The Runners Edge

Today was my “trial” run with the running group “The Runners Edge KC”.  I loved it.  I planned on running 6 miles.  When I got there the trainer recommended that I run with the 9:30 pace because they always run much faster than there pace.  I was planning on running with the 9:00’s.  They didn’t run faster but I am glad I ran with the slower group.  I usually am dying at the end of a run no matter what distance.  This run I ran the last mile at about an 8:30 pace and I ran 8 miles instead of the planned 6.  I may have overdone it because I have a trail race in the morning (8k) but it felt good and I was only using tomorrows race as a training run anyway so I don’t care about the time.

Today was my first time running with any group.  The biggest surprise to me is how relaxed they run.  Nobody is pushing themselves and they are carrying on conversations the entire way.  A couple in my group were training for Boston Marathon so they are obviously much better and more accomplished runners than I am.  

I really think this is going to be VERY good for my running!

Feb 8 miles

YTD 118.6

Pullups 4-4-4-8

Weight 186 (goal 170 by June 2, 2013)

 

1000 Miles!

I achieved my goal set 2/7/2012.  I wanted to run 1,000 miles in 12 months.  I had to fight through a few injuries and a couple of months of almost no running but I made it with a week to spare!  1,000.75 miles!

In 2013 I am going to work more on speed but still expect to run more than 1,000 miles.

Tomorrow I have my first run with my new training group (if it works out).  I am really hoping this group is the driving force I need to push harder.  The group and trainer have come highly recommended to me but I really don’t know what to expect.  

Sunday I have an 8k that I am racing in.  I plan on running this as a recovery run.  No pushing it at all!

January Mileage 110.6

YTD 110.6

Pullup sets 4-4-3-10

 

Recovery!

The 10k Sunday kind of rattled me.  I felt bad physically and mentally for at least 36 hours.  

I had a good recovery run in the rain this morning.  It was only 3.2 miles and it was a very casual pace (9mm) but it just felt good and smooth.  The biggest benefit is that it gave me some confidence back that was shaken after the last run.

The race really talked me into finding a group to join.  I contacted several of my runner friends and asked for advice.  Based on their feedback I think I have found a running group that I am going to join.  I am going to run with them this Saturday to make sure it’s a good fit.  This will help me train for my half marathon June 2 in San Diego.  I have a big bet on that race so I need to get faster and be more prepared.

Tonight I took 3 of my children (12, 14 and 16) and my 12 year olds basketball team that my 16 year old and I coach to Sky Zone.  It’s a trampoline park.  We all had a great time and no injuries!

4 miles left to hit my 1,000 for 12 months!

TERRIBLE RACE!

I had the 10k in the caves yesterday (Sunday).  I have spent over 24 hours thinking about why that race was so BAD!  I have a few ideas but am really not sure.  

1.)  The air quality seemed bad.  I have asthma (mild) and I really had a hard time breathing.

2.)  The caves had a lot of turns so I never got lost in my run.

3.)  I took the day before off but ran a hard (for me) 6.3 miles Friday.

The race was so frustrating because I had started running better and this was just awful!  I had times that my chest hurt and even had to walk a couple of places.  I just haven’t felt very well since.  It’s not like I am getting sick, I just don’t feel quite right.

Time was 55:36.  I was hoping for 54:15 but thought I could go even lower.

Strange Reaction to temperature change!

I had a good run yesterday.  Finally outside again!  I ran 6.3 miles at about 8:45’s.  I was running late for dinner when I returned so I jumped right in the shower before I cooled down. I had a strange reaction.  It was cold out (35* F +-) but comfortable.  As soon as the water hit my stomach in the shower my stomach went bright red and starting itching like crazy.  Any ideas why it happened?

Today is my day off and I have a 10k in the morning.  I hope I can run at least the pace of my run yesterday.

Pullups 4-4-3-7

13 miles to hit my 1,000

Off to coach my youngests (7th grade) basketball game.

A New Race on the Schedule

Okay, a friend emailed me today and asked me to run a 10k with him through the caves (a storage area built into the hills around Kansas City).  The run is Sunday which is supposed to be my next day off.  I am debating on taking Saturday off and trying to run hard or keeping my schedule and just adding it as an easy run.  The problem is that the person that asked me cares so much about beating me that he may sucker me into running too hard.  

