So Philadelphia training started this morning and after a few months of anticipation there was excitement I haven't felt for awhile. Wanting to put aside the issues surrounding Cincinnati and the struggles shortly after, I was anxious to get going.
Monday afternoon as I walked around at work I felt a slight "twinge" in my left plantar fasciatis. Not painful, but just a "twinge" that I would describe more as an ache than anything.
Not wanting to take the first day of training off, I decided to head out and give it a try. A few twinges gave way to normal running and I felt pretty confident even though I knew it wasn't the best idea. The plan was to do a 4 miler according to my schedule. Halfway through the run, I decided to cut it to 3 and not take any more of a risk than I needed to.
When I made the last turn and headed up the final hill to the house, the twinge began hitting with every foot stroke. Needless to say, beginning training was not the smartest thing to do. Back to ice, rolling a tennis ball on my foot and now, taking Thursday off. Saturday is a toss up. Perhaps the toughest thing during training is being patient when you need to be. It might be tougher when it's the first week. Thank God it's not October.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Sunday, July 29, 2007
And Away We Go
Sixteen weeks, and it will all be over with. Philadelphia training is upon me.
A final long run of 11.5 miles today in a hot, humid sticky soup was all that stood between me and Philly training. I got it in, and barely. I learned today that I am a cooler weather runner. It has not been that hot or humid most of the summer and today was just brutal. After a 3 mile out and back put me halfway done, I began an opposite 3 mile out and back that was just brutal. I hadn't felt that awful since the final 4 miles in Cincinnati.
I obviously ran the first half too fast and after struggling through the first three miles, I worked my way back to the house glad that I hadn't passed out from heat exhaustion.
After an afternoon of recovery in the air conditioned comfort of the house and a good supper, I can say that I am ready for this next sixteen weeks. I have no idea if it will be good, bad or indifferent. I have no idea what challenges lie ahead. I just know that I've got miles in front of me and I am excited at the uncertainty. It is a good feeling to have a schedule and prepare for what I have coined the most important race so far. Will I end up in Boston come Sunday, November 18, 2007? Check back in 16 weeks and the answer will be right here on this page. That chapter hasn't been written yet, but it will be written between now and then.
A final long run of 11.5 miles today in a hot, humid sticky soup was all that stood between me and Philly training. I got it in, and barely. I learned today that I am a cooler weather runner. It has not been that hot or humid most of the summer and today was just brutal. After a 3 mile out and back put me halfway done, I began an opposite 3 mile out and back that was just brutal. I hadn't felt that awful since the final 4 miles in Cincinnati.
I obviously ran the first half too fast and after struggling through the first three miles, I worked my way back to the house glad that I hadn't passed out from heat exhaustion.
After an afternoon of recovery in the air conditioned comfort of the house and a good supper, I can say that I am ready for this next sixteen weeks. I have no idea if it will be good, bad or indifferent. I have no idea what challenges lie ahead. I just know that I've got miles in front of me and I am excited at the uncertainty. It is a good feeling to have a schedule and prepare for what I have coined the most important race so far. Will I end up in Boston come Sunday, November 18, 2007? Check back in 16 weeks and the answer will be right here on this page. That chapter hasn't been written yet, but it will be written between now and then.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
"That's a Boston mile!"
Motivation comes in crazy ways to crazy people like us runners. For me, like most runners I will use motivational quotes, listen to music on my ipod that motivates me and in general my thoughts. Thoughts of qualifying for Boston. Thoughts of a PR or a great run. Many other thoughts too numerous to post here.
Recently I began a habit of saying, "that's a Boston mile" every time I run a mile in 7:29 or less. See, if I run 26.2 miles at an average pace of 7:29 per mile I qualify for Boston. It's that simple. So I have begun the arduous process of teaching my body to run longer faster. And part of that process is being able to post longer and longer runs of 7:29 miles one after another.
So about a week ago, when I time my runs, when I finish a mile in 7:29 or less, I say "that's a Boston mile". It started in my head. In my thoughts. But recently I've begun saying it aloud. Hearing it makes it more real somehow. At first I worried if people were out and heard me that it might sound stupid. But I don't run for them. And honestly, I don't really care what people think of me. I'm on a mission. That's all that really matters. And with the fall just ahead of us, and the days getting shorter, not many folks are outside to hear me anyway.
Strung together 4 times, "that's a Boston mile" would equal 29:56. After doing four miles in 28:28 this morning, that was a Boston run. Now I just need to do that same thing 5 1/2 more times in a row on the same day. No problem.
