ORN: What a way to spend a Saturday: running 12 miles in 2:01'51". I felt good throughout, although I was ready to stop running when I stopped. My body was fine -- no pain at all. My greatest issue was boredom. Plodding along the road for two hours with no iPod and no companionship got boring. But I did it. And the rest of my Saturday was pretty good, too. The rest of the day I took great satisfaction in telling people, yeah, I ran 12 miles this morning while you were still in bed.
I think I may have figured out the mind-hack needed for me to get through these long-ass runs on Saturdays. I'm in this running group, right? It starts at 8:00. Most of the runners in the group are either training for the triple crown [5K, 10K, and 10 miler] or are running the Derby Festival half marathon. Only a couple of us are running the full marathon. [Actually, Fearless Leader Tracy is training for Boston, but that's her story to tell.] So I asked Tracy a while ago, what I should do. Everybody else is running 6-7 miles; I am running 8-9 miles and more. Brilliant coach that she is, she suggested running 4-5 miles before the group starts running, and then run 4-5 miles with the group.
Duh.
So that's how I run with the group. This time around, I ran 7.5 miles before the group showed up. Then at 8:00, I was prepared to run the balance of my 12 with my comrades. Sadly, I didn't end up running with anyone because by that point in the day, I was becoming exhausted; they were fresh. They sped off while I did the ass-end of my Long Slow Distance. Still, we started together; several of us finished together, more or less.
But apart from being able to enjoy the social aspect of my group, this is a great way to run long distances. Break it up into chunks. I'd heard of people saying to themselves that they think of the marathon as two ten milers and a 10K or something. But I never made the connection that this is a really clever hack for making any long run less intimidating. Rather than running 13 miles next weekend, which is nearly the most I've ever run, I will be running seven and six. And the bonus is a brief intermission between them to hook up with my peeps and drink some water. Two distinct workouts. Not one monolithic 13 miler: a seven and a six. Looking ahead:
Not 14: seven and seven.
Not 16: ten and six.
Not 18: ten and eight.
Not 20: ten and ten.
So long as I keep the segments [mentally] under ten, then I know the workout will not be impossible. I can do seven to ten miles. No problem. Call it swallowing the elephant one bite at a time.
I'm sure you all have heard of this before, and I am late to the insight. But I'm pretty pleased with myself and my own cleverness, so please don't ruin the moment for me.
2009-02-28
2009-02-26
Speeding along
ORN: Today, I ran four miles. I ran a 4x400 interval session with single miles on each end as a warm up and cool down. The whole effort took 37'02". Forget about what I said about not doing speed work while I am increasing my mileage. I needed a kick ass workout today, and Tracy helped me brainstorm a good one.
A few days ago, I mentioned that I'd have another big announcement, and here it is. As regular readers know, I am running the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon on April 25th. Without getting into messy details, there's a lot of people in my life who either have cancer, had cancer and overcame it, or had cancer and succumbed to it. Beyond my own selfish reasons, this marathon ought to be about something worthwhile. Therefore, I am running to raise money for Gilda's Club.
Here is my fundraiser page. Please donate if you can.
One of the great things about running is that almost all of races -- big and small -- are fundraisers for various charities. We are in the unique position, just by doing our thing, to make a difference in the world just by being who we are and doing what we love. So pat yourself on the back, friends. Your running habit is making the world a better place. Unless you don't run in races. In that case, you suck.
A few days ago, I mentioned that I'd have another big announcement, and here it is. As regular readers know, I am running the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon on April 25th. Without getting into messy details, there's a lot of people in my life who either have cancer, had cancer and overcame it, or had cancer and succumbed to it. Beyond my own selfish reasons, this marathon ought to be about something worthwhile. Therefore, I am running to raise money for Gilda's Club.
Here is my fundraiser page. Please donate if you can.
One of the great things about running is that almost all of races -- big and small -- are fundraisers for various charities. We are in the unique position, just by doing our thing, to make a difference in the world just by being who we are and doing what we love. So pat yourself on the back, friends. Your running habit is making the world a better place. Unless you don't run in races. In that case, you suck.
