Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Reality bites...
Reality has set in. My confirmation for the Boston Marathon arrived today from the B.A.A. It's official... :o)
Monday, February 11, 2008
Bear with me...
...for a minute. I figured something out this past week. At first it sounds bad, but really, it's a positive discovery.
I figured out that no matter what I do, I do not, and will not like long distance running. 5K's (3.1 miles) and the odd 10K (6.2 miles- duh!) with a 5-miler thrown in here and there are fine. Beyond that I really don't like running.
The seed for this epiphany was planted in an email from Coach Rick.
It would seem that this kind of thought process would be counter-productive. Not so much. I'm no longer trying to figure out why I don't fall into a good rhythm or 'groove' when I run. I'm not trying to figure out why I'm so slow. (Being the Fat Man doesn't help there!) I'm not trying to figure out why the distance increases are so hard. I'm not a natural runner. Some people are, and some people are not.
So what does this mean for my Boston Marathon? It means that I'll try some different things in training- I just bought two of Jeff Galloway's running books. I'm going to try some set run/walk intervals instead of the hit-or-miss run/walk I've been doing. No more worrying about how slow I am. I'm actually starting to enjoy training more.
For me, the Boston Marathon isn't going to be about speed. It's going to be about completing a mission- to raise money to fight blood cancer and achieving a personal goal. I do believe that this will be my one and only full marathon- I'm going to do the most with it that I can.
So there!
Saturday's run was a short one for me- The team did 15 miles. I did six miles and then went to a spinning class with the TNT cycle team. Saturday was the first cycle training. Since I was in Las Vegas during the season kick-off, I wanted to meet some of the new teammates. So far, a small group- But it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the fight in the dog; Our group is small but mighty!
I don't know if I mentioned this but I signed up for a sprint triathlon in August- Even though it's the wrong order (A triathlon is swim/bike/run.) the run/bike thing was an eye-opener. It's going to be a fun summer!
This coming Sunday feb. 17, my teammates Kyrsten and Jill will be running the National Breast Cancer 1/2 Marathon along with yours truly in Jacksonville, FL. I CAN"T WAIT for some warmer weather!!! (Las Vegas was only marginally warmer than Massachusetts.) I'll be staying with friends in Melbourne, FL for the rest of the week and flying home on Friday. Back to team training on Saturday and then a three-mile race on Sunday the 24th. Hmmmmm... For someone that doesn't like running, I have a lot of it lined up...
I just got done with five miles on the treadmill. Time to clean up and get to work.
Everyone take care and have a great week!
I figured out that no matter what I do, I do not, and will not like long distance running. 5K's (3.1 miles) and the odd 10K (6.2 miles- duh!) with a 5-miler thrown in here and there are fine. Beyond that I really don't like running.
The seed for this epiphany was planted in an email from Coach Rick.
It would seem that this kind of thought process would be counter-productive. Not so much. I'm no longer trying to figure out why I don't fall into a good rhythm or 'groove' when I run. I'm not trying to figure out why I'm so slow. (Being the Fat Man doesn't help there!) I'm not trying to figure out why the distance increases are so hard. I'm not a natural runner. Some people are, and some people are not.
So what does this mean for my Boston Marathon? It means that I'll try some different things in training- I just bought two of Jeff Galloway's running books. I'm going to try some set run/walk intervals instead of the hit-or-miss run/walk I've been doing. No more worrying about how slow I am. I'm actually starting to enjoy training more.
For me, the Boston Marathon isn't going to be about speed. It's going to be about completing a mission- to raise money to fight blood cancer and achieving a personal goal. I do believe that this will be my one and only full marathon- I'm going to do the most with it that I can.
So there!
Saturday's run was a short one for me- The team did 15 miles. I did six miles and then went to a spinning class with the TNT cycle team. Saturday was the first cycle training. Since I was in Las Vegas during the season kick-off, I wanted to meet some of the new teammates. So far, a small group- But it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the fight in the dog; Our group is small but mighty!
I don't know if I mentioned this but I signed up for a sprint triathlon in August- Even though it's the wrong order (A triathlon is swim/bike/run.) the run/bike thing was an eye-opener. It's going to be a fun summer!
