided to give myself Christmas Day off. However, that means I need to run 8 miles on Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas to me. However the much more important aspect of this week is that it evokes the sweetest word known to marathoners: taper. That means that your longest mileage is behind you and you taper your mileage from here on out. Best. Christmas. Present. Ever.

So beginning on Septebmer 7, my life will not be my own for the next 18 weeks. So if you're looking for me, check the streets!