2009-02-25
Shoe Review: Nike Air Zoom Structure Triax+ 11
ORN: Today, I ran six miles, from work to Portland Wharf Park, in a zippy 56'08". My mile splits were consistent and fast [9'32", 9'17", 9'24", 9'18", 9'16", and 9'17"]. Jeez, I am a machine. I loved it today. The weather was perfect, if a little windy. I passed my buddy, Chris, on the way back [he was headed out]. And when I got done and sat back at my desk, I was pretty doggone productive. Good day. Moving on.
The moment a runner finds his perfect shoe is one of those odd moments in life. You don't recognize you've just found something special until you are in deep. Kind of like love. At some point you stop counting whether or not this is the seventh or eighth date, you fall into a groove, and several months along, you realize this is The One. You get her name tattooed on your chest, buy a ring, and the next day, she leaves you for a truck driver named Donna she met at the Lilith Fair. Ah, love.
The indefatigable Tracy, a natural runner and damned good running shoe salesperson, introduced me to the Nike AZST+11 after an epic bout of shoe shopping. She showed me Brooks, Pearl Izumis, Mizunos, New Balances... all different shapes and configurations. Then, I told her that I hadn't really been happy with a shoe since a pair of Nike Pegasuses I had years ago. That's when she brought Them out.
I didn't think much about Them when I first took Them out for a test jog on the side walk in front of the store. I mean, there was nothing to Them. They felt like nothing at all. My feet just ran. There was no discomfort. There was no nothing -- just me running. And that's about as nice a thing you can say about a running shoe, I think. This shoe gets out of the way and lets you experience the run.
Of course, I didn't appreciate it right away. I had been burned before. I was slow to open myself up to the Nikes. But instantly, I recognized that I ran faster. Absolutely nothing bothered me in my knees or hips, as was the case with my old pair of Brooks and to a lesser extent, the New Balances.
Now, I can say, having put around 170 miles on the shoes, that I love them. I feel like buying six pairs and stockpiling them in case Nike discontinues them. I very slightly overpronate, so I need a little structure but not much. More than anything, I need cushioning for my normal to high arches. These suckers fit the bill perfectly.
The moment a runner finds his perfect shoe is one of those odd moments in life. You don't recognize you've just found something special until you are in deep. Kind of like love. At some point you stop counting whether or not this is the seventh or eighth date, you fall into a groove, and several months along, you realize this is The One. You get her name tattooed on your chest, buy a ring, and the next day, she leaves you for a truck driver named Donna she met at the Lilith Fair. Ah, love.
The indefatigable Tracy, a natural runner and damned good running shoe salesperson, introduced me to the Nike AZST+11 after an epic bout of shoe shopping. She showed me Brooks, Pearl Izumis, Mizunos, New Balances... all different shapes and configurations. Then, I told her that I hadn't really been happy with a shoe since a pair of Nike Pegasuses I had years ago. That's when she brought Them out.
I didn't think much about Them when I first took Them out for a test jog on the side walk in front of the store. I mean, there was nothing to Them. They felt like nothing at all. My feet just ran. There was no discomfort. There was no nothing -- just me running. And that's about as nice a thing you can say about a running shoe, I think. This shoe gets out of the way and lets you experience the run.
Of course, I didn't appreciate it right away. I had been burned before. I was slow to open myself up to the Nikes. But instantly, I recognized that I ran faster. Absolutely nothing bothered me in my knees or hips, as was the case with my old pair of Brooks and to a lesser extent, the New Balances.
Now, I can say, having put around 170 miles on the shoes, that I love them. I feel like buying six pairs and stockpiling them in case Nike discontinues them. I very slightly overpronate, so I need a little structure but not much. More than anything, I need cushioning for my normal to high arches. These suckers fit the bill perfectly.
2009-02-23
Fasting is dumb if you are a runner
ORN: Today, I did something I wouldn't have done six months ago. I ran without my Polar RS200. I can see where it is, next to my wife's computer in her office. It wasn't in my bag. Six months ago, I would have seen my mistake, zipped my bag back up, and headed to White Castles. Today, though, I ran like an animal. No watch. Fortunately, I have run this route a dozen or so times, so I knew when to turn around. I did five-ish miles in 48 minutes or so. I raced a barge and smoked it. I also saw a nesting pair of Canadian geese.