This coming Sunday feb. 17, my teammates Kyrsten and Jill will be running the National Breast Cancer 1/2 Marathon along with yours truly in Jacksonville, FL. I CAN"T WAIT for some warmer weather!!! (Las Vegas was only marginally warmer than Massachusetts.) I'll be staying with friends in Melbourne, FL for the rest of the week and flying home on Friday. Back to team training on Saturday and then a three-mile race on Sunday the 24th. Hmmmmm... For someone that doesn't like running, I have a lot of it lined up...
I just got done with five miles on the treadmill. Time to clean up and get to work.
Everyone take care and have a great week!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Halfway there.
Saturday's training was 13 miles. OK, well it's not exactly half seeing as the marathon is actually 26.2 miles but it's close enough for me.
My knees hurt, my ankles hurt, my feet hurt... Saturday... Hurt. Yanno, sometimes I think I'm the only one who's hurting out there. I know some of my teammates have had some injuries. Although I've been hurting at times, I'm not injured. Hopefully I can keep it that way!
I still struggle with the mental game. I've found that picking a visual goal and then picking another and then another, etc. makes the time go by. When I have a day like Saturday, it's difficult to ignore the pain- Difficult but not impossible- More like choosing not to give in. Dean Karnazes (50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days among other fairly crazy endeavors.) has a great quote: "Run when you can, walk when you have to, crawl if you must; Just never give up." I haven't crawled yet. Yet.
Only a few weeks until the breast cancer half-marathon in Jacksonville, FL~ Our long runs will be over 15 miles by then- The half will be like a break!
No long run for me this weekend- I'll be in Las Vegas at a trade show. Hopefully missing a long training won't be a set-back. I won't be doing any running in Vegas but I won't be there all that long. I'll be on a red-eye Sunday night to work at the police academy Monday morning. That should be a real treat. Back to running on Tuesday though!
That's all for now. Gotta go pack! Have a great week and weekend everyone!
My knees hurt, my ankles hurt, my feet hurt... Saturday... Hurt. Yanno, sometimes I think I'm the only one who's hurting out there. I know some of my teammates have had some injuries. Although I've been hurting at times, I'm not injured. Hopefully I can keep it that way!
I still struggle with the mental game. I've found that picking a visual goal and then picking another and then another, etc. makes the time go by. When I have a day like Saturday, it's difficult to ignore the pain- Difficult but not impossible- More like choosing not to give in. Dean Karnazes (50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days among other fairly crazy endeavors.) has a great quote: "Run when you can, walk when you have to, crawl if you must; Just never give up." I haven't crawled yet. Yet.
Only a few weeks until the breast cancer half-marathon in Jacksonville, FL~ Our long runs will be over 15 miles by then- The half will be like a break!
No long run for me this weekend- I'll be in Las Vegas at a trade show. Hopefully missing a long training won't be a set-back. I won't be doing any running in Vegas but I won't be there all that long. I'll be on a red-eye Sunday night to work at the police academy Monday morning. That should be a real treat. Back to running on Tuesday though!
That's all for now. Gotta go pack! Have a great week and weekend everyone!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Heartbreak.
Hill that is.
Saturday was a 12 mile excursion including the famous Heartbreak Hill. I was underdressed and under-confident. I swear it got colder during the run. Also, much of the return leg was into the wind. At my speed the wind doesn't really change much- I just continue to be slow! But it was a cold wind. Cold wind + sweat + no hat = big freezy head. No calf cramps though. I think between plenty of water during the week, electrolyte replacement, "The Stick" and enough bananas to make a monkey jealous, that problem is behind me. It's time to start thinking about nutrition during the runs. I was really hungry during the last mile. Gels... Mmmmmmm!
