As I mentioned in Monday's earlier post, I have a half-marathon coming up. I'm very excited for it, and it almost seems like it's not really happening. But of course, on Sunday I will hit the streets of Redlands with hundreds (thousands maybe?) of other runners, trying to conquer the 13.1 monster.
I have a plan for the race, which I will share later this week, but I have a plan for the week leading up to the race itself and I figured I might as well write it down to formulate my ideas.
Here are the miles I have planned for the week:
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: 3 (at the gym)
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: 4-5 (at Mt. Rubidoux)
Friday: 3-4 (at the gym)
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: RACE!!
I checked various training plans, both online and in books I have, and they all suggested about three runs during the week and about 9-12 total miles. I don't want to try and hit 31-plus miles this week as I have been for the last however many weeks. I'm still averaging more than 30 miles per week for the year but I just need to ease off the pedal a bit.
The hardest part will be not running more than 3-4 miles. Tuesday I will only have time for three miles so that won't be too tough but the other days I know I will want to keep running.
All the plans included some sort of workout, be it tempo, intervals or whatever. So I figured I'd run Mt. Rubidoux and call that a workout run. I'm going to push myself on there like I usually do, but the other runs I'm just going to run easy miles.
I don't want to feel like I'm crusing into the race but in some ways I think that's what you have to do. If you run, then you know how hard it is sometimes to just stop at distances when you'd normally be picking up the pace. But all that is also part of the plan. Come Sunday, I know my legs will be yearning to run a long distance and I'm not going to quell that feeling.
Showing posts with label half marathon training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label half marathon training. Show all posts
Monday, April 12, 2010
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Post-half thoughts
I spent so much time and energy and mileage on the Run Through Redlands that I can't just walk away from it before getting some things out of my system. Instead of making large, rambling posts on each of these topics (because I certainly can ramble), I figured I'd do a short burst of thoughts here and give myself more fodder to consider.
Training Sked Change
My time was good. I'm not taking away from my time. Could it have been better? Yeah, maybe. I'm not going to obsess about time, but it is something that I'm going to focus on of course. It's just a bit of a delicate balance, I suppose. So, how could I have gotten a better time? Well, that's maybe not the right away of phrasing it... How can I do better in the future for upcoming half-marathon races?
I think a more effective training schedule would do well. A 12-week schedule with seven double-digit runs was ultimately not realistic, with my work schedule and Dad Duty priorities, it was difficult sticking to the schedule. I think a shorter training schedule, possibly six weeks, would do well. If I've got a solid base to build on, then it shouldn't take more than six weeks to build up to running another half-marathon.
Musical Meanderings
The music worked out great! I somehow timed it perfectly. The first four miles were great as the songs I chose served their purpose. I had songs from Smashing Pumpkins, The Killers, Flogging Molly and Guns N Roses (thanks Tats & Teething Rings for the suggestion!). Right at the 4-mile marker, the Johnny Cash portion of the playlist began with (Ghost) Riders In The Sky and four miles later The Highwayman got me right to mile 8. The last five miles were all Metallica, and Lord knows I needed the heavy artillery to finish off. The only problem was that my iPod died on me right when one of my favorite heavy songs started, Disposable Heroes. It took me about two minutes to shut it down, get it back up and running and find the spot on my playlist. Those were two horrible quiet minutes in which I heard my feet, my breathing and everything around me. Painful! The song that played as I hit my stride at the end was Damage Inc., which I couldn't have time more perfectly. That song always riles me up!
Post-Race Relaxation?
After the race, my brothers and our respective families took our mom out for her birthday. It was fun and all but I think the next time I run a half marathon, I'm going to spend the rest of the day at home, relaxing.
What's Next?
This week, nothing. No running. No bike. No elliptical. No soccer. No nothing. After this weekend, I'm going to see how I feel and get back to the gym. I have the Mud Run coming up on June 13 but that's the only race I am officially registered for as of now. With that race, I'm going to be doing more interval runs, might spend some time on the elliptical, will run a stingy hill that's near my house multiple times and will start weight lifting again. Gotta bulk up a little. Truth be told, I'd rather just run but I need to hit the weights.
But in terms of other races, I'm not sure. There are a lot of Maybes over on the right there, and I may end up running one or two of them, maybe all of them, who knows?
Okay, What About The Biggie?
Oh yeah, that. I said all along that I would consider running a marathon once I did the half marathon.
Well...
Um. Yeah. I guess I have to figure that out. Well I don't have to, but still.
Stop dilly-dallying.
Oh. Sorry. Got off topic there. Um, if you would have asked me after the half marathon about a marathon, I would have said an emphatic NO WAY. I could not have imagined running that course a second time in my condition.
But that's the key phrase: in my condition. I am not in condition to run a marathon. But I can train for one. I know I can run 14 miles, 15 miles, 16 miles... I feel it. I can do it.
But what about 26.2?
Undecided. That, actually, I will dedicate a full post to.
Will you answer the question then?
I don't know. Guess we'll have to wait and see.
Training Sked Change
My time was good. I'm not taking away from my time. Could it have been better? Yeah, maybe. I'm not going to obsess about time, but it is something that I'm going to focus on of course. It's just a bit of a delicate balance, I suppose. So, how could I have gotten a better time? Well, that's maybe not the right away of phrasing it... How can I do better in the future for upcoming half-marathon races?
I think a more effective training schedule would do well. A 12-week schedule with seven double-digit runs was ultimately not realistic, with my work schedule and Dad Duty priorities, it was difficult sticking to the schedule. I think a shorter training schedule, possibly six weeks, would do well. If I've got a solid base to build on, then it shouldn't take more than six weeks to build up to running another half-marathon.
Musical Meanderings
The music worked out great! I somehow timed it perfectly. The first four miles were great as the songs I chose served their purpose. I had songs from Smashing Pumpkins, The Killers, Flogging Molly and Guns N Roses (thanks Tats & Teething Rings for the suggestion!). Right at the 4-mile marker, the Johnny Cash portion of the playlist began with (Ghost) Riders In The Sky and four miles later The Highwayman got me right to mile 8. The last five miles were all Metallica, and Lord knows I needed the heavy artillery to finish off. The only problem was that my iPod died on me right when one of my favorite heavy songs started, Disposable Heroes. It took me about two minutes to shut it down, get it back up and running and find the spot on my playlist. Those were two horrible quiet minutes in which I heard my feet, my breathing and everything around me. Painful! The song that played as I hit my stride at the end was Damage Inc., which I couldn't have time more perfectly. That song always riles me up!
Post-Race Relaxation?
After the race, my brothers and our respective families took our mom out for her birthday. It was fun and all but I think the next time I run a half marathon, I'm going to spend the rest of the day at home, relaxing.
What's Next?
This week, nothing. No running. No bike. No elliptical. No soccer. No nothing. After this weekend, I'm going to see how I feel and get back to the gym. I have the Mud Run coming up on June 13 but that's the only race I am officially registered for as of now. With that race, I'm going to be doing more interval runs, might spend some time on the elliptical, will run a stingy hill that's near my house multiple times and will start weight lifting again. Gotta bulk up a little. Truth be told, I'd rather just run but I need to hit the weights.
But in terms of other races, I'm not sure. There are a lot of Maybes over on the right there, and I may end up running one or two of them, maybe all of them, who knows?
Okay, What About The Biggie?
Oh yeah, that. I said all along that I would consider running a marathon once I did the half marathon.
Well...
Um. Yeah. I guess I have to figure that out. Well I don't have to, but still.
Stop dilly-dallying.
Oh. Sorry. Got off topic there. Um, if you would have asked me after the half marathon about a marathon, I would have said an emphatic NO WAY. I could not have imagined running that course a second time in my condition.
But that's the key phrase: in my condition. I am not in condition to run a marathon. But I can train for one. I know I can run 14 miles, 15 miles, 16 miles... I feel it. I can do it.
But what about 26.2?
Undecided. That, actually, I will dedicate a full post to.
Will you answer the question then?
I don't know. Guess we'll have to wait and see.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Tminus three days
The thought struck me on today's run, when I had barely pulled on to the sidewalk and had fired up the Garmin and the Polar, when Flogging Molly had barely started to flog Molly.
In 72 hours, it will all be over.
I had to do some quick calculations since I didn't immediately trust myself. It was about 9:40 a.m., and at 9:40 a.m. on Sunday morning...
See, I told you. All over.
Sunday's half-marathon starts at 7 a.m. and I anticipate taking between 2 hours and 2 hours, 15 minutes to finish. So translate that into actual time, race starts at 7, I'll be done no later than 9:15. And I don't know why I say that so matter-of-factly, like I'll be driving from my house to the beach and anticipating it to take a certain amount of time with little physical effort on my part.
But yes, this race of mine will be over. And I can separate myself a little bit from the pre-race preparation, the race itself and the post-race festivities. Of course, today was my second-to-last prep run for the monster that awaits Sunday. As I felt on Wednesday after a quick gym session, I felt very encouraged by the stats.
The stats:
5.07 miles, 49:07, avg HR 167, max HR 180, nipple pain moderate, fingers cold...
Okay, maybe the last two I'll have to work on a bit. I'll have to remember to take my vaseline and my gloves.
Anyway, my race strategy will be simple. Start slow but steady, build up to a strong late-middle portion and finish... well, not sure what condition I'll be in around, say Mile 11.5. I'd like to think that I'll be able to turn up the jets a little during the last portion of the race but if I'm sputtering, I'll just be thinking about the finish.
The key will be what I was keeping an eye on today and on Wednesday, and that's keeping my heart rate in check. I can't let it spiral too high too early. If I can maintain it at or around 160-165 for the first 2-3 miles, I'm going to be solid. If it's not too high over 170 by mile 4-5, that's going to be great. But if I'm scratching the 180s before mile 6.... not good.
