Marathon Stuff and Just Running

Arizona was brilliant and it was also almost a month ago now (what?)  A few things have been circling in my head since the race.

I was able to run a PR after training almost solely on the treadmill between Nov and Jan.  I don't think I'll try that again, it was good enough to keep my level up but that race was tough going on the road.

I've gained 5 lbs since Christmas - how did that happen?  I was supposed to lose 4....  I feel it while running so it really has to go.  Stupid stealth fat.

Running for 5 hours and 15 minutes on the road felt like a long time, do I really want to keep running road marathons?  Will I ever get faster?

Well...I'm already registered for the Pittsburgh Marathon in May and I'm considering the San Diego RnR Marathon after that.  I want to get better at this 26.2 thing, the distance fascinates me.  So yes, I guess I do want to keep running them (at least until after the next one).

At this time of year when it's cold (usually), dark and near my birthday I'm sometimes in a very low place.  I haven't stopped training this year (and have been taking quite a bit of vitamin D). This week I had to get out of the office at lunch for my sanity and have run every day, it's been amazing and absolutely vital for the state of my brain.  In fact, I'm in a far better place than usual.  

I am hoping for a long day of snow shoeing this weekend before the big event on Feb 14th, oh yes Walking Dead is back.