Clearspace Server Syndication Feed

Excited to get started!

Rich Southard — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 23:36:45 GMT

Finally Team MGD64 is getting rolling. My softball team is excited to see the cooler get filled. I have been working and reworking on my race schedule for the next year: race-a- month in 2009. Time to step up to Olympic distance. I have the new bike and have started running in Newton's. I will be ready.

Oct 7th/ Day 1

AZ turtle — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:51:53 GMT

Today was the first day of traing for me. At one point in time I was fit. I spent six years in the US Army. After leaving the military 5 years ago I put on 60 pounds. One day while fighting the potatoe chips on a weekend excursion as the couch commando i saw a triathalon. I decided i want to do that. i didn't know how but I knew I wanted to do it. So I started reseaching it and today I started training. I'm starting slow by just doing the C25K routine but you have to start somewhere. so my road to the Ironman finish line started by doing a run/walk for 20 minutes. Carrying 60 extra pounds on a run is not fun. I keep doing at it and i know those pounds will melt away though.

October 7

bvcc — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:26:47 GMT

Distance: 5.4 miles
Time: 59:06

Pace: 10:56 per mile
Stretch: Yes!

Weekly mileage: 5.4 miles
Cumulative mileage: 631.3 miles

Tomorrow: 6 miles pace

Comments: My schedule, which was already fraying, is coming completely unravelled. We'll see whether or not I can hit tomorrow's run.

October 5 and 6

bvcc — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:20:55 GMT

Off

10.07.08 Swim

ActiveRD — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:26:54 GMT

Another brutal swim workout from Coach Ali. Every time I get in the pool I have two distinctly different thoughts. The first usually consists of me telling myself how good I feel or how much I have improved in the last few months and the second is, "This workout is gonna SUCK!" Today I made it through about 1600 yds feeling comfortable (more or less). The last 600 yds was pretty tough. Since I was doing 400's, it got to a point where I was counting 50's I was so desperate to finish. When I finished I felt good about the workout I did today, finishing my last 400 yds at 6:04, so not too shabby. I wanted to keep my 100 splits as close to 1:30 as I could (on the 400's), and all in all I think I did a good job of that. The shorter distance stuff today was pretty challenging on the "descending" (not to be confused with negative splits) sets. I was swimming the 50's on the 1:00, so I was finishing the earlier reps at around 0:40, and trying to shave off seconds from there. Solid 45+ in the pool today. Below is the workout.

Warm up:
400 yds.

Warm up set:
4 x 50 yds. Descend (each rep is faster than previous)
4 x 25 yds. (Odd rep:easy; Even rep:fast)
4 x 50 yds. Descend (each rep is faster than previous)
Easy 100 yds.

Main Set:
3 x 400 yds. (Take no more than 1:00 rest between)
1st 400 - (Aerobic)
2nd 400 - (Neg Split: 200 yds. - 20 sec rest - 200 yds.)
3rd 400 - (Aerobic - see if you can go a little faster than #1)

October 7, 2008

Diane Bier — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:32:59 GMT

Today I read about one of my heros and she's always a hero to me! Jen McDevitt had to do a long run and have a chemo treatment today. So she ran to the hospital to get her run in and had chemo. She is one of the most inspirational people I know.

I had a 20 mile run last Thursday which put my knee out for a few days. I broke down and went out and bought a knee brace. It helps tremendously! I was so sore after that run. I had a great time, 3 hours and 30 min. I can't understand why I was sore after the 20 miler and after the 18 miler the week before I didn't feel anything. Must be age!!! hahaha I didn't run at all after the 20 miler until yesterday. I walked a litlle more than mile and felt ok, so then I ran 2 easy miles. I felt ok last night and after talking with our TMG coach, Kevin I ran 5 miles this morning. I feel good, so later this week, I'm going to see if I can do a 12 mile run. I have next week mapped out also. Hopefully everything will come together and I'll be able to complete all my runs. Then I can taper.

I ran today with an ipod. I have never done that before. I liked hearing the music, but I found that it's hard to focus on other things. I usually think about other people when I run and I found that hard to do with the ipod on. It's hard to hear the cars if they come up behind you and you're not running on a sidewalk. Just something to watch for. I'm going to use the ipod when I run NYC after about mile 15 or 18 somewhere in there. When your legs and feet are screaming, it will help to give me a distraction and something else to focus on. It will definitely be a new experience.