Friday I'll do an interval run just to kind of give it one final push before Sunday. On Saturday, I'm going to spend the day dreading Sunday and being a nervous wreck in general... I mean, I'm going to spend the day preparing myself mentally for the race as well as trying to eat the right things (pasta) in preparation for Sunday.
I go nap now.
In 72 hours, it will all be over.
I had to do some quick calculations since I didn't immediately trust myself. It was about 9:40 a.m., and at 9:40 a.m. on Sunday morning...
See, I told you. All over.
Sunday's half-marathon starts at 7 a.m. and I anticipate taking between 2 hours and 2 hours, 15 minutes to finish. So translate that into actual time, race starts at 7, I'll be done no later than 9:15. And I don't know why I say that so matter-of-factly, like I'll be driving from my house to the beach and anticipating it to take a certain amount of time with little physical effort on my part.
But yes, this race of mine will be over. And I can separate myself a little bit from the pre-race preparation, the race itself and the post-race festivities. Of course, today was my second-to-last prep run for the monster that awaits Sunday. As I felt on Wednesday after a quick gym session, I felt very encouraged by the stats.
The stats:
5.07 miles, 49:07, avg HR 167, max HR 180, nipple pain moderate, fingers cold...
Okay, maybe the last two I'll have to work on a bit. I'll have to remember to take my vaseline and my gloves.
Anyway, my race strategy will be simple. Start slow but steady, build up to a strong late-middle portion and finish... well, not sure what condition I'll be in around, say Mile 11.5. I'd like to think that I'll be able to turn up the jets a little during the last portion of the race but if I'm sputtering, I'll just be thinking about the finish.
The key will be what I was keeping an eye on today and on Wednesday, and that's keeping my heart rate in check. I can't let it spiral too high too early. If I can maintain it at or around 160-165 for the first 2-3 miles, I'm going to be solid. If it's not too high over 170 by mile 4-5, that's going to be great. But if I'm scratching the 180s before mile 6.... not good.
Friday I'll do an interval run just to kind of give it one final push before Sunday. On Saturday, I'm going to spend the day dreading Sunday and being a nervous wreck in general... I mean, I'm going to spend the day preparing myself mentally for the race as well as trying to eat the right things (pasta) in preparation for Sunday.
I go nap now.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Solid as melting ice
Now that the Seal Beach run came and went, I can focus again on the now-daunting half marathon that stands in my way some, what?, 14 days from now.
Actually, counting today, I have exactly 12 days of preparation left before facing this monstrous challenge. 13.1 miles ain't nothin' to sneeze at. It's not quite nervous time yet, although soon I know I'll get to the why-the-hell-did-I-ever-think-this-was-a-good-idea phase. Probably two to three days before the run, and then all morning of the run itself.
Still, I have some time before then to continue training, but some of the time has been taken for me and is called for already. These last 12 days of training may or may not run smoothly, and judging by my life, it'll be the latter and not the former.
Today is all but out. So is Thursday. This actually wouldn't be the case - at least for today - if I actually ran in the afternoons or evenings. But I've found that because I perform so horribly to afternoon runs that it's actually counterproductive - I get tense before I run, I can't focus and don't seem to ever really gain my focus at any point during the run, I feel twice as physically drained as I do during the morning, and it's really really not an enjoyable experience at all.
(Quick side: I sometimes think that if I wasn't able to have done my workouts with my trainer in the mornings, I'd still be a heavy guy)
So afternoons are out, and that's too bad. I might try and change this at some point in the future since sometimes running in the afternoons might be the only viable option I have.
Wednesday I'll need to run, probably an outdoor run. Friday I'll have my girls with me all day so probably a gym run. Saturday will be just me and the girls again until the early afternoon (wife's traveling for work) so my 10-mile run now became a six-mile treadmill excursion. But I'll split that up with another 5-6 miles on Sunday, instead of 10 on Saturday and none on Sunday.
Now, keep in mind, this plan is about as fluid as the water I'm working on right now. It can change at a moment's notice, or my daughters' whims.
Next week seems more open to me, with possible morning runs likely for Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The only problem is, I'm not about to put any excess miles on my legs leading up to the race itself. I'll have to figure out how to properly enter the race, although I'm thinking of a long(er) run on Wednesday, about 3-4 miles on Thursday and maybe intervals on Friday, at which point I'll be wondering why the hell I ever thought this race was a good idea.
So there's my plan. Funny thing, just thinking that this plan is setting me up for a half marathon makes me nervous. It's kind of like getting dressed to go see the doctor or something, if you're nervous about seeing doctors. Like, these clothes will transport me to the dreaded doctor.
This plan will be the vehicle for which I will participate in an extremely unsettling experience.
And since I'm not running today, you'd think I'd be able to relax. Instead, it's the other way around. I'm going to have to try and not be grouchy and feeling negatively about my inability to run today.
I'll have to think happy thoughts. Well, at about 10:30 a.m. on April 19, I'll be happy. But then I'll probably do something dumb and sign up for the Camp Pendleton Half Marathon, which will kick this thing off all over again.
Because I like torture. I think that's the best way to describe it.
Actually, counting today, I have exactly 12 days of preparation left before facing this monstrous challenge. 13.1 miles ain't nothin' to sneeze at. It's not quite nervous time yet, although soon I know I'll get to the why-the-hell-did-I-ever-think-this-was-a-good-idea phase. Probably two to three days before the run, and then all morning of the run itself.
Still, I have some time before then to continue training, but some of the time has been taken for me and is called for already. These last 12 days of training may or may not run smoothly, and judging by my life, it'll be the latter and not the former.
Today is all but out. So is Thursday. This actually wouldn't be the case - at least for today - if I actually ran in the afternoons or evenings. But I've found that because I perform so horribly to afternoon runs that it's actually counterproductive - I get tense before I run, I can't focus and don't seem to ever really gain my focus at any point during the run, I feel twice as physically drained as I do during the morning, and it's really really not an enjoyable experience at all.
(Quick side: I sometimes think that if I wasn't able to have done my workouts with my trainer in the mornings, I'd still be a heavy guy)
So afternoons are out, and that's too bad. I might try and change this at some point in the future since sometimes running in the afternoons might be the only viable option I have.
Wednesday I'll need to run, probably an outdoor run. Friday I'll have my girls with me all day so probably a gym run. Saturday will be just me and the girls again until the early afternoon (wife's traveling for work) so my 10-mile run now became a six-mile treadmill excursion. But I'll split that up with another 5-6 miles on Sunday, instead of 10 on Saturday and none on Sunday.
Now, keep in mind, this plan is about as fluid as the water I'm working on right now. It can change at a moment's notice, or my daughters' whims.
Next week seems more open to me, with possible morning runs likely for Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The only problem is, I'm not about to put any excess miles on my legs leading up to the race itself. I'll have to figure out how to properly enter the race, although I'm thinking of a long(er) run on Wednesday, about 3-4 miles on Thursday and maybe intervals on Friday, at which point I'll be wondering why the hell I ever thought this race was a good idea.
So there's my plan. Funny thing, just thinking that this plan is setting me up for a half marathon makes me nervous. It's kind of like getting dressed to go see the doctor or something, if you're nervous about seeing doctors. Like, these clothes will transport me to the dreaded doctor.
This plan will be the vehicle for which I will participate in an extremely unsettling experience.
And since I'm not running today, you'd think I'd be able to relax. Instead, it's the other way around. I'm going to have to try and not be grouchy and feeling negatively about my inability to run today.
I'll have to think happy thoughts. Well, at about 10:30 a.m. on April 19, I'll be happy. But then I'll probably do something dumb and sign up for the Camp Pendleton Half Marathon, which will kick this thing off all over again.
Because I like torture. I think that's the best way to describe it.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Hittin' it hard
I've got one month to go. Exactly one month.
On April 19, I will run my first half marathon. I haven't done well to keep up with my training, and while I'll have to re-assess what exactly happened to my training plan, I will get back at it today.
I'll have time for an interval run today, plus a longer distance run on Friday followed by a longer run on Saturday. I'll be aiming for 10 miles, so in three days I'll hopefully have run about 18 miles.
I need a jump start as health issues, work and family responsibilities have taken precedence over running. But I will have time, and I'm going to take advantage of it.
I'll be back later, after my run, to report back on how it went. I don't anticipate any problems; in fact, the only problem I may encounter is what to listen to.
On April 19, I will run my first half marathon. I haven't done well to keep up with my training, and while I'll have to re-assess what exactly happened to my training plan, I will get back at it today.
I'll have time for an interval run today, plus a longer distance run on Friday followed by a longer run on Saturday. I'll be aiming for 10 miles, so in three days I'll hopefully have run about 18 miles.
I need a jump start as health issues, work and family responsibilities have taken precedence over running. But I will have time, and I'm going to take advantage of it.
I'll be back later, after my run, to report back on how it went. I don't anticipate any problems; in fact, the only problem I may encounter is what to listen to.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Bump in the road
I haven't been able to update my running progress mostly because there's been no progress. I had wanted to get in some solid runs last week, three midweek runs along with a 10-mile jaunt on Sunday, but that didn't happen.
Life got in the way.
First, Sunday was quickly ruled out so I switched the run to Saturday. I felt good all day Friday, felt like I was going to be able to conquer the distance again. But on Friday night, I had one of those painful calf cramps that come from out of nowhere. I was sitting in my office chair, right here in front of the computer, doing nothing in particular when all of the sudden...
PAIN PAIN PAIN PAIN PAIN PAIN
My calf screamed over and over again. It was about 15 seconds of torture, agony. May have been longer, but I'm just guessing. It seemed like a few minutes but I know I would have screamed or something if it had gone that long. I had to grit my teeth to stop myself from screaming and waking up the whole house in the process.
