This morning was my very first course marking run and it's a different kind of workout, like intervals where I'm constantly running to the next corner, stopping, and drawing arrows every few hundred meters (with the occasional exploratory detour to check my bearings against the map). It doesn't hurt to have a compass on the wrist, either. This was an 8 mile out-and-back in the Mountain View Baylands which means only 4 miles of marking. On the way back I ran a relaxed, steady cadence which soon became a conversation pace. Coach Dan gave lots of great advice to a new runner. I may have to try that run/walk thing myself.
For this first one I had a nice, easy course to mark and I didn't do it alone, but now I feel confident I can take on something more challenging. I'll mark a course through those twisty Portola Valley trails before this is all done.
Go Team!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Time to Mark the Trails
Our first trail run and I have to be at Baylands at 7:30am to place the markers before the runners start. Grrrr. What gets me going this early on a Saturday morning? Coffee, peanut butter toast, the promise of a new sunrise, and Joey Ramone's version of What a Wonderful World.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Life Happens, Apparently
Maybe Shakespeare was right about all that sound and fury. The current state of disarray in my house could be the metaphor of a not so dissimilar life. I look at things placed in various spaces and see some inspired, some stupid, all enjoyable, but not really amounting to much.
Speaking of running...
A week into my commitment as a Team in Training captain and I haven't set up my fundraising web site yet, I was almost late to the first track workout in spite of the fact that I drove faster than a easy-going person like myself should. I haven't done a long run in weeks. Lots of reasons, but no more excuses.
This time I stick with the program. I do the core, I do it all, I do it early. I'm setting a PR. The whole schedule goes in my calendar tonight. The letters go out this week, the money is raised this month, the races are run this year. I already have my first donation. Thanks Carol! It's happening in spite of all the things that have and always will come up in the meantime. This weekend it starts. Right now.
In fact, right now is the only time I do anything.
Speaking of running...
A week into my commitment as a Team in Training captain and I haven't set up my fundraising web site yet, I was almost late to the first track workout in spite of the fact that I drove faster than a easy-going person like myself should. I haven't done a long run in weeks. Lots of reasons, but no more excuses.
This time I stick with the program. I do the core, I do it all, I do it early. I'm setting a PR. The whole schedule goes in my calendar tonight. The letters go out this week, the money is raised this month, the races are run this year. I already have my first donation. Thanks Carol! It's happening in spite of all the things that have and always will come up in the meantime. This weekend it starts. Right now.
In fact, right now is the only time I do anything.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Go Team!
Woody Allen once said that 85% of life is just showing up. Personally, I like to think that much of the remaining 15% is showing up early. I guess I'll find out as I just signed up to be a Team in Training run captain for the fall season, I will be showing up early to organize the water stops, mark the course, and make sure everything goes to plan. I'll even stay late and sweep. First to arrive, last to leave. Yay! I'll get to know who is really motivated and who is really slow. Plus - fair warning - I'll hit up all my friends and family for donations again, though this time not as much. I'll have to give my run blog much more attention, but that's a good thing. Writing and running are both healthy activities.
Nike half marathon, here I come. Kickoff August 2nd. Now everyone GO TEAM AND GO SIGN UP!
Nike half marathon, here I come. Kickoff August 2nd. Now everyone GO TEAM AND GO SIGN UP!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Don't Tease Your Run Buddies
Send them before and after pictures of your feet.
My feet before the marathon:
And the same feet after the marathon:
Yes, this is for everyone who didn't have the time or inclination to run Hilo with me.
My feet before the marathon:
And the same feet after the marathon:
Yes, this is for everyone who didn't have the time or inclination to run Hilo with me.
Training and Post Race
I think I hit on the perfect post-marathon recovery.
Immediately after race: Ice bath, 10 minutes foot and ankles, 5 minutes waist down.
Then eat, then sleep.
Next day: light jog to get the legs working again. More food, more sleep.
Stretching, lots of stretching, using yoga mat, foam roller, straps, and other implements of torture.
Hot tub.
More stretching.
2.5 hours of boogie boarding at Hapuna Beach.
drinks, more hot tub.
More boogie boarding.
More stretching, foam roller.
Ahhhhh...
My training for the race was this:
Saturday: long run
Sunday: recovery run
Monday: weight training
Tuesday: track workout (intervals)
Wednesday: medium run
Thursday: yoga
Friday: rest
Two days before the race: Yoga on the beach.
Immediately after race: Ice bath, 10 minutes foot and ankles, 5 minutes waist down.
Then eat, then sleep.
Next day: light jog to get the legs working again. More food, more sleep.
Stretching, lots of stretching, using yoga mat, foam roller, straps, and other implements of torture.
Hot tub.
More stretching.
2.5 hours of boogie boarding at Hapuna Beach.
drinks, more hot tub.
More boogie boarding.
More stretching, foam roller.
Ahhhhh...
My training for the race was this:
Saturday: long run
Sunday: recovery run
Monday: weight training
Tuesday: track workout (intervals)
Wednesday: medium run
Thursday: yoga
Friday: rest
Two days before the race: Yoga on the beach.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Big Island International Marathon
Hilo!
Second marathon. Complete. No question about it. Unless that question is, Why?
The run was absolutely beautiful, but the airport road will forever be burned in my memory. It started about half way and continued through mile 17, it was the hottest part of the race. It drained me and I couldn't recover before I hit the wall. Which is a shame, because the road from mile 20 to 25 was beautiful. And if I hadn't slowed down so much I could have broken 4 hours.
4:16:29. Better than 16 minutes off my previous time. At this rate of improvement I have to run 4 more marathons to qualify for Boston.
At mile 24 I asked myself, do I enjoy this?
Second marathon. Complete. No question about it. Unless that question is, Why?
The run was absolutely beautiful, but the airport road will forever be burned in my memory. It started about half way and continued through mile 17, it was the hottest part of the race. It drained me and I couldn't recover before I hit the wall. Which is a shame, because the road from mile 20 to 25 was beautiful. And if I hadn't slowed down so much I could have broken 4 hours.
4:16:29. Better than 16 minutes off my previous time. At this rate of improvement I have to run 4 more marathons to qualify for Boston.
At mile 24 I asked myself, do I enjoy this?
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