Well, it is time to get serious about running again. I have been running at least 3 times a week since my last post, I just havent' been good about keeping up with the log. The family and I had gone to Avalon, NJ for a weeks vacation with another couple and their kids. I ran 6 of the 7 days we were there. I have been running, it has just been aimless because the only race that was on my calendar was the Disney Marathon. I've added the Hartford 1/2 marathon in Oct. and a 10K in Southbury in Sept. Because of these, I will start on a training plan again. I will also be keeping track of the mileage etc.
I am really bummed because I lost another iPod. The last time I saw my iPod was the LI 1/2 marathon. I was too tired to take it out of the car and that was the last time I saw it.
Anyway, I am rededicating myself to adding miles to my week. I will keep putting one foot in front of the other. I did go out for about an hour tonight. My two girls were my trainers. They rode along on their bikes and I am looking forward to many more outings with them.
Until the next time
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Friday, May 11, 2007
1st Race Report
I wrote this earlier and am just getting around to posting it.
5/6/2007 Rexcorp Long Island Marathon, 1/2 Marathon and 10K
Race Report (Race Day)
This was my first 1/2 marathon and first race longer than 5K. My unofficial time was 2:23:46. I'm not sure when the chip time will be available, but I understand that photos from the race are available at www.islandphoto.com. I will check it out when I get home. (I checked and there's nothing.) I'm actually writing this up as my wife and kids are driving me home. We are on our way to an unnamed pizza on Long Island. My two cohorts, Chris Joline and Josh Goldfarb, and I ran the 1/2 marathon today. We started together and by mile 4 we were running our individual races.
At the start of the race it was windy and chilly. The chilly was ok cause the running would take care of that, but there were some strong headwinds; nothing like what was experienced in Boston a couple of weeks ago as I experienced vicariously through Steve Runner's podcast, but it was windy for us. Despite the headwind that seemed to follow me around the course, I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day for running.
We started off near the back of the pack and it took a good couple of minutes before we actually started running. The horn blew at 8:00 and within a couple of minutes we had passed over the chip time mat and we were off! It is amazing the diversity of people out on the course, each running for their own reasons. There was a group that were "Friends of Karen", Team in Training, a gaggle of runners dressed in outfits that one could only imagine that the wearers thought humorous; in my mind, they just looked a bit goofy.
Chris and I ran together for about the first 4 miles and then I decided to make my move. I broke away and I was off…actually I'm about a 10:30 miler and Chris is about a 10:40 miler so it wasn't really much of a break. In fact, Chris mentioned that it was at mile 10 that he could no longer see my head (It only took me 6 miles to loose him!)
I just kept thinking the whole time that I was out there how lucky I am to be able to do this. I remember when I couldn't run a mile and then the first time I was able to run 3 and then 5 and then…The members of my running club, "The Big Boned Runners" are planning to run the Disney Marathon this upcoming January and the other thought that I had during the race was that I would be able to run the distance. All I have to do to run the distance is double today's distance. This shouldn't be a problem, it only takes time.
During the "race" I kept thinking, oh that's interesting, or look at that person or what's up with that guy. I must say, there wasn't a minute I was bored. There were so many things to see, so many tricks the mind began to play...My longest run before Sunday was 10.26 miles. The last 1 mile was soooooo long. I didn't want to walk. I ran the whole thing. I know intellectually that if there was 2 hrs and 20 minutes of running and 3 minutes of walking, who cares.
In the final stretch, where the shoot starts and the balloons guide the way, a woman and I were moving towards the finish. I opened up the jets and sprinted it out. I kicked her ass! It was quite comical and I was hoping to get it on film. Alas, the news crew there was unable to provide me with the footage, so if anyone from Long Island reads this and has access to LI Marathon Reel 3 that's the one I'm on and I'd appreciate a copy.
5/6/2007 Rexcorp Long Island Marathon, 1/2 Marathon and 10K
Race Report (Race Day)
This was my first 1/2 marathon and first race longer than 5K. My unofficial time was 2:23:46. I'm not sure when the chip time will be available, but I understand that photos from the race are available at www.islandphoto.com. I will check it out when I get home. (I checked and there's nothing.) I'm actually writing this up as my wife and kids are driving me home. We are on our way to an unnamed pizza on Long Island. My two cohorts, Chris Joline and Josh Goldfarb, and I ran the 1/2 marathon today. We started together and by mile 4 we were running our individual races.
At the start of the race it was windy and chilly. The chilly was ok cause the running would take care of that, but there were some strong headwinds; nothing like what was experienced in Boston a couple of weeks ago as I experienced vicariously through Steve Runner's podcast, but it was windy for us. Despite the headwind that seemed to follow me around the course, I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day for running.
We started off near the back of the pack and it took a good couple of minutes before we actually started running. The horn blew at 8:00 and within a couple of minutes we had passed over the chip time mat and we were off! It is amazing the diversity of people out on the course, each running for their own reasons. There was a group that were "Friends of Karen", Team in Training, a gaggle of runners dressed in outfits that one could only imagine that the wearers thought humorous; in my mind, they just looked a bit goofy.
Chris and I ran together for about the first 4 miles and then I decided to make my move. I broke away and I was off…actually I'm about a 10:30 miler and Chris is about a 10:40 miler so it wasn't really much of a break. In fact, Chris mentioned that it was at mile 10 that he could no longer see my head (It only took me 6 miles to loose him!)
I just kept thinking the whole time that I was out there how lucky I am to be able to do this. I remember when I couldn't run a mile and then the first time I was able to run 3 and then 5 and then…The members of my running club, "The Big Boned Runners" are planning to run the Disney Marathon this upcoming January and the other thought that I had during the race was that I would be able to run the distance. All I have to do to run the distance is double today's distance. This shouldn't be a problem, it only takes time.