The calf pain was present on Saturday and I erred on the side of caution. I felt that if I were to push myself through, I might have done more harm than good. By Sunday, the pain was gone, but so was my chance to run 10 miles.
This week, I have a 13-mile run scheduled. I haven't yet but I need to check my original training plan to see if I should go through with it or if I should run 10 miles. For now, I'm planning on 13 but we'll see what The Book says.
Life got in the way.
First, Sunday was quickly ruled out so I switched the run to Saturday. I felt good all day Friday, felt like I was going to be able to conquer the distance again. But on Friday night, I had one of those painful calf cramps that come from out of nowhere. I was sitting in my office chair, right here in front of the computer, doing nothing in particular when all of the sudden...
PAIN PAIN PAIN PAIN PAIN PAIN
My calf screamed over and over again. It was about 15 seconds of torture, agony. May have been longer, but I'm just guessing. It seemed like a few minutes but I know I would have screamed or something if it had gone that long. I had to grit my teeth to stop myself from screaming and waking up the whole house in the process.
The calf pain was present on Saturday and I erred on the side of caution. I felt that if I were to push myself through, I might have done more harm than good. By Sunday, the pain was gone, but so was my chance to run 10 miles.
This week, I have a 13-mile run scheduled. I haven't yet but I need to check my original training plan to see if I should go through with it or if I should run 10 miles. For now, I'm planning on 13 but we'll see what The Book says.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Turning it up a notch
Lately, I've been running a lot of miles on the weekend, but the midweek miles have been consistently low. I've had runs of two and three miles to take up my time midweek, plus interval runs which are a bit longer.
Today, for instance, I have a four-mile run scheduled. Tomorrow is a regular interval run I've been doing but on Thursday and Friday I'll also have four-mile runs on the docket. Saturday is a rest day and Sunday is another 10-mile run.
I believe this is meant to get more weekly mileage in, probably in order to get through the longer runs better. With more mileage under my belt during the week, it might be easier to get through a longer run. I think the most important thing, though, is to get the runs in. I've skipped at least one run each week since I started my training for various reasons; soccer, children (you know, those pesky needy children :) ), work, health. I've done well to get my long runs in but sometimes life intervenes in the middle of the week.
Still, I think this week I will have the opportunity to get in my three four-mile runs, plus the interval run on Wednesday, plus the 10-mile run on Sunday.
And while Saturday's run was the longest run, this week may be the most mileage I've put in during any given week before. So there's another small achievement that I can count on.
Today, for instance, I have a four-mile run scheduled. Tomorrow is a regular interval run I've been doing but on Thursday and Friday I'll also have four-mile runs on the docket. Saturday is a rest day and Sunday is another 10-mile run.
I believe this is meant to get more weekly mileage in, probably in order to get through the longer runs better. With more mileage under my belt during the week, it might be easier to get through a longer run. I think the most important thing, though, is to get the runs in. I've skipped at least one run each week since I started my training for various reasons; soccer, children (you know, those pesky needy children :) ), work, health. I've done well to get my long runs in but sometimes life intervenes in the middle of the week.
Still, I think this week I will have the opportunity to get in my three four-mile runs, plus the interval run on Wednesday, plus the 10-mile run on Sunday.
And while Saturday's run was the longest run, this week may be the most mileage I've put in during any given week before. So there's another small achievement that I can count on.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Dozen miles: a look back
After such a long run on Saturday, I have gone back over and over the run in my mind. I've come away with several different thoughts on the run now than immediately after, or even a few hours after I finished. I guess two days removed I have another perspective on it and I felt I'd put it here so I can get these thoughts down and perhaps use them to draw on before my next long run.
EXHAUSTION
I wasn't completely exhausted after the run. I never got to what I call the "huffing and puffing" stage. There were a few hills in the second half of the run, I think Mile 10 was pretty much uphill, and I got close to that point during the run but I was never truly fully exhausted and wiped out in terms of being out of breath. This is very encouraging, but at the same time has me wondering if I didn't exert myself enough. I'm going back and forth over this feeling. Should I have been completely out of breath by the end? Does that mean I didn't give it my all? Or did I do well to conserve enough energy that I was able to get through 12 miles?
SPEED
Part of my hang-up over the exhaustion factor is my own personal debate where speed is concerned. On the one hand, finishing is my number one goal - finishing the half, finishing a really long run - and that is number one by a mile. Number two is finishing in a good time, or at least beating a set time. But on the other hand, I might not be running as fast as I maybe should be, and thus am not fully challenging myself. I tend to run at or around 9-minute miles. At least, that's what I've noticed since I got my Garmin. I've seen it as low as 8:30, the pace, and as high as 10:04 (the last part of the 12-mile run) but it usually doesn't get anywhere near a 7:59. Still, that's not taking into consideration the interval work I do at the gym, and some of those speeds are pretty fast. I'm wondering if I should try to run faster to maximize my runs and get a better workout. Although, I don't think my runs are lacking or my workouts are bad. Anyway, with relation to Saturday, I finished the run in a little more than two hours, so 12 miles then were run at a 10-minute-per-mile pace. Should I even care about that figure right now? I'm trying not to, but part of me wonders if I could have done it faster. Still, I counter to myself, faster for what? Why? Ugh. It's a debate with no end.
SWEAT
After the run, my shirt was drenched. Now I actually wore three shirts: the first was a tight workout shirt, a shirt that is meant to be tight actually, kind of like a stretchy-material that accentuates all your blemishes...; second was a long-sleeve shirt over that and third was a workout/running shirt over that. It wasn't that cold, I know, but I still wanted to wear several layers. All layers were drenched after the run, in particular the long-sleeve shirt. However, during the last 15-20 minutes, I noticed that I wasn't sweating. My forehead, which had dripped sweat into my eyes frequently during the early portion of the run, was dry. That got me worried. I'm going to have to A) hydrate myself even more on the day before my next 10-mile-plus run and B) figure out what I can take with me to consume during another such run. I've heard of a gel pack that you can pop in your mouth during runs, maybe that's a solution. But I've never done research into those because I've never had to. Now I will.
RECOVERY
I was supposed to have run three miles on Sunday. There was no way I could have ran three miles, I thought on Saturday. But on Sunday I actually went on a walk with my family, and it was encouraging. I could have ran three miles. I won't scrap the post-run workouts anymore since I was supposed to have run two miles after my 10-mile run. My muscles felt fine on Sunday morning, not fatigued or cramped or in pain or anything.
MENTAL TOLL
I'm not worried about a 12-mile run anymore. I'm still not sure about 13 miles, but I think I can handle that extra mile. I think once I break that 13-mile barrier I will not be worried about it either. I guess part of this half-marathon training thing is to also train my brain, for me to prepare mentally. I have a 10-mile run planned for this weekend and I believe a 12-mile run for the first full weekend of March. I look forward to those runs now with anticipation instead of with apprehension and a bit of fear, as I had in the start.
EXHAUSTION
I wasn't completely exhausted after the run. I never got to what I call the "huffing and puffing" stage. There were a few hills in the second half of the run, I think Mile 10 was pretty much uphill, and I got close to that point during the run but I was never truly fully exhausted and wiped out in terms of being out of breath. This is very encouraging, but at the same time has me wondering if I didn't exert myself enough. I'm going back and forth over this feeling. Should I have been completely out of breath by the end? Does that mean I didn't give it my all? Or did I do well to conserve enough energy that I was able to get through 12 miles?
SPEED
Part of my hang-up over the exhaustion factor is my own personal debate where speed is concerned. On the one hand, finishing is my number one goal - finishing the half, finishing a really long run - and that is number one by a mile. Number two is finishing in a good time, or at least beating a set time. But on the other hand, I might not be running as fast as I maybe should be, and thus am not fully challenging myself. I tend to run at or around 9-minute miles. At least, that's what I've noticed since I got my Garmin. I've seen it as low as 8:30, the pace, and as high as 10:04 (the last part of the 12-mile run) but it usually doesn't get anywhere near a 7:59. Still, that's not taking into consideration the interval work I do at the gym, and some of those speeds are pretty fast. I'm wondering if I should try to run faster to maximize my runs and get a better workout. Although, I don't think my runs are lacking or my workouts are bad. Anyway, with relation to Saturday, I finished the run in a little more than two hours, so 12 miles then were run at a 10-minute-per-mile pace. Should I even care about that figure right now? I'm trying not to, but part of me wonders if I could have done it faster. Still, I counter to myself, faster for what? Why? Ugh. It's a debate with no end.
SWEAT
After the run, my shirt was drenched. Now I actually wore three shirts: the first was a tight workout shirt, a shirt that is meant to be tight actually, kind of like a stretchy-material that accentuates all your blemishes...; second was a long-sleeve shirt over that and third was a workout/running shirt over that. It wasn't that cold, I know, but I still wanted to wear several layers. All layers were drenched after the run, in particular the long-sleeve shirt. However, during the last 15-20 minutes, I noticed that I wasn't sweating. My forehead, which had dripped sweat into my eyes frequently during the early portion of the run, was dry. That got me worried. I'm going to have to A) hydrate myself even more on the day before my next 10-mile-plus run and B) figure out what I can take with me to consume during another such run. I've heard of a gel pack that you can pop in your mouth during runs, maybe that's a solution. But I've never done research into those because I've never had to. Now I will.
RECOVERY
I was supposed to have run three miles on Sunday. There was no way I could have ran three miles, I thought on Saturday. But on Sunday I actually went on a walk with my family, and it was encouraging. I could have ran three miles. I won't scrap the post-run workouts anymore since I was supposed to have run two miles after my 10-mile run. My muscles felt fine on Sunday morning, not fatigued or cramped or in pain or anything.
