Distance: 3.96 miles
Time: 46:48
Pace: 11:49/mile
Weight: 197lbs
Terrain: Mainly flat
Temperature: Cold
Gear: Long-sleeved Adidas Climacool shirt, Gobbler Grind Running Cap, Adidas long training pants over Adidas running shorts, Nike Air Zoom Vomero Shoes
Hydration: None
Fuel: None
Medical: None
Recovery: Stretches, ice, Aleve
Shoe Mile Count: 115.60 miles
Days until Marathon: 54
The first run after a race is always tough, both mentally and physically. The physical aspects, particularly if the race was a long one, are perhaps more obvious. Fatigued legs, tight knees, sore back, cracked skin. You name it really. Yet the mental can be an equally, if not more challenging barrier to overcome. The race atmosphere, which is an addictive high, is gone, and you are once again left to trudge the quiet streets, avoid traffic, with no-one but a couple of people walking their dogs left to acknowledge your presence, your start/finish line simply your front door.
Hangover or no, though, sooner or later, you have to get out of bed and go back to work, and tonight, that's what I did, running 4 easy recovery miles with Jill at a slow pace. Yes, my legs were a little tired, yes, I wasn't buzzing with race day nerves and excitement, but other than that, I don't think it could have gone much better. There were no injuries to speak of, my pace was as slow as it should have been, and I was back on the wagon. It was the essence of a "recovery" run, in short.
I am running a 5k Thanksgiving Day fun run on Thursday. Jill is running it too and I told her if she was my roadie at the Gobbler Grind that I would run with her on Turkey day. It'll be my 5th official race, and the first time I've not increased the distance. A few months ago, I would not have considered a 5k to be a relaxing "short run", but of course now I'm running longer than that 3-4 days a week, so it won't carry quite the anticipation that the opportunity to conquer a new distance does, and as I won't be running for time, a PR is also out of the question. Regardless, I'm still looking forward to it. It'll be an uncommonly healthy way to start what might otherwise be a rather unhealthy holiday, the atmosphere should be light and relaxed, and Jill will be there to keep things entertaining (when she's not telling me to 'slow down!')
Happy Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
The Evidence
I checked the official results for today's race. My time was a second faster than my watch had recorded (I waited a second before stopping the clock so that my finish line picture would be of me with my arm in the air, not checking my watch).
I finished 251st out of 865 half-marathoners, 170th of 377 males, and behind 81 females (out of 488). I was 29th out of 64 in my age group (probably 35-39).
What does that all mean? I'm just on the right side of average. Still, considering it was my first time, I'm more than pleased with that. There'll be plenty of time to set new PRs.
Here's some pics that Jill took. 
The Race Log 11/23/08
Distance: 13.11 miles
Time: 1:52:39
Pace: 8:35/mile
Weight: 197lbs
Terrain: Gently rolling asphalt trails and streets, and a longish uphill section at midpoint
Temperature: Cold and breezy
Gear: Long-sleeved Adidas Climacool shirt, Gobbler Grind Running Cap, Adidas long training pants over Adidas running shorts, Nike Air Zoom Vomero Shoes
Race Number: 945
Hydration: Water, Powerade
Fuel: Bananas, yogurt, chocolate milk (all after race)
Medical: Tight hamstrings, minor left heel pain for first two miles
Recovery: Stretches, Aleve
Shoe Mile Count: 111.64 miles
Days until Marathon: 56
For a full synopsis of the race experience, you can see the previous post. In terms of the nuts and bolts, the story is as follows...
I started at an easyish pace, content to let people pass me (although the sheer numbers that were doing so actually caused me to look behind at one point just to check I wasn't suddenly at the back of the pack). There were a great number of people on a thankfully wide road, and I was shoved and bumped a number of times before the crowd began to thin and I felt safer.
My left heel was the main concern over the first couple of miles, but I felt confident it would fade as I got deeper into the race. It's an ailment I've had to deal with more or less all the way through my training, so I know the pattern, and sure enough by about the 5k mark, it had loosened up sufficiently to where I no longer noticed it. Other than that, I had to be a little careful on the hills at the mid-point because my hammies were tight, but I don't think I slowed appreciably during these segments, because it seemed here like nowhere before or after, I was passing a lot of runners having a much harder time with the inclines than me.
