Marathon training week 6

Another week in the books, so I'll follow the format of last weeks post and give a quick recap and some random training thoughts.

Mon - Suburban Loop (I'm sensing a trend). It was a good run, weather wasn't too hot.

Tues - Yoga finally. Really good stuff, I'm glad I got to go because it had been way to long.

Wed - Track workout. I got in 3 1600m intervals with 400m rests. With warm up and cool down about 5 miles total. This was another one of those really good runs. I started out a bit nervous because it was a lunchtime thing and I was a bit tired and the weather was somewhat warm. After about 2 min. into the warm-up I knew it was going to be quality. I was able to hit my goal time on all three intervals. On the last one I was even successful in pulling negative splits. So again a really good day.

Thurs - Lifting and 3 miles on the treadmill. Sucked. Treamill runs always seem to be longer than they really are. After about 1 mile I wanted to be done, but I stuck with it and finished the 3.

Fri - Lift and Swim. Finally got in a good swim. I remembered my earplugs, my goggles, and my shoulder didn't hurt. I got in a good 800m.

Sat - Ran 10 miles up the forest road by my house. Saw a few other folks out running the same route in the early morning hours. Nothing really exciting, but the scenery was nice because it had rained all night and there was a mist settled over everything.

So now the random thoughts. I haven't told anybody about this but was reminded of it when I was swimming this week so I'm compelled to share. Sometimes when I run (more in the early days than now) I imagine I'm being chased my stuff. What can I say, my mind wanders. Nothing too weird, just sword weilding lunatics and mad mountain lions, and it would distract me from the pain of running and sometimes help me run faster. So, when I was swimming the same thing happened but this time it was a shark. I can't really say that it helped, but I figured it would be scary as crap if I did the same thing when swimming in open water.
Next thought, should I be dizzy and sick feeling after I swim or am I doing it wrong?
Final thought, why am I doing this?

Marathon Training Week 5

Another week gone by. I'll start with the workout recap then share a few thoughts about training.

Mon - Once again the infamous suburban loop. As I recall, it wasn't too bad. About 5 miles. I talked Tyson into coming with me. I don't think he was too glad he did, but then a couple of days later he did it again by himself and smoked it out in like 37 min. (about 6 min faster than we ran it together). Sorry for slowing you down man.

Tues - Just lifted some at the gym

Wed - Tempo run 4 miles and another 1.5 of warm up and cool down. It was pretty rough. I woke up early and ran it, but after a couple of miles I was pretty spent so I didn't hit my goal time.

Thurs - Really hectic day so I ended up running about 2.5 miles at about 2:00 in the afternoon. It was hot and felt more like work than running.

Fri - Lifted some again and tried swimming again. Another really hectic day and I ended up forgetting my goggles and earplugs. Given my recent ear injury this wasn't such a good idea. After 1 lap my ear was hurting so I said "screw it" and hit the hot tub instead.

Sat - Finally a good run! 9 miles up and down A-1 mtn. road. I started early in the morning and after about 3 miles got into a good groove and really enjoyed it. And this leads into Justin's training thoughts

Thought 1 - I'm always scared about an upcoming race until my long runs get to 9 miles. The 9 mile run seems to always tell me that everything is going to be ok. After these runs I'm always thinking, "ok I can do this". Before this run I'm thinking "what the heck am I getting myself into?".

Thought 2 - If you're thinking about doing a 1/2 you have to get at least to 10 miles in one run before attempting the half. If you want to do more than just "survive" a half, run at least 12 before the half. Just my opinion.

Marathon Training Week 4

It's been four weeks and unfortunately I can't say I feel any closer to being marathon ready. I don't suppose I will until the last few weeks when I'm logging 16-20 milers. I am getting excited already for my next half-marathon on Aug. 9. It's the provo river half and this will be my third time doing the race. I enjoy it because it's a good excuse to visit family and Utah that time of year is always nice. Sounds like they've changed the course a bit and it looks like it will be even faster than before, so I look forward to a PR in the distance. Plus the scenery and overall atmosphere of the race is pretty awesome so yeah I'm excited. This weeks training was a bit hectic because of some pretty busy days at work. Also, had a couple of really rough days. Here is the summary:
Mon - Suburban loop with Tyson. It was really good to run with him again since it seems like it's been forever. It was a challenge as always to get up that stupid hill, but overall a decent run.
Tues - No yoga because I couldn't get away from work, didn't get to work out at all that day.
Wed- 6 miler at lunch. It was a killer! I think the combination of warmer weather, not enough food and no water on the run did me in. After three miles it was all I could do to turn around and get back to work without walking the whole thing. I took some liberal walk breaks but finished in semi-respectable fashion. One of the worst runs I can remeber having. Gotta remember to at least bring water when I gets that warm. Usually, my rule is if it's over 4 miles and over 70 degress I'd better bring along at least a few ounces.
Thurs - Lifted and ran 3 miles at the gym. Felt much better running than the day before so I must not have done any permanent damage.
Fri - Lifted and then tried swimming. It's been a while since I've done any swimming (since the ear incident) so I was kinda looking forward to it. I got in and after about 50m my left shoulder had this sharp pain with every stroke. I sort of lame ducked it for another 100m and deciced I'd better quit while I'm still ahead and call it a day. It only hurt in the water so I'll try it again next week to see if it was just a fluke.
Sat - Ran 6.5 miles mid-morning. It had rained all night so the humidity was up. I was going to run a usual out and back route but ran into some cows with long sharp horns that didn't look like they were going to let me pass without a fight so I turned around. With the help of my Garmin I found a new trail and got in the full distance I was planning. It was a bit rocky, but better than getting gored by a pissed off cow.
Yes, I know I'm a wuss when it comes to domesticated animals (dogs, cows, whatever else I may come across on my runs). Seriously though, if you would have been with me I bet you would've turned around too. Seriously those cows looked like they meant business.