MENTAL TOLL
I'm not worried about a 12-mile run anymore. I'm still not sure about 13 miles, but I think I can handle that extra mile. I think once I break that 13-mile barrier I will not be worried about it either. I guess part of this half-marathon training thing is to also train my brain, for me to prepare mentally. I have a 10-mile run planned for this weekend and I believe a 12-mile run for the first full weekend of March. I look forward to those runs now with anticipation instead of with apprehension and a bit of fear, as I had in the start.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Even dozen
When I woke up this morning, I felt good. I'd been worried about a pending cold, at least something I've felt coming on that I think is a cold, so I went to bed last night unsure of the status of my run. But when I opened my eyes just before 5 a.m. I knew a run was in store for me.
About two hours later, I had my running gear on and was ready to hit the road. I'd planned on running 12 miles, and had mapped out a route during the week. I was all set for the run; mentally prepared, felt well physically, no pending commitments that needed my attention/presence. None of that. Just me and the road... and my iPod, Garmin, Polar and all my gear as well.
I tried to divide my run into thirds but the math wasn't working out. The first third would be at the corner of one street and another (I'd type the name but it won't mean jack to most of my readers); that particular intersection was when I'd change course a bit. The route resembled a strange triangle, and that was near one of the corners. However, the second third - the end of the eighth mile - wasn't really near any sort of intersection. So I just decided that the last stretch, which was about five miles, would be my final leg.
Interestingly, my run divided in thirds after all. The first third, which coincided with the first leg, was a bit rougher than I had intended. The second third was great, fantastic. And the last third was pretty tough, got tougher as the run went on.
Still, it was a good run in that I ran for two hours and 12 miles, each new personal highs. I need to run those distances in order to best prepare for my half marathon so in that sense it was perfect.
In the end, my muscles were fatigued more than anything. But my body will adjust. It will have to since I have another 12-mile run scheduled for next week too.
Hopefully all legs of that one will go by smoothly.
About two hours later, I had my running gear on and was ready to hit the road. I'd planned on running 12 miles, and had mapped out a route during the week. I was all set for the run; mentally prepared, felt well physically, no pending commitments that needed my attention/presence. None of that. Just me and the road... and my iPod, Garmin, Polar and all my gear as well.
I tried to divide my run into thirds but the math wasn't working out. The first third would be at the corner of one street and another (I'd type the name but it won't mean jack to most of my readers); that particular intersection was when I'd change course a bit. The route resembled a strange triangle, and that was near one of the corners. However, the second third - the end of the eighth mile - wasn't really near any sort of intersection. So I just decided that the last stretch, which was about five miles, would be my final leg.
Interestingly, my run divided in thirds after all. The first third, which coincided with the first leg, was a bit rougher than I had intended. The second third was great, fantastic. And the last third was pretty tough, got tougher as the run went on.
Still, it was a good run in that I ran for two hours and 12 miles, each new personal highs. I need to run those distances in order to best prepare for my half marathon so in that sense it was perfect.
In the end, my muscles were fatigued more than anything. But my body will adjust. It will have to since I have another 12-mile run scheduled for next week too.
Hopefully all legs of that one will go by smoothly.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Afternoon run
It wasn't the best run, but I went to the gym Tuesday afternoon as planned.
The biggest difference, I quickly noted, was in my mental makeup. First, there was no way I would have been able to run 10 miles with the way my mind was racing. I wanted just to finish the run and I kept looking at the mileage on the treadmill and the clock in hopes of finishing early.
Now, I was only supposed to run two miles but I wound up running three. I figured the extra mile would do me some good. I ran the first mile at a 6.0, then a 6.8. Mile 2 I ran it at a speed of 7.3, and my heart rate reflected it. For the entire mile, my heart rate rose steadily from the low 170s to the mid 170s. I wasn't worried necessarily but just taken aback by how quickly it rose. Needless to say, if I want to run more than six miles or so, running that fast that early would not be wise.
By the time I was finished with my three miles, I felt more in a groove and more relaxed than I had when I first started. I could easily have kept going but I have to stick with my schedule. That is a good thing when you've got a 2-3 mile run, but not so good when you have a 12-mile monster facing you, which is my upcoming Saturday challenge.
Still, it's runs like Tuesday's that will help me defeat the beast.
The biggest difference, I quickly noted, was in my mental makeup. First, there was no way I would have been able to run 10 miles with the way my mind was racing. I wanted just to finish the run and I kept looking at the mileage on the treadmill and the clock in hopes of finishing early.
Now, I was only supposed to run two miles but I wound up running three. I figured the extra mile would do me some good. I ran the first mile at a 6.0, then a 6.8. Mile 2 I ran it at a speed of 7.3, and my heart rate reflected it. For the entire mile, my heart rate rose steadily from the low 170s to the mid 170s. I wasn't worried necessarily but just taken aback by how quickly it rose. Needless to say, if I want to run more than six miles or so, running that fast that early would not be wise.
By the time I was finished with my three miles, I felt more in a groove and more relaxed than I had when I first started. I could easily have kept going but I have to stick with my schedule. That is a good thing when you've got a 2-3 mile run, but not so good when you have a 12-mile monster facing you, which is my upcoming Saturday challenge.
Still, it's runs like Tuesday's that will help me defeat the beast.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Double Digits
Hopefully, this doesn't get lost amidst the Savory Sunday posts...
Saturday, I had what was easily one of the best runs of my life. it also happened to be the "longest run of my life" but that's not the only reason why it was an outstanding run.
Before heading out this morning, I was nervous. I had thought about the run all day Friday and through the night. It was the first thing I thought about this morning and I was a bit of a wreck while making my Saturday morning muffins. But around 7 or so, I started to get ready and before long I was stretching and figuring out what music I wanted to run to.
I left around 7:30 and the sun cooperated with me. It was not raining but rather sunny, not warm but just a bright morning. Still, I went out in long sleeves and gloves because it was still chilly. A little bit. But I've gotten used to wearing my gloves while running and my hands get cold so easily.
I didn't really have a route mapped out. I kinda sorta did, but I wasn't thrilled with it. The first mile was on a somewhat busy street outside my housing tract, but Mile 2 started out at the beginning of a lonely road that runs parallel to a freeway; no houses, no dogs, no people, few cars. It was nice. I got the four-mile mark and was supposed to hang a left, go back over the freeway and take a busy street back home, but decided against it. I liked the serenity of the lonely road so I stayed on there. I eventually got to 4.88 miles when I decided to turn back around.
I got to mile 6 and felt great. I remembered how a year ago, on my anniversary in fact, I'd ran six miles and my heart rate was in the 180s, which meant I was gassed. And that was just after breaking the 5-mile mark. My heart rate on Saturday hovered around 170 for much of the run, as I averaged 168 during the run.
For the next mile or so, I thought about how great the intervals had worked for me. That is a great exercise for my heart, since I work it a lot during an interval run. Here I was, in the seventh mile of a run, and I my heart rate was at 167, when not even eight months ago I would have already hit the wall.
Before I knew it, I was approaching the intersection to get back to the busy street near my house. I looked at my Garmin: 8.25. It's funny how a week ago that was the long run, and on Saturday it was a milestone that was forgotten almost as quickly as it had been reached.
I got past nine miles and felt great. I was in a groove, didn't feel any pain (save for the usual nip pain, argh) and wasn't tired or breathing heavily. Eventually I got on my street and was at around 9.9 miles or so. I hung a left instead of a right, ran down to the end, turned around and headed back home. I looked down and saw 10.0. I extended my arms out to my side and said "Yay!" to myself. I really had to control myself there because I wanted to keep running, keep going past my house and get to 11 or 12 miles, or longer.
Those runs will come in time. Saturday was about reaching a milestone, tackling the "longest run of my life" and checking off another long-distance run from my list
It was a rite of passage, and a run I'll remember forever.
Saturday, I had what was easily one of the best runs of my life. it also happened to be the "longest run of my life" but that's not the only reason why it was an outstanding run.
Before heading out this morning, I was nervous. I had thought about the run all day Friday and through the night. It was the first thing I thought about this morning and I was a bit of a wreck while making my Saturday morning muffins. But around 7 or so, I started to get ready and before long I was stretching and figuring out what music I wanted to run to.
I left around 7:30 and the sun cooperated with me. It was not raining but rather sunny, not warm but just a bright morning. Still, I went out in long sleeves and gloves because it was still chilly. A little bit. But I've gotten used to wearing my gloves while running and my hands get cold so easily.
I didn't really have a route mapped out. I kinda sorta did, but I wasn't thrilled with it. The first mile was on a somewhat busy street outside my housing tract, but Mile 2 started out at the beginning of a lonely road that runs parallel to a freeway; no houses, no dogs, no people, few cars. It was nice. I got the four-mile mark and was supposed to hang a left, go back over the freeway and take a busy street back home, but decided against it. I liked the serenity of the lonely road so I stayed on there. I eventually got to 4.88 miles when I decided to turn back around.
I got to mile 6 and felt great. I remembered how a year ago, on my anniversary in fact, I'd ran six miles and my heart rate was in the 180s, which meant I was gassed. And that was just after breaking the 5-mile mark. My heart rate on Saturday hovered around 170 for much of the run, as I averaged 168 during the run.
For the next mile or so, I thought about how great the intervals had worked for me. That is a great exercise for my heart, since I work it a lot during an interval run. Here I was, in the seventh mile of a run, and I my heart rate was at 167, when not even eight months ago I would have already hit the wall.
Before I knew it, I was approaching the intersection to get back to the busy street near my house. I looked at my Garmin: 8.25. It's funny how a week ago that was the long run, and on Saturday it was a milestone that was forgotten almost as quickly as it had been reached.
I got past nine miles and felt great. I was in a groove, didn't feel any pain (save for the usual nip pain, argh) and wasn't tired or breathing heavily. Eventually I got on my street and was at around 9.9 miles or so. I hung a left instead of a right, ran down to the end, turned around and headed back home. I looked down and saw 10.0. I extended my arms out to my side and said "Yay!" to myself. I really had to control myself there because I wanted to keep running, keep going past my house and get to 11 or 12 miles, or longer.
