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New Englanders: Running 27 miles for the 27 lives lost:

guest — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 20:15:16 GMT

I am from the state of CT. This tragedy hurt especially how close to home it was. In some way you knew someone who lost a loved one. The day of the event I said to myself why not run to honor those lives lost to show our support as runners. Then I heard in the news kid running from Danbury High School to Newtown High School. Got me going this could be done. I am just curious on any runner’s feedback about this. It would be a memorial group run. The goal would be to try and raise money for the agencies that helped out those affected by the tragedy. Not a race or timed. I say the race would be done the weekend before or the weekend after Memorial Day. Was thinking June 1rst since that is when Newtown is doing the Relay for Life. I can’t see the issue not allowing runners to use Dickinson Park in Newtown for four hours, you need a pass. The course would be about 27 miles maybe 27.2 miles. You run in the park from one parking lot to the next, which is .54 miles. On a not so heavy traffic road that is 1.44 miles around the park for 18 times. You run back into the park to the first parking lot you started at to equal just about 27 miles. It would be self-timed. There will be 20 Popsicle sticks each stick will have one or two names of people who passed away in the tragedy. When you cross the finish have to have 20 sticks to say you are done. I believe there are only three other parks in Newtown area that you don’t have to have a permit to park there if the town says no. However, two are in somewhat heavy traffic areas. Could avoid the traffic at one park by actually running through the parking lot where Sandy Hook Elementary Park. If running at Treadwell Park, but can’t see that being allowed. One may have a race going on that day and the other is in a Nature Center on trails. There may or not be Newtown had their annual 5K Rocking Rooster Run June 16th last year, but could be run the same day. I am just curious on any feedback and would any runners support this idea?

Training for an ultra-marathon question about the number of weeks

guest — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 16:04:54 GMT

I was planning on a 50 mile race in the end of May, the 26. Plan was a 37 week training plan. Where it would be broken down into five stages: 10 weeks build up; 11 weeks strength; 11 weeks endurance; 3 weeks taper; 2 weeks recovery. I was considering doing another 50 early on in May instead of the one on the 26. I would be doing 32 weeks of training and plan on doing a 50K 3 weeks prior to the race. It would change the five stages to: 11 weeks build up; 8 weeks strength; 7 weeks endurance; 3 weeks taper; 2 weeks recovery. Where endurance phase start in February 16 with a 5 hour run; two four hour runs the week of March 10th; six hour run the 30th; then just run the 50K the 13th. The race would then be three weeks away. Question is would it be better and hold off for the later race or will loosing those three extra weeks be sufficient? Pros/Cons? Appreciate the feedback.

New Swimmer question about where to begin

guest — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 14:45:31 GMT

I started this past Sunday swimming at a relative’s pool. I was able to do five days of swimming. I swam one forty minute session, four thirty minute sessions, and one hour session. In addition, was able to get in some open water swimming as well. Was doing the freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and attempted the side stroke. I am so excited to jump back into swimming joining the YMCA today. I feel five days is too much. However, with some finagling can get in four days with five days of running. In addition, I can possibly get in two days of lifting and one day of using the bike at the gym. Question is my breathing was a big reason I stopped swimming. I use to take a breath every other stroke. Felt through my stroke off. Now feel can do three breaths down a 25 foot pool. Question is when I breathe started turning my head. Now worked it where my hips turn to breath. Is this the proper way to do this? Bit apprehensive of jumping in the pool whipping out butterfly’s making waves and doing a poor attempt at it. Question is anyone do butterfly’s? Don’t want to screw up someone work out being whipped by waves. In October plan on taking month long swim lessons just to get some tips to work on my stroke after getting comfortable in the water. I am planning on joining the master swim team at the YMCA in December. Then in the summer close to home there is open water swim sessions. I like to swim a 10K by the fall. Any tips for a newbie will read the board. Don’t feel ready to start workouts. Figure for the month of September will do four days of swimming three thirty minute sessions and one hour session of freestyle. Then the following week do three sessions of thirty minutes. Then rotate throughout October. Come November plan on doing workouts and incorporating different strokes.