I was about 9 seconds behind my target pace after mile 2 (I missed the mile 1 marker), and about 8 seconds behind after mile 3, which was right where I was aiming for, but what I didn't plan on was speeding up so much afterwards. By mile 4 I was 20 seconds ahead of my pace goal, and by about mile 8 I was several minutes up. My finish time of 1:52:39 was a full 7:21 faster than my 2:00 target, and my pace identical to what I ran in the KC marathon relay segment of last month. I really felt pretty comfortable until the last mile when I did start to feel it, but while I would probably have had to slow down had the race been longer, I am confident I could have run for several more miles before the tank would have been completely empty.
That being said, I realized that if I'm tiring at mile 12, I'm still a way off being ready for a 26.2 mile event, and there will be plenty of work to do over the next 8 weeks. On the other hand, the fact I was able to maintain an 8:35 pace for 13.1 miles makes me realize how far I've come from where I was just a few weeks ago when I started this crazy trip.
Everything is sore now, particularly my calves, but nothing feels "hurt", just tired. This is good, because, despite this being my longest run of any kind, let alone in a race setting, I'll only have a week to savor it before I run even further (15 miles next weekend). Whose idea was this again?
Time: 1:52:39
Pace: 8:35/mile
Weight: 197lbs
Terrain: Gently rolling asphalt trails and streets, and a longish uphill section at midpoint
Temperature: Cold and breezy
Gear: Long-sleeved Adidas Climacool shirt, Gobbler Grind Running Cap, Adidas long training pants over Adidas running shorts, Nike Air Zoom Vomero Shoes
Race Number: 945
Hydration: Water, Powerade
Fuel: Bananas, yogurt, chocolate milk (all after race)
Medical: Tight hamstrings, minor left heel pain for first two miles
Recovery: Stretches, Aleve
Shoe Mile Count: 111.64 miles
Days until Marathon: 56
For a full synopsis of the race experience, you can see the previous post. In terms of the nuts and bolts, the story is as follows...
I started at an easyish pace, content to let people pass me (although the sheer numbers that were doing so actually caused me to look behind at one point just to check I wasn't suddenly at the back of the pack). There were a great number of people on a thankfully wide road, and I was shoved and bumped a number of times before the crowd began to thin and I felt safer.
My left heel was the main concern over the first couple of miles, but I felt confident it would fade as I got deeper into the race. It's an ailment I've had to deal with more or less all the way through my training, so I know the pattern, and sure enough by about the 5k mark, it had loosened up sufficiently to where I no longer noticed it. Other than that, I had to be a little careful on the hills at the mid-point because my hammies were tight, but I don't think I slowed appreciably during these segments, because it seemed here like nowhere before or after, I was passing a lot of runners having a much harder time with the inclines than me.
I was about 9 seconds behind my target pace after mile 2 (I missed the mile 1 marker), and about 8 seconds behind after mile 3, which was right where I was aiming for, but what I didn't plan on was speeding up so much afterwards. By mile 4 I was 20 seconds ahead of my pace goal, and by about mile 8 I was several minutes up. My finish time of 1:52:39 was a full 7:21 faster than my 2:00 target, and my pace identical to what I ran in the KC marathon relay segment of last month. I really felt pretty comfortable until the last mile when I did start to feel it, but while I would probably have had to slow down had the race been longer, I am confident I could have run for several more miles before the tank would have been completely empty.
That being said, I realized that if I'm tiring at mile 12, I'm still a way off being ready for a 26.2 mile event, and there will be plenty of work to do over the next 8 weeks. On the other hand, the fact I was able to maintain an 8:35 pace for 13.1 miles makes me realize how far I've come from where I was just a few weeks ago when I started this crazy trip.
Everything is sore now, particularly my calves, but nothing feels "hurt", just tired. This is good, because, despite this being my longest run of any kind, let alone in a race setting, I'll only have a week to savor it before I run even further (15 miles next weekend). Whose idea was this again?
