Fiesta Vaca. - then TRAINING BEGINS

It's Friday, May 26 at 6:13 CDT PM.

I have not blogged since last Thursday. Yes, I know, it feels like a crime.

To recap last week, I made it 21.5 miles. And this week has been soft at 8 week to date.

Some may wonder "why the inconsistency, Ryan"? Maybe I am wannabe committed runner.

I've put in 12-hour days at work 3x this week and I think I've weathered the storm. I'm going to knock out what I can tomorrow morning... goal is 7 miles. I've been softening since I am preparing for vaca.

Major developments:

• I registered for the Chicago Marathon on 10/22/06.
• I have purchased and begun reading the book Advanced Marathoning by Pete Pfitzinger.

I'm leaving for a grand vacation in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico in 2 days on Sunday. Those who know me will understand I will be doing my fair share of drinking and carousing.

Here is my commitment to myself: When I return from vacation on June 4, the Chicago marathon training regimen will be front and center in my life.

I am to going read the Pfitizinger book (can't spell that damn name) cover-to-cover over the course of my vacation. I'm already two chapters in; let's just say that I am inspired and overwhelmed at the same time.

This is the marathon in which I will give my all. June 5th, 2006 -- there will be 20 weeks.

IMPORTANT... As an aside, if anyone knows how I can create a cool blog template with the chicago skyline , please let me know. I've already downloaded the pic I want. I want to have a cool blog background like so many of you out there - instead of this boring Blogger standard template. HELP :)

It's Thursday nite and I need to get my ass in gear

So I've run 10 miles this week so far. 5 on Tues and 5 on Thurs. :( I need more!

See, out here in the SW Chicago 'burbs, it's been rainy, windy and unpredictable. (Excuse monkey is talking). OK, it's also 'cause I'm a ball of stress and I need to get my priorities in line.

I will rock out another 5 tomorrow, 4 on Sat, and hopefully 7 on Sunday.

This will get me to 26 for the week... if I can pull it off.

I know, you're thinking... "only 26 for the whole f'in week?? and you want to run 26.2 in only 3 hrs 10 min later this year??"

I'm grappling for reality also.

8k race / Strong finish to a hectic mid-week

I can only guess how many planned morning runs that I have missed over the years due to sleeplessness. It happened again this week, while I was in Baltimore at the hotel fretting over work issues in bed. I need to learn to relax. I can't get up and go after 5 hours of sleep like some people. I'm seriously ready to seek a doctor's help.

The second greatest run killer for me are travel delays (which causes lost sleep). That also happened this week on Thurs night with a weather system freezing air travel near O'Hare temporarily. Another 3 hours of my life I'll never get back.

Of course, I have been totally behind at work, so I've not been able to cut corners to go run. Despite the constant schedule hurdles, it was a highly respectable week - with an outstanding race performance on Saturday.

Mon 5/8 - 3.2 miles
Tue 5/9 - 11:55 AM - 5.0 miles
Wed-Fri - DNR for various reasons: weather, travel, sleeplessness
Sat - Joliet 8K Race - Cool weather with sprinkles - Smokin' pace - See recap below
Sun - 7.2 miler through North Plainfield - Excellent cap to the week - 7:38 pace / Avg Hr: 156
TOTAL: 20.1 miles

Joliet 8K - Last time I did the math, an 8k race was equivalent to about 4.96 miles. So I figured I would try to run somewhere close to 7:00-7:10 mile, since I haven't been in any race shape lately. The Joliet 8k surprisingly brought on a few hills, which were a welcome change of pace. The temp's were high 40's and damp with some moisture.

Let's just I was a bit surprised to cross the finish at 32:27 for 8k. It's not that I didn't race hard, but 6:32 mile pace??? I'm struggling to believe it. Not helping me believe was that my Polar distance monitor read 4.78 miles - were both the watch and the race organizers off??

I've not run that fast in a year. Nevertheless, It was good for THIRD in my age group out of 18. Had I known that earlier, I may have stuck around to see if it won me an announcement over the PA. Who knows. I am thinking this 8k may have been a wee bit short.

http://www.cararuns.org/race_results/results06/explorejolietall.html

I ran a 3.5 mile race last year at 6:26 per pace, which I think is my fastest recorded race pace for any distance.

http://www.clubct.org/Results/05Results/05AprShowRes.html

The Western Springs 10k is next up in two weeks on Sat. May 27. I'll try to go for a 41:30 on this one.

Planned mileage this week
Mon - Rest
Tue - 5
Wed - 6
Thu - 4
Fri - Gym - bike/strength train
Sat - 8 long
Sun - 4

NOTE : We leave for Cabo San Lucas two weeks from today!

Rounding out my 1st week in IL

New home chores that distracted me from running...

Weeding, Laying sod, Mowing the yard, Watering the yard, Installing new bath light fixtures, Installing new bath faucets, Unpacking boxes, Breaking down boxes, Taking boxes and garbage into garage; You get the idea...