Those runs will come in time. Saturday was about reaching a milestone, tackling the "longest run of my life" and checking off another long-distance run from my list
It was a rite of passage, and a run I'll remember forever.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Post-run cooldown
I feel good today. Exactly 24 hours ago at this moment I was on my long run, my first eight-mile run. It feels good today to know that I was able to get that under my belt and now that I set my sights on the next monster challenge - my Valentine's Day 10-mile run - I have confidence that I can get there just fine.
I was wondering, though, how I would feel today. I wondered if the strain of a long run like that would leave any lingering effects, but so far not much to speak of. I'm not going to run today but I think if I had to I could get through a two-mile run for instance. My heels don't feel any different than usual, which is good. My hamstrings aren't tight and I don't feel any other sort of odd or strange pains anywhere.
What about my nipples? Yes, I chuckle too every time I write about them... Well, SpongeBob is still protecting the one so maybe that helped in the recovery process. It's always my right one that has given me issues. Hopefully this will not be a problem anymore and that I've learned my lesson and won't forget to put Vaseline on before runs. I don't know how I could have forgotten that since I've been really good about putting Vaseline before I ref soccer games and that's nothing compared to an eight-mile run.
Another thing I have to do to prepare for next week's run better is to make a new playlist. Yesterday's playlist worked great but I was about three songs short as I miscalculated the time. But also I went the hard stuff, the motivating stuff, a bit too early. I was at mile five when Metallica came on, and I need to bring out the heavy artillery later than that. I'm thinking at around mile seven next Saturday would be a good time to call in the muscle.
Also, this week I must do some of the midweek runs as much as possible. Last week my heels bothered me a bit so I skipped the runs but I think the midweek runs are crucial. I think had I ran a couple of miles earlier in the week I might have been able to maintain a higher pace and might have felt better during the last mile.
Anyway, just some thoughts I needed to get out before I move on to the planning stage of this upcoming week. I think I have a pair of two-mile runs as well as some sort of interval run on Wednesday.
I was wondering, though, how I would feel today. I wondered if the strain of a long run like that would leave any lingering effects, but so far not much to speak of. I'm not going to run today but I think if I had to I could get through a two-mile run for instance. My heels don't feel any different than usual, which is good. My hamstrings aren't tight and I don't feel any other sort of odd or strange pains anywhere.
What about my nipples? Yes, I chuckle too every time I write about them... Well, SpongeBob is still protecting the one so maybe that helped in the recovery process. It's always my right one that has given me issues. Hopefully this will not be a problem anymore and that I've learned my lesson and won't forget to put Vaseline on before runs. I don't know how I could have forgotten that since I've been really good about putting Vaseline before I ref soccer games and that's nothing compared to an eight-mile run.
Another thing I have to do to prepare for next week's run better is to make a new playlist. Yesterday's playlist worked great but I was about three songs short as I miscalculated the time. But also I went the hard stuff, the motivating stuff, a bit too early. I was at mile five when Metallica came on, and I need to bring out the heavy artillery later than that. I'm thinking at around mile seven next Saturday would be a good time to call in the muscle.
Also, this week I must do some of the midweek runs as much as possible. Last week my heels bothered me a bit so I skipped the runs but I think the midweek runs are crucial. I think had I ran a couple of miles earlier in the week I might have been able to maintain a higher pace and might have felt better during the last mile.
Anyway, just some thoughts I needed to get out before I move on to the planning stage of this upcoming week. I think I have a pair of two-mile runs as well as some sort of interval run on Wednesday.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Eight was enough
I did it. I ran 8.17 miles today, officially now the longest run of my life. As I sit down to write about the experience, my mind is racing and I don't know where to start. During my run, I thought about writing one of those longer posts and have some thoughts in italics and all that good stuff... actually, I thought about a lot of things during my run... but I think I'll save that for the 10-miler. I don't want to have to do that every run from now on since I'll be running longer distances now with each and every run than I have in my life, and that's a time-consuming method or writing... fun, but time-consuming.
Anyway, you don't want to read about my thought processes, you want to hear about my run. First and foremost, I'm glad I did it. I'm glad I set out to run eight miles and that I went through with it. There were so many things going against me this morning that I easily could have not ran it and could have been justified. For starters, I woke up at 1:48 a.m (yes, one in the morning) and couldn't go back to sleep. My stomach has been bothering me for the last week or so, and this morning it was bothersome. I took some tums and that helped. Then, it rained here last night pretty hard but this morning the rain went away. It was still cloudy but not raining. Still, none of that made me feel like scrapping the run. I'd focused on going so I simply followed through with those plans.
Still, things did not go off without a hitch. I put on my watch and heart-rate monitor strap, my Garmin and iPod and got my shoes on. However, the power had gone out on our street so I was dealing that and trying to close the garage door manually. After a few minutes doing that, I stretched and set off. The only thing I forgot was to put vaseline on my nipples. Wow. Last time I do that.
I felt great early on. I felt fantastic. Miles one and two were relatively simple and three and four weren't bad either. Having the Garmin helped tremendously because I knew exactly how long I was in and wasn't guessing or trying to figure out or remember landmarks or anything. I knew when I was 5.51 miles in because the Garmin said 5.51 miles.
I felt really good until after I got to about seven miles or so, probably a little before. My legs felt a little tight, and I tried to extend them by speeding up a bit but I was stuck at that pace so that was a no-go.
My heart rate hovered just under 170 for most of the run, which is good. I like to run right around 170 but usually I'm on the other side of 170; that is, usually I'm pushing my body to get to 170 and stay there but after seven miles or so, I was at 170 whether I wanted to or not. That was encouraging though. Had I been close to 180, I would have been close to hitting the wall. 180 and above for me is kind of the rarified air, and I can only stay there for a few minutes at a time at best. If I'm running and I get to and stay at or above 180, I'm gassed. I actually averaged 168 for my run and maxed out at 181 so that was very good. That gives me a solid base to start off with.
When I crossed the eight-mile mark I felt good. Physically I wasn't done, far from it, but I was exhausted. I felt good though knowing that I had met the first of several daunting challenges I'll face in the next 12 weeks or so. I kept on to the end of the street I was on and walked about five minutes more to get back home.
Now, about my Vaseline... I felt the pain in the third mile. It was slight and more discomfort at first than anything. But around the sixth mile I knew it was going to sting later. When I finally got home and took off my shirt, my nipple was red... well, just the end of it. Stupidly, I sprayed some neosporin on it and after a few moments of agony and about 15 swear words the pain subsided. I have a band-aid on one right now (a SpongeBob band-aid, hehe) but I can still feel the pain. I guess I won't forget to add that to my pre-run preparations anymore.
Overall, the run was great but I was left with a couple of conclusions. First, I could have ran more. I could have made it a nine-mile run, I'm certain. That's encouraging. Also, though, I felt a bit... I don't know, discouraged is not the right word but certainly I feel that as much as I accomplished today and as much as I learned about myself, I still have a long way to go. A long way. I haven't yet run 10 miles and I have seven of those runs to do from now until the half-marathon itself. A lot more sweat and tears and blood (hopefully none on the nips) will be shed from now until April 19.
Still, if I approach every run like I did today (and I wasn't in my optimum condition today either, I actually fell asleep while typing this out) I will slowly come to and overcome each obstacle. I just have to keep my focus.
Today then was ultimately a pretty good start.
Anyway, you don't want to read about my thought processes, you want to hear about my run. First and foremost, I'm glad I did it. I'm glad I set out to run eight miles and that I went through with it. There were so many things going against me this morning that I easily could have not ran it and could have been justified. For starters, I woke up at 1:48 a.m (yes, one in the morning) and couldn't go back to sleep. My stomach has been bothering me for the last week or so, and this morning it was bothersome. I took some tums and that helped. Then, it rained here last night pretty hard but this morning the rain went away. It was still cloudy but not raining. Still, none of that made me feel like scrapping the run. I'd focused on going so I simply followed through with those plans.
Still, things did not go off without a hitch. I put on my watch and heart-rate monitor strap, my Garmin and iPod and got my shoes on. However, the power had gone out on our street so I was dealing that and trying to close the garage door manually. After a few minutes doing that, I stretched and set off. The only thing I forgot was to put vaseline on my nipples. Wow. Last time I do that.
I felt great early on. I felt fantastic. Miles one and two were relatively simple and three and four weren't bad either. Having the Garmin helped tremendously because I knew exactly how long I was in and wasn't guessing or trying to figure out or remember landmarks or anything. I knew when I was 5.51 miles in because the Garmin said 5.51 miles.
I felt really good until after I got to about seven miles or so, probably a little before. My legs felt a little tight, and I tried to extend them by speeding up a bit but I was stuck at that pace so that was a no-go.
My heart rate hovered just under 170 for most of the run, which is good. I like to run right around 170 but usually I'm on the other side of 170; that is, usually I'm pushing my body to get to 170 and stay there but after seven miles or so, I was at 170 whether I wanted to or not. That was encouraging though. Had I been close to 180, I would have been close to hitting the wall. 180 and above for me is kind of the rarified air, and I can only stay there for a few minutes at a time at best. If I'm running and I get to and stay at or above 180, I'm gassed. I actually averaged 168 for my run and maxed out at 181 so that was very good. That gives me a solid base to start off with.
When I crossed the eight-mile mark I felt good. Physically I wasn't done, far from it, but I was exhausted. I felt good though knowing that I had met the first of several daunting challenges I'll face in the next 12 weeks or so. I kept on to the end of the street I was on and walked about five minutes more to get back home.