I've been having trouble with the mental game. I spent a good part of the 'run' wishing that it was over. I realize it's a big TNT no-no, but I may start bringing my MP3 player to training runs. I end up by myself a lot because I'm so damn slow! :o) Tunes really help on my weekday runs and the treadmill. I'm still brutally attentive to the clock so time really crawls sometimes. I need to find 'the zone.' On my weekday outdoor runs, I'm not a clock watcher. I don't know why. On the treadmill, my eyes are glued to the clock. Maybe that's because it's right in front of my face. I'd love to be able to close my eyes on the treadmill. If I closed my eyes on the treadmill, I suspect I'd become the day's entertainment pretty quickly.
Speaking of the treadmill. (7 miles on it today) I've noticed that I pay much more attention to my form on the treadmill. Maybe that's because if you screw up badly enough, it will spit you out like a cartoon character. I'm still not completely sold on the treadmill idea but it's a good workout and there's no snow. I've heard of people doing full marathon training on a treadmill. Interesting concept but I don't think that would be ideal for me.
One of the big differences between cycling and running for me is that the cycling is much more social. Cycling tends to be more of a group thing where there really isn't alot of competition (Except for Keith! OK, and Anna too.) Runners seem more competitive even if only with themselves. Don't get me wrong- The marathon team is great- Everyone has been very supportive. (Even if they're thinking something else in their heads!!) It's not a complaint about runners- No no no! -Just an observation!
Saturday's run made me realize that I need to crank it up a notch during the week. I think I'm going to stick with two runs during the week and a long run on Saturdays, but I'm going to jack up the intensity. I'm going to work some more cross-training in with the runds as well.
This week's photo kinds of sums up my attitude!
See you soon!
Saturday was a 12 mile excursion including the famous Heartbreak Hill. I was underdressed and under-confident. I swear it got colder during the run. Also, much of the return leg was into the wind. At my speed the wind doesn't really change much- I just continue to be slow! But it was a cold wind. Cold wind + sweat + no hat = big freezy head. No calf cramps though. I think between plenty of water during the week, electrolyte replacement, "The Stick" and enough bananas to make a monkey jealous, that problem is behind me. It's time to start thinking about nutrition during the runs. I was really hungry during the last mile. Gels... Mmmmmmm!
I've been having trouble with the mental game. I spent a good part of the 'run' wishing that it was over. I realize it's a big TNT no-no, but I may start bringing my MP3 player to training runs. I end up by myself a lot because I'm so damn slow! :o) Tunes really help on my weekday runs and the treadmill. I'm still brutally attentive to the clock so time really crawls sometimes. I need to find 'the zone.' On my weekday outdoor runs, I'm not a clock watcher. I don't know why. On the treadmill, my eyes are glued to the clock. Maybe that's because it's right in front of my face. I'd love to be able to close my eyes on the treadmill. If I closed my eyes on the treadmill, I suspect I'd become the day's entertainment pretty quickly.
Speaking of the treadmill. (7 miles on it today) I've noticed that I pay much more attention to my form on the treadmill. Maybe that's because if you screw up badly enough, it will spit you out like a cartoon character. I'm still not completely sold on the treadmill idea but it's a good workout and there's no snow. I've heard of people doing full marathon training on a treadmill. Interesting concept but I don't think that would be ideal for me.
One of the big differences between cycling and running for me is that the cycling is much more social. Cycling tends to be more of a group thing where there really isn't alot of competition (Except for Keith! OK, and Anna too.) Runners seem more competitive even if only with themselves. Don't get me wrong- The marathon team is great- Everyone has been very supportive. (Even if they're thinking something else in their heads!!) It's not a complaint about runners- No no no! -Just an observation!
Saturday's run made me realize that I need to crank it up a notch during the week. I think I'm going to stick with two runs during the week and a long run on Saturdays, but I'm going to jack up the intensity. I'm going to work some more cross-training in with the runds as well.
This week's photo kinds of sums up my attitude!
See you soon!
Sunday, January 13, 2008
De Plane...
Who remembers Herve Villechaize? Tattoo from the Fantasy Island TV show? If you do, your age is showing...
Actually, it's "De Pain." It's been a tough couple weeks. I've had some kind of simmering upper respiratory thing going on. I finally got to see the doc on Thursday Jan. 10. I have myself some amoxicillin now so hopefully this illness will soon be gone.