The Gobbler Grind
I got up at a little after 6:15, took the dogs out, made a cup of tea and a bagel, and got dressed for what would be my first half-marathon, the 12th Annual Gobbler Grind of Overland Park, Kansas.
A perfect day for running, the temperature was in the high-30s when we left (Jill took me to the start line). There was a light breeze, and a slight chill in the air, but pleasant enough to where the biggest question for me was whether to wear shorts or long pants for the race. Ultimately I went with long pants, but I probably could have worn shorts, and had I been running the full, I would likely have changed at some point.
I warmed up a bit in the parking lot while Jill waited in the car. The only concern was that my hamstrings felt rather tight, as has been the norm over the recent week or two. Still, after a little jogging around and some stretching, I felt like as long as I didn't set off like a steam engine O.D.ing on coal, they would most probably warm up and no longer be too worrying.
I took off my fleece and gave it to Jill, who told me she'd see me at the finish, and headed out to the start line, about 10 minutes before the 8am start. As I waited, I noticed that almost everyone seemed to be wearing more than me, many with two shirts on, and long pants tucked into thick socks. This seemed a little strange to me, given the weather, but I had enough confidence from my training to know that I was probably appropriately dressed, and waited for the race to begin. The race director was babbling something into a loudspeaker that was completely unintelligible, but when the National Anthem was played, I knew we were close to liftoff, and at 8am on the dot, the gun went off.
The first mile or two were rather chaotic. It seemed like a lot of people were passing me, but I resisted the temptation to go after them and kept an easy pace. I noticed two guys dressed (for some reason) in St. Patrick's Day outfits. One had a silly hat on and had a costume that was presumably meant to be some sort of elf, and the other guy had an all-over green lycra bodysuit, which made him look like he was about to be shot out of a cannonball.
I was bumped a few times in the early going, and had to have my wits about me as people cut across, slowed down, sped up, and performed several other obnoxious manoeuvres. Fortunately, it wasn't too terribly long before things thinned out a little. The fast runners were safely ahead of me and the slowpokes safely behind. None of this was a huge surprise; I knew it would be a dodge for the first 5k.
We hit the asphalt trail right as the 5k runners peeled off towards their finish line. I didn't immediately notice a sudden lightening of traffic, but after a while, it became more apparent. The trails were very narrow, but, at least for me, it didn't present a huge problem.
At 4 miles, I took water, which wasn't as straightforward as it might have been. The volunteers were trying, but were rather overwhelmed, and I ended up having to line up for about 20 seconds before I received my drink. Fortunately, it was really the only time that happened; future aid stations were better prepared.
At 5 miles, an upsetting sight. The runner in the green lycra suit was lying flat out by the side of the trail, with a muddy mark on his knee and writhing in some pain while his elf-dressed friend attempted to comfort him. Apparently he had fallen and had done some significant damage. Another runner stopped to help. This made me pay particular attention over the next few miles, fearing a similar fate.
We hit the roads again at about 6 miles and remained on them for the next mile and a half before rejoining the trail. Most of this period was uphill and it was here I really began to pass runners struggling with the incline. From this point on, I'd say I probably went by several hundred runners, while I myself was only passed by a small handful. Used to the hills from my training, I didn't find them particularly difficult in terms of steepness, though they were admittedly lengthy.
This was perhaps the most well supported section, other than the finish line, with groups of supporters dotted around and providing enthusiastic support. 1st Avenue in New York it was not, but I appreciated it nonetheless.
Shortly before mile 10, I was relieved to see the marathon/half-marathon split very well marked, with volunteers vociferously directing traffic also. Clearly they had read the comments from previous years where this was a big issue. Also at this point, Jill and Olive were standing by for support, and a photo op.
As I went by the 10 mile marker, a lone full-marathoner was coming the other way. Apparently (don't ask me how), he had missed the split and had to double back almost a mile. That would be such a downer, though to be honest, he must have been totally zoning out to have missed it, so I'm not that sympathetic.