During the "race" I kept thinking, oh that's interesting, or look at that person or what's up with that guy. I must say, there wasn't a minute I was bored. There were so many things to see, so many tricks the mind began to play...My longest run before Sunday was 10.26 miles. The last 1 mile was soooooo long. I didn't want to walk. I ran the whole thing. I know intellectually that if there was 2 hrs and 20 minutes of running and 3 minutes of walking, who cares.
In the final stretch, where the shoot starts and the balloons guide the way, a woman and I were moving towards the finish. I opened up the jets and sprinted it out. I kicked her ass! It was quite comical and I was hoping to get it on film. Alas, the news crew there was unable to provide me with the footage, so if anyone from Long Island reads this and has access to LI Marathon Reel 3 that's the one I'm on and I'd appreciate a copy.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
One week and one long run to go...
It has been almost a month since my last post. I've logged a few miles, been swamped with work and am looking forward to the Long Island 1/2 Marathon on May 6th.
I've been on a project that has taken me to Baltimore for work and I've been commuting there for the past 6 weeks and have a few more to go before I can work from home again.
I have an 11 miler planed for Sunday and if I can make it through that then I will be confident for the following Sunday when I am going to run 13.1 with my friend Chris. I have some tendonitis in my right ankle and I'm starting to feel some pain in my right knee. I plan on cutting back after the 1/2; I just want to tick this goal off of my list.
I will put a pre-race post and then a race report. I'm just concerned about my joints, the pains and the self doubt. I do find it interesting how full of doubt I am. I will just keep putting one foot in front of the other.
I know this is short, I've been running, I just haven't been good about writing...I'll write more later.
I've been on a project that has taken me to Baltimore for work and I've been commuting there for the past 6 weeks and have a few more to go before I can work from home again.
I have an 11 miler planed for Sunday and if I can make it through that then I will be confident for the following Sunday when I am going to run 13.1 with my friend Chris. I have some tendonitis in my right ankle and I'm starting to feel some pain in my right knee. I plan on cutting back after the 1/2; I just want to tick this goal off of my list.
I will put a pre-race post and then a race report. I'm just concerned about my joints, the pains and the self doubt. I do find it interesting how full of doubt I am. I will just keep putting one foot in front of the other.
I know this is short, I've been running, I just haven't been good about writing...I'll write more later.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
The Journey of a Thousand Miles...
24,400 miles to go and around the world I'd have plodded...My work schedule of late has made it really tough to stay on track with my training plan. Ok Ok, I know that that is just an excuse. I don't have to go to all of the team dinners and drink-ups. I'm close to maintaining the weekly miles and am keeping up with the Sunday long runs. In fact, I'm hoping to post on Sunday to say that I've just broken the double digit barrier.
Yesterday, I went out for a 3 miler and ended up running the 3 in 27:54. A PR. Today is an easy day and tomorrow is long and slow. I am getting closer to the 1/2 marathon date and am looking forward to it.
Talk about rambling, I'm all over the place today. Anyway, with my travel schedule, the running is the only thing that is keeping me sane.
Yesterday, I went out for a 3 miler and ended up running the 3 in 27:54. A PR. Today is an easy day and tomorrow is long and slow. I am getting closer to the 1/2 marathon date and am looking forward to it.
Talk about rambling, I'm all over the place today. Anyway, with my travel schedule, the running is the only thing that is keeping me sane.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Running and Being
It's official, I'm registered to run the Long Island 1/2 marathon! I've been following the Higdon 1/2 training plan and have about 7 weeks til race day. I have been modifying the plan a bit to fit my schedule. I've been keeping up with the weekly mileage and am looking forward to the run in Long Island. My friend Chris and I are planning on running together and our goals for this year are to finish the races. I'm running about a 10:17 - 10:30 mile for my long runs and this seems comfortable but for the "race", I'm looking forward to spending some time on the road with my friends.
Thanks to you who've commented on my posts. I am lucky to be part of this virtual running community and hope that we may cross paths at a race someday.
Work has been keeping me busy. Last week I got to do a 5 miler around Baltimore's Inner-Harbor and a 4.5 miler around Boston. I will be spending a lot of time over the next few weeks in Baltimore so I plan on checking out Run the Planet for running ideas. The bad thing about the extra travel is that I'm away from my family, but I will have the opportunity to do more cross training because the hotels I've been staying at have some nice elipticals and rowing machines. What is amazing to me is that in the past the thought of doing any type of cardio was anathema and now I cant think of not doing some sort of exercise. I am amazed at the changes in my being. I've given up the restricted diet but am focusing on making little and gradual changes. I want this to be a way of life not just a change of some sort that may revert back to old ways of being.
I hope this post finds you well and plan to write more soon.
Best,
David
Thanks to you who've commented on my posts. I am lucky to be part of this virtual running community and hope that we may cross paths at a race someday.
Work has been keeping me busy. Last week I got to do a 5 miler around Baltimore's Inner-Harbor and a 4.5 miler around Boston. I will be spending a lot of time over the next few weeks in Baltimore so I plan on checking out Run the Planet for running ideas. The bad thing about the extra travel is that I'm away from my family, but I will have the opportunity to do more cross training because the hotels I've been staying at have some nice elipticals and rowing machines. What is amazing to me is that in the past the thought of doing any type of cardio was anathema and now I cant think of not doing some sort of exercise. I am amazed at the changes in my being. I've given up the restricted diet but am focusing on making little and gradual changes. I want this to be a way of life not just a change of some sort that may revert back to old ways of being.
I hope this post finds you well and plan to write more soon.
