In the old days, I’d run my six-mile route four days each week, my four-mile route one day, and a long run once a week. During ultra training, the long run would be up to 20 miles each week.
I’m a creature of habit, and I’ve used the same six-mile loop since I moved to my current residence in 2010—Ditto with the four-mile loop. Even my long runs seemed to use predetermined, consistent courses. It helped to compare fitness from week to week and year to year.
I’ve been a slacker since finishing the Marine Corps Marathon in October. Actually, that slacking started in December 2023, corresponding with health issues.
I still want to do my 10-mile loop every week. Though not registered, I plan to finish the Dahlgren Trail half-marathon on January 31.
Last Saturday, my plan was to do that course. However, it was raining, and I wimped. I did not take my own advice not to skip a run in the rain, because it might be raining on race day.
I still got out and did the six-mile loop, for only the second time since the Blue Gray half on December 7. So now, my long run is the same as what I used to run daily, and my daily runs tend to stick to the four-mile course, sometimes just a 2-mile walk.
I have one more weekend to do a long run before Dahlgren. It looks like showers again for Saturday morning. I won’t be a wimp this weekend. Maybe I need to give myself a Paul’s bribe.