I'd felt strong the whole race, and that continued right up until the final mile when I began to significantly tire. The lightly rolling course became more challenging, and on one little bump, I felt my legs stiffening up quite a bit. I managed to hold my pace, knowing that the race was almost over, but I doubt I could have for too much longer.
Finally, I turned a corner, and about 1/5 of a mile ahead I saw the finish line, and a crowd of people lining the trail, and heard some muffled Christmas songs. It gave me enough juice to speed up just a little (one particularly fresh woman shot past me about 100 yards from the finish, which was a bit of a dent to the ego, but otherwise, I held my spot, and put my right arm in the air as I crossed the finish line. I was thrilled to see that I'd beat my goal time by some 7+ minutes, and Jill and Olive met me with smiles and a snort (I'll leave you to guess which did which). A volunteer quickly cut off my timing chip and another gave me a medal. I was very grateful, because I would definitely have forgotten both.
It all hit me at that point, and I quickly grabbed a banana and wolfed it down, suddenly ravenously hungry. Another quickly followed, along with a (very good) peach yogurt and I began to feel better.
And there it was! 13.1 miles through the streets and trails of Overland Park. The course was pretty, if you like trees and grass (I do), and despite the comments about previous runs, it was excellently organized. The atmosphere at the finish was light and loose. Olive enjoyed some banana and yogurt of her own, so for her it was a highly successful outing, and Jill looked almost as pleased as I did with the result.
I'll post the stats shortly, and maybe follow up with some more post-race thoughts, and also some photos but I wanted to get the synopsis down while everything was still fresh in my mind. Also, for anyone wondering if it's worth the aches and the fatigue, I have only one thing to say... yes it is.
A perfect day for running, the temperature was in the high-30s when we left (Jill took me to the start line). There was a light breeze, and a slight chill in the air, but pleasant enough to where the biggest question for me was whether to wear shorts or long pants for the race. Ultimately I went with long pants, but I probably could have worn shorts, and had I been running the full, I would likely have changed at some point.
I warmed up a bit in the parking lot while Jill waited in the car. The only concern was that my hamstrings felt rather tight, as has been the norm over the recent week or two. Still, after a little jogging around and some stretching, I felt like as long as I didn't set off like a steam engine O.D.ing on coal, they would most probably warm up and no longer be too worrying.
I took off my fleece and gave it to Jill, who told me she'd see me at the finish, and headed out to the start line, about 10 minutes before the 8am start. As I waited, I noticed that almost everyone seemed to be wearing more than me, many with two shirts on, and long pants tucked into thick socks. This seemed a little strange to me, given the weather, but I had enough confidence from my training to know that I was probably appropriately dressed, and waited for the race to begin. The race director was babbling something into a loudspeaker that was completely unintelligible, but when the National Anthem was played, I knew we were close to liftoff, and at 8am on the dot, the gun went off.
The first mile or two were rather chaotic. It seemed like a lot of people were passing me, but I resisted the temptation to go after them and kept an easy pace. I noticed two guys dressed (for some reason) in St. Patrick's Day outfits. One had a silly hat on and had a costume that was presumably meant to be some sort of elf, and the other guy had an all-over green lycra bodysuit, which made him look like he was about to be shot out of a cannonball.
I was bumped a few times in the early going, and had to have my wits about me as people cut across, slowed down, sped up, and performed several other obnoxious manoeuvres. Fortunately, it wasn't too terribly long before things thinned out a little. The fast runners were safely ahead of me and the slowpokes safely behind. None of this was a huge surprise; I knew it would be a dodge for the first 5k.
We hit the asphalt trail right as the 5k runners peeled off towards their finish line. I didn't immediately notice a sudden lightening of traffic, but after a while, it became more apparent. The trails were very narrow, but, at least for me, it didn't present a huge problem.
At 4 miles, I took water, which wasn't as straightforward as it might have been. The volunteers were trying, but were rather overwhelmed, and I ended up having to line up for about 20 seconds before I received my drink. Fortunately, it was really the only time that happened; future aid stations were better prepared.
