I ran yesterday, and I have a plan to run today. I'm 100% compliant with my new running plan so far, and my attitude is slowly improving. Instead of not really thinking about running, my mind is telling me "You owe us a mile today -- just a mile. Fast or slow, you have to run one mile today." I'll get it done today while my kiddo runs cross country. I'm thinking I will do a hard mile and see how that feels.
My extrinsic motivation is in the form of my running plan tacked to my cubicle wall. It says run 2 miles on Monday [did it], one mile today [will do], and two more tomorrow. All in all, it's ten miles this week and eleven the next. But to what end? What does my end goal look like? It looks like me about 15 pounds lighter, as I am at the peak of marathon training. It looks like me answering, proudly, when people ask how much I run, "Forty miles a week." It looks like me, lean and sleek, running all over the city.
Perhaps I should find a race. Wifey has given me the green light. Her pregnancy is healthy and progressing normally, and her morning sickness is managable. She's all but encouraged me to go race [and take the kid.] But I don't want to run a 5K. I don't want to deal with the walkers and strollers and stuff. I want to find at least a 10K. It's too late for me to train for the Downtown Doubler 15K, and we may not be in town for the YMCA Turkey Trot in November. Hmm. Time to check out the race calendars.
Showing posts with label planning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label planning. Show all posts
2010-09-14
2010-09-10
A reboot in the kiester
I've decided my running needs a serious reboot. I'm directionless, unfocused, and -- worst of all -- not running. It could be that I'm not planning on running in any races until after the baby is born. It could be that I'm the laziest man in the world. Either way, I need a plan and some discipline.
So, to that end, I've done what every hard working IT professional does when he needs to formulate a plan. I created a spreadsheet. It gets me from where I am now [barely running] to 40 miles-per-week in 21 weeks. That's a 10%-per-week increase with a recovery week every fourth week. In other words, it's totally reasonable and do-able.
The major risk to the success of the plan is that it maxes out around the time the baby is due to arrive. Will I be able to run while sleep-deprived? Will my recovering wife let me out of the house for 16-mile long runs on Sunday mornings? Am I deluding myself that I'll stick to a plan that doesn't end with me getting a medal or a t-shirt?
Also, my intention is to run as many miles as possible either barefoot or in my Vibram FiveFingers. If my ankles protest, I can always run in my Nike Frees. But I have to run. The plan starts Monday. Let's see what happens.
So, to that end, I've done what every hard working IT professional does when he needs to formulate a plan. I created a spreadsheet. It gets me from where I am now [barely running] to 40 miles-per-week in 21 weeks. That's a 10%-per-week increase with a recovery week every fourth week. In other words, it's totally reasonable and do-able.
The major risk to the success of the plan is that it maxes out around the time the baby is due to arrive. Will I be able to run while sleep-deprived? Will my recovering wife let me out of the house for 16-mile long runs on Sunday mornings? Am I deluding myself that I'll stick to a plan that doesn't end with me getting a medal or a t-shirt?
Also, my intention is to run as many miles as possible either barefoot or in my Vibram FiveFingers. If my ankles protest, I can always run in my Nike Frees. But I have to run. The plan starts Monday. Let's see what happens.
2010-06-21
The best laid plans of mice and blueberries
I took a week off to nurse a tender ankle and Achilles tendon. I hesitate to call this an injury or an injury-related hiatus. I just had some tenderness after the trail race, and rather than worsen the problem, I chose to play it safe. I walked, rode my bike with my daughter, and stayed active. I just didn't run. Not running bugged me, but I think I am better off for it. Today, I ran three miles on the treadmill here at work and felt fine. I set it for a 2% grade and sped up every mile until I was doing an 8'22" pace. As much as I hate treadmills, I hate melting more. The weather at lunchtime was 90° with 63% humidity.
Enough of the past. Let's talk about the future. As a prophet once said, "We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives.
" I'm no longer planning on a fall marathon. Nor is a spring marathon very likely. Y'see, the missus and I are expecting another bundle from the stork. [Pardon the adult language.] The newbie is about 5-6 weeks along now and the size of a blueberry. Due date: the first week of February. We're all terribly excited. But I've been officially warned about three-hour training runs and five-hour races that make me useless for the weekend. Therefore, until further notice, let's call my training plan base-building.
I hope to still race, but I have a feeling any races will be spontaneous decisions on a Friday night -- small, local races of 10 kilometers or less. As always, I'll keep you posted.
Enough of the past. Let's talk about the future. As a prophet once said, "We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives.
" I'm no longer planning on a fall marathon. Nor is a spring marathon very likely. Y'see, the missus and I are expecting another bundle from the stork. [Pardon the adult language.] The newbie is about 5-6 weeks along now and the size of a blueberry. Due date: the first week of February. We're all terribly excited. But I've been officially warned about three-hour training runs and five-hour races that make me useless for the weekend. Therefore, until further notice, let's call my training plan base-building. I hope to still race, but I have a feeling any races will be spontaneous decisions on a Friday night -- small, local races of 10 kilometers or less. As always, I'll keep you posted.