I am exploring new terrain in my new hometown. This place is FLAT.

I ran in the Kayanos for the first time today. Six miles total - an out & back to a bar called Gunther's.

I ran the first half mile with my wife at a leisurely 10 min pace around our subdivision - and then went off on my own.

Total: 45:06 - 7:31/mile

TOTAL MILEAGE FOR THE WEEK: 21 miles

UPCOMING RACE: Joliet 8k - Sat 4/13

Plan for 5/8 week
Mon - 3
Tue - 5
Wed - 4 - then travel in PM
Thur - Away in Maryland
Fri - 4 EZ
Sat - 8k RACE - Joliet
Sun - 4

Settling into Plainfield, IL / ASICS GEL KAYANO's

So my last post was Sunday, April 23. Today is Saturday, May 6, 2006. Quite a bit has transpired since my last post. We are officially moved into our new home in Plainfield, IL.

Plainfield is in the 'burbs. I'm not going to make it sound over-sexy. There are seemingly a trillion houses in this suburb and Coporate America is capitalizing upon the explosive growth in this Western Chicago 'burb. You like chains? We've got 'em... Chili's, Applebees, Target, WalMart, Quiznos, Starbucks - & MUCH MORE -- all are less than 0.5 miles from my house.

But we love our new home. I have space here. We moved from 1168 sq ft to 3 -year old house, 2626 sq ft with a nice yard, full basement. Here's the kicker: We paid $63k less for our house than the selling price of our Connecticut condo! Real estate is irrational.

On to my running. I set a goal for the week of April 24 of 20 miles, which I knew would be tough with all of the transitional work that needed be done. Truth is I came up short... 18 miles last week. I'm not going to detail them for you, but there were 4 runs total -- two runs making up 9 miles in Connecticut, one run for 5 miles in Pennsylvania, 4 FAST miles on the countryside in Eastern Ohio on our way to Chicago.

All things considered, not too bad. We were in the car for 950 miles with visits to family and friends in Pittsburgh and Cleveland.

We closed on our house on Monday May 1. There are still quite a number of boxes. But I have been getting out for some short runs this week to keep the legs moving.

Tue - 4
Wed - 4
Thu - 3
Fri - 4
Sat - Yard/house work all day
Sun -- ??? - targeting 7 miles

ASICS GEL KAYANOS
I took a trip up to downtown Naperville (11 miles north) to visit the Naperville Running Co. It is the only specialty run store I could find. For the record, I have been a dedicated Asics GT's man for the past 7+years. Well, with my ambition to kick my running up a notch, I figured I would explore a more advanced shoe. $135 later, I am walking out with the Kayanos. The cushioning felt luxurious and I went for them. I keep you posted on how they peform.

Peace...

20 miles of out 25 planned - Moving on from CT...

OK, so I fell short of my 25 mile target for the week. However, I set that target totally forgetting that I had a hockey game tonight (my last one before we move - and I likely won't be playing for a while). Had I not had the game, I would have gone and completed a 5-miler this evening. Plus, the weather didn't cooperate at all this weekend. And we're moving in 3 days, for crying out loud and there is work to do. (OK, enough excuses).

To recap, Monday was a rest day.

On Tuesday, I did 10 miles total - in two different runs. First time that had happened in a great while.

I took Wednesday off altogether after the double run on Tuesday. I needed it.

Thursday - It was the hottest day of 2006 in Connecticut. Temperatures exceeded 80 degrees and I felt it. I did a leisurely 4-miler at 7:50 pace. I was feeling the torrid heat so I took my time and walk a few steps as necessary.

Friday - We had "farewell" dinner plans with some friends/co-workers and I was keen on getting in a strong six-miler before our big night out. I rocked on this run. Temps were 20 degrees cooler than Thursday. Knocked out 6 miles in 43:20 (7:13/mile pace).

Saturday was a work day to prepare for our big move this week. We were out until around 1:15 AM the night before and didn't get out of bed until damn near 10. We packed and moved for the majority of the day and it rained much of the day as well. I didn't run.

Sunday was a day of missed pportunity. I have my last hockey game before my move and I didn't want to run right before it. I was hoping to run in the morning but it rained intensely, non-stop for most of today. We had 5 inches of rain. It didn't stop raining until after 5 PM.

TOTAL MILES FOR THE WEEK: 20

This is it. We are moving from Connecticut this week. I can't believe it. Another chapter is closing. It's starting to sink in. We're making this move to improve our quality of life and gain a new experience. I am confident that we will do just that.

PLANNED MILEAGE FOR THE WEEK: Going to set the target at 20 miles. It could be a stretch with all of the driving to Chicago beginning on Thursday and the final move details, but I will try. Mon: 5, Tue: 4, Wed: 4, Thu: Rest, Fri: 4, Sat: Rest, Sun NITE in Bolingbrook: 3

I have been researching and developing a plan for the Chicago Marathon over the past couple of days. I'm excited but nervous. Will I be able to stay committed? Here is my concern: I want to have FUN this summer...