At 5 miles, an upsetting sight. The runner in the green lycra suit was lying flat out by the side of the trail, with a muddy mark on his knee and writhing in some pain while his elf-dressed friend attempted to comfort him. Apparently he had fallen and had done some significant damage. Another runner stopped to help. This made me pay particular attention over the next few miles, fearing a similar fate.
We hit the roads again at about 6 miles and remained on them for the next mile and a half before rejoining the trail. Most of this period was uphill and it was here I really began to pass runners struggling with the incline. From this point on, I'd say I probably went by several hundred runners, while I myself was only passed by a small handful. Used to the hills from my training, I didn't find them particularly difficult in terms of steepness, though they were admittedly lengthy.
This was perhaps the most well supported section, other than the finish line, with groups of supporters dotted around and providing enthusiastic support. 1st Avenue in New York it was not, but I appreciated it nonetheless.
Shortly before mile 10, I was relieved to see the marathon/half-marathon split very well marked, with volunteers vociferously directing traffic also. Clearly they had read the comments from previous years where this was a big issue. Also at this point, Jill and Olive were standing by for support, and a photo op.
As I went by the 10 mile marker, a lone full-marathoner was coming the other way. Apparently (don't ask me how), he had missed the split and had to double back almost a mile. That would be such a downer, though to be honest, he must have been totally zoning out to have missed it, so I'm not that sympathetic.
I'd felt strong the whole race, and that continued right up until the final mile when I began to significantly tire. The lightly rolling course became more challenging, and on one little bump, I felt my legs stiffening up quite a bit. I managed to hold my pace, knowing that the race was almost over, but I doubt I could have for too much longer.
Finally, I turned a corner, and about 1/5 of a mile ahead I saw the finish line, and a crowd of people lining the trail, and heard some muffled Christmas songs. It gave me enough juice to speed up just a little (one particularly fresh woman shot past me about 100 yards from the finish, which was a bit of a dent to the ego, but otherwise, I held my spot, and put my right arm in the air as I crossed the finish line. I was thrilled to see that I'd beat my goal time by some 7+ minutes, and Jill and Olive met me with smiles and a snort (I'll leave you to guess which did which). A volunteer quickly cut off my timing chip and another gave me a medal. I was very grateful, because I would definitely have forgotten both.
It all hit me at that point, and I quickly grabbed a banana and wolfed it down, suddenly ravenously hungry. Another quickly followed, along with a (very good) peach yogurt and I began to feel better.
And there it was! 13.1 miles through the streets and trails of Overland Park. The course was pretty, if you like trees and grass (I do), and despite the comments about previous runs, it was excellently organized. The atmosphere at the finish was light and loose. Olive enjoyed some banana and yogurt of her own, so for her it was a highly successful outing, and Jill looked almost as pleased as I did with the result.
I'll post the stats shortly, and maybe follow up with some more post-race thoughts, and also some photos but I wanted to get the synopsis down while everything was still fresh in my mind. Also, for anyone wondering if it's worth the aches and the fatigue, I have only one thing to say... yes it is.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
The Packet Pickup
When you run in an organized race, you're usually required to attend a "packet pickup" a day or two before. Packets usually consist of your race number, some sort of timing device (usually a chip or an electronic tag), a few flyers for racing products or future events, some product samples, and the official race t-shirt, which these days is pretty much a staple of any reputable run.
For bigger events, packet pickup is usually accompanied by an "expo" where multiple vendors try to sell you run-related gear at booths and stalls, and guest speakers are hired to motivate and advertise. The bigger the event, the bigger the expo, and the bigger the venue. The Arizona marathon has a convention hall booked for two or three entire days to accomodate the traffic.
For something like the Gobbler Grind, while not miniscule in size (between the three events, I believe there will be something in the region of 2,000 entrants), packet pickup is basically just that. No frills. It was held in a hotel corridor and meeting room, and the "goody bag" consisted of the usual stuff; no more, no less.