Folks, you might have been reading about my recent diet madness. Maybe you follow me on Twitter and saw that I was fasting on Sunday. Let me lay it all down for you. Last week, I did a quack detox diet followed by a dumb juice fast on Sunday. It was dumb dumb dumb and almost a total waste of time. I say almost because I did lose five pounds.
Let me say at the outset, I will probably incorporate much of the diet into my regular eating from now on. The diet eliminated all sweeteners [except stevia], gluten, anything with flour, caffeine, and alcohol. I took supplements -- a liver cleanser and a colon cleanser. So my diet consisted entirely of fresh fruit and vegetables, a couple eggs, a little brown rice, a small portion of lean meat, and a small amount of healthy oils, like flax seed or olive. The actual food part was good, except for being woefully light on carbohydrates. Stupidly low for a runner.
So going forward, I think I will mostly eat the way I ate last week, except with more whole grains in the mix. Ideally, I'll eat something like this:
Breakfast - Oatmeal with fresh berries and milled flax seed
Mid-morning Snack - Cheese, and whole grain crackers
Lunch - Entree salad with lots of different greens and veggies, perhaps some nuts/seeds, fruit, and grilled chicken or salmon + bulgur or wheat berries
Afternoon snack - Fruit and a hard boiled egg
Dinner - Grilled lean meat, steamed veggies, brown rice, fruit
Dessert/evening snack - Smoothie with yogurt, milled flax seed, and fruit
I think I can eat that way forever. With a diet like that for 80%-90% of my meals, allowing for the occasional pizza or trip to the Mexican restaurant, I think I will do fine. It surely won't cause me to gain weight. We shall see.
Oh, and the fast was a total waste of time. I faithfully followed the plan for 20 hours and quit when the thought "THIS IS STUPID" wouldn't stop running through my head. I did not experience any great purging of toxins. I didn't feel any better afterward. I just felt dumb; hoodwinked; bamboozled. I made a bowl of popcorn, ordered a pizza, and if there was a beer in the house, it would have been the last 0.5% that would have made the night perfect. I gained back three of the five pounds I lost, and I am not sorry at all.
Folks, you might have been reading about my recent diet madness. Maybe you follow me on Twitter and saw that I was fasting on Sunday. Let me lay it all down for you. Last week, I did a quack detox diet followed by a dumb juice fast on Sunday. It was dumb dumb dumb and almost a total waste of time. I say almost because I did lose five pounds.
Let me say at the outset, I will probably incorporate much of the diet into my regular eating from now on. The diet eliminated all sweeteners [except stevia], gluten, anything with flour, caffeine, and alcohol. I took supplements -- a liver cleanser and a colon cleanser. So my diet consisted entirely of fresh fruit and vegetables, a couple eggs, a little brown rice, a small portion of lean meat, and a small amount of healthy oils, like flax seed or olive. The actual food part was good, except for being woefully light on carbohydrates. Stupidly low for a runner.
So going forward, I think I will mostly eat the way I ate last week, except with more whole grains in the mix. Ideally, I'll eat something like this:
Breakfast - Oatmeal with fresh berries and milled flax seed
Mid-morning Snack - Cheese, and whole grain crackers
Lunch - Entree salad with lots of different greens and veggies, perhaps some nuts/seeds, fruit, and grilled chicken or salmon + bulgur or wheat berries
Afternoon snack - Fruit and a hard boiled egg
Dinner - Grilled lean meat, steamed veggies, brown rice, fruit
Dessert/evening snack - Smoothie with yogurt, milled flax seed, and fruit
I think I can eat that way forever. With a diet like that for 80%-90% of my meals, allowing for the occasional pizza or trip to the Mexican restaurant, I think I will do fine. It surely won't cause me to gain weight. We shall see.
Oh, and the fast was a total waste of time. I faithfully followed the plan for 20 hours and quit when the thought "THIS IS STUPID" wouldn't stop running through my head. I did not experience any great purging of toxins. I didn't feel any better afterward. I just felt dumb; hoodwinked; bamboozled. I made a bowl of popcorn, ordered a pizza, and if there was a beer in the house, it would have been the last 0.5% that would have made the night perfect. I gained back three of the five pounds I lost, and I am not sorry at all.