Now, about my Vaseline... I felt the pain in the third mile. It was slight and more discomfort at first than anything. But around the sixth mile I knew it was going to sting later. When I finally got home and took off my shirt, my nipple was red... well, just the end of it. Stupidly, I sprayed some neosporin on it and after a few moments of agony and about 15 swear words the pain subsided. I have a band-aid on one right now (a SpongeBob band-aid, hehe) but I can still feel the pain. I guess I won't forget to add that to my pre-run preparations anymore.
Overall, the run was great but I was left with a couple of conclusions. First, I could have ran more. I could have made it a nine-mile run, I'm certain. That's encouraging. Also, though, I felt a bit... I don't know, discouraged is not the right word but certainly I feel that as much as I accomplished today and as much as I learned about myself, I still have a long way to go. A long way. I haven't yet run 10 miles and I have seven of those runs to do from now until the half-marathon itself. A lot more sweat and tears and blood (hopefully none on the nips) will be shed from now until April 19.
Still, if I approach every run like I did today (and I wasn't in my optimum condition today either, I actually fell asleep while typing this out) I will slowly come to and overcome each obstacle. I just have to keep my focus.
Today then was ultimately a pretty good start.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Conflicted
I'm working on the first of three very big cups of coffee as I sit down to write this. And if you read this blog regularly, you know that I don't mix coffee and exercise.
As I'm having coffee today then, I won't be working out. My heel pain is still there and by not running today I'm erring on the side of caution.
I'm feeling conflicted about the whole thing. On the one hand, I feel bad because I had a training plan and now I'm not going to run my required distance for the second consecutive day. On the other hand, I have to consider the potential damage I could do and consider my schedule for the upcoming week. I've got quite a few games remaining this week and next so I need to keep that in mind as well.
Still, I don't feel quite as bad as I otherwise could. The midweek runs right now are short, two or three miles. I don't know exactly how much I'm running during games but I'm running quite a bit. It may not be for two consecutive miles but I'm running around, stopping, starting, raising my heart rate, all that good stuff. Now, it's not ideal in terms of training for a half marathon but I am not completely inactive; far from it.
While I'm getting some sort of activity during the week, I still need to get the long distance runs in on the weekends. I may move up my eight-mile run to Friday but either way I'm still going to get out and run that this week.
Once the soccer season ends on Feb. 12 (for me anyway), I will not have to wear my soccer cleats for a while. I will stick to distance running and training for my half-marathon while my heels recover. I think they can recover without complete rest and inactivity because I won't be wearing my cleats. Running with cushioned shoes is different than running with cleats, so hopefully that won't impede my training.
I suppose this is all part of my training regimen as well, to have the ability to roll with the whatever obstacles go my way.
As I'm having coffee today then, I won't be working out. My heel pain is still there and by not running today I'm erring on the side of caution.
I'm feeling conflicted about the whole thing. On the one hand, I feel bad because I had a training plan and now I'm not going to run my required distance for the second consecutive day. On the other hand, I have to consider the potential damage I could do and consider my schedule for the upcoming week. I've got quite a few games remaining this week and next so I need to keep that in mind as well.
Still, I don't feel quite as bad as I otherwise could. The midweek runs right now are short, two or three miles. I don't know exactly how much I'm running during games but I'm running quite a bit. It may not be for two consecutive miles but I'm running around, stopping, starting, raising my heart rate, all that good stuff. Now, it's not ideal in terms of training for a half marathon but I am not completely inactive; far from it.
While I'm getting some sort of activity during the week, I still need to get the long distance runs in on the weekends. I may move up my eight-mile run to Friday but either way I'm still going to get out and run that this week.
Once the soccer season ends on Feb. 12 (for me anyway), I will not have to wear my soccer cleats for a while. I will stick to distance running and training for my half-marathon while my heels recover. I think they can recover without complete rest and inactivity because I won't be wearing my cleats. Running with cushioned shoes is different than running with cleats, so hopefully that won't impede my training.
I suppose this is all part of my training regimen as well, to have the ability to roll with the whatever obstacles go my way.
Friday, January 30, 2009
No run
I had wanted to test out my brand-spankin' new Garmin on Thursday. I had a two-mile run slated for the day and wanted to run outdoors. But the day dragged on and before I knew it I'd missed my chance to run in the morning.
I had thought about running before my game but ended up not having enough time to do so. I probably didn't run two miles but I was particularly active during the game, running around the field and everything, so I felt good about my physical activity for the day. Had I been scheduled to run more than three miles, I probably wouldn't have but two miles is relatively light, considering the other amounts I'll have to put in later during this training portion of my half-marathon.
After the match, I sat in horrible traffic en route to my other assignment; I picked up some referee assignments at a local university as I'm officiating some intramural co-ed games; basically a league for grad students studying to be doctors and dentists and pursuing other such careers.
All told I officiated over four games on Thursday with no true run. While I feel good about having put in some work, I feel like I wasted a chance to test out my new toy. Oh well. Perhaps Saturday I will try it out. After all, I've got a two-mile run scheduled for Saturday. And if that weren't enough, I've got a six-miler scheduled for Sunday, so my using the Garmin is a question of when, not if.
I had thought about running before my game but ended up not having enough time to do so. I probably didn't run two miles but I was particularly active during the game, running around the field and everything, so I felt good about my physical activity for the day. Had I been scheduled to run more than three miles, I probably wouldn't have but two miles is relatively light, considering the other amounts I'll have to put in later during this training portion of my half-marathon.
After the match, I sat in horrible traffic en route to my other assignment; I picked up some referee assignments at a local university as I'm officiating some intramural co-ed games; basically a league for grad students studying to be doctors and dentists and pursuing other such careers.
All told I officiated over four games on Thursday with no true run. While I feel good about having put in some work, I feel like I wasted a chance to test out my new toy. Oh well. Perhaps Saturday I will try it out. After all, I've got a two-mile run scheduled for Saturday. And if that weren't enough, I've got a six-miler scheduled for Sunday, so my using the Garmin is a question of when, not if.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Who fartleked?
I did.
Okay, now that I got that bit of a humor that would make any 12-year-old boy proud, I need to tell you about today's run. Today was Week 1, Day 2 of my 12-week long path to hell otherwise known as my half-marathon training regimen. The program I'm following had me fartlek for two miles today.
According to my book running book I've invested in, a fartlek is "a few bursts of speed included within your normal endurance run." So for instance you are running like you always do but every now and then you speed up. So if there is a street corner you are approaching, you can run fast towards it, then go back down to normal speed, run to a certain house or building or another landmark, back down to normal speed, etc.
This is a sort of interval training, when it all comes down to it. I suppose the only difference is that you don't go down to a walk like you do with intervals, you just run slow and run fast, as opposed to walk, run slow and run fast (and sprint sometimes too). But a fartlek run can be shorter in time because you are working a little harder and thus can finish a little quicker.
I had originally thought about doing intervals but I the plan only called for three miles today so I didn't really bother with the interval run since it's closer to four and I'm all for shaving miles... I mean, sticking to the plan. So instead, I fartleked (I'm pretty sure it can be used as a verb).
Here's what I did: I walked for about a minute or so after warming up a bit on the bike. I started at a 5.5 and did that until minute three. Then I raised it up to 7.5 for three minutes, back down to 5.5 for two, up to 7.5 for three, back to 5.5 for two, then raised it to 7.5 for four minutes and alternated until I got to three miles. It took a little under 30 minutes, and it felt great. I felt so in control and felt in a great rhythm that I didn't want to stop, I wanted to keep running. But I have a plan and need to stick to it so I grudgingly went down to 3.7 to walk a cool-down portion.
I was encouraged by the second part of the section on fartleking. The author recommends 4-8 bursts of 2 minutes each with 2 minutes of slow running recovery in between. I must have read that section but I don't recall it specifically but I had good instincts apparently in figuring out a good way to fartlek.
Of course, the bad thing is that I don't have any more fartlek runs scheduled. I have variations of tempo runs and intervals the rest of the way. Still, it doesn't mean I can't throw in a fartlek run every now and then. It was really enjoyable and something I'd do again.
Oh, and I almost forgot. I weighed in even though I figured that was a bad idea. I checked in post-workout at 187.5, so I'm guessing I'm around 188 or so, which is freakin' fantastic because it's under 190, where I was at the last time I weighed myself. Already this training regimen is kickstarting my metabolism and helping drive some weight loss. Awesome.
Okay, now that I got that bit of a humor that would make any 12-year-old boy proud, I need to tell you about today's run. Today was Week 1, Day 2 of my 12-week long path to hell otherwise known as my half-marathon training regimen. The program I'm following had me fartlek for two miles today.
According to my book running book I've invested in, a fartlek is "a few bursts of speed included within your normal endurance run." So for instance you are running like you always do but every now and then you speed up. So if there is a street corner you are approaching, you can run fast towards it, then go back down to normal speed, run to a certain house or building or another landmark, back down to normal speed, etc.
This is a sort of interval training, when it all comes down to it. I suppose the only difference is that you don't go down to a walk like you do with intervals, you just run slow and run fast, as opposed to walk, run slow and run fast (and sprint sometimes too). But a fartlek run can be shorter in time because you are working a little harder and thus can finish a little quicker.
I had originally thought about doing intervals but I the plan only called for three miles today so I didn't really bother with the interval run since it's closer to four and I'm all for shaving miles... I mean, sticking to the plan. So instead, I fartleked (I'm pretty sure it can be used as a verb).
Here's what I did: I walked for about a minute or so after warming up a bit on the bike. I started at a 5.5 and did that until minute three. Then I raised it up to 7.5 for three minutes, back down to 5.5 for two, up to 7.5 for three, back to 5.5 for two, then raised it to 7.5 for four minutes and alternated until I got to three miles. It took a little under 30 minutes, and it felt great. I felt so in control and felt in a great rhythm that I didn't want to stop, I wanted to keep running. But I have a plan and need to stick to it so I grudgingly went down to 3.7 to walk a cool-down portion.