I'm a live music fanatic and I have been deprived living here in Fairfield County, CT (NYC might as well be 1,000 miles away - it's a killer to get there). I've purchased tickets to five concerts so far in the Chicago area for late Spring and Summer - all on weekends. Additionally, I just got a call from an old college buddy who wants to meet up for a Cubs game on the weekend in June and go to a MSU Football game in October (the week before the marathon). All of this is during important training time.

I went to a Big 10 school (Michigan State). Many of my old mates live in the Chicago/Detroit region. When I get together with old college friends, we drink and have a good time. It could make training a challenge if I partake in these events. But I've not lived in the Midwest in 9 years and it seems like a great opportunity to rekindle some old friendships. I need to dig deep and make some decisions on how I will maintain my training and enjoy my summer.

This summer will be a busy one. I cannot wait.

Daily double

The weather was outstanding today and I am feeling quite inspired this week. I did not do the single seven-miler that I had planned. I actually headed out twice today and completed 10 miles.

6:50 AM - 47:04 - 6.2 miles - 7:34/mile - Avg HR: 161 - 746 cals
5:58 PM - 27:23 - 3.8 miles - 7:12/mile - Avg HR: 166 - 457 cals
Total: 10 miles

I must say that I was a bit fatigued after the second run. I was pushing this evening.

All and all, it was a solid day. I am pretty sure that I will sleep well tonight. Sweet dreams.

Work can't get me down / Get me to Boston next year

I had a rough day at work. I have a work problem that I am trying to solve. I'm a little concerned about it, but I'm sure I will weather the storm. Sure, my boss is on my case. But, what makes me feel good is that I know I will be getting up tomorrow early to knock out a run. That run will prepare me for battle tomorrow.

Most of us know that today was the running of the 110th Boston Marathon. I've decided that I will take the next 12 months to work toward running in the 111th next April.

I am moving to the Chicago area at the end of next week. My qualifying race will be the Chicago Marathon on 10/22/06.

I have run six marathons in my life. My PR is a 3:23:55 in Houston - Jan 2005. I ran Tampa at the end of February and failed to keep my PR streak alive. I collided with the wall and finished in 3:31.

I will be joining the Chicago Area Runner's Association (www.cara.org) for support toward my next marathon goal. I will give it my all to get that 3:10 in Chicago. I think I can come close at least.

I am reading Dean Karnazes book right now, and I have enjoyed every one of the first 25-30 pages. Great stuff.

Wish me luck on my easy 7-miler for tomorrow morning.

In good Spring Easter form - Watch out Dean K...

Capping off a successful 24-mile week, I feel good about my running fitness level right now. However, my diet has been a bit of a nuisance for me. I am weighing in at around 172-173 lbs right now. Ideal running race weight is in the 168-170 range. I've been eating a ton.

We're depleting the food reserves in the house to prepare for our move, which is precisely 11 days away. As a result, we're tending to eat out on greater occassion as opposed to hitting the grocery store.

Although I've hit my goals for total mileage the past couple of weeks, I've accomplished them in completely different increments than planned. The work/travel life throws us curveballs all too often and we need to adjust. I spent an unplanned 3 extra hours in O'Hare airport on Tues PM. This got me home into my bed at 1:15AM. I simply couldn't get up for that Wed AM run. BUT, I adjusted and came back strong on the weekend.

We went to Jen's sister's place in N. Kinsgtown, RI to celebrate Easter this weekend. Today, I picked up Dean Karnazes' book,"Ultra Marathon Man" at Border's during our visit to downtown Providence. I've read the first 15-20 pages or so on the drive home. I must say, it is both entertaining and inspiring so far.

I know Dean's book has been out a while, but I really haven't stayed up on the Dean Karnazes craze. I saw the "60 minutes" piece and have read the Runner's World articles. Like most who hear his story for the first time, my jaw rested comfortably on the floor of my living room. Now I have his book, and I learn another thing aboud Mr. Karnazes. He's one hell of an author. He's creative with his words and his style is honest and humorous.

The book contained a brochure to promote Dean's next feat: To run 50 marathons in 50 days in all 50 U.S. states. While Dean will be on #36 of 50 straight marathons in as many days, I'll be going all out in my 2nd of 2006 - The Chicago Lasalle Bank Marathon. He'll be there in Chicago on 10/22/06 -- and I will be there to greet him. How fast do you think he'll be running on day 36? I'll bet I can stay with him. Watch out, Dean K...

If you have not heard about this yet, check it out...
http://endurance50.thenorthface.com/

Happy running...