2009-02-21
X
ORN: This morning, I ran 10.5 miles with my running group. Actually, I ran five before start time, and then I ran five more with group members Ryan and his mom, whose name I never got. Ryansmom, I guess. In all, it took me 1:48'36". I felt great, and as I write this several hours later, I still feel good. There is a bit of a burning in my hamstring, but I stretch it a little every couple hours. That helps. I also took a hot bath. Good to pamper yourself after a ten and a half mile run.
The group thing was fine. Tracy showed up with Diane and a box-load of Gu, Clif Bars, and Power Bars. We signed the sign-in sheet, grouped together according to distance and pace, and set off. 'Twas good to run with Ryan, whose usually a much faster runner than I but was slowing down for his mom. His mom was a great runner and a good running companion as well. The chatter was light and kept my mind off things. Today was a low-energy, low-motivation day, especially in the last four miles or so. Having compaionship really helped.
The last mile or so I ran alone. With a mile to go, Ryan sped off; his mom took a short cut. This allowed me to bring it in slowly, a welcome change of pace.
BTW, I am now 171.5 pounds. I was 172 pounds when I got out of boot camp, though it was distributed on my body much differently.
Tomorrow, rest and a juice fast. Monday, I think I will write a review of this diet I've been on this week.
The group thing was fine. Tracy showed up with Diane and a box-load of Gu, Clif Bars, and Power Bars. We signed the sign-in sheet, grouped together according to distance and pace, and set off. 'Twas good to run with Ryan, whose usually a much faster runner than I but was slowing down for his mom. His mom was a great runner and a good running companion as well. The chatter was light and kept my mind off things. Today was a low-energy, low-motivation day, especially in the last four miles or so. Having compaionship really helped.
The last mile or so I ran alone. With a mile to go, Ryan sped off; his mom took a short cut. This allowed me to bring it in slowly, a welcome change of pace.
BTW, I am now 171.5 pounds. I was 172 pounds when I got out of boot camp, though it was distributed on my body much differently.
Tomorrow, rest and a juice fast. Monday, I think I will write a review of this diet I've been on this week.
2009-02-19
Lost: 316 times better than anything else on TV
ORN: This morning, I ran four miles in 38'53", which is fairly consistent with the way I've been running lately. Two of those miles were into a 15-20 m.p.h. headwind. That would be tolerable if it were not also 29° and snowing. February is a dirty skank that gives you crabs, eats the last of the peanut butter, and sleeps with your room mate; I will not miss her when she's gone.
Moving on. I gotta mention Lost because last night was one of those episodes that left me scratching my head. Let me be clear: I'm about to complain, but it's still the best show on TV right now. I criticize because I love. I nag because I know you can be better, Lost.
Anyway, the stuff that happened in last night's episode was just a little too easy. I hope I don't spoil anything, but the characters got from plot-points A to B to C a little too neatly. Was it rushed storytelling? Were the writers trying to get to C as quickly as they could? I don't know precisely how to describe what was off about it. The episode left me with a deus ex machina taste in my mouth. It seemed sloppy. Yet, I have faith. I imagine they are using their time-worn technique of showing us stuff that baffles the hell out of us and then filling in the blanks later. Given how this season is going, I might have my puzzlement satisfied in the next couple episodes.
I do love how they are wrapping stuff up, though not always to my 100% satisfaction.
Moving on. I gotta mention Lost because last night was one of those episodes that left me scratching my head. Let me be clear: I'm about to complain, but it's still the best show on TV right now. I criticize because I love. I nag because I know you can be better, Lost.
Anyway, the stuff that happened in last night's episode was just a little too easy. I hope I don't spoil anything, but the characters got from plot-points A to B to C a little too neatly. Was it rushed storytelling? Were the writers trying to get to C as quickly as they could? I don't know precisely how to describe what was off about it. The episode left me with a deus ex machina taste in my mouth. It seemed sloppy. Yet, I have faith. I imagine they are using their time-worn technique of showing us stuff that baffles the hell out of us and then filling in the blanks later. Given how this season is going, I might have my puzzlement satisfied in the next couple episodes.
I do love how they are wrapping stuff up, though not always to my 100% satisfaction.
2009-02-18
Feeling better, thankyouverymuch
ORN: Today, the rain stopped, the clouds parted, and I ran my five miles in a lovely, sunny 54° morning [48'47"]. If I was an ungrateful lout, I would complain about the wind, but I ain't. Not today, anyway.
