I had one hell of a time recovering from a 19ish mile long run in cold, torrential rain two Sunday's ago. I came back on Monday feeling spacey (4.5 easy); felt better on Tuesday (9 good pace); spacey on Wednesday (5 easy); great on Thursday (9 better pace); spacey on Friday (4.5 easy) and Saturday (3ish easy). After a very difficult week, I was seriously doubting my ability to go 22 miles yesterday. I felt good early on until we hit some good hills at 8-9 miles. My legs started to feel heavy, and I began to worry that that was the beginning of the end of the run. A few miles later, I tried a GU Chomp, and my leg turnover immediately improved. I never looked back. I took it all the way to the end--22.6 miles at 8:31/mile. That's significantly faster than any marathon I've ever run, and it was super comfy. I know that, in reality, the GU Chomp had little if anything to do with my ability to finish this run, but I'll take it.
Jessica was having some issues with a foot, so she decided to turn around and do 21 miles instead of the full 22.6 we had mapped out. When she turned around on Leetes Island Road, it was as if she was seeing me off to my first day of school or to the moon or Mars. At that point, I was still feeling good, and after the turnaround, I decided to put my arms out on a downhill and just savor the moment. Because it really did feel like I was flying.
Weekly totals: 58 miles; 8hrs 15mins
12.07.2010
First 5 weeks of training for Austin
Over the last 5 weeks, I've averaged exactly 50 miles/week. This is uncharted territory for me. For 16 weeks, leading up to Missoula, I averaged about 30 miles/week; for 12 weeks, leading up to Green Mountain, I averaged about 40 miles/week.
I've been handling the volume well. My only complaint is some diffuse (Jess taught me this word) right knee achiness, which started after a bumpy trail run two Sunday's ago. The achiness comes and goes. I'm not too worried about it, but I would like it to just go away already.
On Sunday, I did 19ish miles in 2:40 over a pretty hilly route. I took the first half easy and then picked up the pace. The faster pace felt very comforable, and I was easily able to finish strongly. I wish every run could feel like that.
I plan on doing 20 this Sunday and 22 next Sunday. I've built three 22-milers into this training. They're late enough in the training that by the time I get to them, the time it will take me to cover 22 miles will be about the same time that it took me to cover 20 miles. Twenty miles is usually sufficient, but as you become fitter, you cover the distance in less time. In order to get the time in (which is much more important than the distance), one must go longer. About three weeks ago, I did 20ish miles in 2:50. In some of my earlier training, I was doing 19 miles in 3:00-3:10. I'll take anything over 2:30, as that's when major improvements in endurance occur, but I also want to pscyhologically prepare myself for 3+ hour runs.
I've been handling the volume well. My only complaint is some diffuse (Jess taught me this word) right knee achiness, which started after a bumpy trail run two Sunday's ago. The achiness comes and goes. I'm not too worried about it, but I would like it to just go away already.
On Sunday, I did 19ish miles in 2:40 over a pretty hilly route. I took the first half easy and then picked up the pace. The faster pace felt very comforable, and I was easily able to finish strongly. I wish every run could feel like that.
I plan on doing 20 this Sunday and 22 next Sunday. I've built three 22-milers into this training. They're late enough in the training that by the time I get to them, the time it will take me to cover 22 miles will be about the same time that it took me to cover 20 miles. Twenty miles is usually sufficient, but as you become fitter, you cover the distance in less time. In order to get the time in (which is much more important than the distance), one must go longer. About three weeks ago, I did 20ish miles in 2:50. In some of my earlier training, I was doing 19 miles in 3:00-3:10. I'll take anything over 2:30, as that's when major improvements in endurance occur, but I also want to pscyhologically prepare myself for 3+ hour runs.
12.04.2010
IT Band Troubles
My right leg/knee problem isn't going away. After 3 days of no running I went to do 16 miles today and barely made it 6 before I had to stop. I just spent some time reading and I'm 99% sure I've got a problem with the IT Band on my right leg. All the symptoms seem to fit. Most of what I've read suggests that I need to stop running until pain goes away. Very disappointing.
