In terms of sheer enjoyment, it was my best marathon in a long while. But it's racing, damn it, not a stroll in the park! I want to race...

In this writer's experience as a long-time marathon runner and Ironman, runners and triathletes who look for the quick fix and instant success don't get what they are looking for.

Competitive? Who, me? Wanna bet...?)

After being tired of not having riding partners during weekday early mornings, I started The Wednesday Ride three years ago. We are a small but mighty group of mainly triathletes and now get together to ride most weekends, as well.

Well, being consumed by work and travel has made me a poor correspondent. I have said little about my training - but I have been training, which is a good thing, because Boston next Monday is rushing at me like a freight train.

I am running better than I have for many months. Speed is great and being able to run decently longer than 13 miles is a joy!

Great run today. Ran with local Chicago Marathon training group, they were running 20, I ran 15 and had company because several were training for later marathons and wanted 15 only as well.

No phones, email, employees, boss. I savor and get lost in my run. I treasure my running partners; they, too, know the joy of running, the oneness with purpose and ability.

My plan was be on the trail before 7 a.m. to get in 6-7 miles before my buddies would congregate at 8 a.m. Sleeping was needed and good, so I did not get on the trail until after 7:30.

Looks like I am the other side of my injuries. Now it's another couple of weeks of hard work and completing Steelhead in good shape before any tapering. I still will be "supremely undertrained" for IMC, but I am less concerned about being able to race than I was...

Here's the problem, I have yet another injury to fend off.

If you have never seen how Jim Spivey offers up email workouts to his clients, here is a sample email from Jim.

Good times:  Running decent miles despite my sore back.  Running in Sedona in the hills (too short!) and in Rio Verde northeast of Phoenix in gorgeous early morning weather.

So how much time do you have for training in a week?

Tonight's run was terrific. As so often seems the case I am best matched with strong female runners 10-15 years younger. (Well, someone has to run with them! ;-)

After a 6.5 month recovery (3 months with no running) from my bike crash at Ironman Canada, I returned to competition today.

Work has intervened, so my training and physical therapy have been wedged in recently.  Yet I have managed several 20 milers and a faster 14 miler, as well as good tempo and interval workouts. 

I ran 17.5 Sunday in temperatures starting just a few degrees above zero degrees F.  But the temperatures were not an issue.  And neither was the distance. 

-6 F with -17 F wind chill when I got into the car to drive to Rich's at 7 this morning. Broke out the cold weather running gear for the first time in a few years (global warming, you know).

The running path would have been too wet and it was not a night for the track, so we hit the roads.