Clearspace Server Syndication Feed

Saturday's Bridge Run

moormantv — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 10:42:17 GMT

Had to move run back from 6am to 9am due to Tropical Storm Hannah. Greg, Kathy, Tammy and me began around 9:20. Started at St Andrews and went across the bridge and at the end of the pedestrian walk on East Bay is where I turned around and came back to complete my run which was 8.4 miles. The other guys were running a 12 miler so they ran an additional 4 miles dowtown before coming back. I was worried about running the last 4 solo in that I might quite when I got tired, but I stayed with it. I didn't find the bridge especialy tough as I did the heat. I am used to runnign at 6am on our longer runs so it is cool. When I came off the bridge, the last 2 miles back to church were tough. I ran total of 1 hr 20 minutes which is approx 12 min miles. Which is a good comf pace for me. I'm still not hydrating properly. Some headaches Saturday during the day. Overall, god run for me. I am feelign it on my feet. I am going to have to break down and buy real running shoes.

running!

pavni — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:14:13 GMT

j and i ran our 14 miler last sunday and pretty much ran to campus and back home in a nice long rectangle. i really enjoy running around the neighborhood since i feel like it's a lot more entertaining than running in the woods. however, running at LOTW definitely has its perks. you're alone (pretty much), you're serene and centered- and your one and only focus (besides counting squirrels and birds) is running. it's a beautiful thing when the loudest noise around you is either your shoe hitting the pavement or the ear-pressure inducing exhale from your breath.

this week is cut back week- woo! so i am just running for time... i guess about an hour or so tomorrow. yay for being a little bit more than a month away from the marathon!! yippee!

The Worst Airlines for your Luggage

Jim Kaese — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:01:20 GMT

According to the Wall Street Journal, the three major airline carriers-American, United, and Delta-hold the highest "lost luggage" rate. United's mishandled baggage rate during the past 10 years is 29% higher than the best rated airline, Continental.

Delayed flights causing missed connections are the primary reason for luggage blunders. And as the on-time performance of the nation's carriers sprials down, mishandled baggage rates spike up. Here are the mishandled-bag rates per 1,000 passengers:

United - 5.49
American - 5.30
Delta - 5.00
US Airways - 4.89
Northwest - 4.74
Alaska - 4.58
Southwest - 4.48
Continental - 4.25

One reason that these rates might improve...higher checked-luggage fees. As airlines have added fees for bag checking, passengers are checking less. Presumably, this smaller quantity of luggage should translate into better luggage service, but only time will tell...

Happy Saturday!

Beth Wise — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 20:38:37 GMT

Finally!!! I ran 13 today as a training run and I FINALLY feel good! The weather was a bit cooler and it just seemed like I had an extra gear. A few of my training buddies pushed me through the middle of the run, but we were able to hold an 8:12ish pace for most of the way...after a frustrating start to my training season, I am ready to run! I have really had a hard time being mentally motivated to wake up early and run, but I think the weather and the fact I've taken a few "mental" days off has helped. I still can't believe San Antonio is over 2 months away, but I'm sure the higher mileage phase will go by quickly. I was also impressed with the fact I had 2 beers last night and they didn't seem to effect me today! Maybe next week I'll try 3?! I need to pick up some new running shoes and some more Power Gel for this next week but otherwise, I feel pretty good with training!

The Team Marathon program at Komen is really starting to take off - what a dream come true! I just hope that each runner has a great experience - they are doing so much for the cause. Hearing stories of why people are running has brought me to tears several times at work! It's why I come in each day and want so many people to get involved...too many lives are lost to breast cancer! I am planning a fundraising happy hour coming up and hope that I can raise a lot of money as well!

September 6

bvcc — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 16:46:26 GMT

Distance: 7.1 miles
Time: 1:15:57

Pace: 10:41 per mile

PLUS

Distance: 1 mile
Time: 7:48.87

Pace: 7:48.87 per mile

Stretch: Yes

Weekly mileage: 35.3 miles
Cumulative mileage: 463.0 miles

Tomorrow: 20 miles

Comments: I timed myself on a mile on the track, as part of a 1 mile virtual race. I don't think I've run a timed mile since I was in school. I did OK, especially considering I ran 4.5 miles to warm up (and then 3.6 to cool down.)

September 5

bvcc — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 16:39:08 GMT

Off

Tomorrow: 9 mile run, with a virtual 1 mile race.

Comments: I've never timed myself in a mile. I wonder what I will do.

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...