7.31.2007
Need any running clothing?
I'm gonna order some running clothing from SOARK. www.soark.com Anybody want to go in on an order and split the shipping? Stuff is reasonably priced, looks like good quality, and made in Kansas. Let me know item, color, and size and I'll place an order Thursday.
7.30.2007
Only 10 Miles to Go
I had an adventurous long run this morning discovering new territory, and some new pain. At mile 14 my hips starting tightening up and the last couple miles were slow, especially up the last hills where my stride became more of a waddle. I was all smiles though, as I was feeling pretty high at that point. My route was a decent mix of road and trail (60/40). Geoff, you ever run up the dirt portion of Johnycake Mt Rd. off Scoville Rd? That was all washed out in parts and like running in a boulder field. Here is the route courtesy of gmaps pedometer (my new favorite mapping tool): www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1179538 I still had to estimate on some of the trails as they weren't on the topo maps, and I think/hope it was a little more than 16.
I did a 15 minute ice bath afterwards. I screamed when I got in and then did the breathing-quickly-with-my-teeth-clenched thing (anybody ever see that Family Guy episode when Peter falls?) for the first few minutes. After going numb it was better, and quite rejuvenating.
I did a 15 minute ice bath afterwards. I screamed when I got in and then did the breathing-quickly-with-my-teeth-clenched thing (anybody ever see that Family Guy episode when Peter falls?) for the first few minutes. After going numb it was better, and quite rejuvenating.
Still in shock
I actually PLACED in my triathlon yesterday!!!!
I finished 3rd out of 153 in the 25-29 age group. My overall finish was 43rd out of 2129.
Total time: 1:18:17
Swim (.75K): 12:21
Transition1: 2:47
Bike (20K): 40:17
Transition2: 1:36
Run (5K): 21:14
(Distances are approximate, per the Danskin website)
I dropped 5 minutes off my time from last year and still can't believe that I have a third place age group finish at such a large event. I'm totally stoked! Imagine if I had actually trained properly on the bike ...
It was a great day. Everyone excited, tons of energy, really positive environment. I had a great time (even though I had to wake up at 4:40 yesterday morning!)
In case you're interested, the results are posted here. Search the Results at the bottom of the page for "2007 New England." I was bib #1865.
My next tri might be an olympic distance event with an ocean swim August 26th. If registration is still open when I get paid Thursday, I'll take it as a sign to go for it. Ew. I had swimming in the ocean. Salty ...
I finished 3rd out of 153 in the 25-29 age group. My overall finish was 43rd out of 2129.
Total time: 1:18:17
Swim (.75K): 12:21
Transition1: 2:47
Bike (20K): 40:17
Transition2: 1:36
Run (5K): 21:14
(Distances are approximate, per the Danskin website)
I dropped 5 minutes off my time from last year and still can't believe that I have a third place age group finish at such a large event. I'm totally stoked! Imagine if I had actually trained properly on the bike ...
It was a great day. Everyone excited, tons of energy, really positive environment. I had a great time (even though I had to wake up at 4:40 yesterday morning!)
In case you're interested, the results are posted here. Search the Results at the bottom of the page for "2007 New England." I was bib #1865.
My next tri might be an olympic distance event with an ocean swim August 26th. If registration is still open when I get paid Thursday, I'll take it as a sign to go for it. Ew. I had swimming in the ocean. Salty ...
A STEAMY WEEKEND IN THE NATION'S CAPITOL
I forgot how much more enjoyable it is to run in a city as opposed to residential neighborhoods, or otherwise suburbia. All of my marathon training runs prior to this weekend's have been in and around East Haven, CT, neighborhoods (except for the few I did in Cape Cod). This weekend's runs in Washington, DC, were a much-needed change of pace (no pun intended). What seemed like a 45 minute run on Saturday morning was actually a 90+ minute run. Not only is city running more exciting, it attracts more runners. Being among, literally, hundreds of runners makes long runs feel much shorter than they actually are.