I have to travel next week to Raleigh and am looking forward to seeing Cindy Bohlin from the 2007 NYC team. We're going to do a 5-7 mile run. I'm really looking forward to it.

I hope everyone is well and I continue to pray for you all.

Chris had his 3rd resection today. I hope that he's feeling better and in a few days that his right eye starts to become strong again.

Stay healthy and run smart.

Final List

kparkey1 — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:56:32 GMT

I have just been notified that I am currently #3 out of 89 applicants. They have 2 spots open but more expected to come.

Team McGraw - Her Tough is Tougher

kevin leathers — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:16:11 GMT

Heroes

I have had many heroes. Growing up they were astronauts and athletes. More and more I find that my true heroes are those that face life head-on despite whatever obstacles are placed in their way. My running and coaching with Team McGraw has surrounded me with an amazing group of warriors. Patients, caregivers, family and friends who deal with brain tumors.

One runner on my Hero list is Jen McDevitt. Jen is a wife, mom, marathoner, Team McGraw member, brain tumor survivor. And one of the toughest people I have ever met. Jen will be running the Chicago Marathon with Team McGraw on Sunday. She has run several marathons since being diagnosed with a brain tumor 5 years ago. She has trained and competed WHILE undergoing radiation and chemo. Yesterday she provided me with an amazing dose of perspective. I thank her for reminding me of real struggles and true courage.

Here is the text she sent me yesterday... 6 days before the marathon.

{color:#0000ff}Jen: "Coach, don't be mad but my schedule has been crazy and i had to get in my long run today. I also had a chemo session scheduled. So I just RAN the 11 miles to the hospital for my chemo. Don't worry... i will get a ride home."
{color}

Kevin: (speechless and completely humbled)

Here is the link to the "Today Show" feature from NYC Marathon in 07: Jen on Today Show

Thank you Jen.

One More Plea for Sadie's Gift

Steve Carton — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:42:04 GMT

I'm running in the Baltimore Marathon THIS SATURDAY and I'm using it as a way to raise funds for a charity -- Sadie's Gift (http://www.sadiesgift.org/) which is raising money for the Johns Hopkins Children's Center. This is my third and final plea:-) We've gotten some responses, but still would like to get more.

If you feel you can and want to make a contribution, please do; it's a great cause. I'll be writing about this and my training progress in my running blog at http://community.active.com/blogs/turtletraining. You can get to the site to make a donation from there or just go to the Johns Hopkins Children's Center website and to the ONLINE GIVING FORM page (https://jhweb.dev.jhu.edu/eforms/form.do?formId=6239).

You can make you donation on that page. Please (please please) indicate that your gift is for "Sadie Elizabeth Abell Endowment" by checking radio box near the top. Please also "Select a Runner" -- Steve Carton (that would be me:-).

Any amount would be fine -- there is no "lower limit". And if you prefer to make a pledge, please email me with the amount and I'll bug you after the race.

Thanks so much for your support. I'll send pictures afterward if you are interested.

Steve Carton

the bike lesson

aleenadair — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:03:14 GMT

ok so today was the first day riding the borrowed bike (which by the way is awesome). I've only owned two bikes in my life... a white trek mountain bike in the 5th grade that i rode to and from school for a year and a beach cruiser i had in college that i rode to and from class (which was stolen - while i was in class). so needless to say this 3000 dollar rode bike is VERY different! first, the skinny tires... very skinny, and balancing takes more talent apparently, second the curved handlebars, definately going to be a learning curve for me.... but lastly and the most painful... the seat. i dont own a pair of bike shorts but i will investing in some shortly! i cut my ride down 4 mi this morning because my poor aching bum was royal ticked off at me.... and it still is. i was amazed however to find that the bike helmet i purchased in 5th grade (i'm 22 now) still fits me... i guess i havent grown much since then (i was a very tall 5th grader). well wish me luck with the new adventures with the bike. my dad and i plan to take a long ride this weekend so i guess im buying some bike shorts before then!