Distance: 4.24 miles
Time: 42:05
Pace: 9:55/mile
Weight: 193lbs
Terrain: Gently up and down
Temperature: Warm; intermittently breezy
Gear: Hospital Hill Tech Shirt, Adidas running shorts, Gobbler Grind Running Cap, iPod Shuffle, Nike Air Zoom Vomero Shoes
Hydration: None
Fuel: None
Medical: Right Shin
Recovery: Stretches, ice, Aleve
Shoe Mile Count: 10.45 miles
Days until Marathon: 9
I've talked on and off about how the right shin has been the devil I know, and from my tone, I'm sure you've taken that to mean that it doesn't concern me as much as possibly it should. I said in the last long that barring a broken leg I'm doing this race, and that still holds, but it's somewhat frustrating that I'm having this pain this late in the day after many weeks of next to none.
All that being whined_I mean said, despite the fact that my shin has been rather sore all week, I made a last minute decision to head out onto the roads and log a few more miles on the new shoes. Partly this was because the alternative was the exercise bike, which has been great for warming up for my runs, but is one of the most boring contraptions known to man when it's the centerpiece of a cardio workout. Partly this was because it was in the mid-50s outside - it's been an extraordinarily mild January so far - and I have a hard time resisting short-sleeved shirt and shorts weather. Partly it was simply because I'm stubborn.
So was it a bad decision? Well, early signs are that no, it wasn't. I was conscious of the injury throughout, but I can't honestly say it was painful. I ran slow, careful mile loops figuring I could easily stop at any time and still be able to tell exactly how far I'd run, and as the pain never escalated, I managed to complete all 4 scheduled miles. I finished a few hours ago and if anything my leg feels a little better now than it did this morning, but this could be the ice and Aleve kicking in.
I really hope that everything holds up for the planned 8 miler on Sunday evening. While it's probably not imperative that I complete it in terms of fitness, it will be an important gauge of how the new shoes are breaking in, and if I don't feel entirely confident, I'm going to switch back to the old ones for the last week of short runs and the race.
Less than a week till my Arizona adventure begins, and only 9 days until the race. It almost looks like a misprint to me to read that. Seems like only yesterday it was still 80-something days away. Doesn't time fly when you're having fun?
Please visit my 'Make Cures Happen' fundraising page and make a donation for research into leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Also, check out my blog entry for more.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
The Daily Log 1/7/09
Distance: 6.21 miles
Time: 57:47
Pace: 9:18/mile
Weight: 194lbs
Terrain: Rolling Hills
Temperature: Cold and calm
Gear: Long-Sleeved Gobbler Grind Shirt, Adidas running fleece, Adidas long training pants over Adidas running shorts, K-State Stocking Cap, iPod Shuffle, Nike Air Zoom Vomero Shoes
Hydration: None
Fuel: None
Medical: Shins
Recovery: Stretches, ice, Aleve
Shoe Mile Count: 6.21 miles
Days until Marathon: 11
As you can see from the shoe mile count, I stepped up and bought a new pair last night. I figured even if I could get by without them until the marathon I'd need them soon after anyway, so might as well see if they'll do me any good right now. The verdict? Well, it's not in yet. There's no doubt they felt softer, and my shins - which were sore again - appreciated it. On the other hand, my feet, particularly around the ball on the left foot, were in a certain amount of discomfort. I will run in these again tomorrow (or Friday) and on my 8 mile run at the weekend. If they don't feel a bit more broken in after that, I'm going to switch back to the old ones for the last couple of runs and the race. It's possible I left it too late to change, but no big deal if so. The old ones are still serviceable and it'll keep at least a few extra miles off them by cycling in the others.
My shins were sore for good portions of this run, particularly the right one, and were it earlier on in the training cycle I might be more concerned. Thing is though, at this point, barring a broken leg, I'm doing this race. I've worked too hard to give up now because of some fairly mild shin splints. So although it was, like yesterday, a tad uncomfortable, the injury didn't concern me overly.
