Well, not only are the roads and sidewalks pretty much jammed with snow and slush, I managed to come down with some kind of upper respiratory thing. What a hoot. It does not seem to want to go away.
Even though I wasn't feeling so hot, I did a 5K on Sunday: The Bill Rodgers Jingle Bell Run. I actually saw Bill for about a millisecond too. Even though I was under the weather, I actually enjoyed the run and did pretty well too. (For me...) My time was 34:58 by my watch (No chip timing in this event.) or about 11:30:00 minutes per mile. In my last 5K I was just under 13 minutes per mile. I feel pretty good about that! By the time the Ras na hEireann U.S.A (Race of Ireland and the United States of America) comes around in March, I hope to be under 30 minutes. We'll see. (I know, I know- This is marathon training not 5K training but it's nice to see progress!) The pic I'm adding this week is me at the 5K. (I'm #483 in case you can't figure out which one is actually me...) Yes I am running. No I am not walking even though it looks like I am. Welcome to my world.
Because of this illness thing, I have not run this week. Only walked. It's a little weird- Even though I still don't like running, I miss it. I think I've lost my marbles. This Saturday will be a nine mile team run out in Grafton, Mass. We'll chat more after that!
See you next week!
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
SNOW!
I hate snow. And running. Did I mention that?
The snow has made running on the road a real hoot. I went and checked out a gym right around the corner from me today. They have about 25 treadmills- All brand new. I'd really rather run on the road being more realistic and all but I have this desire not to get squished by someone who is snowblind and under the influence of cell phone. It's actually a pretty nice gym. Maybe I'll even lift a weight. Cross training yanno.
Saturday's run with the team was both good and bad. I felt like a trash bag for most of the run. I felt hefty and just wanted to sit on the curb. I really like running with a group though. We did an "M" shaped course this week- A really narrow "M". So I got to see my teammates a few times which was nice. Seven miles- More than I've run/walked in over a year.
We had a little yoga instruction before the team run. I should know by now that every time I try a new stretch, I end up in pain. From now on, I'm sticking to what I know. Everyone is different. I warm up by taking it easy at the beginning of my run. Then I take it easy during the rest of the run. I stretch a bit after the run and I'm usually fine. New yoga stuff + Ben = pain. Yep~ Stickin' with what I know. Coach Lori gave me some good stretches for my hip/IT Band which help quite a bit and don't hurt. I like that no pain part!
Todays run of 4.5 miles was excellent. I felt good through the whole run. (Do not confuse feeling good with liking running.) Only about five close calls with cars. I really believe running on the road is the way to train. But I think I'm going to start mixing in some treadmill workouts until the snowbanks melt back a bit- If they ever do.
Enough rambling. I'm going to go answer all the emails I've been meaning to answer for a week now! Everyone have a great week- Check back soon!
The snow has made running on the road a real hoot. I went and checked out a gym right around the corner from me today. They have about 25 treadmills- All brand new. I'd really rather run on the road being more realistic and all but I have this desire not to get squished by someone who is snowblind and under the influence of cell phone. It's actually a pretty nice gym. Maybe I'll even lift a weight. Cross training yanno.
Saturday's run with the team was both good and bad. I felt like a trash bag for most of the run. I felt hefty and just wanted to sit on the curb. I really like running with a group though. We did an "M" shaped course this week- A really narrow "M". So I got to see my teammates a few times which was nice. Seven miles- More than I've run/walked in over a year.
We had a little yoga instruction before the team run. I should know by now that every time I try a new stretch, I end up in pain. From now on, I'm sticking to what I know. Everyone is different. I warm up by taking it easy at the beginning of my run. Then I take it easy during the rest of the run. I stretch a bit after the run and I'm usually fine. New yoga stuff + Ben = pain. Yep~ Stickin' with what I know. Coach Lori gave me some good stretches for my hip/IT Band which help quite a bit and don't hurt. I like that no pain part!
Todays run of 4.5 miles was excellent. I felt good through the whole run. (Do not confuse feeling good with liking running.) Only about five close calls with cars. I really believe running on the road is the way to train. But I think I'm going to start mixing in some treadmill workouts until the snowbanks melt back a bit- If they ever do.
Enough rambling. I'm going to go answer all the emails I've been meaning to answer for a week now! Everyone have a great week- Check back soon!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
The Shuffle
Add running to the list of things I'm not very good at. At least I'm starting to hate it a bit less then I did before. If I ever say: "I love running.", send help.
