Yesterday’s workout, 18k in 1h35min, ending in a comfortable way. Recovery have not been too much of a issue, but I better watch out fatigue signs in the beginning of each week (or should I say weak?).

Despite all things went well, my intention is to run these long workouts on Saturdays mornings. I can then do a decompressing workout in Sundays, avoiding starting a working week with the need to recover from the 20k or so runs.

The workout scheme for the next two weeks will be to do two or three 7 – 8 km workouts during the working week and the long Saturday workout adding 3km each week. In a couple of weeks, I’ll be here posting my thoughts on my 24km long run. Cross training in one of those days will be a must do, also. Weight lifting and a bit of pilates exercises will suffice.

Food-wise, the need for salads, vegetables, fish and carbohydrates will have to be fulfilled.

As I was doing my 10k workout today, I realized that that this blog is now two years old.

My first race with the ipod/nike system took place in 25/09/2007, and since then, 232 more races where uploaded to the nike site, making it over than a hundred per year.

As for competitions, my main goal in 2007 was just to participate in short length races, but as time and kilometers passed, I realized that I do have a good potential for long distance running. Work related fatigue kept me away from a consistent training discipline, and that’s my main challenge for the forthcoming two months. Reason? I’m going to give it a try at Lisbon Marathon in December 2009. The course is easy, it’s in my hometown and I have a full pair of months to be prepared.

After packing miles for the last month, my main concerns now will be to focus on long runs, nutrition and mental training. Weekends (preferably mornings), will be reserved for those 20 miler workouts and week days for faster workouts, aiming to increase lactate threshold and speed training. I’m not going to stick to specific running schedule, but will try to fit my workouts whenever I have free time.

New event added: Corrida da Linha 2009. A 10k race in the Tejo river shoreline – 20^th September 2009.

I have some further competitions in mind, but the big challenge this year will be to run a marathon in December. I have three months to prepare myself (physically, mentally and nutritionally).

Due to work constrains, only from 15^th September onwards I’ll start my marathon training.

Keep and eye on this blog and Pernas de Gafanhoto if you’re keen on following my feedback on this challenge.