I did however feel very tired on this run, and even a little burned out. This could be just a hang over from Sunday's long run (and the 20 miler the week before), along with perhaps not hydrating as well as I should have, and even wearing clothes that were a little warm for the conditions, so I'm trying not to read too much into the ennui. Still, there's a certain amount of relief that the race is now just around the corner. I'm ready for this to be done. Sure, I'll keep running (I hope), and do other races, maybe even another marathon one day, but at this moment, I'm feeling the mental and physical grind.
Please visit my 'Make Cures Happen' fundraising page and make a donation for research into leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Also, check out my blog entry for more.
Time: 57:47
Pace: 9:18/mile
Weight: 194lbs
Terrain: Rolling Hills
Temperature: Cold and calm
Gear: Long-Sleeved Gobbler Grind Shirt, Adidas running fleece, Adidas long training pants over Adidas running shorts, K-State Stocking Cap, iPod Shuffle, Nike Air Zoom Vomero Shoes
Hydration: None
Fuel: None
Medical: Shins
Recovery: Stretches, ice, Aleve
Shoe Mile Count: 6.21 miles
Days until Marathon: 11
As you can see from the shoe mile count, I stepped up and bought a new pair last night. I figured even if I could get by without them until the marathon I'd need them soon after anyway, so might as well see if they'll do me any good right now. The verdict? Well, it's not in yet. There's no doubt they felt softer, and my shins - which were sore again - appreciated it. On the other hand, my feet, particularly around the ball on the left foot, were in a certain amount of discomfort. I will run in these again tomorrow (or Friday) and on my 8 mile run at the weekend. If they don't feel a bit more broken in after that, I'm going to switch back to the old ones for the last couple of runs and the race. It's possible I left it too late to change, but no big deal if so. The old ones are still serviceable and it'll keep at least a few extra miles off them by cycling in the others.
My shins were sore for good portions of this run, particularly the right one, and were it earlier on in the training cycle I might be more concerned. Thing is though, at this point, barring a broken leg, I'm doing this race. I've worked too hard to give up now because of some fairly mild shin splints. So although it was, like yesterday, a tad uncomfortable, the injury didn't concern me overly.
I did however feel very tired on this run, and even a little burned out. This could be just a hang over from Sunday's long run (and the 20 miler the week before), along with perhaps not hydrating as well as I should have, and even wearing clothes that were a little warm for the conditions, so I'm trying not to read too much into the ennui. Still, there's a certain amount of relief that the race is now just around the corner. I'm ready for this to be done. Sure, I'll keep running (I hope), and do other races, maybe even another marathon one day, but at this moment, I'm feeling the mental and physical grind.
Please visit my 'Make Cures Happen' fundraising page and make a donation for research into leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Also, check out my blog entry for more.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
The Daily Log 1/6/09
Distance: 4.04 miles
Time: 35:48
Pace: 8:52/mile
Weight: 194lbs
Terrain: Rolling Hills
Temperature: Cold and calm
Gear: Long-Sleeved Adidas Climacool Shirt, Adidas long training pants over Nike running shorts, Reebok Stocking Cap, iPod Shuffle, Nike Air Zoom Vomero Shoes
Hydration: None
Fuel: None
Medical: Shins
Recovery: Stretches, ice, Aleve
Shoe Mile Count: 297.45 miles
Days until Marathon: 12
After two days of rest, I had a bit of cabin fever. Yesterday was a bad day, with Meadow figuring out how to escape from the back yard. Might not sound like a big deal, but she has the energy of a nuclear power plant, so the yard had been a life saver; now I need to figure out a way to keep her in it. In addition, my work computer crashed which obviously slowed me down work-wise too, so it was rather stressful all around.
My point in sharing these apparently trivial events with you is that I've realized how much running balances me out. I'm usually more mentally relaxed the days that I run, and the longer it's been since the last one, the more tightly wound I feel, so I was really looking forward to logging a few miles today.
All that being said, much as I was grateful to be back out there, this wasn't the most comfortable run. My legs felt worn down, and both shins were sore (the right one in particular). It wasn't dreadful. I ran at a pretty good clip and by the time I was done, I was feeling pretty good, but it caused me to start questioning once again whether a new shoe purchase might not be such a bad idea after all. It's difficult to feel the decrease in cushioning when you run frequently with the same shoes, but I do feel somewhat more aware of the impact of the steps now. Of course, this could just as easily be explained by the buildup of the mileage itself as any deterioration in footwear. We'll see.