Still, while the ra-ra extravagance of the big-marathon expo may not have been there, the process was efficient and well organized. The t-shirt which, happily, I had no trouble getting in my size, was a bright yellow long-sleeved tech shirt I was fairly impressed with. The chip-test went fine, and I even got a couple of bonus items - A Gobbler Grind running cap, which I received for bringing a toy in for a toys-for-tots charity program; and, as reward for adding my email to a mailing list, a Hospital Hill Run tech shirt from the one and only "booth" present. It proudly states that "I conquered the hill" in 2008, when I don't even know what hill they're talking about, but if it wicks sweat, I don't care if I misrepresent myself.
So there it is. I am trained, I have my t-shirt, and tomorrow I will line up as runner #945 for the 12th Annual Gobbler Grind. I will admit that, even though this race is just the "opening act" for the main event in January, I am nervous and excited. I've never run 13.1 miles in any setting before, nor have I ever run for two straight hours, which, even if things go perfectly, I will come very close to doing. It's a brand new experience, and has all the butterflies and anticipation that the unknown brings with it.
Wish me luck!
For bigger events, packet pickup is usually accompanied by an "expo" where multiple vendors try to sell you run-related gear at booths and stalls, and guest speakers are hired to motivate and advertise. The bigger the event, the bigger the expo, and the bigger the venue. The Arizona marathon has a convention hall booked for two or three entire days to accomodate the traffic.
For something like the Gobbler Grind, while not miniscule in size (between the three events, I believe there will be something in the region of 2,000 entrants), packet pickup is basically just that. No frills. It was held in a hotel corridor and meeting room, and the "goody bag" consisted of the usual stuff; no more, no less.
Still, while the ra-ra extravagance of the big-marathon expo may not have been there, the process was efficient and well organized. The t-shirt which, happily, I had no trouble getting in my size, was a bright yellow long-sleeved tech shirt I was fairly impressed with. The chip-test went fine, and I even got a couple of bonus items - A Gobbler Grind running cap, which I received for bringing a toy in for a toys-for-tots charity program; and, as reward for adding my email to a mailing list, a Hospital Hill Run tech shirt from the one and only "booth" present. It proudly states that "I conquered the hill" in 2008, when I don't even know what hill they're talking about, but if it wicks sweat, I don't care if I misrepresent myself.
So there it is. I am trained, I have my t-shirt, and tomorrow I will line up as runner #945 for the 12th Annual Gobbler Grind. I will admit that, even though this race is just the "opening act" for the main event in January, I am nervous and excited. I've never run 13.1 miles in any setting before, nor have I ever run for two straight hours, which, even if things go perfectly, I will come very close to doing. It's a brand new experience, and has all the butterflies and anticipation that the unknown brings with it.
Wish me luck!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
The Daily Log 11/20/08
Distance: 3.01 miles
Time: 25:46
Pace: 8:34/mile
Weight: 197lbs
Terrain: Moderate rolling hills
Temperature: Cold and windy
Gear: Long-sleeved Nike training shirt, Adidas running fleece, K-State stocking cap, Adidas long training pants, Nike Air Zoom Vomero Shoes
Hydration: None
Fuel: None
Medical: Right shin after the run
Recovery: Stretches, ice, Aleve
Shoe Mile Count: 98.53 miles
Days until Marathon: 59
A cold November day with plenty of wind made this more challenging than I was anticipating. I also inadvertantly ended up on a main road with no sidewalk and, nervous I would get run over, I sped up for a short period so as to return to the quieter streets as quickly as possible. Also, for the third day in a row I tried a new route, although on familiar streets and, as has been the pattern this week, it was far hillier than I'd expected.
Still, I ran pretty fast - hopefully not too fast - and wasn't overly tired at the end, though my right shin was rather sore (it wasn't a factor during the run, but immediately after it did throb somewhat). I won't be running again until the race, and, knock on wood, I feel like I've put in the work for it to be a successful endeavor.
Barring a race cancellation, or some catastrophic injury (nothing like thinking positive huh?), 72 hours from now, my first half-marathon will be in the books, and I will be eating my favorite post-race meal of French toast and bacon at First Watch. Now there's a reason to run.