As you may know, on top of everything else, I am a project management nerd. That is why I can give you my earned value analysis of Project Finish-the-Marathon-Alive. Bottom line: my SPI and CPI are both better than 0.993. [A 1.0 would mean that I ran exactly as fast as I planned or exactly as far. I'm running a little farther and faster than planned, which is good.] With the whole project about 30% complete, we can predict with confidence that I will finish on time and on budget (i.e., complete the full training schedule.) The well-known risks (possible lazy weeks, injuries, catastrophic weather) are still cause for concern but are being monitored closely. Everything is proceeding as planned.
Since Sunday, I have felt like crap on account of this detox Wifey and I are doing. I've cut out natural and artificial sweeteners, gluten (including my typical breakfast food -- oatmeal), over-the-counter medicine, caffeine, processed foods, and alcohol. The headaches have been unbearable. But I confess; I have been cheating. I've had to just to function as a father, husband, and employee. I took a little ibuprofen on both Monday and Tuesday, and this morning I took an Excedrin. Finally, today, I feel somewhat decent. I have glimmers and flashes of headache, but they do not persist and are tolerable.
My mood is much improved today as well. On top of all the physical problems, my brain has been foggy this week, and I have been grumpy to the extreme. I've had little patience with people, and everything inside me has told me to crawl into a hole, like Gollum, and hide, brooding forever over my malice and contempt for all life. Yeah, I've been a joy to be around. But today is better. I feel productive, and people don't make me feel like punching.
Plus, big bonus: my weight is down to an awesome 173.5. I haven't weighed that in a long, long time. If I got down to 170, I would be thrilled. 167 would be pure bliss. However, I am quite pleased with my weight loss so far.
As you may know, on top of everything else, I am a project management nerd. That is why I can give you my earned value analysis of Project Finish-the-Marathon-Alive. Bottom line: my SPI and CPI are both better than 0.993. [A 1.0 would mean that I ran exactly as fast as I planned or exactly as far. I'm running a little farther and faster than planned, which is good.] With the whole project about 30% complete, we can predict with confidence that I will finish on time and on budget (i.e., complete the full training schedule.) The well-known risks (possible lazy weeks, injuries, catastrophic weather) are still cause for concern but are being monitored closely. Everything is proceeding as planned.
Since Sunday, I have felt like crap on account of this detox Wifey and I are doing. I've cut out natural and artificial sweeteners, gluten (including my typical breakfast food -- oatmeal), over-the-counter medicine, caffeine, processed foods, and alcohol. The headaches have been unbearable. But I confess; I have been cheating. I've had to just to function as a father, husband, and employee. I took a little ibuprofen on both Monday and Tuesday, and this morning I took an Excedrin. Finally, today, I feel somewhat decent. I have glimmers and flashes of headache, but they do not persist and are tolerable.
My mood is much improved today as well. On top of all the physical problems, my brain has been foggy this week, and I have been grumpy to the extreme. I've had little patience with people, and everything inside me has told me to crawl into a hole, like Gollum, and hide, brooding forever over my malice and contempt for all life. Yeah, I've been a joy to be around. But today is better. I feel productive, and people don't make me feel like punching.
Plus, big bonus: my weight is down to an awesome 173.5. I haven't weighed that in a long, long time. If I got down to 170, I would be thrilled. 167 would be pure bliss. However, I am quite pleased with my weight loss so far.
2009-02-16
Cleansing myself
ORN: Today, I ran 5 miles in 49'50". I took it way easy on account of I felt like I had been sat on by Cthulhu or something. Seriously, I had a headache that wouldn't quit, and my joints ached like I was 90. I thought I had Lyme Disease or something. But by the 4.5 mile mark, I was feeling pretty good. In fact, once the run was over, I felt normal for the first time all day. Odd.
Now that I am thinking about it, after Saturday's nine miler, my body felt like hammered shit and hasn't stopped yet. It's not just my legs, either. My whole body ached as if I had been in a car accident or something. I guess I didn't help myself by chopping wood and cleaning out my gutters and a host of other chores all Saturday afternoon. I promised myself to take it easy on Sunday, and so I did. Or actually not. I went to the gym with the family and did 20 minutes of rowing and another 30-40 lazy minutes of crunches and other light, core stuff. Honestly, after the rowing, I barely did anything. Still, it wasn't full rest, and I guess I am paying for it today.