11.28.2010
Top Dog
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyByGsFyb2k&feature=related
Top Dog at the 2010 Goshen Turkey Trot 1 min 35 seconds into video
Top Dog at the 2010 Goshen Turkey Trot 1 min 35 seconds into video
Week 4
Did somewhere in the neighborhood of 46 miles this week. It was designed as a recovery week, and I think it played out that way. Might have gone a bit too hard today, and I twisted my right knee, but we'll see tomorrow. I can tell within only a few minutes of running the next effort whether the previous effort was too intense.
Today's trail running at Meshomasic State Forest was pretty difficult. There were some steep, rocky parts where it was difficult to get a good footing...made worse by the fallen leaves. I guess it's good to mix up the terrain every now and again.
Today's trail running at Meshomasic State Forest was pretty difficult. There were some steep, rocky parts where it was difficult to get a good footing...made worse by the fallen leaves. I guess it's good to mix up the terrain every now and again.
11.24.2010
Running everyday (and in the AM)
Since resuming running only a few days after the Green Mountain Marathon, I've missed only a handful of days of running (by choice). More or less, I've been running everyday, and it feels good. This has allowed me to increase my mileage quite easily. Cramming miles into only four days of running, which I did during my last marathon build-up, was much more difficult.
Shortly after the recent time-change, I began running in the morning. I was worried about how my body would react to such a drastic change, but it turned out to be a pretty easy transition. On most days, I'm out the door and running by 7/am. Yesterday, Jessica managed to get me up out of bed well before 7/am. This was truly an anomaly. I require a solid 8 hours of sleep/night. Any less and I'm doomed for the day. Typically, I'm asleep no later than 10:30/pm, which means, in theory, I should be able to function quite well starting at 6:30/pm, and this has usually been the case. Hooray for sleep.
One other extremely important component of successful running is, of course, diet. I've been trying to make my way through "The Vegetarian Myth," but it's been a challenge, to say the least. It has gotten mixed reviews, but I don't like it. I was led to the book through my interest in, and reading of, "What We Leave Behind," the premise of which is that so long as we facilitate the perpetuation of industrial civilization, Earth (and everything living on it) is doomed as we know it. Anyway, one of the authors of this book, with whom I mostly agree, commented that "The Vegetarian Myth" saved his life--to what extent, I'm not sure, but that's what sparked my interest in the book. According to the author of the veggie myth, there's nothing good about being a moral and/or nutritional vegetarian/vegan. It's kind of depressing.
Shortly after the recent time-change, I began running in the morning. I was worried about how my body would react to such a drastic change, but it turned out to be a pretty easy transition. On most days, I'm out the door and running by 7/am. Yesterday, Jessica managed to get me up out of bed well before 7/am. This was truly an anomaly. I require a solid 8 hours of sleep/night. Any less and I'm doomed for the day. Typically, I'm asleep no later than 10:30/pm, which means, in theory, I should be able to function quite well starting at 6:30/pm, and this has usually been the case. Hooray for sleep.
One other extremely important component of successful running is, of course, diet. I've been trying to make my way through "The Vegetarian Myth," but it's been a challenge, to say the least. It has gotten mixed reviews, but I don't like it. I was led to the book through my interest in, and reading of, "What We Leave Behind," the premise of which is that so long as we facilitate the perpetuation of industrial civilization, Earth (and everything living on it) is doomed as we know it. Anyway, one of the authors of this book, with whom I mostly agree, commented that "The Vegetarian Myth" saved his life--to what extent, I'm not sure, but that's what sparked my interest in the book. According to the author of the veggie myth, there's nothing good about being a moral and/or nutritional vegetarian/vegan. It's kind of depressing.
11.22.2010
Bill Rodgers' Training Log
The guy ran a lot of miles.
http://www.bunnhill.com/BobHodge/Rodgers/TrainingLogs/br75traininglog.htm
According to his Wikipedia article, Boston Billy started 60 marathons, won Boston and New York four times each, and DNF'd in a lot of them.
http://www.bunnhill.com/BobHodge/Rodgers/TrainingLogs/br75traininglog.htm
According to his Wikipedia article, Boston Billy started 60 marathons, won Boston and New York four times each, and DNF'd in a lot of them.