RECAP OF 4/10 WEEK
Total miles: 24.0 - 5 runs

Monday April 10 - 6:48 PM - 3.0 miles - 7:11/mile - Norwalk, CT - Quick evening run to kick off the week
Thursday April 13 - 7:13 AM - 5.0 miles - 7:25/mile - Norwalk, CT - 3-hr flight delay in Chicago on Tue night screwed my week up -- After missing Tue-Wed, good to get back in the groove
Friday April 14 - 12:15 PM - 5.3 miles - 7:27/mile - Silvermine, CT - Jetted out at lunch
Saturday April 15 - 12:43 PM - 6.0 miles - 7:40/mile - Norwalk, CT - First HOT day of 2006 - Needed to walk after 4 - Finished strong - Last mile was 6:49
Sunday April 16 - 7:53 AM - 4.8 miles - 7:16/mile - N. Kingstown, RI - Beautifully cool conditions

GOAL FOR 4/17 WEEK -- 25 total miles
Mon - 4 miles
Tue - REST
Wed - 6 miles
Thu - 4 miles
Fri - Rest
Sat - 4 miles
Sun - 7 miles

Strong weekend comeback after a busy week

I did not hit my agressive target of 24 miles for this week. The Chicago trip, which included the home inspection, work and two flights threw me off schedule. I came up just short. However, I had a great weekend of running 17 miles to finish the week strong.

Less than 3 weeks til we move to Chicago..!

Mon 4/3 - Planned Rest

Tue 4/4 - 7:05 AM - Neighborhood five miler - 37:55 - 7:34/mile - avg HR: 159 - Long day, went to Jennifer P's for a get-together in the evening

Wed-Thu - Went to Chicago very early on Wednesday AM. Went straight to the new house in Plainfield for inspection. Was overwhelmed with painters, carpet guys, inspector, etc. I was exhausted on Wed after work. Had a terrible night's sleep on Wed and could not get up on time on Thursday. I had a 2.5 hour bout of insomina. Was anxious and nervous about our move. Disappointing that I could not get some mileage in.

Fri 4/7 - 6:37 PM - Had a long day of work couped up in a quiet room. Got in a solid 5-miler in the beautifully cool spring evening. 5 miles - 36:55 - 7:23/mile - no HR

Sat 4/8 - 5:58 PM - Cleaned out the entire attic and started to pack for our big move. Cruise through my 4th 5-miler of the week. 36:29 - 7:17/mile - avg HR: 164

Sun 4/9 - 3:55 PM - Wanted to finish the week strong with the longest of the week. Our buyers were coming over to measure the house, so it was a great escape to run on a beautifully sunny Sunday afternoon. I started to feel a little tired toward the end. 7 miles - 53:10 - 7:35/mile - avg HR: 158

TOTAL FOR THE WEEK: 22 miles - total avg pace: 7:29

Plan for this week:

Mon: 3
Tue: Rest - Travel all day to Chicago there and back
Wed: 5
Thu: 4
Fri: 4 in AM - Play hockey game
Sat: R - Go to Rhode Island
Sun: 7 - Easter run

Joy! More daylight means more mileage

We've gained an hour of daylight and I'm feeling the spring rejuvenation that I often feel at this point of the year. This is my favorite time of year for running. I've recovered from my Winter marathon and I'm feeling strong again. I'm going to focus on some solid short-distance running (i.e. 3 to 7 miles) as I prepare for a 10k race before our vacation. We leave for Cabo San Lucas, Mexico on May 28. Not that we've got anything else going on, besides moving all of our wordly possessions about 900 miles from our current residence in the next 4 weeks.

Fri March 31

6:48 PM - I set out just after dusk to blow off some steam and get my run on. Thanks to our buyer's building inspector, we had just learned that we needed an electrician to figure out where a reset switch was for our GFI outlet in the kitchen. Don't worry, didn't make sense to me either. The run was decent. Up to Grumman via Overbrook and back. DIST: 4.06M - TIME: 30:18 - PACE: 7:27 - NO HRM TODAY

Sat April 1

9:32 AM - Nothing special about this run. I had to get it in before I headed off to Holmdel, NJ for my niece's 2nd birthday party. It was swift and painless. Again, I breezed with the wind. I am ready to kick it into race training mode.

TIME: 29:44 - DIST: 4.00M - PACE: 7:25 - AVG HR: 164

Sun April 2

9:31 AM Eastern Daylight Time -- We lost an hour to gain daylight. I wanted to keep this one short to save up some juice for our hockey game later today. What a glorious day today is. Sunshine abound. Spring is here and I feel great. The run was spectacular. Hockey game scheduled this early eve for 5:10 PM.
TIME: 21:54 - DIST: 3.00M - PACE: 7:18 - AVG HR: 159

Twenty solid miles and two hockey games makes for a successful week. I accomplished my goal for this specific week. Hey, it was only 20, but I loved every mile. They all felt great.