Best,
David
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Plateaus
It's been a while since my last post. Sounds almost like a confession, forgive me runners, it's been almost 4 weeks since my last post. I've had negative thoughts about my running. Blah Blah Blah. I am making enormous progress in that I am running. I am putting my shoes on and going out for a run. The big challenge is not to make too many major lifestyle changes at the same time. I've been going out of my mind, but I keep putting my shoes on and getting out the door. It has been quite difficult in that it freezing. When I went out this morning, it was 11 degrees F. In my mind I think I'm breaking land speed records with my runs, but when I look at the clock, I'm hitting between 10 and 11 minute miles. I'm convinced the cold is slowing me down at the atomic level...I have been running between 3 and 4 days per week with a "long" run on Sundays. Today I went 6 miles and am looking forward to breaking double digits on the miles.
I've signed up for the Long Island half-marathon which is in May. I've built my training plan around the Hal Higdon Beginners Half Marathon training plan and start with week 1 this week. My mileage will be less for the first couple of weeks but will slowly build up to more that what I'm doing now, peaking at 25 miles for the week before the race. I'm running with my friend Chris and our only goal is to to finish. I am looking forward to getting out there and running. I'm looking at it like a long run with a friend where we'll have about 2 1/2 hours of discussion time. Who knows what kind of lies we can tell in that amount of time.
My weight loss has been hovering around 25 pounds. I've not been able to break through this point, but I haven't really been restrictive with my diet. My clothes are feeling a ton better and physically I'm feeling really great (except for the tendinitis in my right ankle and left shoulder).
The 6 miles I did today was quite challenging for me in that the course is quite hilly and the iPod ran out of juice about 30 minutes into the run so I had lots of time to think. What was neat is I started to take inventory of my body. Pain in right ankle, bad, move on, breathing good, hold on to that, stride feels good, move on, check points all around the body. It was so cold. I am just rambling here, but I haven't written in quite some time so I have scattered thoughts. What I am thinking about now is how much work it takes to get better at something. I've been running consistently now since Thanksgiving so what's that late Nov., Dec., Jan, and beg of Feb, so 12 weeks, and I've not been able to go double digits, my ankle still hurts, I'm carrying too much weight still, blah blah blah. I'm just thinking that today I went 6 miles and it felt really good (except for the ankle) and when I took up running, albeit, not consistently, I couldn't run for 10 minutes without the feeling that I was going to die. So all is well, I am still running. I am keeping a log in excel. I've not been good about posting lately because it all seems the same. I am at a plateau now that I know will be transcended if I only keep putting my running shoes on and getting out the door.
Until then I will keep on running and I look forward to meeting you as I jog down the path of self discovery.
Best, David
I've signed up for the Long Island half-marathon which is in May. I've built my training plan around the Hal Higdon Beginners Half Marathon training plan and start with week 1 this week. My mileage will be less for the first couple of weeks but will slowly build up to more that what I'm doing now, peaking at 25 miles for the week before the race. I'm running with my friend Chris and our only goal is to to finish. I am looking forward to getting out there and running. I'm looking at it like a long run with a friend where we'll have about 2 1/2 hours of discussion time. Who knows what kind of lies we can tell in that amount of time.
My weight loss has been hovering around 25 pounds. I've not been able to break through this point, but I haven't really been restrictive with my diet. My clothes are feeling a ton better and physically I'm feeling really great (except for the tendinitis in my right ankle and left shoulder).
The 6 miles I did today was quite challenging for me in that the course is quite hilly and the iPod ran out of juice about 30 minutes into the run so I had lots of time to think. What was neat is I started to take inventory of my body. Pain in right ankle, bad, move on, breathing good, hold on to that, stride feels good, move on, check points all around the body. It was so cold. I am just rambling here, but I haven't written in quite some time so I have scattered thoughts. What I am thinking about now is how much work it takes to get better at something. I've been running consistently now since Thanksgiving so what's that late Nov., Dec., Jan, and beg of Feb, so 12 weeks, and I've not been able to go double digits, my ankle still hurts, I'm carrying too much weight still, blah blah blah. I'm just thinking that today I went 6 miles and it felt really good (except for the ankle) and when I took up running, albeit, not consistently, I couldn't run for 10 minutes without the feeling that I was going to die. So all is well, I am still running. I am keeping a log in excel. I've not been good about posting lately because it all seems the same. I am at a plateau now that I know will be transcended if I only keep putting my running shoes on and getting out the door.
Until then I will keep on running and I look forward to meeting you as I jog down the path of self discovery.
Best, David
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Dave's Still Running
I went out today on for my Sunday long run. I ran for just over 60 minutes and I a mapped it on the USATF website and the map showed that I ran 5.66 miles. I've developed a pain in my right knee but my ankle doesn't hurt as much as it used to. I've begun to cross train. A friend of mine gave me his device to turn a street bike into a stationary bike. He wanted to upgrade his trainer and let me have the old one. I finally set it up in the basement and tried it out. I think I need a new bike seat or I need to tape a pillow to my butt, cause that seat is very uncomfortable. I do find riding in the basement to be quite boring, but I was able to spin for 30 minutes yesterday. I plan on running 4 days a week and cross training 2.
Monday, January 01, 2007
A new year
Christmas and New Years have come and gone, the tree is down and I have to go back to work tomorrow. I was able to run a few times during my break from work. I've developed quite a pain in my right ankle which I need to monitor because I don't want to be seriously injured. I look forward to a year of running.
It has been hard to keep up with the blogging, but I have been quite regular with my running. My big boned friend Chris has set his sights on the Long Island 1/2 Marathon. The 1/2 is May 6th so it is far enough away to follow the training plan laid out by Hal Higdon etc. This is a 12 week plan with scheduled days for cross training and strength training.
I am wondering how I'm going to be able to fit the strength training in, but I am going to follow the training.
