(Sunday Paper, Year VIII, Issue 23)

I guess it’ll be 18 weeks from today that I’ll be running the Chicago Marathon.

I know this because this week begins my 18-week training program.

I’m following a different program this time around as a structure for my running during the week.

So that’s what you see pictured there at left - printouts of a few different plans that I’m joining together into something that works for me.

I don’t really think it was the training that did me in back in February - but I didn’t think I did an ideal job of training.

I kind of split the training for the half marathon I ran in November and then the marathon in February and I don’t know that I was at peak level for either.

But really I think it was ill-advised clothing the day of the race that was the deciding factor in my disappointing February performance.

I don’t want to change what I did for the two Boston Marathons too much because I felt very ready for those two races…all I’m doing is substituting some more runs on top of the strength workouts I do a couple of times a week.

And I’m going to be a little more disciplined about certain speed runs and paying closer attention to pacing during all runs.

It’s funny, I was thinking about that picture when I posted it on Instagram earlier this week - I like doing a lot of stuff in pen but you might be wondering, “Why wouldn’t you type this plan out on a computer?”

And I think because I do so much work during the day on the computer the fact this is in a notebook separates it as a hobby activity and not work.

Anyway, it’s a very exciting time. You may notice that much of that notebook page is blank - that’s because I only have a shell of an idea what my training plan should look like right now. The app I’m using will reveal the full plan tomorrow.

Then I’ll take out my pen and write it in my notebook.

What I’ve Been Enjoying

I promise this is the last time I’ll use this space to write about Ted Lasso, but the show ended this week and I just want to say I enjoyed it so much. People are kind of down on the third season as a whole and I admit it wasn’t as good as the previous two - there were entire subplots that would have affected the show not one bit had they been skipped - but I still liked it. (I get protective of things I like.)

I think the big thing for me is I watch everything with an eye towards “How would I have done this?” and many times with Ted Lasso things turned out the way I thought they should but it was still one hundred times better than any way I could have done it. Maybe it should have just been two seasons. I don’t know. But it was a satisfying conclusion and a beautiful show. I’m glad I watched it.

Notes

*The past month or so of running was about building up my legs without exhausting myself heading into the full-on training. That wrapped up Saturday with a 6-mile run. I think I can say mission accomplished…I feel ready for the training and still pretty fresh. Today and tomorrow are rest days and then Tuesday I really get started.

*A reminder - or news to you, maybe, if you haven’t heard before - I am running the Chicago Marathon in October to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities. If you’d like to contribute to the cause, you can do so at this link. Thank you!

*On Saturday, the Mets held their team Hall of Fame Induction ceremony. It’s only been the past couple of years that my MLB app has shown pre-game festivities (it often only pops on when the game starts) and on Saturday I turned the Mets feed on early to see if they were showing it. They were. It was a lovely ceremony. I got emotional, I admit. I’m really glad I watched.

*And it also reminded me of being at Gary Carter’s induction ceremony back in 2001 at Shea Stadium.

*As for my tickets, it’s a busy June for Mets games I’ll be attending…the first of which will be today with my youngest daughter. It’s been another good week overall for the Mets. It would be great to end it with a W today.

*The social media links are below if you’re interested in following along - Writing at the Facebook link, who knows with the Twitter link, and a lot of running at the Instagram link. If you’re new here - welcome, and thanks for checking it out!