RUN PLAN FOR WEEK OF APRIL 3, 2006

• Need to travel to Chicago this week for our new home purchase inspection.
• I am going to sign up for my first two races in the Chicago area as follows: Sat, May 13 - Joliet 8k -- Sat, May 27 - Western Springs 10k.
• Here's what I will try for this week: Mon: 3, Tue: 5, Wed: Rest (travel in AM), Thu: 4, Fri: 2 + strength train, Sat: 4, Sun: 6. Total: 24

Officially midwest-bound

Well, we past two major milestones over the last 2 days. We essentially sold our house and bought another in Illinois. This blog will be relocating to Plainfield, IL -- approximately 35 miles SW of Chicago. We'll be true Chicago suburbanites - DINKS (dual income-no kids) -- until next year when we can hopefully have a little nipper. Here's my run activity week-to-date:

Mon 3/27/06 - Got out for a beautiful afternoon run at 3:40 PM from the office. Had a fairly rapid pace of 7:18 per mile over the 4 miles. Great speed. Feeling good. Back in the groove.

Tue 3/28/06 - Started my run at 6:08 PM. We were in the middle of a negotiation to sell our house and I needed to blow off some steam. 5 miles - 37:07 - 7:25 pace/

Wed 3/29/06 - No running on this day. I had planned to rest for our hockey game. We lost 3-2. I played defense and had an awful game. No goals.

Thu 3/30/06 -- Today, I again did not run. I simply was unable to get in some mileage. The late hockey game plus Jen getting back from Chicago kept us up late. We stayed up until 1AM talking about what house we would buy. Then, today we had the drama of offering to buy the house and counter-offering. Not to mention calling lenders. Oh yeah, I was also at work trying to get some things done. I need to focus over the next 3 days to hit my 20-22 mileage goal.

Feeling motivated - prepping for a productive week

I am rested and ready to return to my old running self. I am caught up with work for the most part and have tackled the stress of the moving situation. No, we've not sold the house yet, but I am feeling good about it since we've got a couple of bites at the minute. Here's how I got back into the fitness groove this weekend after taking some slack time.

Saturday, 3/25/06

I made a seemlingly rare visit to the gym. Our company has a gym on the first level, and it is really nice perk. It's totally empty on Saturdays. It's not Powerhouse with endless free weights and meatheads abound by any stretch - but it has what I need.

I did 5 minutes of stretching and 10 minutes on the bike to start up. I then hopped onto the 'mill for a short tempo 2-miler. It felt good and easy. I then moved onto the weight machines for some legs, chest, arms and rounded out with some crunches.

It was a good feeling, trying to climb out of my fitness rut. I am back in business.

Sunday, 3/26/06

We had two house showings today and we're highly optimistic. After all, we dropped our price again on Friday and we're at the point where we're saying "it's gotta sell for this!". With the 2nd showing, my disappearance was to go out for a afternoon run. I had the most speed in my run in probably 6-7 weeks. I am wondering if my Polar device was not calibrated, but I crushed 4 miles in sub-29 minutes. Did the last 2 in 14 minutes.

It so inspired that I decided I am going to plan my mileage one week at a time. I have been looking for 10k to work towards, but with the move, we're not sure where we'll be. So, I am taking it ONE week at a time for now. Here is the plan for the upcoming week...

RUN PLAN FOR WEEK OF 3/27/06

Goal for the week: Target 20-22 total miles and a Wednesday hockey game

Mon: 3
Tue: 5
Wed: Rest from running - 9PM hockey game
Thu: 4
Fri: 5
Sat: Rest
Sun: 5

Ryan is not dead

I am entering the final phase of my unplanned "running hibernation" - hopefully, anyway. I took an easy 5-miler last Sunday. Other than that, I've been idle.

Truth is I am overwhelmed with life, the move, work and I needed some time off after the marathon.

I am not ashamed of my break. It is one of the joys of running for me. That I can knock out a marathon - take a break - and then get back in my routine.

Hopefully, we will sell our house soon and a big piece of the stress will be gone. I find I am spending a lot of my time either traveling to/from Chicago, catching up with work, cleaning the house (vacuum, make bed, organize desk) , looking at houses on line, talking with my wife about houses that we want to buy, talking with the realtor on how we can sell our damn house, hearing her ask what we should buy, thinking about all of the above, losing sleep over all of the above, etc.

I will bust of my hiatus soon. Spring has arrived a bit late this year. I am planning the re-emergence of my running life.

Unplanned personal hiatus

It has been a major slowdown for me in the department of running in my life during the last 2 weeks. This was not something I planned on. However, other aspects of my life have demanded attention.

The week of 3/6/06 (last week)
Last week, I ran 3 times -- all for about 5 miles apiece. I did runs on Tuesday and Wednesday. I think I became a little frustrated last week when I noticed my pace was slower than usual. I think I was still not fully recovered from the marathon. On Wed, I decided to leave my watch behind and do a 5.2 mile route from work that I have run several times before.

We went to Chicago for the weekend to househunt and I did a 5 miler on Sunday in Bolingbrook, IL.

This week
The truth is that I have not run at all since Sunday of last week. We had a 3-day meeting here in Norwalk for Category Strategy reviews. The all-day meetings basically push all the work that needs to be done to other hours and puts a strain on the free-time.