Training for first Ultra

guest — Wed, 09 May 2012 18:05:19 GMT

I am planning to run the Bimblers Bluff 50K in October. I have been running for six years. Unofficially ran a marathon stopped at mile 24. I have also run 27-28 miles on a training run before. I have started back into running after a four month hiatus. My current mileage is 40 and want to peak at 60. My goal is to run Bear Mountain in May next year. Two questions: I have a 24, 26, and a 34-mile run planned out up to September. These are going to be self-sustained do it yourself runs. Any tips? Second question following along with the first if all goes well through until March of next year want to tack out an 8-hour run. Any tips on that? The run would likely be March 31. One week after that I sign up for a half-marathon and then two weeks following that, I would sign up for a 50K race. They both will be training runs. Then three weeks from that would be Bear Mountain. Should that be okay? One final question on cross training: I weight lift and use the stationary bike and elliptical. I am also looking to incorporate yoga into that regime. Would I need any tweaking on cross training? Any other Cross training exercises to incorporate. Appreciate the response. My schedule up to the race in May looks like this May 19: Bethel 5k Tribute Run May 20: 18 Mile Run May 26: Hamden Hills Half Marathon End of May - 50 Miles per week June 17: 20 Mile Training Run July 1: 23 Mile Training Run July 4: Bethel 8k Firecracker Run July 15: Shaneanigans 5K/ 25.1 Mile Training Run July 28: New Milford 8 mile Road Race 40 Miles Per Week Aug. 4: People's Forest Trail, 7 mi, Barkhamsted CT, Aug. 11: 25 Mile Run (Turning 25 y.o.) + 1 Mile of good luck! Aug. 25: 7.25 miles Race series/28.25 Mile Training Run 60 Miles Per week Sept. 1: The Roxbury Mile II Sep. 9: Training run 32-34 miles Sep 16: Southbury 10K Sep 22: Hogsback Half Marathon/26.2 Mile Training Run 50 Miles Per week Oct. 7: Southington Apple Harvest 10K Run Oct. 13: 11 miles Race Series/22 Mile Training Run Oct. 21: Bimblers Bluff 50K - Race 40 Miles Per week Nov. 4: Weston Reservoir Half Marathon/ 20 Mile Training Run Nov. 10: 13.1 miles Race Series Nov. 17: 24 Mile Training Run Nov. 22: 3 miles Run For a Cure 50 miles per week Dec. 2/3: 20/20 Mile Training Run Dec. 9: Gail's Trail Run 2011 13.1 Dec. 15: 50K Training Run 40 miles per week 2013 (Tentative) Jan. 13: People's Forest 17.13-Mile Road Race Jan. 20: 15k Boston Build Up Series/ 60K Training Run Jan. 27: Tradition Run 60 miles per week Feb 10: Fight for Air Climb - Scale 360 State Street, New Haven Or Feb 10: Cupid’s Chase 5k Feb. 16/17: 24/26 Mile Training Run 50 Miles Per Week March 17: 5 Hour Training Run March 23: Savin Rock Half Marathon & 5K March 31: Five Mountain Challenge: Bear Mountain/Brace Mountain/Mounnt Frisel/Mount Riga/Alander Mountain 8am to 5pm March 30-31: 8 hour run 60 Miles Per Week April 7: Danbury Half Marathon April 13: Traprock 50k 40 Miles Per Week Race: May 4: Northface Bear Mountain 50 Mile Race

Running in the Dark Gear…

guest — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 14:44:34 GMT

Running in the Dark Gear… I am trying to get myself to run at 4 in the morning; will knock the run out and will not be rushing to complete it. As tough as it is to wake up early it is also tough to run when you can not see. Any gear to look into? I plan on grabbing few things here and from that building off of it. Few items are from Life Gear it has a flashlight, whistle, glow light and flash mode for $5. From Fuel Belt pocket holder and Race Belt from Fuel Belt. Possibly pepper spray and few first aid items such as band-aids and alcohol wipes to place in the holder. The Nathan Streak road vest would help in being visible. Few other items are reflective headwear, Road ID, and possibly a blinking LED light. Gear I already have is a small MAG flashlight, water bottle with holder, and two reflective ankle bands. Question is any other gear should look into? I am looking to do trail running and considering a headlamp. I was considering the Princeton Tec EOS for the bike and hook it onto the race belt. Do you have any suggestions on headlamps? Appreciate the response.