In the 2007 Runners world, there was a blurb on doubling the amount that you can run, so because my last long run was 60 minutes, I used that as my base. The next run in the plan is 72 minutes. I am a bit nervous about the time because I've never run continuously for 72 minutes.
I found an excel based training log that I had down loaded quite some time ago while cleaning up some files. I decided that I was trying to reinvent the wheel with the log I was keeping in excel so I decided to start using the one I found. This log was created by a member of the Dead Runners Society, a list serv group that started, I don't remember when, but now there are 1700+ people (plus one more--of course I joined). This log is great, I can put in my goals and plans and measure actual to planned...it's great.
And then while listening to fdip, I heard about a web based route mapper so I "googled" it and what do you know, at the US Track and Field website, there is a searchable data base of running routes which one is able to contribute to. All one has to do is click through a google map of the route and the distance is computed along with the elevation etc.
Fast forward to today, it is the long run day. 72 minutes, can I do it? Well I did. 72 minutes - 6.62 miles according to the route mapper. ( http://www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=98061 ) I felt great most of the way. My right ankle started bothering me at about mile 4.
Next week I'm shooting for 86 minutes...can I do it? Next week I'll update my stats from opening. I have lost weight, the clothes have become looser, the mood elevated and the resting HR has gone down.
Until the next time.
It has been hard to keep up with the blogging, but I have been quite regular with my running. My big boned friend Chris has set his sights on the Long Island 1/2 Marathon. The 1/2 is May 6th so it is far enough away to follow the training plan laid out by Hal Higdon etc. This is a 12 week plan with scheduled days for cross training and strength training.
I am wondering how I'm going to be able to fit the strength training in, but I am going to follow the training.
In the 2007 Runners world, there was a blurb on doubling the amount that you can run, so because my last long run was 60 minutes, I used that as my base. The next run in the plan is 72 minutes. I am a bit nervous about the time because I've never run continuously for 72 minutes.
I found an excel based training log that I had down loaded quite some time ago while cleaning up some files. I decided that I was trying to reinvent the wheel with the log I was keeping in excel so I decided to start using the one I found. This log was created by a member of the Dead Runners Society, a list serv group that started, I don't remember when, but now there are 1700+ people (plus one more--of course I joined). This log is great, I can put in my goals and plans and measure actual to planned...it's great.
And then while listening to fdip, I heard about a web based route mapper so I "googled" it and what do you know, at the US Track and Field website, there is a searchable data base of running routes which one is able to contribute to. All one has to do is click through a google map of the route and the distance is computed along with the elevation etc.
Fast forward to today, it is the long run day. 72 minutes, can I do it? Well I did. 72 minutes - 6.62 miles according to the route mapper. ( http://www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=98061 ) I felt great most of the way. My right ankle started bothering me at about mile 4.
Next week I'm shooting for 86 minutes...can I do it? Next week I'll update my stats from opening. I have lost weight, the clothes have become looser, the mood elevated and the resting HR has gone down.
Until the next time.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Santa Clause is coming to town.
Date: 12/22/2006
Time Running: 60 Minutes (first time at this duration)
Distance Covered: 5.5 Miles
Shoes: 06/07 Brooks Beast (first run in the new kicks)
So, the new kicks came. I wore them around the house yesterday to break them in. The new shoes are a 2E. My other pair is a 4E. The 4E are a bit too wide and the 2E are a bit too narrow. Oh my problematic feet. Anyway, the feet feel good in both pairs. I am still in search for the perfect pair of kicks, but for now, the Brooks Beast are it.
I found my heart rate monitor strap and have been running with it. I wanted to be in the aerobic zone which is 60 -75% of Max heart rate so for me it's like 110 - 137. At about 11:30 pace, I'm at 150ish beats per minute. I can carry on a conversation here, but to get the heart rate any slower, I'd have to walk, and I don't want to walk. Today I did go 60 minutes and the heart rate was 150ish.
When I went out with my strap the first time after I found it, I went for 3 miles and the heart was 165ish which was at a 10 min mile pace. Oh well...It's the journey. Today was awesome. I loved being out there running. It felt good. This month's runners world has a plan to double the long run time in 5 weeks. So in 5 weeks, I'll go for 2 hrs!. I'm looking forward to it!
Ciao for now.
Time Running: 60 Minutes (first time at this duration)
Distance Covered: 5.5 Miles
Shoes: 06/07 Brooks Beast (first run in the new kicks)
So, the new kicks came. I wore them around the house yesterday to break them in. The new shoes are a 2E. My other pair is a 4E. The 4E are a bit too wide and the 2E are a bit too narrow. Oh my problematic feet. Anyway, the feet feel good in both pairs. I am still in search for the perfect pair of kicks, but for now, the Brooks Beast are it.
I found my heart rate monitor strap and have been running with it. I wanted to be in the aerobic zone which is 60 -75% of Max heart rate so for me it's like 110 - 137. At about 11:30 pace, I'm at 150ish beats per minute. I can carry on a conversation here, but to get the heart rate any slower, I'd have to walk, and I don't want to walk. Today I did go 60 minutes and the heart rate was 150ish.
When I went out with my strap the first time after I found it, I went for 3 miles and the heart was 165ish which was at a 10 min mile pace. Oh well...It's the journey. Today was awesome. I loved being out there running. It felt good. This month's runners world has a plan to double the long run time in 5 weeks. So in 5 weeks, I'll go for 2 hrs!. I'm looking forward to it!
Ciao for now.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Big Boned Runners
I just ordered a new pair of kicks and found my heart rate monitor strap. I am all set for running into the new year!