On top of everything else, I am spending the week detoxifying my innards. I don't know if there is any scientific merit to this, but Wifey and I are trying out this eating/supplement plan where we prepare our bodies for seven days by eating very healthily -- avoiding all the bad stuff that makes life worth living like trans fats, coffee, hooch, refined flour, sugar, etc. All this is so we can do a one-day juice fast. Supposedly, during the fast, my colon will cough up everything I've ever eaten, ever, and my liver will be as pure as a new-fallen snow. Frankly, I am looking forward to experiencing the monster shits it's supposed to deliver. My liver can kiss my ass.
After the bathroom adventures of the fast, we are supposed to eat well for three more days to recover and lock in the benefits. Translation: I have ten more days until I can have beer and hot wings again.
I don't know if this is related to the dieting and the supplements, but lately I have been 10 times crabbier, 11.2 times more sarcastic, 19% more intolerant, and twice as prone to fantasizing about punching people. I am in a rotten mood.
Now that I am thinking about it, after Saturday's nine miler, my body felt like hammered shit and hasn't stopped yet. It's not just my legs, either. My whole body ached as if I had been in a car accident or something. I guess I didn't help myself by chopping wood and cleaning out my gutters and a host of other chores all Saturday afternoon. I promised myself to take it easy on Sunday, and so I did. Or actually not. I went to the gym with the family and did 20 minutes of rowing and another 30-40 lazy minutes of crunches and other light, core stuff. Honestly, after the rowing, I barely did anything. Still, it wasn't full rest, and I guess I am paying for it today.
On top of everything else, I am spending the week detoxifying my innards. I don't know if there is any scientific merit to this, but Wifey and I are trying out this eating/supplement plan where we prepare our bodies for seven days by eating very healthily -- avoiding all the bad stuff that makes life worth living like trans fats, coffee, hooch, refined flour, sugar, etc. All this is so we can do a one-day juice fast. Supposedly, during the fast, my colon will cough up everything I've ever eaten, ever, and my liver will be as pure as a new-fallen snow. Frankly, I am looking forward to experiencing the monster shits it's supposed to deliver. My liver can kiss my ass.
After the bathroom adventures of the fast, we are supposed to eat well for three more days to recover and lock in the benefits. Translation: I have ten more days until I can have beer and hot wings again.
I don't know if this is related to the dieting and the supplements, but lately I have been 10 times crabbier, 11.2 times more sarcastic, 19% more intolerant, and twice as prone to fantasizing about punching people. I am in a rotten mood.
2009-02-14
Happy Valentine's Day
ORN: This morning, I spent 9.11 increasingly boring miles in 1:32'07". Around mile six or so, I started getting really bored. My body was on auto-pilot, plodding along, but my mind had drifted over the places it wanted to explore by that point. I ran started with my group, and ended with my group. Nobody seemed to be running my pace and my distance. I even broke it up so that I was only doing six by our scheduled start time. [I did three early.]
I felt great. It was a little cool, 40° and cloudy, but I wore too much clothing anyway. I was quite sweaty by the end of it.
Odd thing, I was ravenously hungry by mile seven. Like, I would have eaten a squirrel if I could have caught one. Fortunately, Tracy had the brains to bring some PowerBars and Clif Bars. I love Clif Bars. I gobbled one down and ran home to spend V Day with my girls.
I felt great. It was a little cool, 40° and cloudy, but I wore too much clothing anyway. I was quite sweaty by the end of it.
Odd thing, I was ravenously hungry by mile seven. Like, I would have eaten a squirrel if I could have caught one. Fortunately, Tracy had the brains to bring some PowerBars and Clif Bars. I love Clif Bars. I gobbled one down and ran home to spend V Day with my girls.
2009-02-12
This Place is Death
ORN: Today, I ran four miles in 38'47". It would have been 38'30" or a little faster, but I got this wicked pain in my shoulder than I had to stretch out. I get that from time to time, and I don't know why. It feels like my arm is going to fall right off. So, like today, I slow to a walk, stretch it back and forth and do circles. After a minute or so of that, it gets better, allowing me to run again.