Being sick made running entirely un-fun. I was tired all the time and wasn't running during the week- Only at the Saturday team runs. 9+ miles in Grafton. Nothing is flat in Grafton. It's all either up or down. I only managed 5.5 or so miles at last weeks team run and then this past week, work and being sick kept me off the road. Yesterday's team run was 11 miles. I can honestly say that yesterday was the single worst training day I've ever had for any sport at any time. (Well, I broke my right femur on Dec. 26, 1976 at wrestling practice- But I got morphine for that...) I had bad cramps in my right calf, because of the cramps, my stride changed hurting my right knee. Blech. At least training probably can't get much worse. Not enough water during the week I think. Maybe not enough potassium and electrolytes either. I'm going to be a chimp with gills this week. Which means a lot of bananas and water like a fish. Which reminds me of a joke:
What do you call a fish with no eyes?... A fsh.
Thank you, thank you. I'll be here all week. Don't forget to tip your waitresses.
John Engdahl, one of our honorees came to training yesterday to talk to the team before the run. John is a cancer survivor, former TNT marathoner and all-around great guy. John is pretty funny and he always motivates me. I probably owe the fact that I finished the training run (Walk?) yesterday to John!
We're solidly into double-digit team runs now so I have to make training during the week a higher priority. I think the next couple days are going to be a wash for outdoor running so I will hit the gym. I'm not a big fan of the treadmill but it's better than sitting at home eating donuts.
No new photo this week because: A) I am lazy and B) I have no new photos to post. So instead I'm posting a couple links. One is to make your own Southpark character and the other is to make your own Simpsons character. What do these have to do with leukemia or marathons? Nothing. But you need a laugh every once in a while. Those of you who enjoy making cop and donut jokes will appreciate the Simpson's loading icon- I know who you are.
http://www.sp-studio.de/
http://www.simpsonsmovie.com/main.html
Have a great week everyone!
Actually, it's "De Pain." It's been a tough couple weeks. I've had some kind of simmering upper respiratory thing going on. I finally got to see the doc on Thursday Jan. 10. I have myself some amoxicillin now so hopefully this illness will soon be gone.
Being sick made running entirely un-fun. I was tired all the time and wasn't running during the week- Only at the Saturday team runs. 9+ miles in Grafton. Nothing is flat in Grafton. It's all either up or down. I only managed 5.5 or so miles at last weeks team run and then this past week, work and being sick kept me off the road. Yesterday's team run was 11 miles. I can honestly say that yesterday was the single worst training day I've ever had for any sport at any time. (Well, I broke my right femur on Dec. 26, 1976 at wrestling practice- But I got morphine for that...) I had bad cramps in my right calf, because of the cramps, my stride changed hurting my right knee. Blech. At least training probably can't get much worse. Not enough water during the week I think. Maybe not enough potassium and electrolytes either. I'm going to be a chimp with gills this week. Which means a lot of bananas and water like a fish. Which reminds me of a joke:
What do you call a fish with no eyes?... A fsh.
Thank you, thank you. I'll be here all week. Don't forget to tip your waitresses.
John Engdahl, one of our honorees came to training yesterday to talk to the team before the run. John is a cancer survivor, former TNT marathoner and all-around great guy. John is pretty funny and he always motivates me. I probably owe the fact that I finished the training run (Walk?) yesterday to John!
We're solidly into double-digit team runs now so I have to make training during the week a higher priority. I think the next couple days are going to be a wash for outdoor running so I will hit the gym. I'm not a big fan of the treadmill but it's better than sitting at home eating donuts.
No new photo this week because: A) I am lazy and B) I have no new photos to post. So instead I'm posting a couple links. One is to make your own Southpark character and the other is to make your own Simpsons character. What do these have to do with leukemia or marathons? Nothing. But you need a laugh every once in a while. Those of you who enjoy making cop and donut jokes will appreciate the Simpson's loading icon- I know who you are.
http://www.sp-studio.de/
http://www.simpsonsmovie.com/main.html
Have a great week everyone!
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Lovin' Winter.
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!
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!
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!
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