Clearspace Server Syndication Feed

I know it is just an easy run, but good lord...

SeanReymond — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 02:41:34 GMT

my training schedule has me running ridiculously slow. As you might have read before I am currently training for the Pasadena Half-Marathon and my goal is around 1:35 which equates to about 7:22/mile, ok good that sounds feasible. My training schedule currently has my easy and long runs at a 8:37/mile pace, and the pace maxes out at 8:17/mile for the easy runs. That is nearly 1 minute/mile slower than my race pace!?!?

I understand that easy and long runs are to build up a foundation of miles and that speedwork and tempo runs are to develope efficiency and stamina. I guess that by taking the easy runs, really easy this will make it easier to max out the speedwork.

Another thing is that running slow is actually difficult for me. I run primarily on the balls of my feet and when I run slow I tend to make more ground contact with the rest of my foot. This causes me to bounce up and down, which is poor form. Not Good.

I don't know if I can handle this though. Today I 'forced' myself to slow down and was still running about a 8:17/mile pace. I think I might be able to understand why some people think running is boring...they must have been training for races constantly.

If I am not pushing myself I don't call it running...I guess I will have to call it training however.

Shoe Surplus

SeanReymond — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 02:30:25 GMT

First I must apologize to my Brooks'...Brookses...my old shoes. Seems they were not the cause of my leg pain last week, and it was some ill fitting insoles that were the culprit. I have been breaking in my new Asics this week and I switched the insoles from the Brooks to the Asics. From the first run something felt odd.

I use heat-moldable insoles (from Sole) and really like them. Well, the last set I purchased has a small plastic 'pocket' that is supposed to be for the Nike+ insert. I guess I have flat feet or something because the insert was causing the insole to fit funny. I actually noticed it originally in my Brooks, and I switched insoles for a while. I don't know why but I went back to the faulty insole and I think that is what has been causing my right leg pain the last few weeks.

So I cut the pocket out and now the Asics feel like magic, and the Brooks feel pretty good too. With my recent purchases last week I now have 4 solid pairs of shoes...5 counting my trail runners. So basically I am equipped for the next 1000 miles or so.

I guess I shouldn't be so quick to judge...I hope my Brooks's will take me back...

The Pre-Game

bmonk25 — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:45:17 GMT

I remember back in the glory days (HS hoops in Indiana); when the days and nights before big Friday night games were filled with emotion, pride, and the anticipation of the unknown. It seems that I am rehashing many of those same things as I prepare or get emotionally jacked up for these big saturday runs. All week, I was equating my runs to practice; staying disciplined to the routine and the time, in preparation for break throw 20 miles. All day today, I kept thinking about tomorrow and trying to visualize the tranisitions between, water, cliff shots, music, friends, and whatever else could come my way (ie....hurricane Hannah). Further, today I kept consuming water and counting calories (gotta make sure you have enough in the tank, right?). And finally, this evening, I tried to relax and shift my mind away from the run.

A group of us went down to the local Inn, where my childhood neighbor and friend had driven up from Nashville to play music all weekend in town (it is the the big Zionsville Fall Festival.) Mooks (Michael Krejci http://www.mknashville.com/) is living the dream on music row. We are all proud of him and it was quite the treat to finally see him play.

So, after 3000 calories, a gallon of water, a game plan, some chill time, uniform prep, and little stretching....it is finally time for some sleep. 6:30 will come fast!!!! Lets hope the 3 hour run will go fast also.

New trails and new sports

Gale Bernhardt — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 02:04:27 GMT

For some athletes it is the end of the season, for others there is still some good racing left. For me, it is riding the tide of post-race fitness. The Leadville 100 Mountain Bike Race, four weeks ago, was the last race of my season.

I had a very light week the week after the race and volunteered at the Leadville 100 Running Race. A tough weekend for the runners, with a good deal of rain and some snow; but nice for me as I slept in my car with the rain gently tapping on the roof.