Time: 25:46
Pace: 8:34/mile
Weight: 197lbs
Terrain: Moderate rolling hills
Temperature: Cold and windy
Gear: Long-sleeved Nike training shirt, Adidas running fleece, K-State stocking cap, Adidas long training pants, Nike Air Zoom Vomero Shoes
Hydration: None
Fuel: None
Medical: Right shin after the run
Recovery: Stretches, ice, Aleve
Shoe Mile Count: 98.53 miles
Days until Marathon: 59
A cold November day with plenty of wind made this more challenging than I was anticipating. I also inadvertantly ended up on a main road with no sidewalk and, nervous I would get run over, I sped up for a short period so as to return to the quieter streets as quickly as possible. Also, for the third day in a row I tried a new route, although on familiar streets and, as has been the pattern this week, it was far hillier than I'd expected.
Still, I ran pretty fast - hopefully not too fast - and wasn't overly tired at the end, though my right shin was rather sore (it wasn't a factor during the run, but immediately after it did throb somewhat). I won't be running again until the race, and, knock on wood, I feel like I've put in the work for it to be a successful endeavor.
Barring a race cancellation, or some catastrophic injury (nothing like thinking positive huh?), 72 hours from now, my first half-marathon will be in the books, and I will be eating my favorite post-race meal of French toast and bacon at First Watch. Now there's a reason to run.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
The Daily Log 11/19/08
Distance: 4.08 miles
Time: 35:18
Pace: 8:39/mile
Weight: 197lbs
Terrain: Fairly hilly
Temperature: Warm and sunny
Gear: Long-sleeved technical shirt, Road Runners running cap, Adidas long training pants, Nike Air Zoom Vomero Shoes
Hydration: None
Fuel: None
Medical: Mild right shin
Recovery: Stretches, ice, Aleve
Shoe Mile Count: 95.52 miles
Days until Marathon: 60
This might have been an even hillier course than yesterday - another new one - and I ran it even faster. Still, it was in some respects a more disciplined run because unlike yesterday where I sped up trying to hit a pace goal that I might have hit anyway, I started at a reasonable pace and simply kept going.
I experienced a little aching in my right shin, and my left hamstring was slightly tight for the first mile and a half, but injuries weren't really a factor. The hills were tough, but as I've mentioned before, it's impossible to map out a flat course near my house, and I'm simply used to them as an inevitable element in my training. In fact, while I'm always cognizant of the extra stress they put on my legs and have to be wary of powering up them too much, I have to admit to enjoying the challenge of a good incline.
60 days until marathon Sunday. It sounds like fifty years away, and tomorrow, all at once. Fifty years away because who knows what body part will hurt between now and then... and tomorrow, because I haven't even run half the distance I'll have to on that day yet.
Time: 35:18
Pace: 8:39/mile
Weight: 197lbs
Terrain: Fairly hilly
Temperature: Warm and sunny
Gear: Long-sleeved technical shirt, Road Runners running cap, Adidas long training pants, Nike Air Zoom Vomero Shoes
Hydration: None
Fuel: None
Medical: Mild right shin
Recovery: Stretches, ice, Aleve
Shoe Mile Count: 95.52 miles
Days until Marathon: 60
This might have been an even hillier course than yesterday - another new one - and I ran it even faster. Still, it was in some respects a more disciplined run because unlike yesterday where I sped up trying to hit a pace goal that I might have hit anyway, I started at a reasonable pace and simply kept going.
I experienced a little aching in my right shin, and my left hamstring was slightly tight for the first mile and a half, but injuries weren't really a factor. The hills were tough, but as I've mentioned before, it's impossible to map out a flat course near my house, and I'm simply used to them as an inevitable element in my training. In fact, while I'm always cognizant of the extra stress they put on my legs and have to be wary of powering up them too much, I have to admit to enjoying the challenge of a good incline.
60 days until marathon Sunday. It sounds like fifty years away, and tomorrow, all at once. Fifty years away because who knows what body part will hurt between now and then... and tomorrow, because I haven't even run half the distance I'll have to on that day yet.
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