11.21.2010
Week 3
Nov. 15
5 miles; 47 mins
Felt fine, but pretty much just jogged to flush the legs.
Nov. 16
AM: 7.5 miles at steady pace; 1hr 3mins; PM: strength training at NHHR
Nov. 17
5 miles; 46mins
Legs started to come around again after rough long-run on Sunday.
Nov. 18
AM: 9 miles at steady pace; 1hr 14mins; PM: strength training at NHHR
Nov. 19
5 miles; 45mins
Legs in a completely alkali state.
Nov. 20
3 miles; 30 mins; strength training at NHHR
No energy, but decided to do a bit of easy running as my last two long-runs coming off of rest days have been rough.
Nov. 21
19.5 miles; 2hrs 50mins
Woke up at about 8/am to eat and then caught a few more Zs until about 11/am. Felt great. One of my better long-runs. I think the easy running and gym session yesterday helped to keep the blood flowing and the muscles loose. Plus, my focus on hydrating and pigging out at Chris Hunter's potluck yesterday couldn't have hurt. Ran everyday this week. That was a first.
54 miles
7hrs 57mins
5 miles; 47 mins
Felt fine, but pretty much just jogged to flush the legs.
Nov. 16
AM: 7.5 miles at steady pace; 1hr 3mins; PM: strength training at NHHR
Nov. 17
5 miles; 46mins
Legs started to come around again after rough long-run on Sunday.
Nov. 18
AM: 9 miles at steady pace; 1hr 14mins; PM: strength training at NHHR
Nov. 19
5 miles; 45mins
Legs in a completely alkali state.
Nov. 20
3 miles; 30 mins; strength training at NHHR
No energy, but decided to do a bit of easy running as my last two long-runs coming off of rest days have been rough.
Nov. 21
19.5 miles; 2hrs 50mins
Woke up at about 8/am to eat and then caught a few more Zs until about 11/am. Felt great. One of my better long-runs. I think the easy running and gym session yesterday helped to keep the blood flowing and the muscles loose. Plus, my focus on hydrating and pigging out at Chris Hunter's potluck yesterday couldn't have hurt. Ran everyday this week. That was a first.
54 miles
7hrs 57mins
11.15.2010
Week 2
Nov. 8
5 miles; 45 mins
AM: Easy; PM: strength training at NHHR
Nov. 9
7.5 miles; 1hr 3mins
Steady
Nov. 10
5 miles; 45mins
AM: Easy; PM: strength training at NHHR
Nov. 11
9 miles; 1hr 14mins
Steady
Nov. 12
5 miles; 44mins
Easy
Nov. 13
Rest. Moved all day.
Nov. 14
17.5 miles; 2hrs 32mins
Woke up feeling dehydrated after moving all day on Saturday. Didn't get started until late morning. Felt dehydrated right away. Didn't have any water on the run. Ran out of gas at around 15 miles but pushed to the finish.
49 miles
7hrs 5mins
5 miles; 45 mins
AM: Easy; PM: strength training at NHHR
Nov. 9
7.5 miles; 1hr 3mins
Steady
Nov. 10
5 miles; 45mins
AM: Easy; PM: strength training at NHHR
Nov. 11
9 miles; 1hr 14mins
Steady
Nov. 12
5 miles; 44mins
Easy
Nov. 13
Rest. Moved all day.
Nov. 14
17.5 miles; 2hrs 32mins
Woke up feeling dehydrated after moving all day on Saturday. Didn't get started until late morning. Felt dehydrated right away. Didn't have any water on the run. Ran out of gas at around 15 miles but pushed to the finish.
49 miles
7hrs 5mins
11.12.2010
AlSal and Ritz
Shortly after the elites finished the NYC Marathon, Jess and I left the park and spotted AlSal and Ritz. AlSal is the tall guy with the black hat, and Ritz is the short guy with the white USA jacket (head down).
11.11.2010
On Point Takes On Distance Running
Best talk radio show around talks about US distance running efforts:
www.onpointradio.org/2010/11/us-runners-marathon
All kinds of theories!
www.onpointradio.org/2010/11/us-runners-marathon
All kinds of theories!
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