Marathon Training Week 3

A good week in training.
Monday: Ran the infamous 5 mile suburban loop at lunch on Monday. It's been a while since I've tackled this hilly loop so it was a bit of a challenge. However, I did discover an alternate route that didn't add much distance but avoids the "private property" so I no longer have to trespass to run this loop.

Tuesday: Busy at work so I didn't make it to Yoga class, but I got in some lifting.

Wednesday: About 4 miles with 3 mile tempo run and 1 mile of warm up and cool down. The tempo was good. I started out way too fast and had to gut it out at the end to hit my goal pace for the run. I really need to work on negataive splits.

Thursday: Before driving to Grandma's house I got in a two mile run with the jog stroller. I now remember why I stopped trying to push kids in that stupid stroller.

Friday: Took it easy at Grandma's for the 4th.

Saturday: Woke up early and got in a nice 8 mile run in Cortez. It was really beautiful to run through the country in the morning. Lots of open farm land and cows. It was a bonus not to get chased by any dogs as well. The last mile was really tough because it was up a fairly steep hill.

Overall, I feel good about my training. Getting harder to find time to fit in all the workouts I'd like to do. Need to get my bike situation figured out so I can get some cross training in. Also, I think I should be good to go for swimming next week.

Things that are funny, but shouldn't be

I was reflecting earlier about things that we commonly laugh at but are really not that funny.

1) Getting hurt. This is what started the whole reflection. Drew has really gotten into shows that portray a lot of slapstick comedy like Tom and Jerry and the Roadrunner cartoons. After cracking up over a few good anvils on the head, Drew turned towards me and straight punk slapped me in the face and started laughing. Looking back on the incident now it does seem kind of funny, but at the time I wasn't laughing. I patiently explained that "pretend huring" is funny, but "real hurting" isn't. Yet in reality "real hurting" on other people is kind of funny. Nothing is as automatic in comedy than a good smack in the balls, people will crack up everytime. Yet we don't stop and think about how much pain and suffering the poor guy is going through and how there may be some permanent damage that can prevent procreation because that's not so funny.

2) Porn. Not everybody may think this is funny. Maybe because it's so uncomfortable a subject that I laugh just because I don't know what else to do. Joel's comment on my "what is this" post had me cracking up for days. Although the idea of a porn kaliedescope is extremely funny, the reality of one isn't as funny. Could you image that poor guys wife if he really had a porn kaliedascope? Trying desparetly to get her husbands love and attention but all he's interested in is the crazy psycedelic images of naked people on his coveted contraption.

3)Poop. Man, nothing is as automatic as a good do-do joke. Sometimes just saying the word "duty" will incite laughter. However, if you've ever had to empty the sewage tank of an R.V. or Houseboat you will quickly realize there is nothing f... wait a minute, maybe this one really is just funny.

Hope I haven't severly offended any of you and if you have any other things that are funny but shouldn't be, please share.

Biking career in jeopardy

Yes I know this is tragic. A cloud of uncertainty has now descended upon my once bright and promising future in cycling (that's what us hardcore dudes say instead of biking - biking is for fat old dudes with long beards on a harley). On my way to work on Friday tragedy struck. Since a picture is worth 1,000 words I'll just lay this on you to keep this post short.




I was in the parking lot at work when this tragedy struck. I was trying to slow down so I could manuver a turn when my front wheel locked up and I went flying over the handlebars. Of course there were about 12 other associates who watched the action unfold. When I got up and dusted myself off I saw both the carnage done on my bike and my body, as well as a dozen shocked faces staring back at me. I bolted into the locker room in an embarassed huff and took a closer look at the damage. I really only had a few scrapes and bruises but as you can see my bike wheel was fubared.

I am now trying to decide if I will ever ride again. Ok not that dramatic but I am trying to decide how I'll get back on a bike. I can either buy a new front wheel and once again resurrect the old mission bike, or just start anew with a replacement bike. I also need to get over the emotional distress of the incident and let time erase the memory of those who witnessed this embarassing incident.