I was encouraged by the second part of the section on fartleking. The author recommends 4-8 bursts of 2 minutes each with 2 minutes of slow running recovery in between. I must have read that section but I don't recall it specifically but I had good instincts apparently in figuring out a good way to fartlek.
Of course, the bad thing is that I don't have any more fartlek runs scheduled. I have variations of tempo runs and intervals the rest of the way. Still, it doesn't mean I can't throw in a fartlek run every now and then. It was really enjoyable and something I'd do again.
Oh, and I almost forgot. I weighed in even though I figured that was a bad idea. I checked in post-workout at 187.5, so I'm guessing I'm around 188 or so, which is freakin' fantastic because it's under 190, where I was at the last time I weighed myself. Already this training regimen is kickstarting my metabolism and helping drive some weight loss. Awesome.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The Run
I was going to name this post "The ___ Run" with a word to go in the blank that would best sum up my experience.
However, everything leading up to and including the run itself was a combination of things, so many that I can't really accurately describe it one word, hence "The Run."
I finished my run. I got in 3.25 miles, which is what I needed to do to keep in line with my training plan. But as I mentioned in my post earlier, everything was up against me when I woke up this morning. Anyway, to help relieve some stress and anxiety that was pent up from this morning, and to avoid doing any actual housework, I'm going to try to best describe my run from the moment I left my 3-year-old daughter at her preschool.
Ahem.
On my way home, I couldn't help but think of how little I wanted to run. I was sneezing quite a bit and the faintness of a cold was just starting to settle in. My calf was not in pain but I could feel the spot where my wife's foot (her heel to be precise) made contact with my leg, just between the bone and the muscle.
Great aim!
It had been nearly three hours since I ate my energy bar, so I deduced that all the energy was gone from my body by then. I wasn't trying to find an excuse not to run but I wouldn't have had to have looked far had I wanted to.
Oh no? What's this?
I got stuck behind a line of cars waiting to get around some traffic construction near my house. That's all I needed, to get home well after 9:30. As it was I wasn't going to have a lot of time to get my run in and then get ready to get my older girl from kindergarten but getting home closer to 10 would have been mentally strenuous.
But I finally got home, right around 9:30, and immediately went inside to find my shoes. I put on some running socks, my shoes, grabbed my watch (my heart-rate monitor part that straps around my chest was already in place), the Vaseline and got ready. I was not going to change out of the t-shirt I had on so some Vaseline was in order.
Don't want any post-run souvenirs today.
It was cold so I grabbed some gloves and a beanie. I needed a long-sleeve something though but I don't have the widest selection. I found just two things that would work but both were remnants from my 300-pound days; both XXL sweatshirts. I actually threw one on and was going to run in it. But when I went to put my iPod on I said forget it.
Don't need any extra weight dragging me behind.
By the time I finally stretched and got out the door, it was after 9:40. Time was starting to become a factor, so I needed to get going. I walked my usual short distance to get my legs warmed up and started. I felt stiff as cardboard. It was cold and windy and my lips were already screaming for chap stick.
What about the music?
Oh great. I'd actually started my run without music. That's how focused I was on the distractions, or rather that's how much the distractions caused me to lose focus. I had my iPod strapped to my arm but it was silent. I decided on The Killers because I needed something soothing yet rhythmic and I had just listened to Flogging Molly, so DJ Bueno settled on The Killers.
Just put it on Hot Fuss and move on.
The first song of the album started playing but I heard a combination of "Jenny Was a Friend of Mine" and wind scraping in my ear. I tried to turn it up and then heard my left earpiece go quiet.
No! Forget it, I'll suffer the wind.
My earpiece has been going out on me forever and sometimes I ruin it by messing with the volume. I decided I'd rather listen to wind and music on both ears than music on one ear and wind on both.
All right, 1:07 in. Yay.
I didn't want to be discouraged but I had only gone one minute and all that had happened. But I plugged along, trying to let the music distract me, trying to just get into a rhythm and forget about the distractions. It was tough but around eight minutes I finally started to feel... I won't say good but felt more comfortable.
Like clockwork.
I was around the mile mark and that always helps me. The first mile is my hardest mile so now I was encouraged to push on. I turned the corner and started a long ascent up a hill. I encountered one major obstacle: the wind. Now, it wasn't something that was present before then but then again I had houses and walls to slow the wind. Now, I was getting a mouthful of wind and I was jogging slowly, but not by choice. I just couldn't break through the wind.
Still, I made it up to the turnaround point, the entrance to a golf club, and went down the other side of the street. I eventually got past the final traffic light and began the last leg of the trip, which I always take in relative solitude. My route takes me behind the entire subdivision of homes and it's heavy traffic if I encounter two or more cars there.
This is where the glory is.
Maybe not on the backside of our tract but running alone, running early in the morning, running without anybody to witness my feat... that's where the glory lies. I'll run in the half marathon, sure. I'll run in the Mud Run and in another race or three this year. But merely participating in that won't matter if I don't do the dirty work first. If I don't get out and run, no matter what obstacles might try to stop me from doing so, then I won't be able to run the races as I would like. Glory for me is meeting my goals, overcoming challenges, exceeding expectations. The tangible part of running is the time you ran the race in. And while that is important, it's also important to put yourself in a position where you can finish a race and meet your goals at the same time, whether it's a time you want to meet or just finishing the race, period.
And for me, that only comes when I put in the miles like I did today.
However, everything leading up to and including the run itself was a combination of things, so many that I can't really accurately describe it one word, hence "The Run."
I finished my run. I got in 3.25 miles, which is what I needed to do to keep in line with my training plan. But as I mentioned in my post earlier, everything was up against me when I woke up this morning. Anyway, to help relieve some stress and anxiety that was pent up from this morning, and to avoid doing any actual housework, I'm going to try to best describe my run from the moment I left my 3-year-old daughter at her preschool.
Ahem.
On my way home, I couldn't help but think of how little I wanted to run. I was sneezing quite a bit and the faintness of a cold was just starting to settle in. My calf was not in pain but I could feel the spot where my wife's foot (her heel to be precise) made contact with my leg, just between the bone and the muscle.
Great aim!
It had been nearly three hours since I ate my energy bar, so I deduced that all the energy was gone from my body by then. I wasn't trying to find an excuse not to run but I wouldn't have had to have looked far had I wanted to.
Oh no? What's this?
I got stuck behind a line of cars waiting to get around some traffic construction near my house. That's all I needed, to get home well after 9:30. As it was I wasn't going to have a lot of time to get my run in and then get ready to get my older girl from kindergarten but getting home closer to 10 would have been mentally strenuous.
But I finally got home, right around 9:30, and immediately went inside to find my shoes. I put on some running socks, my shoes, grabbed my watch (my heart-rate monitor part that straps around my chest was already in place), the Vaseline and got ready. I was not going to change out of the t-shirt I had on so some Vaseline was in order.
Don't want any post-run souvenirs today.
It was cold so I grabbed some gloves and a beanie. I needed a long-sleeve something though but I don't have the widest selection. I found just two things that would work but both were remnants from my 300-pound days; both XXL sweatshirts. I actually threw one on and was going to run in it. But when I went to put my iPod on I said forget it.
Don't need any extra weight dragging me behind.
By the time I finally stretched and got out the door, it was after 9:40. Time was starting to become a factor, so I needed to get going. I walked my usual short distance to get my legs warmed up and started. I felt stiff as cardboard. It was cold and windy and my lips were already screaming for chap stick.
What about the music?
Oh great. I'd actually started my run without music. That's how focused I was on the distractions, or rather that's how much the distractions caused me to lose focus. I had my iPod strapped to my arm but it was silent. I decided on The Killers because I needed something soothing yet rhythmic and I had just listened to Flogging Molly, so DJ Bueno settled on The Killers.
Just put it on Hot Fuss and move on.
The first song of the album started playing but I heard a combination of "Jenny Was a Friend of Mine" and wind scraping in my ear. I tried to turn it up and then heard my left earpiece go quiet.
No! Forget it, I'll suffer the wind.
My earpiece has been going out on me forever and sometimes I ruin it by messing with the volume. I decided I'd rather listen to wind and music on both ears than music on one ear and wind on both.
All right, 1:07 in. Yay.
I didn't want to be discouraged but I had only gone one minute and all that had happened. But I plugged along, trying to let the music distract me, trying to just get into a rhythm and forget about the distractions. It was tough but around eight minutes I finally started to feel... I won't say good but felt more comfortable.
Like clockwork.
I was around the mile mark and that always helps me. The first mile is my hardest mile so now I was encouraged to push on. I turned the corner and started a long ascent up a hill. I encountered one major obstacle: the wind. Now, it wasn't something that was present before then but then again I had houses and walls to slow the wind. Now, I was getting a mouthful of wind and I was jogging slowly, but not by choice. I just couldn't break through the wind.
Still, I made it up to the turnaround point, the entrance to a golf club, and went down the other side of the street. I eventually got past the final traffic light and began the last leg of the trip, which I always take in relative solitude. My route takes me behind the entire subdivision of homes and it's heavy traffic if I encounter two or more cars there.
This is where the glory is.
Maybe not on the backside of our tract but running alone, running early in the morning, running without anybody to witness my feat... that's where the glory lies. I'll run in the half marathon, sure. I'll run in the Mud Run and in another race or three this year. But merely participating in that won't matter if I don't do the dirty work first. If I don't get out and run, no matter what obstacles might try to stop me from doing so, then I won't be able to run the races as I would like. Glory for me is meeting my goals, overcoming challenges, exceeding expectations. The tangible part of running is the time you ran the race in. And while that is important, it's also important to put yourself in a position where you can finish a race and meet your goals at the same time, whether it's a time you want to meet or just finishing the race, period.
And for me, that only comes when I put in the miles like I did today.
