Dan, it looks like you're struggling to gauge your pace. Keep it easy.
How do you like the new shoes?
Four days to go.
10.09.2007
10.07.2007
Race day weather
WFSB: A chilly start, otherwise partly sunny, breezy and cool. Low: 39. High: 59.
WVIT: Low: 48. High: 52. Rainy.
The Weather Channel: Low: 41. High: 59. Few showers.
National Weather Service: Partly sunny, with a high near 61.
Looks ideal.
I watched the Chicago Marathon this morning. WOW!
Watch the 2007 Chicago Marathon! For the last 10K of the men's race, as if I were running it, my heart raced. Ethiopia's Ivuti and Morocco's Gharib ran shoulder-to-shoulder for the last few miles, but Ivuti (2:11) beat Gharib (2:11:05) by .05 seconds, the closest finish in Chicago Marathon history. Just unbelievable. The women's race was just as exciting. Romania's Pirtea made an early move against last year's champion, Ethiopia's Adere, but lost to her in the final seconds as she sprinted to the finish. What a way to mark the 30th anniversary of the race!
WVIT: Low: 48. High: 52. Rainy.
The Weather Channel: Low: 41. High: 59. Few showers.
National Weather Service: Partly sunny, with a high near 61.
Looks ideal.
I watched the Chicago Marathon this morning. WOW!
Watch the 2007 Chicago Marathon! For the last 10K of the men's race, as if I were running it, my heart raced. Ethiopia's Ivuti and Morocco's Gharib ran shoulder-to-shoulder for the last few miles, but Ivuti (2:11) beat Gharib (2:11:05) by .05 seconds, the closest finish in Chicago Marathon history. Just unbelievable. The women's race was just as exciting. Romania's Pirtea made an early move against last year's champion, Ethiopia's Adere, but lost to her in the final seconds as she sprinted to the finish. What a way to mark the 30th anniversary of the race!
10.06.2007
Last long run of first marathon cycle...
I ran my last long run of my first marathon cycle this morning. I felt great after finding my rhythm around the 3 mile mark. GU at 50 minutes took me home strongly. The 13th will be interesting.
10.03.2007
9.30.2007
Tapering tips?
Less than 2 weeks to go. Any tips on tapering? I did a strenuous hike Saturday and 12 miles today. I hope to do a 50 mile bike ride next Saturday in addition to following my run schedule. I don't want to over do it. Where does x-training fit into the taper? What do you think about running the day before the race?
9.29.2007
As Dan and I recently found out, many people are, unfortunately, under a misconception about running and joint health.
Will running harm my knees and hips?
I want to start running, but everyone I know tells me that running is really hard on a woman’s knees and hips, and can cause problems in the future. What can I say to this? And if it's true, how can I avoid knee and hip problems? – Erin
Erin, If I listened to the many people (mostly sedentary) who gave me these doomsday warnings about running, I wouldn’t be celebrating 50 years of running next year. I suggest that you look at the research.
I made an extensive search of running and joint health when I wrote Women's Guide to Running with my wife, Barbara, last year. I could find no study linking running to long-term joint problems. In fact, a number of studies (cited in the book) showed that runners have healthier joints than non-runners after two to four decades of running.
It’s important to insert liberal walk breaks from the beginning of every run. You’ll find a very successful program in the book. I recommend that beginners alternate 10-second segments of running with 50-second walk segments for the first two weeks. Gradually, the amount of running can increase.
When someone says something negative about running, you have an opening to set the record straight. (May I suggest handing them a copy of my book?) You will get a lot of satisfaction when you help people change their lives for the better.
Jeff
Note: Olympian Jeff Galloway has helped thousands of runners achieve their goals through his e-coaching, Galloway Programs across the U.S., retreats, half day running schools, books, and individual consultations. For more information on this topic or Jeff's programs, visit www.JeffGalloway.com or www.jeffgallowayblog.com.
