On The Run Blog: June 2009

Monday, June 29, 2009

Monday is for Running EZ

Today I put together a new training plan with the help of Runners World's training coach. I think it turned out pretty well. I low-balled the mileage and pace to make sure I wouldn't blow myself up the first week and what their system came up with looked pretty comfortable.

I'm looking forward to putting in some speed work too! Today, however, is an EZ 4 miles. I'm looking forward to that too.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Runners Running in the Heat

As runners we tend to run whenever we have a chance to get outdoors. Today, like many days this summer, I had a good 5 mile run in the 95 degree weather. I ended up losing about 4lbs of water weight (give or take a pound). It was pretty brutal but a great run nonetheless. Looking forward to more of that in the coming weeks.

<--Me, 4 pounds lighter. Time to eat.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Do I want or NEED a running coach?

I've been toying around with the idea that I, for some insane reason, need a running coach. Maybe someone who can point me in the right direction to get some personal records on distances from the 5k to 1/2 Marathon as well as some Sprint and 1/2 Ironman advice.

I'm trying to think of why I'm so bent on getting a coach. Perhaps it is because I want to be quicker, faster and stronger as an athlete. Or, maybe its just the fact that I'm jumping up to the 35-39 age group in 12 days and there is some sort of clock ticking in the back of my head telling me this is the time to build speed so I can keep up with those 30 and 40 somethings.

So I'm 34 now and hopefully will have at least another 34 years of running ahead of me. At any rate, I guess I'm on the market for a coach until someone (like myself) convinces me I don't need one. Until then... I'm on the hunt.

Monday, June 22, 2009

When in Doubt... Run Hills

I have been wondering about my race results last Saturday morning. The pace was a little slower than I had hoped even though I nailed the middle of where my goal pace was set.

That 6:45/mile pace got me thinking about my speed and if I might have slowed down due to taking a number of weeks (months) off consistent training. So, I decided to put a nice little run together that involved a pretty good incline that would last almost a mile.

It is at times like these that challenging yourself can help your psyche. I figured, if I can run strong through this training run, then things probably aren't as bad as I think. Thankfully I powered through the hill in the 90 degree weather. It was a good idea and helped to reset my mindset on my current fitness level.

Time to start training. Seriously.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Magnolia Run for Epilepsy 4 Miler - Race Result

Today's race was a lot of fun. Having a race that is right outside your front door, literally, is tough to beat. The race started at 7:30am but the heat felt more like noon. The route was a bit more hilly than I expected and it took more out of my legs than I wanted.

I ended up averaging about 6:45 per mile which was a good steady pace without pushing it too hard. Somehow I managed to pull 3rd place in my age group. This race marks my last race as an age grouper in 30-34.

Looking forward to next month's race!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Magnolia Run for Epilepsy 4 Mile Race Route

Monday, June 15, 2009

Polar HR Monitor RS200sd - On Going Review

I have been using the Polar HR RS200sd (red with foot pod) for the past couple of years. I like it... a lot. The battery on the chest strap died recently and the watch battery is about out so I bought a new one (black instead of red).

I've had a few runs with the new watch and I'm just not sold on it like I was the previous watch I wore for many training runs and races. I'm thinking the calibration is off, but how much difference can the standard 1.000 and my old calibration 1.010 really make?

I don't want to obsess about this, but I can't help it. I ran a little over 5 miles this afternoon after work and felt like I was at about 7:30/mile pace. Not too tough, but not too slow either. However, the watch was about 15 to sometimes 30 seconds off that pace. Not a big confidence booster.

So, Wednesday night I am going to be manually calibrating to see if there is any difference. I hope to come back with a better feeling than I have now.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Rest Day Swimming Laps

I wasn't in the mood to do much today. My plan was to get another 1000yds in as a warm up and then a 5 mile run but I was thinking a day off of running would do me some good.

So, instead of mashing together another brick workout I opted for the swim and scratched the run hoping my legs would be fresh for a good hard run on Monday after work. I finished up the swim and felt refreshed. I guess, on occasion, a good rest day can be made better with a quick dip in the pool.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Running by Feel and not Heart Rate

I took to the trail again tonight after work with a plan of not taking the pace too hard. Last night my run was slow and steady and about 30 seconds slower than my slow EZ pace, so I was hoping I would be able to take the pace down to normal levels without bringing back the soreness from the kickboxing class that keeps lingering around.

My first mile was just over 7:30 which is a tad too fast so I dropped it down to 7:45 and eased off the pace as the 5 mile run came to an end. I averaged about 7:50 per mile which is just about where I wanted to be. The most important thing is that I felt great and the run was very smooth.

I finally feel like I am shaking off the cobwebs that have built up over the past few weeks of me not training. If I can keep this up I will be in good form for the 5k races that will pop up towards the end of the summer!

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Running on Sore Legs - Good or Bad ???

Sore legs. We all get them. The question is, do you train when you have them? I do. I don't go all out, but I try to put in a few miles at an easy pace (maybe 30+ seconds slower than my normal training pace) just to keep moving.

For example, I went to kickboxing for the first time with my wife and thought I would need to be put in traction by Monday morning. So, Monday after work I plowed through just over 5 miles at 8:20/mile pace which is about 30 seconds off my normal EZ training pace.

Today, I have little or no soreness. Pretty cool. I'm curious if anyone else runs on sore legs to work out the kinks. I've read that some do and some don't for various reasons but I think the Good outweighs the Bad as long as the pain is just pain and not injury.

I'm heading out for another run today, but it will be after about 1 mile in the pool so that should warm me up pretty good!

Running Until Your Feet Bleed

Today I decided to take a run after work. I laced up my shoes, strapped on the footpod and hit the trail. This is one of the first runs this season that I've gone without socks. By mid summer I'm usually 100% sock-less, just my feet touching my shoes touching the ground. Its a beautiful thing. That is, until my perfectly white shoes begin to turn red with the blood pouring from my feet. Not good.

So, about 3 miles into my run I began to feel a nice hole in my foot starting to grow larger with each step. The pain was minimal, but the agony on my brain was the issue. I kept thinking about how awful it was going to be to pull off my shoe to find a bloody pulp for a foot nestled within.

Mentally, I had to get past the fact that I still needed to run another 2.5 miles back to my car. It wasn't that hard. I just starting thinking about how painful it was going to be to get in the pool tomorrow for my swim workout and all my worries of the present situation went away.

Mind over matter. Sweaty, bloody, pulpy matter.