Recently I began a habit of saying, "that's a Boston mile" every time I run a mile in 7:29 or less. See, if I run 26.2 miles at an average pace of 7:29 per mile I qualify for Boston. It's that simple. So I have begun the arduous process of teaching my body to run longer faster. And part of that process is being able to post longer and longer runs of 7:29 miles one after another.
So about a week ago, when I time my runs, when I finish a mile in 7:29 or less, I say "that's a Boston mile". It started in my head. In my thoughts. But recently I've begun saying it aloud. Hearing it makes it more real somehow. At first I worried if people were out and heard me that it might sound stupid. But I don't run for them. And honestly, I don't really care what people think of me. I'm on a mission. That's all that really matters. And with the fall just ahead of us, and the days getting shorter, not many folks are outside to hear me anyway.
Strung together 4 times, "that's a Boston mile" would equal 29:56. After doing four miles in 28:28 this morning, that was a Boston run. Now I just need to do that same thing 5 1/2 more times in a row on the same day. No problem.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
A Unique Experience
So I got up today and decided to go to Indiana (about a 35 minute drive) to take part in the Citizens Helping Citizens 5k race. I felt pretty good when I awoke.
For a change I was nice and early. So I flipped on the television and saw a documentary on the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team. I've seen it before, but today it would help play a role in my run.
The 9:00 a.m. race got under way and we were off. Running through the streets of Indiana (the home of Jimmy Stewart) and eventually onto a grassy hillside and on a race track (for cars) and through a swimming area, a parking lot and then back through some more of the campus of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Needless to say, it was by far the most unique race I have run in. Well, one of the most unique.
Coming up for the final mile, I digged down knowing that I would be close to 20:00. I had intended on doing between 20:00 and 21:00, but then I had hopes for a PR. My PR in a 5k is 20:04. After today it still is. But I knew that I had company behind me and knew that I would be close to a "medal". I race against myself, but when push comes to shove, I don't want to lose a medal like I had done in the 4th of July 15k (by a mere :03).
On the final push, I drew from the emotions I felt and saw in the documentary earlier in the day and crossed the finish line in 20:18. Good for 1st in the 30-39 age group and one of the most unique awards I've ever gotten (pictured here). I am amazed that I hadn't seen this before. Irony at it's best. A clock for a great time!
Friday, July 20, 2007
Graspin' for Topics
And so I've chosen the next big race. And I've continued to train and run. And so time goes on. Not much to write about really.
My years are very phase-oriented. Fall is when it begins to get hectic. School will begin and so will hockey and time will not seem that plentiful. It will stay that way through Christmas, when a short break will give way to more craziness in the dead of winter. But in the middle of July, when umpiring and my regular job are my only callers, time can draw out like a blade (see Shawshank Redemption). Actually, it's not that bad. It's a change of pace. It's reward for the hard work and little sleep that will encompass me from late August/early September through late April/early May.
And so I am in the laid back days of summer. Perhaps I'll run the Citizens Helping Citizens 5k tomorrow morning in Indiana, PA. It's speed work with a t-shirt. Although this isn't the best plan, I'll plan on going unless I get up too late to get there.
Much like when I was a kid; I love summer.
My years are very phase-oriented. Fall is when it begins to get hectic. School will begin and so will hockey and time will not seem that plentiful. It will stay that way through Christmas, when a short break will give way to more craziness in the dead of winter. But in the middle of July, when umpiring and my regular job are my only callers, time can draw out like a blade (see Shawshank Redemption). Actually, it's not that bad. It's a change of pace. It's reward for the hard work and little sleep that will encompass me from late August/early September through late April/early May.
And so I am in the laid back days of summer. Perhaps I'll run the Citizens Helping Citizens 5k tomorrow morning in Indiana, PA. It's speed work with a t-shirt. Although this isn't the best plan, I'll plan on going unless I get up too late to get there.
Much like when I was a kid; I love summer.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Another Week Already?
The dog days of summer. Typically that's sometime in August, but since I'm approaching a new training regimen at the end of this month, it feels like the dog days. No "formal" training going on other than a week to week schedule that I build upon week by week.
As a result, I've gotten into a sort of "funk". The running is going great, but I noticed last night that I've slacked off on the blog. So I decided to hit it up with another post today.
My running schedule has been kind of erratic lately. I typically followed a Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday schedule with speedwork on Fridays or Saturdays but I've done a lot of Wednesday and Friday running of late. Various circumstances have come about, and that is one of the beauties of not being into "formal" training mode. Flexibility. When I get into "formal" training I follow a schedule fairly rigid and don't deviate unless it's absolutely necessary.