It's funny, when I started down this road, I was looking for any excuse to not run and would talk myself into why I shouldn't be running. I didn't listen to the voice this time, I kept putting one foot in front of the other. After the 5K in New Haven, I thought that my 5 day a week plan was too much and that I should move down to a 4 day a week running plan. Well, I did 3 on Tuesday, 4.5 on Wednesday and 3 today, Friday. I'm scheduled for 5 on Sunday which would be the 4 for the week however...I'm thinking of sneaking in 2 miles tomorrow. I'm a running Junkie!
Seriously though, I'm really excited because my girls have hinted that they would like to run too so I will take them out for a short run. We're going to start out really slow and short and just work on consistency. Runners World had a great article about some Nuns who worked at this orphanage and they started taking the kids on a run every day. I thought that was great and wished that I had had exercise built into me growing up. (http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-243-297--9987-0,00.html) We're not going to push, we're going out to have fun.
It's funny, when I started down this road, I was looking for any excuse to not run and would talk myself into why I shouldn't be running. I didn't listen to the voice this time, I kept putting one foot in front of the other. After the 5K in New Haven, I thought that my 5 day a week plan was too much and that I should move down to a 4 day a week running plan. Well, I did 3 on Tuesday, 4.5 on Wednesday and 3 today, Friday. I'm scheduled for 5 on Sunday which would be the 4 for the week however...I'm thinking of sneaking in 2 miles tomorrow. I'm a running Junkie!
Seriously though, I'm really excited because my girls have hinted that they would like to run too so I will take them out for a short run. We're going to start out really slow and short and just work on consistency. Runners World had a great article about some Nuns who worked at this orphanage and they started taking the kids on a run every day. I thought that was great and wished that I had had exercise built into me growing up. (http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-243-297--9987-0,00.html) We're not going to push, we're going out to have fun.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
5K in New Haven Dec. 10th 2006
Unofficial time ~29:45ish, which works to a 9:33 mile. I felt like it was a good pace. At mile 1, the guy yelled out 10:20. It took about 45 seconds to get to the starting line. At the end of the race my watch said 30:21 and then I forgot to push stop. There was chip timing for the race too. I will use the chip time as the official time. I'm on pin's and needles for the chip time. I went out slow and kicked it in when I thought there was about 5 minutes left to run. I saw the finish line and dug down deep and pulled it out. I did not walk. It's funny to say that I dug down deep with such a slow time, but I felt like taking a break with about 3/4 miles left to go. I focused on the person in front of me and tried to keep their pace. There's no doubt in my mind that if I continue this, weight will come off and when weight comes off the pace will increase. At 273 lbs I'm carrying around an extra 53 pounds. 53 pounds! I need to be a bit easier on my self as far as pace is concerned. I'm trying to teach my daughter that even if you come in last, as long as you got out there and did your best, your a winner because there are a lot of people who can't even make it to the starting line. I was and am feeling some pain in my right ankle. Time for RICE.One thing that was really neat to see was the number of kids running in the race. I saw a girl who was 8 who said she started running when she was 5. My 7 year old saw her and now she wants to go running too. I think this could be a family affair! I would like nothing more than to go out on family jaunts. You know I think I'd like that because I'd like my family to experience the great feelings that I've been feeling. It's amazing how good running is for the psyche, the body and the spirit. I do relish the 30 to 50 minutes I get to go out on the road. It's a great time to clear the head.
I do have lots to learn for racing. One thing I did do was get a good night's sleep before hand which made the day just that much more pleasant. I always say that I'll write more later. I finished the race. I'm thinking about my continued training and may cut the running down to 4 days a week and try to work in weights 2-3 times per week. I would like my mileage to be in the 16 - 20 per week. I did keep thinking to my self, " I can do it
!"
This was a pretty stream of consciousness thing but I will try to be a bit more cogent next time. I will also write about the events leading up to the race. It's funny how much anxiety I was filled with. I was properly hydrated and yet my mouth was bone dry. I also had to pee and the lines for the porta potty was quite long. I'm wondering if my running would have been better had I had totally relieved myself before the race. I'll add that variable in on the next jaunt. I am going to get a 10 K on the calendar for spring and follow a 12 week training program and see how that goes for me. I do plan on adding in speed work (if you can call it speed work) at least 1 day a week, whether fartlek or hills or 4 X 800s what ever, I think I need to step up the intensity on my runs to try to get the pace down. I want to feel like I'm a runner not a plodder. I know all in good time, but a guy can dream can't he? Ok enough for now, I have to go give my kidlets a kiss good night.
Best to all, I'll be seeing you on the race course I hope...
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
The Week of the Race
So now the race is almost upon me. The race is this Sunday. I've put in the training miles (except for the 2 easy leg stretch run scheduled for Saturday) so I can stand at the starting line knowing I am as prepared as I'm going to be for this Sunday.
What I learned on my run tonight: 4 slices of chicken florintine pizza is not a very good pre-run meal. Last nights run was cold. 3 miles tonight and 3 last night. This week is the taper week. I am really anxious for the race. I'm just not in the mood for writing now...I'll post more later.
What I learned on my run tonight: 4 slices of chicken florintine pizza is not a very good pre-run meal. Last nights run was cold. 3 miles tonight and 3 last night. This week is the taper week. I am really anxious for the race. I'm just not in the mood for writing now...I'll post more later.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
The week before the first race
Ok, Steve's got a new podcast out which means there's a new blog of the week. I had my 15 minutes of fame. Boy, who knew that 15 minutes was so short.
Tuesday I ran 3, Wednesday 4 and tonight (Thursday) 3. I've got 2 planned for Saturday and 4 for Sunday; 16 total for the week. The 5K is one week from Sunday and I plan on running light that week. I am really looking forward to running the race. I have little aches and pains, but nothing serious. I really look forward to my time on the road. I just need to make sure that I keep finding the time.