I am taking a little break from running to get my life in order. I will get out this weekend for hopefully two runs.

The fact is that the stress and pressure of trying to sell the house and keep up with work right now is taking its toll. We are trying to make this big personal move to the Chicago area and we've not had the luck we were hoping for to sell our house. Meanwhile, we've been all consumed with finding a house (which we don't want to buy until we sell).

All of the jostling with realtors (on both the buy and sell side) - and hoping, wishing, waiting, cleaning, working, etc. - has made running a lower priority since the marathon 2 1/2 weeks ago.

I am in the down end of the cycle for me in running. But I will be back shortly.

Back in the saddle and daydreaming

Sat, March 4, 2006

I was able to muster up enough determination to get out and enjoy my first run since last week’s marathon. It was a beautifully bright and clear day in Connecticut yesterday. The winds were ever-present but manageable.

I just wanted to get through 4 or 5 miles to get some exercise and build my confidence. I find the all of my early post-marathon runs require some patience and more effort than before the marathon. Just part of the recovery process, I suppose.

TIME 33:11
EST DIST 4.26
EST PACE 7:47
AVG HR 159

Sun, March 5, 2006

Today was bright and sunny as yesterday – but a tad warmer and there was not a cloud in the sky. For some strange reason, I felt compelled to go at least 7 or 8 miles today at a very easy pace.

I had been reading about how I need to focus on slower paced long runs, and I decided what better time than to start today.

I began my run at 2:37 PM. I felt really good and I jogged along at a pace that ranged anywhere from 8:20-9:00 per mile. I was comfortable and at ease.

Along the way, I felt a sense of inspiration. I had been thinking about whether or not I should go after that BQ time in Chicago later this year. I was thinking about how, while it has been a set of great personal accomplishments to complete six marathons, that I truly never tested myself.

Much of my marathon training over the past 5 years has been largely recreational and, though reasonably well-planned, haphazard at times. That’s fine when you’re only goal is to finish or achieve a PR that you know you can get with just a little more effort the next year. Well, the PR streak ended this year and it was a wake-up call.

I had a vision about making our move to Chicago and getting settled in. Then, going to Mexico for vacation in early June. I would begin a 20-week regimen on June 5th that would be the most intense and committed that I would ever undertake. I could see myself putting in most of my runs in the early mornings.

I daydreamed that, by the time September rolled around, Jennifer (my wife) might even be pregnant. Wouldn’t that be great inspiration for the race in October?

I snapped out of my daydream and kept breezing along at that varied 8:30-8:50 pace range. I ventured to some new territory in Westport where I gazed a multi-million dollar homes as I passed. Before I knew it, I had knocked out about 5 miles.

I kept rolling enjoying the afternoon. I had a close call about 45 minutes in when I stepped on a huge crack on the edge of the road that caused me to twist my ankle. Luckily, I didn’t put much weight on it in my stride and I walked it off.

After about an hour of running, I decided that it would be quite a successful day if I completed 10 miles only one week after my marathon. I don’t think I have ever run double-digit miles after only one week of any marathon I have run. This was a first.

I’ll keep thinking about that Chicago BQ plan and how amazing it would be to achieve it. I’ll keep in it mind, but it is not a commitment that I would take lightly. This is why I need more time to think about it and decide how I would even take on such a goal.

TIME 1:25:11
EST DIST 10.0
EST PACE 8:31
AVG HR 152

Reflection and a week of recovery...

First, I would like to thank Zeke, Rob and others for the words of encouragement, congratulations, advice, etc in response to my Marathon report.

I still have not run since the race on Sunday. I decided to take the week off. I may go out for a short one today just to get re-acclimated. It is cold here today, but very clear and sunny.

Recovery from last Sunday's marathon was remarkably smooth for me. Strange, considering how much I struggled the last 3 miles. After we returned from Florida on Tuesday, I played a 1.5 hour hockey game on Tuesday night in the men's league. I didn't feel sore or slow at all.

The next three days were focused on catching up with work and dealing with trying to sell our condo.

My wife and I are about to move in the couple months or so from Connecticut to the Chicago suburbs. This will be the big personal change (and a huge piece of work) that we will need to work through that I will need to balance with running.

Based on some of your comments, I will be looking into the advice on Pfitzinger training plan. I don't have the Advanced Marathoning book but I will get it. I have not seen the weekly mileage plans, but I am hearing rumblings of 55-miles per week from some of the discussion boards that I have read.

I think that I do have the potential to run a 3:10 and qualify for Boston. I really believe that. However, I am struggling with the commitment that I know it will require to achieve it.

I understand that the vast majority of us in this "run blog community" in are in the same boat: We have dayjobs, wives, kids, friends and/or other interests that compete with our passion and desire to keep running. When not training for a marathon, I have found that I am happy when I run anywhere between 18 and 30 miles per week.

