For the first time, in all of my years of running & racing, I have decided to run a half-marathon trail race.  After talking to my more skilled and reputable running friends, I have decided that it’s best for me to change things up, challenge myself, and have fun.  The North Face Endurance Challenge couldn’t come at a more perfect time in my 2012 racing calendar, especially given my recent performance at Boston.  I’m excited to try something new and add trail races to my running resume (plus, I’ll have an automatic trail half-marathon PR).

Are you interested in running The Northface Endurance Challenge? 

Join TNFEC on  June 2-3, 2012 at Algonkian State Park (about 20 miles outside of DC).  The course keeps runners on their toes with ever-changing terrain – the course consists of 50% singletrack, 30% dirt or gravel doubletrack, 10% gravel carriage road and 10% paved road.

TNFEC takes place over two days and 9 events, including distances from 5K to 50 miler, a marathon relay and two kid runs.

If that doesn’t sound cool enough… Guess who else runs this race (besides yours truly)?  Michael Wardian.  Yes, he’s a badass!

Are you IN?

I’ve known Reza for almost 5 years.  We first met at a local fun run, and quickly became friends – sharing stories about upcoming races and goals.  I’ve seen Reza get faster and leaner – even completing his first Ironman 140.6 and Boston Marathon.  Reza can be seen running (biking or swimming) around Arlington and participates in many local races.  He’s also leads a fun run group every Tuesday & Thursday at Potomac River Running in Ballston.  If you want to check out his fun run, join Reza on Tuesday/Thursday at Potomac River Running {Ballston} at 7pm.  All paces welcome!

Name: Reza Mahbod                       

Age: 39

Location: Arlington, VA

Years Running: 23

Favorite race distance: 10 mile

PRs: 10 mile: 1:03.11
Marathon: 3:09.37
5k: 18:20

How did you get into running? I started in high school to stay in shape

How many marathons have you run? 8

Do you cross train or lift weights: Swim and bike

How do you find/make time to train: Morning, evenings, weekends, and whenever I can.

Favorite place to run: St. Lucia

Favorite/most memorable race: Army Ten miler

Favorite pre-race meal: Depends

Favorite post-race food: Depends

Favorite quote: Start out hard and then end up going harder

Best running advice: Enjoy it.

What races are you currently training for? National marathon (March 17) and Kinetic Half IronMan

Wow, the Marathon Must-Haves {giveaway} was a huge hit!  Thanks to everyone who entered and shared their must-haves.  A few of my favorites: socks, sunglasses, iPod (or music), family and/or cheering section, a good sports bra, flip-flops (for post-run), a good training partner…

The winner of the Marathon Must-Haves {giveaway} is Kate @ www.runwithkate.blogspot.com.  You have one week to contact me at willrunformargaritas@gmail.com before a back-up winner is choosen.

Good luck to everyone with upcoming marathons, half-marathons, 10 milers, 10k’s and 5k’s.  DIG DEEP and rock it!

It’s one week, post Boston, and I’m feeling good.  A {huge} thank you for all of your comments, kind words, encouragement and support.  Like I mentioned in my Boston Marathon {recap}, I know I was being ridiculous but I needed to write those words - and I appreciate you letting me vent!  After I went on my 1st post-race run, my whole mood changed.  Thankfully, I’m in a much better place (it’s amazing how running can do that) - and given the circumstances, I’m happy and proud of my performance on April 16, 2012.  I never (and I mean, never) thought I’d be saying this, but I can’t wait for my next 26.2…

In the meantime, I’m taking the summer to focus on shorter distances and speed work.  5:30 mile, anyone?! 

Do you have a favorite 5k, 10k or 10 miler?  Send me your race suggestions (preferably in the vicinity of DC/MD/VA)! {i’m open to distances up-to 10 miles}  

*Don’t forget to enter my Marathon Must-Haves {giveaway} – it ends this week, and you don’t want to miss it!

A couple of weeks ago, I decided to purchase a pair of lightweight racers for Boston.  To be honest, I was planning to run the race in the shoes I train in – a traditional running shoe, if you will.  I ran my first marathon in the same style and had no problems, so I figured I’d do the same for marathon #2.  It wasn’t until a work event and a talk with my coach that I was convinced to wear something more lightweight for the race.

I bought the shoes, and was excited to test them on the track.  I had a great workout – I felt really strong & ran faster splits than “projected”.  But it wasn’t until I got home that I discovered why this shoe is the perfect Boston shoe.

The shoelaces read DIG DEEP – my Boston marathon mantra.  I’ve been digging deep since January, when I started training for marathon #2: logging over 600 training miles, countless 800m and 1200m repeats, two 20+ mile runs and a handful of 16 milers, a new 8k PR, on tired legs, full of excitement and doubt, with one BIG goal in mind.   On April 16, I’ll be digging deeper than ever as I line up to race the 116^th Boston Marathon.

I’ll be nervous: dig deep
My legs will be tired and fatigued: dig deep
The hills are going to hurt: dig deep
My marathon goal is not easy: dig deep

Boston Marathon, I’ve trained hard for you.  I’m ready for you. I’m going to DIG DEEP – and I’m not going down without a fight!