The next couple of weeks involved doing "workouts" when I felt like it. I like to take a break from structure and I also look for new places to go or new things to do. For example, last weekend a group of us (Scott Ellis, Todd Singiser, Steve Douglas and Dave Newman) took a trip up to Wyoming's Curt Gowdy State Park.

If you click on the link above, there is another link leading to videos showing various trails. It is really a nice park filled with plenty of singletrack. I went with riders that are significantly better on technical terrain than I am, and lucky for me, they are patient and willing to give me pointers on how to be a better rider.

I forgot my camera, so as soon as Steve posts photos I'll post a link to his site. I'm also told that Todd got video footage of several of us riding down a steepish rocky section. Did I mention that screaming improves your ability to ride tough sections? Some people prefer grunting, others a vocal "Hi-ya!" or a "Yiyeee!" What ever works.

A couple of days ago, I got a call from one of my old trail running buddies, Don Lorenzen (aka Goatman). He offered to take me dirt bike (the kind with an engine) riding tomorrow. I snapped up that offer.

Don is a great guy and I'm told he is an incredible motorcycle rider, as well as a great moto-skills teacher. I know Don raced flat track when he was slightly younger (I've seen photos in his office) and he may have been a motocross racer as well. I'll get more details tomorrow.

I there are probably six or eight of us heading to the town of Mountain Home, Wyoming. I haven't been on a motorcycle since I was about 14 or 15. Hopefully I won't be a complete dork...

ActiveX - 09.05.08: Husker Power

ActiveArch — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:08:16 GMT

5 Rounds, team of 3, continuous

20 wall ball tosses ~~12lb ball/20lb ball~~
10 Turkish get ups ~~10lb/25lb~~
20 Dumbbell swings ~~20lb/40bl~~

Rest interval is when waiting for partner to finish their station. This is a good one!

Heartbreak Ridge Half Marathon - Camp Pendleton

Deborah Acosta — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:39:00 GMT

Anyone up for running the Heartbreak Ridge Marathon next weekend on 9/13? Let me know and we can carpool up there and head on base.

America's Finest City Half Marathon

Deborah Acosta — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:21:18 GMT

Reflecting on my AFC Finish I had no expectations going into the run other than finishing. After thinking about this run a lot over the past two weeks it makes me reflect on the actual run itself and the events leading up to it.

I technically didn't train properly for the run however I was just running the event and not racing. I knew I had been plagued with illness that was holding my training back but none the less it was meant to just have fun. My friends were running this race as well since it is a local event I was able to see the following: Dena, Javier, Felicia, Jennifer (Stayput Team member), Aran, Tim, David, Gary, Audrey (Stayput Team member), Mike, Carmen and a few others. This was just to name a few. It's always nice to head to a race and know others who are running it, along with knowing the course like the back of your hand.

Race Day: Heading down to the race start at 0445 was a killer. Bringing my son with me so he could be at the finish line was brutal for him but he was being met with Felicia's daughter so they could hang out together. But this does cause for race day concerns as you always want to make sure that they are ok. So phone in hand we leave them behind while we head to the bus line which I have to say was MUCH better organized this year out of all the years I have run this event (total 4). We hopped on the bus within 15 mins and off to Cabrillo Monument we went. Arriving at the race start was still the same mess... lots of runners on a tiny hill top. But we headed for the pre-race porta potty stop and waited in line. In and out and back to the race start... Looking around seeing if I see people I know... Can I find Jennifer? Can I find Dena? Hmm... that was the question. I told Felicia let's head to the front and look for Dena and just as I said that who do I run into? Yep you are correct, Dena!