My brain is still buzzing from last night's Lost. I cannot remember loving a television show this much since the early seasons of The X Files. That's the kind of nerd I am. I am so glad they are finally answering more questions than they raise.
My brain is still buzzing from last night's Lost. I cannot remember loving a television show this much since the early seasons of The X Files. That's the kind of nerd I am. I am so glad they are finally answering more questions than they raise.
2009-02-11
There is no charge for awesomeness
ORN: The weather service was predicting severe thunderstorms and damaging wind, so I ran extra fast to get my workout over with before that happened. I ran 5 miles in 47'39", which I am thrilled about. What's not to love about a 9'31" average pace? I felt strong from start to finish, but I was glad when the run was over. I ran into a 20 MPH headwind on the return leg.
I've got some news. I've volunteered to be a moderator over at the Runners' Lounge for the Getting Started lounge. What does that mean? It means I oversee the discussion board for people interested in newbie issues. I'll also be twittering Getting Started tips (follow @Runners_lounge), tentatively scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays starting next week. I'll also be podcasting on this subject with one or more other runners. I have no details on how, where, and when that'll happen. I am creeping slowly toward my goal of becoming a Big Deal on the Internet. Once we hash out all the logistical details, I'll let you know.
Also, I am working on something else that kinda cool but is, presently, hung up due to technical problems. Look out for that announcement soon, too.
I've got some news. I've volunteered to be a moderator over at the Runners' Lounge for the Getting Started lounge. What does that mean? It means I oversee the discussion board for people interested in newbie issues. I'll also be twittering Getting Started tips (follow @Runners_lounge), tentatively scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays starting next week. I'll also be podcasting on this subject with one or more other runners. I have no details on how, where, and when that'll happen. I am creeping slowly toward my goal of becoming a Big Deal on the Internet. Once we hash out all the logistical details, I'll let you know.
Also, I am working on something else that kinda cool but is, presently, hung up due to technical problems. Look out for that announcement soon, too.
2009-02-09
Shorts & T-shirt Day!
ORN: I ran four miles today in 38'51". The weather was a relatively awesome 50°. I was a little chilly getting started, but I only had to run a short distance to get comfortable. The NWS says we are supposed to get up around 65°, but I'll believe it when I see it.
My energy level was medium today, but I think part of the reason for that is my weight is up. Between Saturday and Monday morning, I somehow packed on five pounds. I ate out a bit more than usual, so I think a large part of that is just water weight due to salt. But also I overate; it could be genuine flab.
Wednesday, I'm planning on five miles, then four more on Thursday. I am running nine on Saturday, which means this is going to be a big 22 mile week. And looking forward, it just gets better in the weeks to come. 75 days to go until race day!
My energy level was medium today, but I think part of the reason for that is my weight is up. Between Saturday and Monday morning, I somehow packed on five pounds. I ate out a bit more than usual, so I think a large part of that is just water weight due to salt. But also I overate; it could be genuine flab.
Wednesday, I'm planning on five miles, then four more on Thursday. I am running nine on Saturday, which means this is going to be a big 22 mile week. And looking forward, it just gets better in the weeks to come. 75 days to go until race day!
2009-02-07
Chainsaws make me happy
ORN: This morning, with the best running group ever, I ran 6 miles in 1:02'47". This is nearly three minutes longer than my PR last time I ran six miles partly because I was running with some slower runners unfamiliar with the course. I had to ensure they made their turns and didn't get lost. It was fun, except when I lost them for about ten minutes. It turns out the slower of the two took an unannounced short cut on account of her knee acting up on the hills. I totally understood. I was greatly relieved when I found myself about three minutes behind them coming out of the worst of the hills. I caught up and made sure they made it back safe and sound.
Then, I went home and broke out the chainsaw. I chopped up a mess of trees, and now I am sore head to toe. I want to soak in a hot bath for the rest of the weekend. I wonder if I can swing that?
Then, I went home and broke out the chainsaw. I chopped up a mess of trees, and now I am sore head to toe. I want to soak in a hot bath for the rest of the weekend. I wonder if I can swing that?
2009-02-05
Just call me Blockhead
ORN: Ran 3 miles in 29'02, but the key thing is I ran outside, even though it was 22° out there. Rather than split my skull on the ice and die the sweet, slow death of hypothermia on my usual riparian route, I played it safe and ran around the block a bunch of times. Turns out that between the people, the icy sidewalks, the cars darting in and out of driveways, and the low-hanging tree limbs, I don't think I was that much safer.
