Getting Ready For Chicago

I have not posted in a long time.  Since Big D Marathon, I have not been racing, but I have been training like crazy.  This summer I averaged over 50 miles per week and the last month I have been hitting mid 60s.  The only "race" I did this summer was the all night El Scorcho 50K.  That was more of showing myself I could do an ultra than racing.

I decided to get a coach to help me train for Chicago.  Several of my friends use Chris Strait and I have looked up to him for his positive spirit and amazing running capabilities since I met him last year.  Over the last 2 months, I have been following his training plan to a T.  This plan was very different from what I had been doing in the past.  The three biggest changes are:

1. Much more tempo at 1/2 marathon pace
2. Much much more track and interval work at a wide variety of paces
3. Much much much more rest before and after long runs

I just had a 15 miler today with 8 at marathon pace (MP) and felt great.  Nothing hurt and the last 4 miles I was able to easily hold 17 seconds faster than MP hitting consistent 7:08s.  This is following a new 20K PR race at TDF11 last weekend where I ran a 27:00.

I am starting my taper this week and feel great.  No aches or pains.  Lots of energy.  Huge confidence.  There are no hard or long runs left.  As Chris says, I just gotta keep the engine running now.

So, I don't know what will happen as I sprint/run/walk/hobble into Grant Park in 2 weeks, but I feel like I could not have possibly trained smarter and feel like the only variable that could keep me from making my 3:15 BQ is weather or illness.