A few noteworthy highlights:
Running sandwiched between The US Capitol Building and Washington Monument (absolutely breathtaking)
Being brought back to years past by the reminiscent smell of the Metro coming up through the streets from the tunnels below
The oppressive heat and humidity -- there's no relief, even at night
A few noteworthy highlights:
Running sandwiched between The US Capitol Building and Washington Monument (absolutely breathtaking)
Being brought back to years past by the reminiscent smell of the Metro coming up through the streets from the tunnels below
The oppressive heat and humidity -- there's no relief, even at night
7.27.2007
Saturday morning long run in DC
I've decided on a long run route. I'll start on New Hampshire Avenue (just Southwest of Dupont Circle) about halfway between N and P Streets. I'll continue on New Hampshire Avenue and circle around Dupont Circle to P Street, on which I'll run East. Continuing on P Street to 15th Street, on which I'll run South. Continuing on 15th Street to L Street, on which I'll run East. Continuing on L Street to 14th Street, on which I'll run South to Jefferson Drive. I'll circle The National Mall twice and head back the same way to Connecticut Avenue and Dupont Circle. ~8.1 miles -- ~.1 miles shorter than my long run last week
I think it was smart to have chosen a long run route equal in distance to that of my long run last week. Two reasons: 1) It's recommended that runners, particularly those training for marathons, build mileage at a percentage no greater than 10. I have been building mileage at ~15%. That said, this is an opportunity to bring my mileage more in line with where it should be; 2) Although, technically, not a recovery week, it's smart to build these into your plan, whenever possible. By not adding one mile or more to my long run this week, I'm, in essence, giving my body a break from the addition of more miles (albeit not less but equal). I hope this proves to benefit my training and leaves me fresh for Week 6.
I think it was smart to have chosen a long run route equal in distance to that of my long run last week. Two reasons: 1) It's recommended that runners, particularly those training for marathons, build mileage at a percentage no greater than 10. I have been building mileage at ~15%. That said, this is an opportunity to bring my mileage more in line with where it should be; 2) Although, technically, not a recovery week, it's smart to build these into your plan, whenever possible. By not adding one mile or more to my long run this week, I'm, in essence, giving my body a break from the addition of more miles (albeit not less but equal). I hope this proves to benefit my training and leaves me fresh for Week 6.
7.26.2007
Google Does it Better
I just discovered the google pedometer. It is superior to the USATF or mapmyrun pages as it has a topo map option, and seems to work faster. www.gmap-pedometer.com
7.25.2007
Pace Calculator
Unsure about what pace you should be able to run for a race distance you've never tried (like say a marathon)? I found an excellent race pace (and training pace) calculator at mcmillanrunning.com
All you have to do is enter a recent race time and then it calculates times based on your current fitness level. Check it out.
All you have to do is enter a recent race time and then it calculates times based on your current fitness level. Check it out.
Tuesday and Wednesday -- Week 5
At various times throughout my run on Tuesday, I experienced pain in my left knee (it seems to start at between 20 and 25 minutes into most runs) and, at the end of my run, pain in my right shin. These have been my weak spots. I'm trying to target them in my strength-training routine, but I'm not sure when and how often I should do this. I don't want to aggravate them more than they already are. My run on Wednesday -- albeit shorter by a few miles -- was more comfortable, as I didn't experience any of these pains.
As a result, I was in a great mood early this evening--and still am. It's amazing how the quality of a run, not only the run itself, can affect your mood. I consider this to be a good thing, even though not every run is good; therefore, a bad mood. When you're training for a race, as I am, currently, and have a bad run, I think it affects your mood much more than, say, if you were just running for the sake of exercising and did the same. When you're training for a race, every run serves a special purpose, so when you bomb it, for whatever reason, it weighs on your mood much more. Certainly, this is a big part of training and the challenges that come with it. Perhaps it helps hone mental toughness and prepare you for the big day.
Not only am I tacking on about one mile per week to my long run, but to most of my runs during the week. I need to increase my carbohydrate intake. I found this out the hard way on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week when I felt extremely tired. I had been maintaining my normal diet while increasing mileage. Apparently, that spells disaster. I felt much more energized yesterday and today, and I think this has to do with the fact that I've increased my carbohydrate intake. I started adding more good breads and pastas to my diet and have substituted black beans for feta cheese in my salads (per Dan's suggestion -- thanks, Dan, I owe you one), among other minor tweaks.