What’s your DIG DEEP?

 facebook/tweet about your DIG DEEP with #digdeep

don’t forget about my marathon must-haves {giveaway}: HERE

The pre-race dreams started about one month ago.  I wish I had better news to report but they aren’t dreams about me winning the race or running a 2:45 marathon-trails qualifying time.

No, my pre-race dreams are ridiculous.  And even in their ridiculousness, I still wake-up panicked and uneasy.

The first dream was all about the finish line.  That thing that I’m supposed to cross after running 26.2 miles.  Yea, I couldn’t find it.  I couldn’t find the finish line, even though I’d run 26.2 miles.  It didn’t make sense to me.  I was surrounded by other runners, and I knew that they were crossing the finish line, but I just couldn’t find it.

The next round of dreams involved an American History exam.  Let me start by saying that I haven’t had an American History exam since 2001 (and I have no intentions of ever taking one again).  For this reason, I have no idea why I’d be dreaming about American History, or an exam for that matter.  In my dream(s), I realize that I have an exam immediately after the race but haven’t had time to study.  I wrestle with myself: should I skip the race & study, or skip the exam & race?  I always wake-up before I make a decision.

Dreams are a very funny thing.  What does American History have to do with running the Boston Marathon?  I have NO idea.  I’m not sure I ever will.

Either way, I’m glad I’ll be drinking post-race margaritas instead of taking an exam.

Do you have pre-race dreams?  What do you dream about?

Things start to seem a little less eventful during the TAPER.  But, I’ve made it to the taper and I couldn’t be more excited.  I can count the number of days left on 2 hands.  Things are starting to get real.   

Mileage: 34

Monday {3 miles} – It was such a beautiful night.  I took it really easy on my fun-run because my quads were a little sore, but it still felt good go on a shake-out run.  

Tuesday {track} – I felt good going in to this run (it also helps knowing that it’s my last really hard track workout before Boston).  With the marathon 2 weeks away, my workout was modified a bit (to included no more than 3 miles at race/tempo pace). 

1.5 mile warm-up and 2 mile cool-down

1600m – 6:40, 1200m – 4:25, 2x800m – 3:01, 3:00, 400m – 1:13

Wednesday {5 miles} – One of my co-workers was visiting from Boston, so I took her on a run through my town.  I always love showing people Arlington and the (awesome) W&OD and Custis trails.   

Thursday {rest day} – This far into marathon training, days off seem like {heaven}

Friday {tempo} – I ran a 5k tempo run today.  I felt good, and George said I looked really good, but it wasn’t my fastest tempo run.  I didn’t sleep well the night before, so that might have had something to do with it.  Either way: it was my last tempo!

Saturday {12 miles} – I ran with some friends, including Emily from Sweat Once a Day.  It was so much fun to catch-up with her.  She’s such phenomenal crowd support/cheerer that I wish she was coming to Boston!

It was a nice morning, and felt really good to run 12 miles.  We finished the last 3 miles at race pace – and it felt good to pick up the pace.

Sunday {6 miles} – Happy Easter!  We enjoyed glorious weather -70’s by the afternoon.  BJ and I went for a 6 mile (easy) run.  I loved being able to spend the day with him, doing one of the things we love most (running).

14 down, 1 to go!

Week 13 was my last “regular” week before I begin my taper.  It was an exciting week and I’m getting nervous, excited, and ready for Boston! 

I worked the Cherry Blossom Expo (congrats to all racers) and was on my feet a lot.  I can always tell when I’ve worked an expo – my legs are just a little more tired than they should be.  I was, however, able to run 16 miles on tired legs and still feel good/strong.  

Mileage: 49

Monday {8 miles} – It was such a beautiful day and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to run with BJ before my ladies fun run.  Both runs were easy, and I felt good post-21 miler.

Tuesday {track} – I was tired, and I think it may have been apparent (George stopped me after 8x800m).  In my defense, and after my last 800m workout, George mentioned that “quantity is better than quality”, I deliberately ran each 800m at (or close to) the same pace.  

1.5 mile warm-up and 2 mile cool-down (goal pace: 3:10)

8 x 800m – 3:06, 3:05, 3:04, 3:06, 3:04, 3:05, 3:03, 2:58

Wednesday {5 miles} – I ran 5 easy miles. I’ve really enjoyed running without music for the last 3 months (my iPod broke & I haven’t replaced it) – it allows me to really take in the run and listen to my body.

Thursday {rest day} – I really enjoyed this day off!   

Friday {tempo} – Today was a first: I ran a 5 mile tempo run on the track!  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, tempo runs on the track are boring – especially when the last 2 miles are run solo.  But, I felt really strong (and that was really encouraging).  Average pace: 6:28

Saturday {3.5 miles} – Today was a long day at the expo and my legs were exhausted when I got home.  I tried to go for 5-6 miles, but my legs just wouldn’t cooperate and I opted for 3.5 instead. 

Sunday {16 miles} – One of my running friends was able to snag me a Cherry Blossom 10 miler bib. I ran an impromptu 10 miler (progression run), immediately followed by +6 miles.  Cherry Blossom wasn’t the ideal place to run a progression run but it got me ready for race conditions and crowds.  It also helped prepare me for the “start slow, end fast” mentality – it’s really hard to stay steady when people are passing me (I still get competitive during a race – even if I’m not racing). It was a beautiful morning to run and I loved the race day energy (please let the weather be exactly the same for Boston)

13 down, 2 to go!