2010-06-04
Can you spot the lame joke?
I don't have much to say today except that I nearly melted on my lunch-time run. Seriously, when will I ever learn? This morning it was gorgeous, and yet I chose to sleep in. This afternoon, it was around 85° with 60% humidity. On the good side, I did run instead of blowing it off entirely. There was a strong risk of that happening because I am extremely tired. I haven't been sleeping well, which is why I blow off my morning runs.
This weekend, my intention is to run 10 miles, mostly if not entirely on trails. This is my last run before the eight-mile trail race I'm doing next weekend. No word on whether Eminem will be there.
Aside from running, this is going to be an action-packed weekend full of outdoor activities with the family. I wonder whether I will get any decent rest at all?
Have a good one, dear reader.
This weekend, my intention is to run 10 miles, mostly if not entirely on trails. This is my last run before the eight-mile trail race I'm doing next weekend. No word on whether Eminem will be there.
Aside from running, this is going to be an action-packed weekend full of outdoor activities with the family. I wonder whether I will get any decent rest at all?
Have a good one, dear reader.
2010-06-01
June's most boring post so far
Last week I was a good boy, more or less. I ran 20 miles for the week, just shy of my goal of 25 miles because I cut short my long run on Sunday. I was suffering some tummy troubles and felt weak. The first lap around the park nearly wiped me out. Honestly, I felt unsafe. I didn't have the guts to attempt a second lap. I'm mixed on whether I did the right thing or not, quitting early. I mean, I did clear out all the spider webs in Cherokee Park on the first go-round. And seeing a turtle was cool. On the other hand, "waves of nausea" aren't obstacles I feel I need to overcome during miles 6 through 10 when there isn't a medal at stake.
Today was better. I ran five in the heat. The heat [81° and 68% humidity] was my punishment for failing to run in the cool, but humid, early morning hours. I will never learn.
I'm not feeling very chatty today, so I will leave you on this note. I have my marathon training plan
in place for the fall. It starts at the end of the month. I'm doing the FIRST plan again, but I am doing it based on a 5K time that's about 20 seconds slower than last time. My tempo runs and long runs ought to be marginally easier. Intervals suck no matter what. But that's what I have to look forward to starting June 28 until October 17, 2010.
During this month, I'll be doing pre-marathon-training training. I am going to gradually build to 30 miles per week and start doing some weight lifting and core-work to tone up my upper body.
Today was better. I ran five in the heat. The heat [81° and 68% humidity] was my punishment for failing to run in the cool, but humid, early morning hours. I will never learn.
I'm not feeling very chatty today, so I will leave you on this note. I have my marathon training plan
in place for the fall. It starts at the end of the month. I'm doing the FIRST plan again, but I am doing it based on a 5K time that's about 20 seconds slower than last time. My tempo runs and long runs ought to be marginally easier. Intervals suck no matter what. But that's what I have to look forward to starting June 28 until October 17, 2010. During this month, I'll be doing pre-marathon-training training. I am going to gradually build to 30 miles per week and start doing some weight lifting and core-work to tone up my upper body.
2010-05-28
Nerd alert
Ever one to take something to the next level of nerdiness, I have added geocaching to the things I can do when I run. Geocaching, in case you didn't know , is a modern form of treasure hunting. But instead of a dusty treasure map and an eyepatch, you search for your booty with a GPS receiver and a pen. And an eyepatch if you want. Go to the Geocaching website to learn more.
How do I integrate running and Geocaching? It's a simple matter of figuring out where I want to run -- like near work or around my neighborhood. Then, I search for geocaches in that area on the Geocaching website. Once I find some, I connect two or three waypoints to create a route that's about the distance I want to go. Then, I run to the first cache. Simple. Once a week or so, this is a refreshing diversion that keeps my runs from getting boring and routine.
I am ashamed to tell you how much fun this is for me. But I swear it reaps benefits. In addition to getting the most out of my Garmin Forerunner 305
, and adding spice to my runs, it actually helps me stay committed. Take this morning as an example. I needed to run before work so I could go out to lunch with my co-workers. There was a huge risk that I would hit the snooze button and blow off the run. So I decided to run to a cache near my house that I failed to find last night. So, after dreaming about the hunt all night, I didn't hit the snooze button like I so often do. I ran and found the cache.
See what I did there? I added something that generated excitement and instantly rewarded me for achieving a goal. I'm like a lab rat pushing the lever for more pellets.
And Geocaches are everywhere, especially in parks, so they are even a good way to add some spice to trail running. But even if you think Geocaching
is too hard
or too nerdy
, finding some way to add excitement and a reward system into your running is a great way to keep you motivated. Like I said before, even if I don't want to run, I want to find that next cache. And how will I get there? I may as well run. And finding the cache is the payoff. Here's how it works.
So this week was great. I'm set to run 10 trail miles this weekend (and hunt down 3 or 4 caches.) Life is good.