But that is not the case during the dog days. Take today for example. I did my usual Tuesday 4 yesterday and then followed up with another 4 this morning because Becky is out of town at training again. Rather than getting back on the dreadmill in the humid basement tomorrow morning, I went back to back. That will allow me an extra day of rest before doing speedwork either this Friday or Saturday (informal training flexibility). Not to mention I'm in charge of the dogs until Beck gets back tomorrow. Maybe that's why it feels like the "dog" days, huh?
As a result, I've gotten into a sort of "funk". The running is going great, but I noticed last night that I've slacked off on the blog. So I decided to hit it up with another post today.
My running schedule has been kind of erratic lately. I typically followed a Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday schedule with speedwork on Fridays or Saturdays but I've done a lot of Wednesday and Friday running of late. Various circumstances have come about, and that is one of the beauties of not being into "formal" training mode. Flexibility. When I get into "formal" training I follow a schedule fairly rigid and don't deviate unless it's absolutely necessary.
But that is not the case during the dog days. Take today for example. I did my usual Tuesday 4 yesterday and then followed up with another 4 this morning because Becky is out of town at training again. Rather than getting back on the dreadmill in the humid basement tomorrow morning, I went back to back. That will allow me an extra day of rest before doing speedwork either this Friday or Saturday (informal training flexibility). Not to mention I'm in charge of the dogs until Beck gets back tomorrow. Maybe that's why it feels like the "dog" days, huh?
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Fifteen for the Fourth
Today being the 4th of July, it is another day to enjoy the freedoms that we have as Americans. And as part of that freedom, we can decide to go or do just about anything we want to; within reason.
Within reason for me today was to head over the mountain to Altoona, PA to run in the Hollidaysburg YMCA 15k. There was a 5k available, but crazy as I am I decided to do the big boy.
I haven't run a 15k in almost three years. The last one I did was the Flight 93 Memorial 15k in November, 2004. That was a brutal course. This one was pitched as "flat and furiously fast". I'll agree with half of it. It was fast, but flat? Yes and no. There were some hills there. You could barely make them out, but they were there.
Despite the obstacles, which included me not really being thoroughly prepared to do a race of this distance right now, and umpiring behind home plate last night, which is killer on the legs, I went over there this morning with the intention of doing a sub-1:10. 1:09:30 puts me on a Boston pace, and since I'm so focused on Boston that has become my measuring stick. I thought it was a reasonable goal. Turns out, I was right.
Came across the line in 1:06:19. An excellent time and a new PR for a 15k, by over twelve minutes. There is no doubt I am as good a runner as I have ever been. There is no doubt I'm as close to Boston as I have ever been. And there is no doubt that today was a good day. Despite the good, I still only placed 4th in my age group and 21st overall. Now, I've PR'ed 4 times in my last 5 races. But I don't count the 5k I ran the week after the marathon. I went with a friend as support and battled tendinitis that day. No medal today. That's kind of a new thing for me of late. I run for the medals. But it's not always about the medals. Happy Birthday America.
Within reason for me today was to head over the mountain to Altoona, PA to run in the Hollidaysburg YMCA 15k. There was a 5k available, but crazy as I am I decided to do the big boy.
I haven't run a 15k in almost three years. The last one I did was the Flight 93 Memorial 15k in November, 2004. That was a brutal course. This one was pitched as "flat and furiously fast". I'll agree with half of it. It was fast, but flat? Yes and no. There were some hills there. You could barely make them out, but they were there.
Despite the obstacles, which included me not really being thoroughly prepared to do a race of this distance right now, and umpiring behind home plate last night, which is killer on the legs, I went over there this morning with the intention of doing a sub-1:10. 1:09:30 puts me on a Boston pace, and since I'm so focused on Boston that has become my measuring stick. I thought it was a reasonable goal. Turns out, I was right.
Came across the line in 1:06:19. An excellent time and a new PR for a 15k, by over twelve minutes. There is no doubt I am as good a runner as I have ever been. There is no doubt I'm as close to Boston as I have ever been. And there is no doubt that today was a good day. Despite the good, I still only placed 4th in my age group and 21st overall. Now, I've PR'ed 4 times in my last 5 races. But I don't count the 5k I ran the week after the marathon. I went with a friend as support and battled tendinitis that day. No medal today. That's kind of a new thing for me of late. I run for the medals. But it's not always about the medals. Happy Birthday America.
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