Six more training runs left. Only two of those will be longer than four miles; a 6 miler tomorrow, and 8 miles on Sunday. My heart wants me to do more. Fortunately, my brain and my legs aren't listening.
Please visit my 'Make Cures Happen' fundraising page and make a donation for research into leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Also, check out my blog entry for more.
Time: 35:48
Pace: 8:52/mile
Weight: 194lbs
Terrain: Rolling Hills
Temperature: Cold and calm
Gear: Long-Sleeved Adidas Climacool Shirt, Adidas long training pants over Nike running shorts, Reebok Stocking Cap, iPod Shuffle, Nike Air Zoom Vomero Shoes
Hydration: None
Fuel: None
Medical: Shins
Recovery: Stretches, ice, Aleve
Shoe Mile Count: 297.45 miles
Days until Marathon: 12
After two days of rest, I had a bit of cabin fever. Yesterday was a bad day, with Meadow figuring out how to escape from the back yard. Might not sound like a big deal, but she has the energy of a nuclear power plant, so the yard had been a life saver; now I need to figure out a way to keep her in it. In addition, my work computer crashed which obviously slowed me down work-wise too, so it was rather stressful all around.
My point in sharing these apparently trivial events with you is that I've realized how much running balances me out. I'm usually more mentally relaxed the days that I run, and the longer it's been since the last one, the more tightly wound I feel, so I was really looking forward to logging a few miles today.
All that being said, much as I was grateful to be back out there, this wasn't the most comfortable run. My legs felt worn down, and both shins were sore (the right one in particular). It wasn't dreadful. I ran at a pretty good clip and by the time I was done, I was feeling pretty good, but it caused me to start questioning once again whether a new shoe purchase might not be such a bad idea after all. It's difficult to feel the decrease in cushioning when you run frequently with the same shoes, but I do feel somewhat more aware of the impact of the steps now. Of course, this could just as easily be explained by the buildup of the mileage itself as any deterioration in footwear. We'll see.
Six more training runs left. Only two of those will be longer than four miles; a 6 miler tomorrow, and 8 miles on Sunday. My heart wants me to do more. Fortunately, my brain and my legs aren't listening.
Please visit my 'Make Cures Happen' fundraising page and make a donation for research into leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Also, check out my blog entry for more.
Monday, January 5, 2009
The Destination - Part Two
Scottsdale...
- Has a population of around 240,000.
- Was described by the New York Times as "The Desert's version of Miami's South Beach", with plenty of night life and a buzzing hotel scene.
- Was once a village called Vasai Svasoni, which means "rotting hay"
- Boasts the highest number of destination spas per capita of any town in the USA.
- Is home to the corporate HQs of P.F. Chang's, Godaddy.com and Cold Stone Creamery.
- Will be where I'll run some of the middle portion of the race on January 18, 2009
Tempe...
- Has a population of around 174,000.
- Contains the corporate HQ for US Airways.
- Is the home of Arizona State University.
- Is the most densely populated city in the state of Arizona.
- Was named after the Vale of Tempe near Mount Olympus, Greece.
- Will be where I will hopefully stumble over the finish line on January 18, 2009.
Chandler...
- Has a population of around 240,000.
- Is noted for its annual "ostrich festival"
- Is home to several major manufacturing plants of the computer chip maker Intel.
- Counts among its sometime residents the rapper Ice-T, and (American) football players Donovan McNabb and Brian Urlacher.
- Is often considered a "bedroom community" for those working in the Phoenix area (and for Jill and I, who will also be resting our heads there for four nights next week.
Please visit my 'Make Cures Happen' fundraising page and make a donation for research into leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Also, check out my blog entry for more.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
The Destination - Part One
With 2 weeks until race day, I thought I'd look into the destination cities a little. I'll discuss the specifics of the race, including the course, closer to race day, but in brief, it actually covers three separate cities. The race begins in Phoenix proper, then passes through the suburb of Scottsdale and finishes in Tempe near Sun Devil Stadium, home of the Arizona State University Wildcats. Jill and I are staying in another suburb, Chandler, a little south of Tempe.
