Failure to Launch

Everything was going just fine last week for the launch of my winter maintenance plan. Just fine, until the weekend.

My weekend running has taken a major hit since the Akron Marathon. The last time I ran on a Saturday or Sunday was Oct. 10, and that was only four miles. My last run of any distance was Oct. 4, an eight-miler. I guess it's no surprise that October produced my lowest mileage since January.

Here is October's statistical rundown:

• Total Miles: 50 miles (13 runs)
• Highest Weekly: 12 miles
  
• Average Weekly: 12.5 miles
  
• Average Pace: 9:59.676 per mile
  
• Longest/Fastest Run: 8 miles, 9:03 pace
  
• The Monthly Dif: -87 miles (137 miles in September)

Witness the post-marathon doldrums. Push back that maintenance plan a week and try again.

Ever tried.
Ever failed.
No matter.
Try again.
Fail again.
Fail better.
--Samuel Beckett

In other news, an American won the New York City Marathon. Meb Keflezighi (gesundheit) finished in 2:09:15 to become the first American man to win the race since Alberto Salazar in 1982. If you want a more nuanced breakdown of the race, visit The Science of Sport.