During marathon training, running 35 miles/week is no problem. Above that, it starts to get hectic with balancing work and the uncertainty of the winter weather. The intermediate plan I have followed the last 4 years only takes me up to 40 per week max. To get this 3:10 will require much more than that -- AND at slower paces than I have in the past, thus adding even more time required per week to my training.

Plus, I am sensitive to warm weather. Therefore, to successfully train, it will mean many early mornings will need to be dedicated to running through the summertime in our new community.

Not worried about another marathon until later in the year. Once we get back from vacation to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico in early June, it will be 20 weeks til the Chicago Marathon in mid-October. This is likely to be my next marathon.

For now, I will get back into my 18-30 mile per week routine and run the 5M to 1/2 marathon races when I can. I am looking in to doing a half in about 4 weeks. Gotta get back out there if I am going to be ready for that...

Greater Danbury Half Marathon - Sunday, April 2
http://www.jbsports.com/race_information.htm#greatdanbury

Tampa Marathon Recap: No PR - but my #6 is in the books

This marathon started out wet, windy and uncertain. The Tampa Bay area received some intense thunderstorms at approximately 5:15 AM on race morning, for which a 6AM start was planned. Fortunately, the heavy rains diminished to a steady, light rain. Race organizers decided to delay the start 1/2 hour - which left thousands of us standing at the start for quite a while. This was going to be a wet one.

The race course was a bit uneventful as all of the planned entertainment was cancelled due to the rain. The course design was OK, I guess. It carried us down Bayshore Drive which had lovely waterfront views. However, we seemed to cover the same roads on the second half as the first. I think I ran 10 out of the last 13 miles on roads that we ran the first 13 miles.

The conditions were drab but manageable. It was totally grey and rainy for almost the entire race. My feet were soaked the whole time. I saw a fellow runner nearly twist his ankle trying to avoid one of the countless giant puddles on the narrow pathways. The only bright side was that the temps were in the 60's and the bay breeze kept us all cool. Definitely beats a heat wave and intense sun.

I ran the perfect race for me through 20 miles, but I knew I was in trouble as I headed into the high teens. I was able to hang on through 23, but that is where the legs really began to slow and burn. It is a humbling and disappointing feeling when your legs have taken you 23 miles strong and they just don't want to go anymore. It was almost comical. I felt good otherwise.

I need to figure out why I didn't hit the wall in my last two marathons. Sure, I was tired and my pace slowed, but I was able to hang on running. Was my training that much better in 2004 and 2005? Maybe.

Although it was a mind wrenching experience, I knew I would finish. I was running for myself and that is all that mattered. On this particular race day, I would take a little extra time the last few miles.

I am not going to make excuses about how I got sick and missed my last long run or how the recent blizzard hampered running opportunities. I trained about as well as I could over the past few months with everything going on in life. It will be a learning opportunity. I know that if I do another marathon, I will need to step up the training, gain some peer support (I did ALL of my training alone) and get some pre-marathon races in.

Training was the key issue, I believe. Looking back, my 18 and 20 training mile runs I did were a bit too fast. Plus, my goal is not just to finish anymore. I believe I need to kick up my peak training mileage to 24-26. All things to think when I go for it again.

All and all, I am proud to have a completed my sixth marathon. Now, I will take a little time to recover and get back into a 20 mile per week regimen. I will also be taking the next several weeks to decide if I will run in the Chicago Marathon in October.

Below is the Tampa Marathon breakdown by the mile:

MILE -- PACE - CUM TIME
1 -- 7:39 - 7:39
2 -- 7:42 - 15:21
3 -- 7:46 - 23:07
4 -- 7:43 - 30:51
5 -- 7:37 - 38:28
6 -- 7:47 - 46:15
7 -- 7:32 - 53:47
8 -- 7:52 - 1:01:39 - Even managed to work in a pee break
9 -- 7:20 - 1:08:59
10 -- 7:45 - 1:16:43
11+12 -- 15:37 - 1:32:20
13+14 -- 15:27 - 1:47:47
15 -- 7:56 - 1:55:43
16 --7:52 - 2:03:35
17 -- 7:43 - 2:11:19 - Started to feel some fatigue
18 -- 7:38 - 2:18:57
19 -- 8:16 - 2:27:13 - Seemed like a misplaced mile marker as the next split would confirm
20 -- 7:09 - 2:34:22
21 -- 7:44 - 2:42:06 - Hanging on
22 -- 8:12 - 2:50:18 - Strong head winds kicked in
23 -- 8:27 - 2:58:45 - Still on pace for a PR after 23
24 -- 9:35 - 3:08:19 - Wall - Did some walking to try and recover
25 -- 10:59 - 3:19:18 - Struggled to climb over the wall - Walked even more
26+26.2 -- 12:10 - 3:31:28 - Ran to the finish for the last half mile

Marathon Weekend is here - It's 'bout time to rock in Tampa

So, after much anticipation, marathon weekend is here.