So let's start with Phoenix itself. I'll do Scottsdale, Tempe and Chandler in a subsequent post.
So let's start with Phoenix itself. I'll do Scottsdale, Tempe and Chandler in a subsequent post.
- It is the 5th largest city in the US, with a population of around 1.5 million. The Phoenix Metropolitan area has a population of around 4.6 million.
- Phoenix enjoys an average of 300 sunny days per year.
- Average annual high temperature is 85 degrees.
- January's average high is 67 degrees.
- Since 1896 it has only snowed 7 times in Phoenix.
- Famous Phoenicians include Dan Quayle, John McCain, Steven Spielberg, Alice Cooper, Barry Bonds, Phil Mickelson and Mike Tyson.
- Before it officially became Phoenix, the town was called Pumpkinville due to the large pumpkins that grew in fields by canals.
- Phoenix's Sky Harbor International Airport is the 18th busiest in the world.
- The Phoenix area is home to over 200 golf courses.
Though I once caught a connecting flight in Phoenix, other than that, this will be my first trip to Arizona. Hopefully I won't slip on any left over pumpkins.
Please visit my 'Make Cures Happen' fundraising page and make a donation for research into leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Also, check out my blog entry for more.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
The Daily Log 1/3/09
Distance: 13.11 miles
Time: 1:44:30
Pace: 7:58/mile
Weight: 194lbs
Terrain: Gently Rolling
Temperature: Warm and overcast, gradually turning sunny. Intermittently breezy
Gear: Hospital Hill Tech Shirt, Adidas running shorts, Gobbler Grind Running Cap, iPod Shuffle, Nike Air Zoom Vomero Shoes
Hydration: Water, Gatorade
Fuel: None
Medical: Minor right shin, tight right hamstring
Recovery: Stretches, ice, Aleve
Shoe Mile Count: 293.41 miles
Days until Marathon: 15
I honestly wasn't planning such a blow out, but a combination of the weather and the knowledge that this would be my last truly long run before the race sent me out quickly and I simply never let up. It's the fastest pace per mile I've done during my whole training cycle, over any distance, even the short runs, and without wishing to sound show-offy, I think I could have run even a few seconds faster... at about 10ish miles in, a dog broke away from its owner and chased me a little way down the street. This led to my hamstring tightening up, so I had to back off for about a mile until that loosened up again. And yes, it was a big dog - a German Shepherd - not a miniature poodle thank you very much.
I actually was initially planning to run tomorrow but it's forecast to be some twenty degrees cooler, with winds 10 mph faster, and with my shin feeling OK, it was a fairly easy choice to move that up a day and instead take my two days off after the long run. The shin held up pretty well; it was much improved over Thursday, though still a little sore for the first mile or two. Other than that and the aforementioned dog-induced hamstring, the run was comfortable over a relatively gentle course (though I certainly did feel the inclines there were). The weather was insanely warm; almost like a mild summer day. The longer I was out there, the warmer - and sunnier - it became, until I was almost too warm despite wearing shorts and a short-sleeve top.
I mentioned the other day that I've stopped obsessing so much about my pace, and though I was probably somewhat reckless going this fast this late, part of it is a mental thing. I want to push myself from time to time. I'd like to say I won't do it again before the race, but I've broken that promise before, so I suppose this time I'll just say that I'll see and leave it at that.
Please visit my 'Make Cures Happen' fundraising page and make a donation for research into leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Also, check out my blog entry for more.
Time: 1:44:30
Pace: 7:58/mile
Weight: 194lbs
Terrain: Gently Rolling
Temperature: Warm and overcast, gradually turning sunny. Intermittently breezy
Gear: Hospital Hill Tech Shirt, Adidas running shorts, Gobbler Grind Running Cap, iPod Shuffle, Nike Air Zoom Vomero Shoes
Hydration: Water, Gatorade
Fuel: None
Medical: Minor right shin, tight right hamstring
Recovery: Stretches, ice, Aleve
Shoe Mile Count: 293.41 miles
Days until Marathon: 15
I honestly wasn't planning such a blow out, but a combination of the weather and the knowledge that this would be my last truly long run before the race sent me out quickly and I simply never let up. It's the fastest pace per mile I've done during my whole training cycle, over any distance, even the short runs, and without wishing to sound show-offy, I think I could have run even a few seconds faster... at about 10ish miles in, a dog broke away from its owner and chased me a little way down the street. This led to my hamstring tightening up, so I had to back off for about a mile until that loosened up again. And yes, it was a big dog - a German Shepherd - not a miniature poodle thank you very much.