I think of so many things to write about while I'm running and now while I sit here I can't really think of anything to add. This is a long process, one mile at a time. Until the morrow...well at least Sunday when I'm done with the week.
Tuesday I ran 3, Wednesday 4 and tonight (Thursday) 3. I've got 2 planned for Saturday and 4 for Sunday; 16 total for the week. The 5K is one week from Sunday and I plan on running light that week. I am really looking forward to running the race. I have little aches and pains, but nothing serious. I really look forward to my time on the road. I just need to make sure that I keep finding the time.
I think of so many things to write about while I'm running and now while I sit here I can't really think of anything to add. This is a long process, one mile at a time. Until the morrow...well at least Sunday when I'm done with the week.
Monday, November 27, 2006
5 Miles, Phedippidations and so much more
First things first, I was at www.steverunner.com today checking out who the musician was on a particular podcast I saw something strange in the show notes for the most recent podcast. My blog was linked there. Oh my gosh! I'm the featured blogger of Steve Runner's Phedippidations podcast. I felt like Marsha Brady when she got to meet Davey Jones. I got props from Steve Runner. And when I went to my blog, there were actual comments from other runners from around the world. This Internet thing is really cool. I am amazed that I can be linked up with a global community that shares the same passion of running. I've always wanted to be a runner, but have been too lazy and then inertia got the better of me.
Sunday I did my 5 mile long slow run. Turns out it was really 5.1. Going into the run I was plagued with doubt and self defeating thoughts. I'm not going to be able to make it. I'm going to have to walk. I'll never get to my goal...blah blah blah. I listened and told myself to shut up. The one thing I did was to start off slow. I think the anxiety really gets to me and I go out too fast and then I'm spent. So I deliberately went out slow. Mile one was about an 11:14 min mile and guess what. I wasn't ready to quit right out of the gate. After about 15 minutes I decided I felt good and I'll just keep putting one foot in front of the other and before I knew it I was 1 mile away from home and I still felt pretty good. I was going to make it. I was going to make it. Then I was 1/2 a mile from home, then 1/4 mile from home and then...I ran 5.1 miles! I went out slow and focused on finishing. I did it. My negative voice kept getting softer and softer. I ended up at a 10:49 pace for the 5 miles and couldn't be happier. I did it.
It's funny, while I'm out, my head is ablaze with thought. I'm thinking and thinking. Sometimes there are brilliant, grand thoughts that will change the world and then I forget to write them down. Today was a scheduled rest day. I wanted to run, but I do know that I have to give the old legs a rest. Tomorrow it's 3 which I'm looking forward to.
I'll write more later...
Sunday I did my 5 mile long slow run. Turns out it was really 5.1. Going into the run I was plagued with doubt and self defeating thoughts. I'm not going to be able to make it. I'm going to have to walk. I'll never get to my goal...blah blah blah. I listened and told myself to shut up. The one thing I did was to start off slow. I think the anxiety really gets to me and I go out too fast and then I'm spent. So I deliberately went out slow. Mile one was about an 11:14 min mile and guess what. I wasn't ready to quit right out of the gate. After about 15 minutes I decided I felt good and I'll just keep putting one foot in front of the other and before I knew it I was 1 mile away from home and I still felt pretty good. I was going to make it. I was going to make it. Then I was 1/2 a mile from home, then 1/4 mile from home and then...I ran 5.1 miles! I went out slow and focused on finishing. I did it. My negative voice kept getting softer and softer. I ended up at a 10:49 pace for the 5 miles and couldn't be happier. I did it.
It's funny, while I'm out, my head is ablaze with thought. I'm thinking and thinking. Sometimes there are brilliant, grand thoughts that will change the world and then I forget to write them down. Today was a scheduled rest day. I wanted to run, but I do know that I have to give the old legs a rest. Tomorrow it's 3 which I'm looking forward to.
I'll write more later...
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Confronting Myself
Opening Stats:
Weight 284 Lbs or 20.3 Stone or 128.8 Kilograms
Neck 18.5"
Chest 51"
Midsection 50"
Waist 45"
Hip 47"
Bicep 15.5"
Quad 25.5"
Calf 17"
Waist 45 inches? No wonder the 42s are feeling a bit tight! Well, today a wager has been undertaken among myself and 2 friends to see who can loose 30lbs first. Each of us has begun running. Today is week 3 for me. I did 3 miles tonight. My time was 30 minutes 24 seconds which I must say is a tad disappointing to me. I thought I was doing great. I was trucking along and it felt as though I was really cranking. I didn't look at my watch but when I finished the loop and stopped the watch I couldn't believe my time. More than 30 minutes. That's greater than 10 minutes per mile. I will keep running. I will keep running. I will succeed. Anyway...tonight I was wearing a new pair of shoes with which I am a bit disappointed. Next time I won't be blinded by a sale. Anyway, I did need a new pair of sneakers to walk around in. I am going to also start being careful about what I eat. I am going to make sure that the fuel I intake will help me kick some butt.
I am not happy about where my stats are, but I am happy to have a starting point from which to judge my progress. If I remember way back to when I started running, I couldn't run 5 minutes with out having to stop and tonight I ran more than 30. I'm on the road to Disney, but for the short term, I have New Haven on December 10th. I have a 5 mile run scheduled for this Sunday. I want to get through them.
I'll write more later...
