Hello All!

I wanted to take a second and thank everyone who read my blog over the last few months. Even though this will be my last post, my jouney is far from over. Over the last two months I saw myself go from struggleing to run 6 miles in 58 minutes to running 10 miles in 83 mintues. I can now run an entire long run (consisting of 10 or more miles) in under 8:30. A lot of work went into my training and it all paid off.

Now, as I close this chapter, I open a whole new one. I am no longer a beginner. My goals are starting to look like the goals of an experianced runner who wants stronger performances everytime he steps on the pavement. By next year I would like to be close if not succeed at qualifying for the Boston Marathon. I would have to run a sub 3:11:00 marathon. Although that time is far beyond what I can do at the moment, I know if I put in the work, I have a shot at it. I will not quit until I do it (and probably not after either). I am starting this March with a marathon in South New Jersey. My goal for this race is 3:30. Right now I can run at a 3:45 pace. So I am attempting to knock of 15 minutes of my pace. I will not be dissapointed if I fail this March, but I should come close. If I don't get there, I'll try harder next time.

Good luck to everyone! I hope my post inspires one person to better their life, like I have.  I have never felt better.

Train hard, Train smart and Stay healthy. Take care.

Sincerely,

Vincent

Hello all!

What a great bounce back week! The week before, I had some set backs. Felt like my times were not what they should have been, and my overall performance was just not satisfactory. However, this week was a complete 180 degree turn around. It started slow with my morning run on Tuesday. I ran a slow 5 miles. Not what I wanted to do, but it happend. Then on Wednesday I ran 3.1 at a personal record. Thursday I ran my hill work out faster than I did the week before by more than a minute. I was stoked. But, the real difference maker was my 9 mile run on Sunday. The week before, I also ran 9 miles. I ran it at 1:26. I was happy with the time, but not thrilled. However, this week I ran the same distance at 1:22. A four minute improvement!

The difference was my attitude. I wasn't sure why I couldn't run the distances in the times that I wanted. I was frustrated. Then around 5 miles I decided to really push myself. I knew I had plenty of gas in the tank to finish the run, so I took off. I ran the last four miles in 34 minutes. which for that distance alone is a personal record. After I finished I felt great, could have easily finished another three miles, if not at that pace, then a tad slower. I was extremely happy, becasue this puts me under my goal of running a sub 2 hour half marathon. Today, I ran 5 miles faster than the week before. All in all it's been a fantasitic week.

I think the difference in my running is attributed to my attidude. It didn't occur to me that the reason I wasn't performing as well as I would like, was due to not pushing myself. Sometimes I think we get caught up in not pushing ourselves to hard, in order to prevent injury. However, sometimes you need to suck it up and run harder. I truly believe it is a major element to improving.

Till next week!

Train hard, Train smart, Stay healthy.

Sincerely,

Vincent

Hey Everyone!

Another week has gone by, which means another week to report. 21 miles completed last week. All very good runs. Ran 8 on sunday with ease and in new PR mile splits. I was ecstatic! It was nasty weather too, so I was happy. I would like to be prepared for my next race, no matter what the weather is like.

I would like to discuss how running became fun for me. At least for any new runners out there that might peek at my blog, this could possibly motivate you to keep on going.

Well about six months ago, maybe a little bit longer, I decided to devote my training purely to running. Before that I was also weight training, but not getting the total fitness results I was looking for. Therefore, I decided to devote my time to improving my running. At first it was extremely difficult. I was booking in a few more miles than I should have. I think I started out at two miles a day with a long run on Wednesday of three miles. I know "Wednesday" not the best day to pick for my long runs (I work and go to school full time). I didn't occur to me to consult expert runners and recreational runners for advice on how to become more of a runner my self.

When my shin splints started to fade becasue of my increased weight loss and stregnthining of my calves, I decided to find out about a good pair of running sneakers. I found out about things like a good pair sneakers will last anywhere between 250 to 500 miles before the midsole broke down. I also learned that the sneakers I was wearing only last up to 200 miles max. Since it has now been about 3 months from the time I bought them, it is safe to say they were dead.

Now I had a good pair of sneakers, I began to run a lot more. I was putting in about 3.5 miles a day, six days a week. Another mistake. What can I say, I was a beginner. At this point, running still felt like a chore. I was not happy doing it yet. However, I was getting weight loss results, so I kept at it.

My sister, who is a runner, and has competed in a few half marathons, talked me into entering the philly half marathon on November 22. Now I had something to train for. I looked up some training schedules, and followed them. Making adjustments for when I thought I need an extra week at a certain distance before increasing. before I knew it I was running 5 miles easily twice a week, a short 3 mile run on Wednesday and 8 miles on Sunday for my long run. Running had just become fun.

Someone at work asked me how I find time to get my runs in (between work and school, my week is insane). I told them, since running became fun, I stoped finding excuses not to do, but now I am finding excuses to go for a run.

The moral of the story is simple. For all of you  beginners out there like myself, finding motivation is the most important aspect of getting fit. The second most important aspect, is finding what is right for yourself, and listinging to the advice of people doing what you want to do. More experianced people, whether it's running or it's a professional field are extremely important aspect to your training. Listining to people that have done it before you is a very important key to success.

P.S. Going for a 9 mile run on Sunday, and looking forward to it!

Train hard, Train smart, Stay healthy.

Sincerely,

Vincnet    

Hey all!

I had another great running week. It started slowly with a tough run last tuesday. I was a little sore from my long run in the rain that previous Sunday. However, I rebounded nicely on Wednesday with 3 miles at 24:30 a personal best for that distance. Thursday, rounded out my week with a tough hill run. I ran 2.25 miles up a steep hill. It was a great run. I was running with a friend, which made the run a lot more interesting. He was having trouble controlling his breathing up the hills, but we worked it out and sucessfully completed the run. My time was, if I can remember correctly, 43:30. Not bad considering all the hills. This week, since I am half way through the first leg of my training (the half marathon leg), I cut my miles back from 22 to about 20. I cut out the 4 mile run on Saturday and walked two instead. Sunday I increased my long run to 7 miles. It felt great! I handled the distance fantastically. It was very hard for me not to go further. Monday was a strength and stretch day. This morning I got through my run nicely with a time of 42:30 for 4.5 miles.

My training is going fantastic! Looking back on the day in mid November when I decided to make a life change and get back into shape, I realized how far I have come. I have lost 39 pounds, become fit and I fell great! It took a while for me to get back into enough shape where I could see real results, but now I am better than ever. Sometimes I look at myself, and can't belive I let myself go as bad as I did. I am so glad I got on the scale last November and was disgusted with how bad my health was. I am enjoying life and more disiplined working in my profession. Being Healthy really does make a difference in performing at life.

I look forward to this next week, one day at a time!

Train hard, Train smart and Stay healthy.

Sincerely,

Vincent

Sunday was long run day. Since training for the Half, and being about half way through the training, I put in a nice 6 mile run along the Bronx River Parkway. This is also about the time where I am starting to feel the pain from ware and tear of the training. My feet are starting to experience a moderate amount of pain from swelling within my shoe during my longer runs. However, I must get through them. My legs are feeling great. I can't wait until my next run tomorrow. I am going to run on an indoor track. I will run a little more than four miles. Even though I am sore, I am getting stronger. My speed is picking up, I can now run 9 minute miles for more than six miles. If I pushed my self I could probably go faster. However, I don't want to injure myself. Staying healthy is priority one. Looking forward to tomorrow!

Train hard, Train smart and Stay healthy.

Sincerely,

Vincent