Wrench in the road
I'm all set for the official start-up to the half-marathon and I've got a couple of things working against me this morning, as if I didn't already have enough challenges.
* I woke up sneezing and although I don't have a full-on cold, I think I can sneeze my towards one. Not that I want to but I fear that could be in my near future.
* It's cold and windy. Okay, cold is relative term I know. I realize that in some parts of the country the weather is on the wrong side of zero. However, we've had a mild winter mixed in with some days that have dipped back to normal levels, at least levels we're used to in January around here (again, not too cold comparatively). But when the weather changes I get sick. Every year, when the weather goes from cold to warm and warm to cold, I get sick. It hasn't happened yet since fall and winter were quite mild so I hope that the dip in temperatures hasn't finally messed up my equilibrium.
* I got kicked yesterday. My wife playfully kicked me yesterday - I think it was playful - and now I've got a knock on my calf. It doesn't hurt but I can feel something down there, and I'm really hoping it doesn't swell up or flare up during the run.
I will go on a run, though. I don't have any jitters or anything - that will be for the 10-mile run on Feb. 14. But I guess nothing can go off without some sort of initial start-up problems. The good thing is though, with this training program I have to stay on. And not that I would have necessarily skipped today's run had I not had a training program, it certainly would have been easier to do so.
* I woke up sneezing and although I don't have a full-on cold, I think I can sneeze my towards one. Not that I want to but I fear that could be in my near future.
* It's cold and windy. Okay, cold is relative term I know. I realize that in some parts of the country the weather is on the wrong side of zero. However, we've had a mild winter mixed in with some days that have dipped back to normal levels, at least levels we're used to in January around here (again, not too cold comparatively). But when the weather changes I get sick. Every year, when the weather goes from cold to warm and warm to cold, I get sick. It hasn't happened yet since fall and winter were quite mild so I hope that the dip in temperatures hasn't finally messed up my equilibrium.
* I got kicked yesterday. My wife playfully kicked me yesterday - I think it was playful - and now I've got a knock on my calf. It doesn't hurt but I can feel something down there, and I'm really hoping it doesn't swell up or flare up during the run.
I will go on a run, though. I don't have any jitters or anything - that will be for the 10-mile run on Feb. 14. But I guess nothing can go off without some sort of initial start-up problems. The good thing is though, with this training program I have to stay on. And not that I would have necessarily skipped today's run had I not had a training program, it certainly would have been easier to do so.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Get up and run?
One of the first things that appealed to me about the 12-week training course I'll follow for my first half-marathon was the Tuesday/Thursday runs. They are shorter runs as they start off at 2-3 miles and I believe don't get any higher than 5 at their peak. For a more experienced or a competitive runner, this may not be ideal but for me it's going to work well.
Anyway, the shorter runs got me to thinking about running in the wee hours of the morning. There was a time last year that I was running before 5 a.m. Most days, I wake up before 5 a.m. During the week, my wife gets up between 4:40 and 4:50 usually (that's around the time the alarm goes off) and I get up with her every morning. I've been accustomed and conditioned to wake up early so no sleeping in for me on the weekends either.
I don't remember for how long I ran early in the morning. I remember blogging about it here so I may go back into the archives to figure that out.
Still, I was wondering about running early and eating. I eat breakfast every day without fail. It may not be a full-on eggs-and-bacon-and-toast-and-coffee breakfast... mostly because I don't like eggs... but I eat something. Usually it's either an energy bar or cereal. But if I were to get up early and run, I would just get up and run. I wouldn't get up, eat, wait for a few minutes to let it settle and then run.
But is running without eating good for you?
This story from Runner's World says no, that eating something before a run is essential. Now, I tend to agree with that. I need fuel in my body before I push it to its limits. I hate the way I feel when I run and/or exercise without having eaten properly or eaten at all beforehand. I like a cup of coffee as much as the next guy but I won't drink coffee if I know I'm going to run or play soccer. I just won't do it. I struggle with it (But it's funny because I was talking to a professional soccer player last year about this very subject and he drinks several cups of coffee about an hour before games which I thought was insane!).
Still, I'm not sure that squeezing in a 2-mile run at 4:50 a.m. without breakfast would be a bad thing necessarily. As the article says, the body has been fasting for quite a few hours by the time you wake up and the glycogen levels are down and all but would it really be that bad on a shorter run? I guess to me it seems as if I ran within 15 minutes of waking up I'd be good to go for 2-3 miles. More, I'd probably not want to go about it that way but for a short run it doesn't seem like my legs would seize up on me midway through the second mile.
I'll be debating this until I actually try it again - if I try it again. I don't remember having any sorts of problems before when running in the pre-dawn hours. I kept the runs short back then, so it'd be about the same types of distances as they are now. And one thing I enjoyed about that was that after my run - maybe not right after but sometime that morning - I could still drink my coffee!
I think by the midway point of the schedule this will all be a moot point as I won't try a 5-mile run without an energy bar beforehand. That's a 45-minute investment in time and I'll need as much fuel as I can for that.
But unless my wife's schedule changes drastically - and I don't foresee that happening since she has a great job with the only drawback being the daily commute required to get to it - runs at 4 a.m. will be an option for me that I may want to explore either for this training or in general for the future. It's nice to get a run in early in the morning and get on with your day afterward, but it's not nice to struggle through a run, no matter what time of day.
Anyway, the shorter runs got me to thinking about running in the wee hours of the morning. There was a time last year that I was running before 5 a.m. Most days, I wake up before 5 a.m. During the week, my wife gets up between 4:40 and 4:50 usually (that's around the time the alarm goes off) and I get up with her every morning. I've been accustomed and conditioned to wake up early so no sleeping in for me on the weekends either.
I don't remember for how long I ran early in the morning. I remember blogging about it here so I may go back into the archives to figure that out.
Still, I was wondering about running early and eating. I eat breakfast every day without fail. It may not be a full-on eggs-and-bacon-and-toast-and-coffee breakfast... mostly because I don't like eggs... but I eat something. Usually it's either an energy bar or cereal. But if I were to get up early and run, I would just get up and run. I wouldn't get up, eat, wait for a few minutes to let it settle and then run.
But is running without eating good for you?
This story from Runner's World says no, that eating something before a run is essential. Now, I tend to agree with that. I need fuel in my body before I push it to its limits. I hate the way I feel when I run and/or exercise without having eaten properly or eaten at all beforehand. I like a cup of coffee as much as the next guy but I won't drink coffee if I know I'm going to run or play soccer. I just won't do it. I struggle with it (But it's funny because I was talking to a professional soccer player last year about this very subject and he drinks several cups of coffee about an hour before games which I thought was insane!).
Still, I'm not sure that squeezing in a 2-mile run at 4:50 a.m. without breakfast would be a bad thing necessarily. As the article says, the body has been fasting for quite a few hours by the time you wake up and the glycogen levels are down and all but would it really be that bad on a shorter run? I guess to me it seems as if I ran within 15 minutes of waking up I'd be good to go for 2-3 miles. More, I'd probably not want to go about it that way but for a short run it doesn't seem like my legs would seize up on me midway through the second mile.
I'll be debating this until I actually try it again - if I try it again. I don't remember having any sorts of problems before when running in the pre-dawn hours. I kept the runs short back then, so it'd be about the same types of distances as they are now. And one thing I enjoyed about that was that after my run - maybe not right after but sometime that morning - I could still drink my coffee!
I think by the midway point of the schedule this will all be a moot point as I won't try a 5-mile run without an energy bar beforehand. That's a 45-minute investment in time and I'll need as much fuel as I can for that.
But unless my wife's schedule changes drastically - and I don't foresee that happening since she has a great job with the only drawback being the daily commute required to get to it - runs at 4 a.m. will be an option for me that I may want to explore either for this training or in general for the future. It's nice to get a run in early in the morning and get on with your day afterward, but it's not nice to struggle through a run, no matter what time of day.
Friday, January 23, 2009
The end of innocence
Well, maybe that's too dramatic. But today, Saturday and Sunday have the feel of the end of something. Really, it's going to be the beginning of something on Monday, the start of a 12-week training schedule.
So these next three days are free. I'm free to run how long or how short I see fit, or not run at all. I'm not really free to eat what I want (dang it!) but I anticipate tightening up my meal plan a bit, maybe changing it up to include more pasta, less Mexican food (sad!) and of course lots more fruits/vegetables.
In many ways, though, next week is what I've been waiting for. I want to get back into a real routine and rhythm, challenge myself by pushing distances I've not yet experienced and maybe shed some pounds in the process. I'm going to weigh in on Monday (frightening!) and I'll try and record my weight on a weekly basis to see if there's any change in that. Of course, having the ability to measure my body fat percentage and other things like that would help more but I'll track my weight nonetheless.
Anyway, I'm going to enjoy my weekend probably a bit more than usual. I'm going to get a run in on Saturday, may play soccer on Sunday and just take it easy and hope I don't get injured.
And then, it will be off on a 12-week journey (exciting/scary!)
So these next three days are free. I'm free to run how long or how short I see fit, or not run at all. I'm not really free to eat what I want (dang it!) but I anticipate tightening up my meal plan a bit, maybe changing it up to include more pasta, less Mexican food (sad!) and of course lots more fruits/vegetables.
In many ways, though, next week is what I've been waiting for. I want to get back into a real routine and rhythm, challenge myself by pushing distances I've not yet experienced and maybe shed some pounds in the process. I'm going to weigh in on Monday (frightening!) and I'll try and record my weight on a weekly basis to see if there's any change in that. Of course, having the ability to measure my body fat percentage and other things like that would help more but I'll track my weight nonetheless.
Anyway, I'm going to enjoy my weekend probably a bit more than usual. I'm going to get a run in on Saturday, may play soccer on Sunday and just take it easy and hope I don't get injured.
And then, it will be off on a 12-week journey (exciting/scary!)
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