My experience to date has been that there is always a mysterious feeling the week before the marathon ... "how I am going to do?" "am I ready?" "am I really going to make it for 26.2?" "have I trained enough?" "do I have a prayer to P.R.?"

This year is no different. I just don’t know what to expect of my body. The taper period was a bit unique because I missed the last long 18-miler; however, I did run a solid 20k last week with a strong 7-miler the day before.

This weekend, I will participate in my sixth marathon in six years. I have improved my time with each race that I have run. Here is the list of my prior marathon performances:

May 6, 2001 - Pittsburgh - 4:15:52
May 5, 2002 - Pittsburgh - 3:46:10
May 4, 2003 - Pittsburgh - 3:29:57
March 20, 2004 - Virginia Beach - 3:26:37
January 16, 2005 - Houston - 3:23:55
February 26, 2006 - Tampa - ???

For the 6AM start tomorrow, the weather conditions are expected to be wet. There is a 70% chance of rain and temp’s are expected to be in the mid 60’s.

Overall, there is always a sense of pride that I have while even attempting these races, since it does require a great deal of commitment. This year will be no different.

Regardless of my time, I know I will finish and add another race experience to the book of life. My wife will be there at the finish and I will be on the verge of collapse as we meet. I will finish and we will celebrate. On to Tampa…

Week 15 - The home stretch into Tampa

7 DAYS UNTIL THE TAMPA MARATHON...

All right, so it has been 15 weeks of ups and downs and we're now less than one week away from the big day.

Today is Sunday, February, 19 and I am resting. This week was one of recovery from my cold.

In total, I ran 32.4 miles this week - including a nice 20k race yesterday.

Monday, Feb 13

After a tough weekend of suffering from a terrible cough, cold, fever, flu combination -- and observing a blizzard hit the area, I decided to get into the gym to get back into training. I just wanted to get the heart rate up and feel like I was in some sort of shape. I took a cross-training approach on this day:

Treadmill - 2 miles
Ellipitical trainier - 10 minutes
Bike - 10 minutes
Treadmill - 1 mile
Stretch

Tue, Feb 14 - 2:48 PM

I got out of the office on Tuesday in the middle of the afternoon on to the snowy roads in Norwalk. I got a decent six-miler in. The route I usually take from work (across the Merritt down to East Rocks) entails some steeper than normal elevation, so it is not uncommon to see the HR higher on these runs. It was a decent recovery run. Best mileage I had in a whole week.

TIME: 45:38 - DIST: 6.0 - PACE: 7:35 - AVG HR: 153

Wed, Feb 15 - 7AM - Not that great of a run

I had planned to go to the High School track to do some speed work. I ran the 1/2 mile to the track only to find it still completely covered with much of the 20" of snow that fell on Sunday. I opted to continue running on County Street into the neighborhoods back there. I didn't feel that great on this run. Still reeling from my cold and I was fatigued. In the end, it was a 4-miler - a slow and shakey one at that. This run hurt my confidence. Why would I struggle on a short run like this? This made me realize I still was not over my cold and I needed to rest.

TIME: 31:08 - DIST: 4.0 - PACE: 7:47 - AVG HR: 151

Thursday, 2/16 - I rested as I was on business travel in Princeton, NJ.

Friday, 2/17 - 6:45 AM

I was determined to get in a good 7-miler to build some confidence. I accomplished this. I ran from home to Grumman up to the Half Mile road area and back. The weather was unseasonably warm - high 40's.

This was the best I had felt in well over a week. I hadn't experienced a running high in several days. Finally, I felt good. This was an excellent training run.

TIME: 53:21 - DIST: 7.05 - PACE: 7:34 - AVG HR: 155

Saturday, 2/18 - 8:30 AM - 20k RACE - BOSTON MARATHON BUILD-UP SERIES - SOUTHPORT, CT

This was my last crack to get in a decent distance before next week's big race. I wanted to exert a medium effort to leave something left. I had planned to run 7:30-7:35 pace for the 20k, which I thought would be a decent push of speed work. (MARATHON PACE TARGET: 7:38)

Southport, CT is moderately hilly. The weather was cold (25 degrees F) and slightly windy. We ran by countless $3M+ homes. I am constantly amazed by the money around here. If you know anything about CT real estate, it's that it is crazy expensive. It's fun to run with a group of racers through rural Connecticut hillsides with mansions placed everywhere. I just kept moving and enjoyed the surroundings.

I ended up running 7:24 pace -- not by design, truthfully. My Polar distance monitor was reporting distances slighly longer than the markers on the course, so it was tough to tell where I was with pace.

All and all, it was a good race for me. I felt decent at the end. It is always intimidating to run a race like that and realize that it is less than half a marathon! BUT... I will be better rested, the course in Fla. will be flat and I will be fully adrenalized. Check the results below...

TIME: 1:31:58 - DIST: 20k / 12.4M - PACE: 7:24

RESULTS: http://www.clubct.org/Results/06Results/06BB20kRes.html