Today I ran 5 miles on the treadmill at 1% incline in 42:05 (8:25’s).  It felt pretty good.  I really want to get under 40 minutes for 5 miles but I am a long way from there.  I am hoping speed work for the next couple of months can get me there.

The longer I run (now almost 12 straight months) the harder it is to take days off.  I really feel like I am missing out on something when I take the day off.

19.7 miles left to hit my 12 month 1,000 mile goal.

Pullups this morning 4 sets…4,3,3,6

 

Schedule Adjustment

I am going to be in the car tomorrow for about 6 hours so I decided to take tomorrow as a rest day instead of today.

I needed a day off but tomorrow is soon enough.  I ran 5 miles on the treadmill at 1% incline and 8:28 pace.  It was a hard workout but I think only because I was ready for a break.  I like to try to stick to my schedule but I have to be able to have some flexibility in my schedule.  

Overall it was a good workout.  I also think it is good practice for me to run when I am already tired.  I tell myself that this will help me at the end of a race.

Only 25 miles left in my quest for 1,000 miles in a year, 2 weeks left!

I have also begun a pullup workout.  I tried to do pullups on my sons bar the other day and could only do 5.  Getting old stinks!  I want to get to 30 in 60 days.  Today’s workout was 4 sets.  3-3-3-5.  This is my 5th day.  I am going up a bit every day.

It’s amazing what a little sleep will do!

Today was a short speed workout for me.  I was a bit nervous about doing speed work today as slow as yesterday was!  

Today I ran 3 miles at the gym next to my wife on the treadmill.  I ran just under 8 minute miles.  That’s about as fast as I can go on a treadmill (1% incline) and faster than I can currently do it outside.  Does anybody else have a harder time holding a fast pace running outside?  

For me it is easier to do speed work on a treadmill because I set the pace and to slow down I have to do it deliberately…I actually have to push the button to slow the pace!  Outside it is just so easy not to push myself.  I have an 8k coming up in a couple of weeks.  I hope that with others around I can push myself.  I have 2 goals…one is under 8:30’s which I think is very doable.  The “stretch goal” is to go under 8:00’s, I doubt it but if it’s close I will drive myself hard at the end to get it.

I have to cut this short.  I am spending the afternoon with child #2 and #5.  I will post a picture of the event later.  We are going to a gun club to shoot clay pigeons.

 

I am my own worst enemy to becoming a runner!

My wife and I spent last week in Cabo. We ran the hills of Cabo all week. It was brutal but fun! Somehow I expected to be back to Kansas City and the flats to be easy…I was wrong.

I am married to the most beautiful woman in the world!

I am also slowly learning that my lifestyle isn’t very conducive to being a fast runner. Last night (this morning) I stayed up until 5:45am playing gin with a friend and drinking nice wine. That isn’t a very effective way to have a good 7 mile run today. I finished actually feeling pretty strong but I ran the run at a 9:25 pace.

Adding to my bad choices of sleepless nights, I also won’t turn down an evening with friends or family to have a glass (or 4) of wine or a beer (or 4). I love being with family and friends but it makes it hard to become a runner. 2013 is going to have to be a year of moderation and improved diet!

About 38 miles left for my 12 month 1,000 mile goal!

It was a hard year running!

February 7, 2012 at my office we all read a piece in “The Pitch” magazine about a girl that set out to run 1,000 miles in a year.  Three of us thought it sounded great.  We are now 3 weeks from the year and I am the only one left.

One dropped out after about 75 miles and one dropped out after a couple hundred miles.  I have trudged along.  I have 44.9 miles left to cover over the next 20 days.  I should be able to do it easily.

I am very excited to be accomplishing this but pretty disappointed in my overall fitness results.  I have spent the year fighting a few nagging injuries, definitely due to overtraining but they have been very tedious.  I have only lost a few pounds.  I am still struggling to run faster.

I have posted very specific time goals for 5k, 10k, 13.1 and 26.2.