Weight 284 Lbs or 20.3 Stone or 128.8 Kilograms
Neck 18.5"
Chest 51"
Midsection 50"
Waist 45"
Hip 47"
Bicep 15.5"
Quad 25.5"
Calf 17"
Waist 45 inches? No wonder the 42s are feeling a bit tight! Well, today a wager has been undertaken among myself and 2 friends to see who can loose 30lbs first. Each of us has begun running. Today is week 3 for me. I did 3 miles tonight. My time was 30 minutes 24 seconds which I must say is a tad disappointing to me. I thought I was doing great. I was trucking along and it felt as though I was really cranking. I didn't look at my watch but when I finished the loop and stopped the watch I couldn't believe my time. More than 30 minutes. That's greater than 10 minutes per mile. I will keep running. I will keep running. I will succeed. Anyway...tonight I was wearing a new pair of shoes with which I am a bit disappointed. Next time I won't be blinded by a sale. Anyway, I did need a new pair of sneakers to walk around in. I am going to also start being careful about what I eat. I am going to make sure that the fuel I intake will help me kick some butt.
I am not happy about where my stats are, but I am happy to have a starting point from which to judge my progress. If I remember way back to when I started running, I couldn't run 5 minutes with out having to stop and tonight I ran more than 30. I'm on the road to Disney, but for the short term, I have New Haven on December 10th. I have a 5 mile run scheduled for this Sunday. I want to get through them.
I'll write more later...
Monday, November 20, 2006
Cross Training
Is running 5 days a week enough? By some measures yes, but I want to add some form of strength training to my routine. In fact, I want to employ a comprehensive body weight training set so that I can get maximum gains in the shortest amount of time. I think that being fit enough to throw ones own body around is a sign of good fitness and that is what I am striving for.
One day, I'm surfing around the internet and come across this fitness guy named Ross (www.rossboxing.com) who has a great site that is devoted to boxing workouts. Now in my opinion, boxers and wrestlers have a tremendous training rountine. Those guys are in shape! Well, on Ross's website he mentions this toal body conditioning exercise called a Burpee (http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/rossboxing2.htm) which is a variation on the famed squat thrust. He advocates a circuit that is a 2 minute round broken up in 30 second intervals of burpee then shadow boxing with a one minute rest between rounds. I tried this today. I will be starting with 1 minute rounds. I was lucky to make it through. I'm also adding some other exercises to make about a 30 minute routine that is high intensity and will really challenge me to dig down and find the fitness.
I'm planning on 3 workouts per week and it's looking like Mon, Wed Fri are my days. I have put together a 6 week routine which modestly progresses from where I am today with 10% load increases each week. I'll reassess at the end of 6 weeks to see how I can shake this up.
Tomorrow is a running day. I did get some new shoes. I wore them today to break them in. Tomorrow I'll do a couple a miles in the new kicks. I'll write more tomorrow.
One day, I'm surfing around the internet and come across this fitness guy named Ross (www.rossboxing.com) who has a great site that is devoted to boxing workouts. Now in my opinion, boxers and wrestlers have a tremendous training rountine. Those guys are in shape! Well, on Ross's website he mentions this toal body conditioning exercise called a Burpee (http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/rossboxing2.htm) which is a variation on the famed squat thrust. He advocates a circuit that is a 2 minute round broken up in 30 second intervals of burpee then shadow boxing with a one minute rest between rounds. I tried this today. I will be starting with 1 minute rounds. I was lucky to make it through. I'm also adding some other exercises to make about a 30 minute routine that is high intensity and will really challenge me to dig down and find the fitness.
I'm planning on 3 workouts per week and it's looking like Mon, Wed Fri are my days. I have put together a 6 week routine which modestly progresses from where I am today with 10% load increases each week. I'll reassess at the end of 6 weeks to see how I can shake this up.
Tomorrow is a running day. I did get some new shoes. I wore them today to break them in. Tomorrow I'll do a couple a miles in the new kicks. I'll write more tomorrow.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
The Long Slow Run
Today was my long slow run. It was my first long slow run. 4 miles was on the plan--2 miles out, 2 miles back. I started out slowly, the first mile was 10:47. I was planning on running 4 11 minute miles. I thought with this pace I could make it all the way through. Plus I read that the long slow run should be 1 1/2 to 2 minutes slower per mile than your planned race pace. My goal is to run 9 minute miles for the 5K so 11 minute miles it will be. Well, I got through mile 1 and hit the stop button on my watch thinking it was the lap timer. You, see, I discovered on my watch that it can be used as either a split timer or a lap timer. Having never participated in a timed type of sport, I'm not exactly sure how the split works, but I have a pretty good idea how the lap works. When I push the button it records time 1 as lap one and then push again for time 2 etc. This way I can have the time per mile instead of my average time per mile which is also good to know. Well, I pushed the wrong button and actually stopped the time. I discovered this as I hit mile 2 and wanted to see my mile 2 time. I quickly hit the start button again to get the timer going. So mile 1 was 10:47 and when I started it back up at mile two the timer begin clocking my progression. When I got back to the start, the complete of 4 miles the elapsed time was ~31 minutes. (I'm not sure of the exact time because I actually started the stupid thing again at some point between my cool-down, shower and writing of this note because the timer is going and it is up over an hour!) So anyway, mile 2, 3 and 4 was run in about 30 minutes so all in all, I was at about a 10 minute pace.
While out, I was listening to my running buddy, Steve Runner of www.steverunner.com, the voice of Phedippidations who was talking about is performance at the Marine Corps Marathon. One of the things that came up was bathroom breaks, twisted intestines and I got to thinking because during my run I had to stop to tie one of my shoes and also for a traffic light. When timing yourself while running, do you stop the clock when you stop to empty yourself, tie a shoe or pause for a picture? I will ask this of him through his forum and see what he has to say.
The other thing I was thinking about was that 4 miles isn't really that far. To say that it is my long run, for many runners, this is a light day distance. It's very troubling how I compare my performance as someone who is relatively new to this sport at a -10 in fitness level to those who are at an 8 fitness level. The one thing I know is that if I keep this up, an 8 mile run wouldn't seem like a stretch and I just lace up the shoes and begin putting one foot in front of the other. I did make it through the 4 miles without taking a walking break. I continued and tried to vary my pace if I got tired or felt good.