The gun goes off and off we go... Bye Felicia!!! She just runs off and I stick to my steady pace... I knew the stupid hills at the beginning of the race were going to be the life of me that day... So 1 mile - I wave to my friends father who is buried to the right as I pass his tree... 2 miles - stupid rolling hills, 3 miles - Bye Dena... she runs past me as we go up the hill into the residential portion of the course... Never see her again until the loop. I just hate hills and I go in reverse once I hit them. 4 miles - still feeling good however the hills are feeling an impact in my knee... As I come up to the curve to Harbor Island I see a fellow Stayput Team member and I notice it's Audrey... I swing by and chat with her for a second... Ok, can't talk much but continue on towards Harbor Island loops... Still feeling ok but when I get to the aid station I walk through it... Feeling a little warm and not so strong takes a toll... Start to run again and move forward... the water station at mile 8 was refreshing... I normally do not go through them as they don't help with my blisters on my feet however it was a warm day and I didn't care. Coming out of Harbor Island loops I walked a bit through the last aid station then got to running again... I see the tall ships and know where I am going and where I need to be.... I keep moving forward and I see Audrey passing me on my right so I speed up and chat with her for a few steps and she backs off again (I secretly wanted to run with her to keep me moving but she was unmotivated that day as well) so continue on... up, up, up... heading towards the "HILL". I see another Goody Stayput team member and I start running towards her.... She was my focus point to catch... She made it easy for me as well as she stopped to walk through the aid station before the hill then she continued to walk... As I came up on her I introduced myself to her and said let's make it up this last hill... She just smiled and said ok... she started trotting up the hill as did I and we both pushed one another up it. I was hoping I would see someone I knew on the hill however, I didn't. It was a sweet vicory once I made it to the top and entering into Balboa park was nice... I saw Tim and Aran on my left heading out to get Jennifer... and I was already spent by this time so I stopped and grabbed some Tea - Ahhhh, refreshing. So back to running I go and all the American flags are just motivating to me so I pick up my step a bit and try to shrug off being tired... Only 1/2 mile to go... Turning the corner I see a runner down and at this point I am thankful it's not me! I push, push, push the last 400 meters and through the finish line I go!!! YEAH! It was far from a spectacular event however, I made it and I had a good time!!!

Marathon training to date

Katie Norton — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:59:12 GMT

Hi! I've created this blog as a place to track my training, especially for those of you who were generous enough to make a pledge per mile I run in preparation for Philadelphia. I wanted to give you an idea of how the season has been so far!

I train with a wonderful group of runners called the Baltimore Packemakers. We meet up at 5:30 every Wednesday morning (some of us on Tuesdays and Thursdays too!), and before 7 AM on Saturdays to run together around Baltimore. We run year round, but our training for fall marathon season started in earnest in May.

The highlight of my training season so far was a 20-mile race held at the North Central Railroad Trail on August 31. I ran it in just under 2 hours 51 minutes, on pace for a Boston qualifying marathon time, and fast enough to come in 3rd place in my age group! This was a huge accomplishment for me.

Stay tuned for daily updates starting on September 7 - the 11 week countdown to Philly!

Fr. 09/05/2008 - Weary

DaveVause — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:37:58 GMT

Today: 3.0 miles on Severn Crossing Trails @ 05:45 plus 1.0 over Mt. Tendinitis
Borg Scale: 4 / unk mpm / unk bpm at end.
week: 11 miles
63 F/91%
unk lbs / unk %

Denise and I are weary as we trot through the Severn Crossing trails before dawn. Those 7 hours at the zoo on Monday are still with us. Nonetheless, we finish well.

After I drop her off, I do one more mile, going over Mt. Tendinitis twice on an "out and back". I run past students collecting for their bus rides to school. In 72, while walking to school, I used to see an older man out running in the morning. Back then, the sight was unusual. Actually, it still is. He motivated me to attempt running. Knowing nothing of the sport, I went out a couple of times only to wind up with a sore diaphragm from running too hard. At the time, that was discouragement enough. Today, I regret not having found my way into high school cross country. I honestly believe it would have changed my life for the better.

Just Do it.

runbrandonrun@yahoo.com — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:12:20 GMT

Sometimes I feel I am the only addict (for running) out there. am i wrong??? hi.