Boston 2012: February Training Update

The Boston Marathon is only 48 days away. WHAT?! That's so soon! Training was going fantastic, until last week. I got too caught up with lesson planning and my own homework to be able to make it outside for runs. And just when I go on vacation, the snow storm came. It snowed Friday afternoon and all day Saturday. Being the baby I was, I was not willing to go out there in that mess.

Prior to my mini running break, I was doing fantastic! The week before I got up to 39 miles and even got in an amazing 18 miler. However, it was that 18 miler that left me very confused.

What is going on with my legs?

For the first time ever, I finished that 18 miles and my legs felt as though I had only run 9. I was able to walk without any problems that afternoon, that night, and even the next day. There was no soreness whatsoever in my legs. In fact, I even went for a 4 mile run the following day. On Thursday I ran an 8 miler and felt incredibly strong. My legs wanted to keep going. I could understand how people get started on ultra marathons. For some strange reason, my body is no longer phased by the distance I'm doing. And I can't figure out why!!

Is it because I'm almost 25 and my body is better able to cope? That my legs are able to deal with the stress after training for four other marathons?

Is it because I discovered that the best pre-run meal is actually toast with peanut butter and a banana, a glass of milk, a peanut butter cup and two mini butterfingers? And that the best post-run meal is chocolate milk and a Mad Taco burrito? (Gosh, that is so much sugar right there...)

Is it the addition of coffee into my daily routine, which jumps me into gear and eliminates my sense of pain? 

Is it the fact that I'm standing up for a large part of the day while I'm at school, preparing my legs for the hours I'll be on them during my long runs and marathon?

Or maybe it's because I'm the happiest I've been in years? 

I don't know. But I'm hoping that my legs can continue to feel this well for the next 48 days and that when I step onto Boston's route on April 16th I feel as strong as I felt last weekend. 

Questions for the readers: 

1. What things make you run faster? 

2. Have you noticed a change in your running as you've gotten older?