6 miles with the team last Saturday. It was actually pretty warm by comparison. I think I've found my pace. It's what my senior staff instructor in the police academy would have called the 'Airborne Shuffle.' He may have had in mind a whole bunch of soldiers running together in step. I have in mind a guy running with a parachute and 50 pounds of gear. I think I'm closer to the latter. My new running shoes are getting broken in. Slowly.
I'm continually amazed by your generosity. I'm more than half way to my goal. (Fundraising- not running- Sheesh! pay attention!!) I know that at this time of year, money can be very tight. I deeply appreciate your support.
7 miles on December 15th with the team. I'm sure I'll be DFL as usual but I don't care. If you don't know what DFL is, let's just say that the rest of the team is in front of me, ok? I'm cautiously optimistic- I haven't hurt myself and the mileage is coming along pretty well. Like they say though- It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings.
A big shout out to Princess Alyssa~ Thanks for the clue about the New Balance outlet. Great stuff cheap. I drove by it three times 'cuz there is no sign (At the Lawrence store.) but it was worth it!
The photo I'm adding is of Roger. When I did my first Team in Training event I wrote a short article about my century ride for the local newspaper where I work. A woman wrote to me. As it turns out, her family lived near me growing up. Her son Roger was diagnosed with leukemia in the 1960's when the chances of a cure was only about 20%. Roger did not survive. Had he survived, he and I would have been in the same high school class. Lindsey reminds me of how far we've come. Roger reminds me of how far we have yet to go. I think about Roger a lot when I run. Sometimes when I don't want to run, I think about Lindsey and Roger. Then I go run.
Until next time, if you think it's an earthquake, it's just me!
6 miles with the team last Saturday. It was actually pretty warm by comparison. I think I've found my pace. It's what my senior staff instructor in the police academy would have called the 'Airborne Shuffle.' He may have had in mind a whole bunch of soldiers running together in step. I have in mind a guy running with a parachute and 50 pounds of gear. I think I'm closer to the latter. My new running shoes are getting broken in. Slowly.
I'm continually amazed by your generosity. I'm more than half way to my goal. (Fundraising- not running- Sheesh! pay attention!!) I know that at this time of year, money can be very tight. I deeply appreciate your support.
7 miles on December 15th with the team. I'm sure I'll be DFL as usual but I don't care. If you don't know what DFL is, let's just say that the rest of the team is in front of me, ok? I'm cautiously optimistic- I haven't hurt myself and the mileage is coming along pretty well. Like they say though- It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings.
A big shout out to Princess Alyssa~ Thanks for the clue about the New Balance outlet. Great stuff cheap. I drove by it three times 'cuz there is no sign (At the Lawrence store.) but it was worth it!
The photo I'm adding is of Roger. When I did my first Team in Training event I wrote a short article about my century ride for the local newspaper where I work. A woman wrote to me. As it turns out, her family lived near me growing up. Her son Roger was diagnosed with leukemia in the 1960's when the chances of a cure was only about 20%. Roger did not survive. Had he survived, he and I would have been in the same high school class. Lindsey reminds me of how far we've come. Roger reminds me of how far we have yet to go. I think about Roger a lot when I run. Sometimes when I don't want to run, I think about Lindsey and Roger. Then I go run.
Until next time, if you think it's an earthquake, it's just me!
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Welcome to my Boston Marathon Blog!
I'll be using this blog to chronicle my thoughts, experiences and training for the 2008 Boston Marathon. Of course I'll also be using this blog to shamelessly solicit donations for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society!
The 2008 Boston Marathon will be held on April 21, 2008. I'm training for the marathon in honor of Lindsey Kimball- A 12-year old two-time leukemia survivor. She's a tough nut, she's my hero and she keeps me going when I don't want to!
I'm running as part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training Boston Marathon team. A simple concept really- They make me run and I raise money for blood cancer research, treatment and patient/family services.
Check back here for updates! Feel free to post a comment or two. I know I'm slow- No need to point that out!! :o)
The 2008 Boston Marathon will be held on April 21, 2008. I'm training for the marathon in honor of Lindsey Kimball- A 12-year old two-time leukemia survivor. She's a tough nut, she's my hero and she keeps me going when I don't want to!
I'm running as part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training Boston Marathon team. A simple concept really- They make me run and I raise money for blood cancer research, treatment and patient/family services.
Check back here for updates! Feel free to post a comment or two. I know I'm slow- No need to point that out!! :o)
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