Gäste Forum » the nature of the sprint finish, or lead

For this mid-training check-in, I was supposed to tell you that my speed was improving and that my body was holding up to the increases in mileage. I was supposed to tell you how much closer I was to achieving my goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon.But since my last blog post on Aug. 31, I suffered a setback. I bruised the bottom of my foot after running in poorly soled shoes through a parking lot full of rocks (an idiotic move on my part). Running became excruciating after it happened.Before that, I felt fairly confident in how my training was progressing. But now, Im behind by 10 workouts (Ive completed only 48 of the 58 I shouldve finished by now). And I struggled through two 10-mile easy runs.It was difficult to realize that I had to take time off, but the ultimate goal of crossing the finish line helped me see the need for it. Regardless, I feel like my goal to qualify for Boston is slowly slipping out of my reach. There is no perfect barometer for judging how my training is going, so Im going off of my past experiences. Based on how I felt at this point during previous training cycles, I think I have an uphill battle to get to race day.But Ive had a lot of time to reflect while running -- and had even more for the period when I wasnt running. These setbacks are part of the journey and part of the glory that I can celebrate once I cross the finish line. As much as qualifying for Boston is the goal for Nov. 6, I cant forget to enjoy the ride and know that, at the end of the race, no matter what time the clock reads, I will have run another marathon.Kara Goucher, a long-distance runner and former Olympian once said, Progress is rarely a straight line. There are always bumps in the road, but you make the choice to keep looking ahead. If that doesnt express my feelings about training these past few days, I dont know what would.I still have a little more than two months to train as best as I can and set up a comeback story. There will always be self-doubt, all the way up to the starting line, and controlling that self-doubt is something I need to continue to work on.So -- there are three things I want to address in the next two months of training. The first is to be more consistent with my cross training to improve my core strength, with the goal of improving my running form. I also want to practice yoga once a week to improve my flexibility and strength.The second is focus on my attitude. No one said running or training for a marathon is easy, and during this recent setback, Ive been too focused on the big picture of qualifying for Boston and have convinced myself I wont achieve my goal. But I still have about two months to become stronger and faster, and Ill set smaller, achievable hurdles to get my attitude back on track.Lastly, I want to have little more discipline with my eating habits. It was easy to fall into the summer trap of eating ice cream and thinking I had plenty of time until race day. Well, now Im 10 weeks through my 18 week program, and I really need to tighten the belt (pun intended) on my eating habits.The last two weeks have been far from what I envisioned for this training cycle. The next two months will test my mental and physical limits with strange work hours, longer workouts and the desire to get better. I cant predict what exactly will happen on Nov. 6, but I can assure you Ill be doing everything in my power to finish the New York City Marathon without any regrets.Training Notebook:Longest run: 14 miles Hardest run: 10 easy miles after coming back from a week off Highest weekly mileage: 41 miles (hasnt changed since the last post) Biggest accomplishment: Listening to my body during my most recent setback and not hurting it moreMegan Flood is a seven-time marathoner and half marathoner. She is on a quest to qualify for the Boston Marathon and hopes New York 2016 is her ticket to Boston. You can follow her progress every other week here on espnW.com and on Twitter @meganflood11. Josh Oliver Youth Jersey . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams. Chris Conley Jersey . Cuban testified Thursday that he was upset when the companys CEO told him news that would reduce the value of his shares, for which hed paid $7.5 million. But he said he did nothing improper when he sold those shares over the next two days. http://www.authenticjaguarslockroom.com/Youth-Josh-Allen-Elite-Jersey/ . The International Olympic Committee released the official list of bid cities on Friday after the deadline for applications had passed. The candidates -- all previously announced in their own countries -- are: Almaty, Kazakhstan; Beijing; Krakow, Poland; Lviv, Ukraine; Oslo, Norway; and Stockholm. Jawaan Taylor Jersey . LOUIS -- The New Orleans Saints looked like a team playing out the string. Gardner Minshew II Jaguars Jersey . John Tavares, Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo were also being counted on to slow down sizzling Rangers forward Rick Nash. That plan didnt go so well early. Throughout the Tour de France, Australian professional cyclist Richie Porte will be checking in. Here is his latest entry, as told to ESPN contributor Rupert Guinness:Stage six: Arpajon-sur-Cère to Montauban, 190.5kmAs we head into the Pyrenees in the Tour de France on Friday, with my teammate Greg Van Avermaet in the yellow jersey, a lot of people will be wondering if he will keep it or not.Until we find out, what I can say is that Greg really enjoyed his day in yellow on Thursday during the 190.5km sixth stage to Montauban, where Mark Cavendish won for the third time in this Tour. Greg had a big smile all day. So he should. He deserved it.My feeling, though, is that Greg will get more time in yellow. The seventh stage from LIsle Jourdain to Lac de Payolle will not be easy by any chance -- especially with the first=category Col dAspin near the end -- but with a five-minute overall lead Greg should defend the jersey.It depends on how the stage pans out, of course, and how he feels; but if Greg can ride well up the mountain he will have the decent from the Aspins summit to make up any time.How the race among the overall contenders unfolds, I will find out as everyone else does.Will the GC [general classification] guys go for it?Someone is always going to make it hard on the Col dAspin. It is just where they do. Im not sure. Were not going to cruise up there. That is certain. But it is still a tricky one to make a call on really because there are really hard days coming up in the Pyrenees on Saturday and Sunday -- especially on Sunday to Andorra, one of the five keyy stages we denoted before the Tour that were likely to decide the race winner.ddddddddddddThe most important thing for Friday is to be attentive, alert and dont get caught out.Its been a long first six days: We have already raced 1238.5 kilometres in six stages. Then add the heat that has now struck us as the Tour has entered the south of France.The shift in weather can affect riders. And for that, it can give you a false idea of where a rider may be at; well, that is if you see them have a bad day because it may be temporary.What I do know is that I am feeling good, even though I have to admit that Thursdays sixth stage was a good one to get through with the nature of the sprint finish, or lead up to it.It was quite a nasty or dangerous finish. It was a messy sprint. I was kind up there at the start of it and then I was in the middle, but when you are a GC rider and drop back in a bunch sprint, you cant help but fear who is coming up from behind you and coming back from in front.All those lead-out guys come back and split the bunch up as well; it is a really hectic time.Im kind of happy that on Friday I will be back in my terrain in the Pyrenees on Friday.I think I can still make a good shake of this Tour. I am in good nick. It is just about keeping it together now. I cant undo whats happened with my early time loss, but I can still try to do a lot in the days to come. As much as we have raced so far, there is still a long way to go. ' ' '