How do I integrate running and Geocaching? It's a simple matter of figuring out where I want to run -- like near work or around my neighborhood. Then, I search for geocaches in that area on the Geocaching website. Once I find some, I connect two or three waypoints to create a route that's about the distance I want to go. Then, I run to the first cache. Simple. Once a week or so, this is a refreshing diversion that keeps my runs from getting boring and routine.
I am ashamed to tell you how much fun this is for me. But I swear it reaps benefits. In addition to getting the most out of my Garmin Forerunner 305
, and adding spice to my runs, it actually helps me stay committed. Take this morning as an example. I needed to run before work so I could go out to lunch with my co-workers. There was a huge risk that I would hit the snooze button and blow off the run. So I decided to run to a cache near my house that I failed to find last night. So, after dreaming about the hunt all night, I didn't hit the snooze button like I so often do. I ran and found the cache.See what I did there? I added something that generated excitement and instantly rewarded me for achieving a goal. I'm like a lab rat pushing the lever for more pellets.
And Geocaches are everywhere, especially in parks, so they are even a good way to add some spice to trail running. But even if you think Geocaching
is too hard or too nerdy, finding some way to add excitement and a reward system into your running is a great way to keep you motivated. Like I said before, even if I don't want to run, I want to find that next cache. And how will I get there? I may as well run. And finding the cache is the payoff. Here's how it works.do
me.buildExcitement()
me.run()
if (geocache.found = true) {
me.getReward()
}
loop while not me.isDead()So this week was great. I'm set to run 10 trail miles this weekend (and hunt down 3 or 4 caches.) Life is good.
2010-04-28
Milestones
With the KDF half marathon behind me, I have a summer of choices ahead of me. In the past, after a big race, I have had that "what now?" malaise. Not this time. I know exactly what I need to do this summer. I need to get in fighting trim for a marathon. I may not have made the statement on these pages that I won't run any more marathons, but I said these foolish words numerous times since Chicago in real life, even to my beloved wife. Things haven't been right since making that pledge to do nothing.
Even before crossing the finish line Saturday, I knew I had made a mistake signing up for the Half instead of the Full. When I arrived at the split, I sorely wanted to go right and take that long, lonely slog eastward with the marathoners. I felt like I was with the wrong crowd. Physically, of course, I couldn't have gone more than 13.1. I was barely in sufficient shape to run what I did. But in my heart, I knew I belonged with the 10% of the runners going the other way. After the race, as I received my medal for the Half, again I felt like I had run the wrong race. I saw the racks of marathon medals and grew covetous. I felt a visceral avarice I had never felt before. I saw proud, trim runners wearing theirs around the post-race party and had to look the other way.
Another thing I noticed was when I crossed the finish line, my thoughts were different from when I had finished my two marathons. I thought, "Whew, that's done. Where's the beer tent?" I'll never regain the jubilation and relief of finishing my first one. Heading toward that finish line, I couldn't stop the tears. I was invincible. Even after the second one, I had such sense of pride and accomplishment that I didn't come down from the clouds for days. I don't get those sensations anywhere else in my life.
And putting all this together in my mind, I've come to one conclusion. I am a fool not to run marathons. I don't have much courage or self-confidence most of the time, but when I'm running? I can do running. I pwn running. I can run marathons. I'm not the fastest; I'm not the slowest. Yet, I can run and run and run and cross finish lines. Running lets me be good at something most people cannot imagine trying.
So looking ahead to summer, I have some trail races to keep me honest, but those are just milestones on a larger path. What am I really doing this summer? I am a marathoner; therefore, I am training for a marathon.
Even before crossing the finish line Saturday, I knew I had made a mistake signing up for the Half instead of the Full. When I arrived at the split, I sorely wanted to go right and take that long, lonely slog eastward with the marathoners. I felt like I was with the wrong crowd. Physically, of course, I couldn't have gone more than 13.1. I was barely in sufficient shape to run what I did. But in my heart, I knew I belonged with the 10% of the runners going the other way. After the race, as I received my medal for the Half, again I felt like I had run the wrong race. I saw the racks of marathon medals and grew covetous. I felt a visceral avarice I had never felt before. I saw proud, trim runners wearing theirs around the post-race party and had to look the other way.
Another thing I noticed was when I crossed the finish line, my thoughts were different from when I had finished my two marathons. I thought, "Whew, that's done. Where's the beer tent?" I'll never regain the jubilation and relief of finishing my first one. Heading toward that finish line, I couldn't stop the tears. I was invincible. Even after the second one, I had such sense of pride and accomplishment that I didn't come down from the clouds for days. I don't get those sensations anywhere else in my life.
And putting all this together in my mind, I've come to one conclusion. I am a fool not to run marathons. I don't have much courage or self-confidence most of the time, but when I'm running? I can do running. I pwn running. I can run marathons. I'm not the fastest; I'm not the slowest. Yet, I can run and run and run and cross finish lines. Running lets me be good at something most people cannot imagine trying.
So looking ahead to summer, I have some trail races to keep me honest, but those are just milestones on a larger path. What am I really doing this summer? I am a marathoner; therefore, I am training for a marathon.
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