Running around the block a bunch of times is better than a treadmill, but it's still boring. Once or twice, just to jazz things up, I crossed the street and ran around a different block. Some businesses [like mine] did a great job of keeping their sidewalks clear of ice. Others [I'm looking at you Greyhound terminal and Carrier warehouse] had ice-skating rinks around their buildings.
This weather is killing my motivation, but the good news is that the weather should warm up for this weekend. Friday night's overnight low is supposed to be a balmy 39°; Saturday's high, a scorching 60°. I can't wait.
Running around the block a bunch of times is better than a treadmill, but it's still boring. Once or twice, just to jazz things up, I crossed the street and ran around a different block. Some businesses [like mine] did a great job of keeping their sidewalks clear of ice. Others [I'm looking at you Greyhound terminal and Carrier warehouse] had ice-skating rinks around their buildings.
This weather is killing my motivation, but the good news is that the weather should warm up for this weekend. Friday night's overnight low is supposed to be a balmy 39°; Saturday's high, a scorching 60°. I can't wait.
2009-02-04
Just gettin' the miles in
ORN: Ran 3 miles on the treadmill at work in 32'31". I probably would have been happier with the run if I had gone outside, but it was 17°. Some days I can man up and face that kind of weather; some days I can't. Today has been one of those days when I could not tolerate one more inconvenience. 17° is one hell of an inconvenience.
I needed the run, though. Work is tough right now. My volunteer life is tough right now. Things are still a bit topsy-turvy at home from the storm. So today's 30+ minutes of mindless sweating was just what I needed to break up the day.
Speaking of counting my blessings, tonight there's an all new Lost.
I needed the run, though. Work is tough right now. My volunteer life is tough right now. Things are still a bit topsy-turvy at home from the storm. So today's 30+ minutes of mindless sweating was just what I needed to break up the day.
Speaking of counting my blessings, tonight there's an all new Lost.
2009-02-02
You're welcome, feet
ORN: Sunday, I ran 4 miles in 41'41". Today, I ran 3 miles on solid ice in 33'47". Welcome to Week Five of my marathon training schedule. Eleven more to go, and this is the last "easy" week. By this Sunday, I will be about a third of the way through the plan but will have run a scant 20% of the miles. The top of the hill seems a long way off. But I am proud to say that right now I am still 100% on-plan in terms of number of workouts and 0.9% ahead of plan on mileage. All my projects should be as well managed.
After crashing my schedule to make my running goal for the week [16 miles in three days], my feet are in full revolt. Getting up this morning, I looked like a 85-year-old man, delicately heel-toeing it to the bathroom. It's not plantar fasciitis but good, old-fashioned soreness and tiredness. My feet will thank me for a rest day tomorrow. Actually, I am surprised at my body's ability to accept the punishment I've dished out in the last four days. Let's review.
Friday, four miles on the treadmill.
Saturday, eight very hilly miles.
Sunday, four very hilly miles too soon after lunch.
Today, three, flat, easy miles along the river.
Nineteen miles in four days. Yes ma'am, I am grateful this is a recovery week. For some of you, 19 miles might not seem like much of a streak, but it's a lot for me. Tomorrow, I need to do as little as possible and give my tootsies a break. I don't want to get injured this early in my training.
After crashing my schedule to make my running goal for the week [16 miles in three days], my feet are in full revolt. Getting up this morning, I looked like a 85-year-old man, delicately heel-toeing it to the bathroom. It's not plantar fasciitis but good, old-fashioned soreness and tiredness. My feet will thank me for a rest day tomorrow. Actually, I am surprised at my body's ability to accept the punishment I've dished out in the last four days. Let's review.
Friday, four miles on the treadmill.
Saturday, eight very hilly miles.
Sunday, four very hilly miles too soon after lunch.
Today, three, flat, easy miles along the river.
Nineteen miles in four days. Yes ma'am, I am grateful this is a recovery week. For some of you, 19 miles might not seem like much of a streak, but it's a lot for me. Tomorrow, I need to do as little as possible and give my tootsies a break. I don't want to get injured this early in my training.
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