HAVE A QUESTION FOR JEFF? E-MAIL IT TO: GALLOWAY@RODALE.COM
(CREDIT JEFF GALLOWAY'S BLOG)
I want to start running, but everyone I know tells me that running is really hard on a woman’s knees and hips, and can cause problems in the future. What can I say to this? And if it's true, how can I avoid knee and hip problems? – Erin
Erin, If I listened to the many people (mostly sedentary) who gave me these doomsday warnings about running, I wouldn’t be celebrating 50 years of running next year. I suggest that you look at the research.
I made an extensive search of running and joint health when I wrote Women's Guide to Running with my wife, Barbara, last year. I could find no study linking running to long-term joint problems. In fact, a number of studies (cited in the book) showed that runners have healthier joints than non-runners after two to four decades of running.
It’s important to insert liberal walk breaks from the beginning of every run. You’ll find a very successful program in the book. I recommend that beginners alternate 10-second segments of running with 50-second walk segments for the first two weeks. Gradually, the amount of running can increase.
When someone says something negative about running, you have an opening to set the record straight. (May I suggest handing them a copy of my book?) You will get a lot of satisfaction when you help people change their lives for the better.
Jeff
Note: Olympian Jeff Galloway has helped thousands of runners achieve their goals through his e-coaching, Galloway Programs across the U.S., retreats, half day running schools, books, and individual consultations. For more information on this topic or Jeff's programs, visit www.JeffGalloway.com or www.jeffgallowayblog.com.
HAVE A QUESTION FOR JEFF? E-MAIL IT TO: GALLOWAY@RODALE.COM
(CREDIT JEFF GALLOWAY'S BLOG)
I now have an appreciation for trail running.
I ran the same 13.8 mile route this morning that I ran two weeks ago. I shaved 23 seconds off my pace (8:38 --> 8:15).
A few notes: In comparing this morning's pavement run to last week's trail run, I felt much stronger on the trails. The pavement fatigues your muscles at a much faster rate. I had one caffeine-free GU at about mile 7. I really needed another one by the time I finished less than an hour later. I'm thinking GU at miles 6, 12, 18, 22 or 23 at the marathon will do it.
Whichever way you cut it, a 3:30 marathon on pavement is going to be a real challenge.
A few notes: In comparing this morning's pavement run to last week's trail run, I felt much stronger on the trails. The pavement fatigues your muscles at a much faster rate. I had one caffeine-free GU at about mile 7. I really needed another one by the time I finished less than an hour later. I'm thinking GU at miles 6, 12, 18, 22 or 23 at the marathon will do it.
Whichever way you cut it, a 3:30 marathon on pavement is going to be a real challenge.
9.24.2007
Inspirational Quotes of the Week
I agree with Editor in Chief of Running Times, Jonathan Beverly, that F.X. Toole's boxing quote resonates with anyone who loves running.
"Boxing is the magic of men in combat--the magic of will, and skill, and pain and the risking of everything so you can respect yourself for the rest of your life."
"Ring magic is different from the magic of the theater because the curtain never comes down--because the blood in the ring is real blood, and the broken noses and the broken hearts are real, and sometimes they are broken forever...magic because it's all real, every bit of it, and it's happening now and lasting forever in your mind and heart."
Beverly goes on to say, "Our sport is often mistaken for a feel-good fitness activity. True, we rarely have blood or broken noses, but running is combat, no doubt about it: combat with the distance, with the clock, with ourselves, and with other runners."
Brian Sell on training for the Olympic Trials: "I have to train so that I'm confident. If I don't run 160, 170 [miles a week] in this buildup, but only run 130, my body might be fresher but in my head I won't be as strong. Every time someone pulls up on me in a race, I have to know I worked harder than them to have the confidence to hold them off."
"Boxing is the magic of men in combat--the magic of will, and skill, and pain and the risking of everything so you can respect yourself for the rest of your life."
"Ring magic is different from the magic of the theater because the curtain never comes down--because the blood in the ring is real blood, and the broken noses and the broken hearts are real, and sometimes they are broken forever...magic because it's all real, every bit of it, and it's happening now and lasting forever in your mind and heart."