I actually was initially planning to run tomorrow but it's forecast to be some twenty degrees cooler, with winds 10 mph faster, and with my shin feeling OK, it was a fairly easy choice to move that up a day and instead take my two days off after the long run. The shin held up pretty well; it was much improved over Thursday, though still a little sore for the first mile or two. Other than that and the aforementioned dog-induced hamstring, the run was comfortable over a relatively gentle course (though I certainly did feel the inclines there were). The weather was insanely warm; almost like a mild summer day. The longer I was out there, the warmer - and sunnier - it became, until I was almost too warm despite wearing shorts and a short-sleeve top.
I mentioned the other day that I've stopped obsessing so much about my pace, and though I was probably somewhat reckless going this fast this late, part of it is a mental thing. I want to push myself from time to time. I'd like to say I won't do it again before the race, but I've broken that promise before, so I suppose this time I'll just say that I'll see and leave it at that.
Please visit my 'Make Cures Happen' fundraising page and make a donation for research into leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Also, check out my blog entry for more.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
The Daily Log 1/1/09
Distance: 4.14 miles
Time: 35:07
Pace: 8:28/mile
Weight: 194lbs
Terrain: Rolling
Temperature: Cold and calm
Gear: KC Royals wicking shirt, Adidas running shorts, Road Runner Running Cap, iPod Shuffle, Nike Air Zoom Vomero Shoes
Hydration: None
Fuel: None
Medical: Right shin
Recovery: Stretches, ice, Aleve
Shoe Mile Count: 280.29 miles
Days until Marathon: 17
It's January 1st and I ran in short-sleeves and shorts. It's as if the weather wants me to succeed - or maybe it just wants me to stop going on about it all the time.
As is often the case, this last run of the week was a bit sore, with the shin acting up a little. Part of the reason I ran today was so that I could rest for two straight days before my long run on Sunday, and I think I'll need it. I've only taken one day off since Sunday's 20 miler, and have already put 16 more miles on my legs. It's time for some r n' r. (that's rest n' relaxation... the rock n' roll is later in the month ;-) )
Other than the achy shin, it was a pretty pleasant stroll. I ran quite fast, but not recklessly, and I zoned out to my music and imagination for good stretches. These days, 4 miles feels like little more than a warm up, and with two more weeks of gradually decreasing mileages, I have a feeling I'll be chomping at the bit by race day.
Please visit my 'Make Cures Happen' fundraising page and make a donation for research into leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Also, check out my blog entry for more.
Time: 35:07
Pace: 8:28/mile
Weight: 194lbs
Terrain: Rolling
Temperature: Cold and calm
Gear: KC Royals wicking shirt, Adidas running shorts, Road Runner Running Cap, iPod Shuffle, Nike Air Zoom Vomero Shoes
Hydration: None
Fuel: None
Medical: Right shin
Recovery: Stretches, ice, Aleve
Shoe Mile Count: 280.29 miles
Days until Marathon: 17
It's January 1st and I ran in short-sleeves and shorts. It's as if the weather wants me to succeed - or maybe it just wants me to stop going on about it all the time.
As is often the case, this last run of the week was a bit sore, with the shin acting up a little. Part of the reason I ran today was so that I could rest for two straight days before my long run on Sunday, and I think I'll need it. I've only taken one day off since Sunday's 20 miler, and have already put 16 more miles on my legs. It's time for some r n' r. (that's rest n' relaxation... the rock n' roll is later in the month ;-) )
Other than the achy shin, it was a pretty pleasant stroll. I ran quite fast, but not recklessly, and I zoned out to my music and imagination for good stretches. These days, 4 miles feels like little more than a warm up, and with two more weeks of gradually decreasing mileages, I have a feeling I'll be chomping at the bit by race day.
Please visit my 'Make Cures Happen' fundraising page and make a donation for research into leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Also, check out my blog entry for more.
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