I've been running consistently for 2 weeks now. The previous 6 - 8 weeks I'd been running about 2-3 miles 1 - 2 days a week with 20 - 30 minutes of Rugby on Saturday. The one thing that is for sure, Rugby fitness is a bit different from just running fitness. Another thing that is for sure is that running will definitely build up a solid base of cardiovascular fitness. I am planning to add regular calisthenics to my routine to build up an anaerobic base too. I really like the idea of doing body weight exercises like push ups, pull ups, single leg squats, all of which are a challenge because I am carrying a bunch of extra weight. What I am doing with this though will be setting very small goals and staying constant with the effort. I believe the added time would be an extra 20 minutes 3 times a week. So that would be 1 extra hours to even further my level of fitness. I'm encouraged that I've made it out the door in my shoes, according to plan for the last 2 weeks and look forward to tomorrows off day and Tuesday's run and so on and so on and so on.
That's all for now, except that I do feel good about where I am. I'm going to lace up and run.
While out, I was listening to my running buddy, Steve Runner of www.steverunner.com, the voice of Phedippidations who was talking about is performance at the Marine Corps Marathon. One of the things that came up was bathroom breaks, twisted intestines and I got to thinking because during my run I had to stop to tie one of my shoes and also for a traffic light. When timing yourself while running, do you stop the clock when you stop to empty yourself, tie a shoe or pause for a picture? I will ask this of him through his forum and see what he has to say.
The other thing I was thinking about was that 4 miles isn't really that far. To say that it is my long run, for many runners, this is a light day distance. It's very troubling how I compare my performance as someone who is relatively new to this sport at a -10 in fitness level to those who are at an 8 fitness level. The one thing I know is that if I keep this up, an 8 mile run wouldn't seem like a stretch and I just lace up the shoes and begin putting one foot in front of the other. I did make it through the 4 miles without taking a walking break. I continued and tried to vary my pace if I got tired or felt good.
I've been running consistently for 2 weeks now. The previous 6 - 8 weeks I'd been running about 2-3 miles 1 - 2 days a week with 20 - 30 minutes of Rugby on Saturday. The one thing that is for sure, Rugby fitness is a bit different from just running fitness. Another thing that is for sure is that running will definitely build up a solid base of cardiovascular fitness. I am planning to add regular calisthenics to my routine to build up an anaerobic base too. I really like the idea of doing body weight exercises like push ups, pull ups, single leg squats, all of which are a challenge because I am carrying a bunch of extra weight. What I am doing with this though will be setting very small goals and staying constant with the effort. I believe the added time would be an extra 20 minutes 3 times a week. So that would be 1 extra hours to even further my level of fitness. I'm encouraged that I've made it out the door in my shoes, according to plan for the last 2 weeks and look forward to tomorrows off day and Tuesday's run and so on and so on and so on.
That's all for now, except that I do feel good about where I am. I'm going to lace up and run.
Friday, November 17, 2006
What is a runner?
I went out yesterday morning. 5:30 am. I had 2.5 miles in my plan. I ran a bit more than 2.5, probably 2.7 but I'm not an odometer. I was out for 24:57. The whole time I was running I was working through a litany of reasons why I shouldn't be running. I then thought that, hey, when I started running, I couldn't run 1 mile. I was able to run 2.5. There are lots of experts who say to start slow. I have a hard time starting slow. One thing that I must say is waiting a day to make my post, I have lost all of the great ideas that I thought of while I was out that I thought that I had to include in my online journal.
Today is an off day, meaning no running but I will do something. I will have to more to say later. But here's the thing, I did make it out. I followed my plan, I went out, I ran. Am I a runner? We'll see...
Today is an off day, meaning no running but I will do something. I will have to more to say later. But here's the thing, I did make it out. I followed my plan, I went out, I ran. Am I a runner? We'll see...
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Run for the Hills
"The best laid plans of mice and men oft go awry." I set out thinking that I will run 3X2 minute hill repeats, got to the hill and on my first repeat thought that I would die about 45 seconds in and decided I would run 1 minute repeats. I did run 3 of them, but the distance up the hill by the 3rd repeat was about 30 yds shorter than the first repeat. Very interesting! I then jogged/walked back home. I wasn't rigorous at all about how much jogging vs. walking there was, I just got home. The total time out was about 47 minutes. I was disappointed at how little I could do from a hill repeat standpoint. I'm always thinking I could do more that I am actually capable of doing. What I was left with this morning though was a feeling that, hey, I've established a baseline and let's see how I can improve on this. In fact on one of my long runs after the 5K December 10th, I may incorporate that hill into one of my routes. The hill is about 1 mile long and would probably work into a 4 mile run. This is definitely within the realm of possibility and I am not discouraged by my lack of stamina. It will come. I just have to remain consistent with my training and not let the discouragement set me back.
What I am picking up from my reading and listening is that each time you go out as a runner, you are not going to set a PR (personal record). The most important thing is that you are out there--running. (Or in my case, plodding along.) Anyway, now that I have my hill session behind me I can look forward to my up coming easy runs. I would like to set as an immediate goal for myself to run the 4 miles on Sunday without stopping. Let's see how that goes.
What I am picking up from my reading and listening is that each time you go out as a runner, you are not going to set a PR (personal record). The most important thing is that you are out there--running. (Or in my case, plodding along.) Anyway, now that I have my hill session behind me I can look forward to my up coming easy runs. I would like to set as an immediate goal for myself to run the 4 miles on Sunday without stopping. Let's see how that goes.
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