Beverly goes on to say, "Our sport is often mistaken for a feel-good fitness activity. True, we rarely have blood or broken noses, but running is combat, no doubt about it: combat with the distance, with the clock, with ourselves, and with other runners."
Brian Sell on training for the Olympic Trials: "I have to train so that I'm confident. If I don't run 160, 170 [miles a week] in this buildup, but only run 130, my body might be fresher but in my head I won't be as strong. Every time someone pulls up on me in a race, I have to know I worked harder than them to have the confidence to hold them off."
21ish miles
Dan and I did our long runs yesterday of about 21 miles at Mansfield Hollow State Park. I'm thinking it might have been a bit more, maybe 22. We came in under 3 hours. I felt strong to the finish. The GU Energy Gel (which will be provided at the marathon at mile 18 and on demand thereafter) is definitely key. It gave me an added boost for miles 7-14 and then another, which didn't kick in until about mile 16 or 17, when I started feeling the wall, for miles 14 through the finish.
I'm thinking I might try to hang with the 8-minute pack or maybe better on marathon day.
It was a pleasure to meet Em, Diego and Nina. Thanks for all the great post-run food! I hope that we can do this more often.
Dan, thanks for your hospitality and, more important, feeding me, and I apologize for eating you out of house and home, or if I did. I bought a bundle of Borecole last night. Now what?
Until next time...
I'm thinking I might try to hang with the 8-minute pack or maybe better on marathon day.
It was a pleasure to meet Em, Diego and Nina. Thanks for all the great post-run food! I hope that we can do this more often.
Dan, thanks for your hospitality and, more important, feeding me, and I apologize for eating you out of house and home, or if I did. I bought a bundle of Borecole last night. Now what?
Until next time...
9.18.2007
Last race before the marathon?
Jeff (aka movelip) has convinced me to run the King of the Hill 5K in Danbury on Thursday evening. Actually, it didn't take much. He told me that he pre-registered for it, and I said, "Ok, I'll run it, too."
Lippincott and LaBoa duel in Brookfield. Who got the best of who? Find out by clicking the following link:
RESULTS
Tonight's run was an absolute joy. I ran some hills hard and ran some flat stretches at sub-7:00 pace...the beauty of longer runs. They can be as many workouts in one as you want.
What's everyone doing about running shoes for the marathon?
I've got well over 300 on one pair and just about 300 on the other. They both feel pretty flat.
Lippincott and LaBoa duel in Brookfield. Who got the best of who? Find out by clicking the following link:
RESULTS
Tonight's run was an absolute joy. I ran some hills hard and ran some flat stretches at sub-7:00 pace...the beauty of longer runs. They can be as many workouts in one as you want.
What's everyone doing about running shoes for the marathon?
I've got well over 300 on one pair and just about 300 on the other. They both feel pretty flat.
9.15.2007
I don't recommend running 13.8 miles in the rain without first applying Body Glide
What a difference the weather makes in running performance. I went out for 13.8 miles this morning and nailed it at an 8:38 pace. Were it not for the slow start, it would have been damn close to an 8:00 pace.
I'm looking forward to the 20 next weekend. Dan, I'd like to come up on Saturday. Is that agreeable? I'll bring a lot of plant protein.
rl
Check out the Brooks-Hansons Original Distance Project blog.
These guys are insane. 120 miles per week on average and peaking at 140. They admit that it's not enjoyable, but that's what it takes to become a world-class athlete, an olympian. Very interesting stuff.
I'm looking forward to the 20 next weekend. Dan, I'd like to come up on Saturday. Is that agreeable? I'll bring a lot of plant protein.
rl
Check out the Brooks-Hansons Original Distance Project blog.
These guys are insane. 120 miles per week on average and peaking at 140. They admit that it's not enjoyable, but that's what it takes to become a world-class athlete, an olympian. Very interesting stuff.
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