I’ve officially registed for the Philadelphia Marathon on November 22nd since I’ve now gotten over being rejected from the New York City marathon yet again this year. Funny thing is that I forgot about it until I finally got the official email from them which only put salt on the wound … but again, I state that i’m over it.

This change in schedule pushes my second marathon of the fall out to 10 weeks past the first … which is a little concerning since October into November is a difficult time to stay motivated for training. You know, the weather gets cold, it gets dark early and light later, so i’m considering (yes, just considering) running the Baltimore marathon, which by chance falls exactly 5 weeks after the first and 5 weeks until the second. Its also columbus day weekend, which is good because there is no work on Monday … we’ll have to think about it.

The reason I didn’t just jump and register for the third, is because I wrote last year that doing 3 marathons in the fall is rough, although last summer and into the fall, I had some specific personal issues that wrecked my motivation and attitude, which is why I really think I struggled at the Marine Corps Marathon… Also, last year I ran the first marathon (PR’d), then 5 weeks later another one (did good), then just 2 weeks later, the last one where I bombed. I don’t think I gave myself enough time between the 2nd and 3rd, plus I was traveling, and stressed, and well, whatever….

So do I do it? I know Baltimore is beautiful in October, I was there last year, so the weather would be fine .. guess we’ll see.

As far as the training is concerned though, I didn’t realize that I actually put in 31 miles already this week .. which seems high. I pushed it both today and Wednesday a little harder, which maybe I shouldn’t have, but it felt right. I didn’t do a speed workout today because i’m worried about it affecting my long run tomorrow .. yes, the long run tomorrow. Its been rough the last couple weekends, so i’m hopeful for a good long run tomorrow..

Lastly, I got on the scale today .. and i’m up like 3 pounds from last week. I’m still struggling with my weight, so its time to evaluate what i’m eating (and what i’m not). The only thing I added this week was the protein drink, but I cut back elsewhere to allow for the calories, and maybe i’m just cutting back too much. I’m thinking though that I always struggle this time of year during training, and by mid to late June, the weight starts to come off like nothing, maybe I should just be patient … (but its upsetting)

Oh well … Lets hope for a great long run tomorrow!