I think my success thus far can be chalked up to the fact that I'm getting adequate sleep, adequately stretching before and after runs, icing sore tendons and muscles after runs and even before bedtime, and strengthening my upper-body and core muscles. I'll continue to work on my diet and consuming more calories, in addition to strenthening my lower-body via single leg exercises.
One last thought: My marathon training plan calls for XTing on Mondays. I haven't done much XTing in the first 5 weeks of this plan. I think this could catch up with me if I don't substitute some strengthening of my upper-body and core muscles with cycling and/or swimming, the two best XTing activities for running. I need to get on a bike--and soon.
Ryan Lamanna -- A student of the sport of Running, but no less a runner...
As a result, I was in a great mood early this evening--and still am. It's amazing how the quality of a run, not only the run itself, can affect your mood. I consider this to be a good thing, even though not every run is good; therefore, a bad mood. When you're training for a race, as I am, currently, and have a bad run, I think it affects your mood much more than, say, if you were just running for the sake of exercising and did the same. When you're training for a race, every run serves a special purpose, so when you bomb it, for whatever reason, it weighs on your mood much more. Certainly, this is a big part of training and the challenges that come with it. Perhaps it helps hone mental toughness and prepare you for the big day.
Not only am I tacking on about one mile per week to my long run, but to most of my runs during the week. I need to increase my carbohydrate intake. I found this out the hard way on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week when I felt extremely tired. I had been maintaining my normal diet while increasing mileage. Apparently, that spells disaster. I felt much more energized yesterday and today, and I think this has to do with the fact that I've increased my carbohydrate intake. I started adding more good breads and pastas to my diet and have substituted black beans for feta cheese in my salads (per Dan's suggestion -- thanks, Dan, I owe you one), among other minor tweaks.
I think my success thus far can be chalked up to the fact that I'm getting adequate sleep, adequately stretching before and after runs, icing sore tendons and muscles after runs and even before bedtime, and strengthening my upper-body and core muscles. I'll continue to work on my diet and consuming more calories, in addition to strenthening my lower-body via single leg exercises.
One last thought: My marathon training plan calls for XTing on Mondays. I haven't done much XTing in the first 5 weeks of this plan. I think this could catch up with me if I don't substitute some strengthening of my upper-body and core muscles with cycling and/or swimming, the two best XTing activities for running. I need to get on a bike--and soon.
Ryan Lamanna -- A student of the sport of Running, but no less a runner...
7.24.2007
Monday night in deserted New Haven
Do you not wonder how my Hummus and Babaganoush wrap from Sahara Mediterranean Cuisine will impact my 5.5 mile run this evening? How about my Ethos water from Starbucks? Stay tuned and find out!
7.22.2007
Week 4 in the books
About 24 miles and over 4 hours of running this week has left me with an achy left knee and a sore right hip. No worries! Week 5 calls for between 22 and 27 miles. I plan to be at about 24 miles again next week. I think I'm building mileage too fast.
I'll be in Washington, DC, next weekend, so I'll have to do my long and recovery runs there. I haven't decided where exactly and on routes, yet. Granted Washington is a great place to run, I miss my home away from home -- Arlington, VA -- and will most likely opt to do my runs there. Let's hope that six hours of driving on Friday evening doesn't negatively impact my Saturday morning long run...
I'll be in Washington, DC, next weekend, so I'll have to do my long and recovery runs there. I haven't decided where exactly and on routes, yet. Granted Washington is a great place to run, I miss my home away from home -- Arlington, VA -- and will most likely opt to do my runs there. Let's hope that six hours of driving on Friday evening doesn't negatively impact my Saturday morning long run...
7.20.2007
Swimmin'
I swam today in UConn's pool. (I wish that I had a place to regularly swim outside in open water, so if you've got some ideas, let me know!) After a mile or so, I finished up and headed back to my office. I was amazed at how woozy I felt. It's hard to believe that in just a week, I will be following my swim with some biking and then some running. If you're not busy on Sunday the 29th of July, I'd love a cheering section in Webster, MA for the Danskin women's triathlon! Start time is 7:00AM (ew)!
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