62 degrees; splits 8:54; 8:40; 9:10; 8:31; 8:45; 8:34; 52:34 total for 6 miles; 8:45 per mile pace.
I made a deal with myself today. The deal was that I would drive to the Farmington Canal Linear Park, park, and run 3 1/2 miles on the road, and run the last 1 1/2 miles of my planned 5 mile run on the trail. Once again we had an unusually warm day, so shorts and a t-shirt were the proper attire. I chose to run on whatever roads looked appealing, and kept an eye on my Garmin Forerunner 305 so that my 3 1/2 mile point would be at the trail. That's the advantage of the Forerunner. I no longer have to plan ahead what route I'm running. I enjoyed running through neighborhoods that I had never seen before. People were out washing their cars, and children were out playing games and riding their bikes. I even passed by several runners. You certainly can't beat a freakish 62 degree day on March 8th. I felt pretty good during my street running, and as a result I kept exploring different streets. Fortunately I knew my way around, and at one point I ran part of another road course I have. As I passed mile 3, I started to realize that I wasn't going to be anywhere near the linear trail by mile 3 1/2 unless I circled back. I decided to push myself instead, and see if I could do a 6 mile run. Still feeling well, and adventurous, I incorporated a challenging hill into my run. It was more of a struggle than I had hoped, meaning I was sucking in wind, but I conquered it. A few more detours onto side streets, and I reached the 1 1/2 mile part of the linear trail at 4 1/2 miles...a perfect way to end a 6 mile run, since it is mostly flat. I started feeling like I had "lead legs" with about a mile and a quarter to go. However, lead legs or not, I was going to look good and strong to all the people on the trail! They would never know how tired I was really feeling as long as I was smiling, not making loud breathing noises,(Side note: Don't you HATE it when you're running in a race, and some guy near you is grunting loudly?!) and showing my "studly" running form(Not). Well, my psychological mumbo-jumbo worked, since my last mile was also my fastest mile. Yeah I know, it was run on a paved trail and not on the road, but so what?!! Overall, I'm excited about my overall time and distance. Maybe I WILL be able to run in the 10 mile race in 4 weeks. If so, my daughter will run with me and also enjoy the beer that will be a part of the post race party. I'm thinking the beer will help motivate me in my training this next month...
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
A Great Day For a Run
Run Stats: Farmington Canal Linear Park; 61 degrees; 5 miles; 42:28; 8:37 per mile pace. Mile 1: 8:40, mile 2: 8:42, mile 3: 8:38, mile 4: 8:38, mile 5: 8:30.
I woke up this morning with pain on the top of my right foot. Interesting, since all my pain has been in my left foot up until today. I strained my brain for a few minutes trying to come up with a logical explanation. I hadn't run since Wednesday, and the most strenuous activity I had done was yoga yesterday. Suddenly I remembered how I had sat rather awkwardly on my right foot when we first began the yoga. So I went to our freezer, grabbed an ice pack, put it on top of my foot, and hoped for the best. As I sat with my new best friend "Ice," I started stressing about my pain. What if the pain doesn't go away? Then my goal of running 5 miles in 60 degree temperature wearing shorts on an unusually mild March 7 day in CT would not happen. Even worse, I was thinking, would be the pain lingering for days, and then having to go back to the podiatrist, who of course would want to inject my foot with the extremely painful cortisone shot. 30 minutes later, my fears and foot pain were GONE! My BFF ice pack had done the trick. I was going to be able to go for a 5 miler. Fast forward 4 1/2 hours, and I'm at the overly crowded linear trail. I was happy to see that there were families, roller bladers, people walking their dogs, and walkers all taking advantage of the 61 degree day. As I began my run, I could feel a huge grin forming on my face. It is March 7th, and I was running wearing summer gear. I took in the sights and smells of the trail, waved to every child I passed, and "grooved" to my 70's tunes. I decided that I had to run 5 miles, even though today was supposed to be my last 4 mile run. I passed mile 1 at 8:40, and was a little concerned that I was running too fast, and told myself that I should slow down. Mile 2 was passed in 17:22, or an 8:42 second mile. I had slowed down, but only by 2 seconds. It always takes me a mile or two to loosen up, and today was no exception. Mile two to three felt great, and I decided to allow myself to continue running with my goofy grin and at whatever pace my legs wanted to run. I was running as comfortably as I used to before I injured my heel. Why mess with a good thing?! MIle three was at an 8:38 pace, as was mile 4. I was surprised at how consistent my per mile pace was. The last mile I felt as if I was struggling, but somehow I ran it in 8 1/2 minutes. Overall, my best run since I injured my heel. I'm heading back to the road tomorrow for what's supposed to be another chance to wear shorts as the high temperature is supposed to be 63 degrees. Maybe I can talk my daughter into running with me.
I woke up this morning with pain on the top of my right foot. Interesting, since all my pain has been in my left foot up until today. I strained my brain for a few minutes trying to come up with a logical explanation. I hadn't run since Wednesday, and the most strenuous activity I had done was yoga yesterday. Suddenly I remembered how I had sat rather awkwardly on my right foot when we first began the yoga. So I went to our freezer, grabbed an ice pack, put it on top of my foot, and hoped for the best. As I sat with my new best friend "Ice," I started stressing about my pain. What if the pain doesn't go away? Then my goal of running 5 miles in 60 degree temperature wearing shorts on an unusually mild March 7 day in CT would not happen. Even worse, I was thinking, would be the pain lingering for days, and then having to go back to the podiatrist, who of course would want to inject my foot with the extremely painful cortisone shot. 30 minutes later, my fears and foot pain were GONE! My BFF ice pack had done the trick. I was going to be able to go for a 5 miler. Fast forward 4 1/2 hours, and I'm at the overly crowded linear trail. I was happy to see that there were families, roller bladers, people walking their dogs, and walkers all taking advantage of the 61 degree day. As I began my run, I could feel a huge grin forming on my face. It is March 7th, and I was running wearing summer gear. I took in the sights and smells of the trail, waved to every child I passed, and "grooved" to my 70's tunes. I decided that I had to run 5 miles, even though today was supposed to be my last 4 mile run. I passed mile 1 at 8:40, and was a little concerned that I was running too fast, and told myself that I should slow down. Mile 2 was passed in 17:22, or an 8:42 second mile. I had slowed down, but only by 2 seconds. It always takes me a mile or two to loosen up, and today was no exception. Mile two to three felt great, and I decided to allow myself to continue running with my goofy grin and at whatever pace my legs wanted to run. I was running as comfortably as I used to before I injured my heel. Why mess with a good thing?! MIle three was at an 8:38 pace, as was mile 4. I was surprised at how consistent my per mile pace was. The last mile I felt as if I was struggling, but somehow I ran it in 8 1/2 minutes. Overall, my best run since I injured my heel. I'm heading back to the road tomorrow for what's supposed to be another chance to wear shorts as the high temperature is supposed to be 63 degrees. Maybe I can talk my daughter into running with me.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Yoga -Yoga -Yoga!
Well, today was the day, that at age 52, I tried yoga. A parent of one of the students at the school I work at volunteered to run a yoga class for us. For me, it was a win-win situation. Early dismissal workshops are generally boring and a waste of time. This was the opportunity to avoid a workshop, plus learn about yoga and see if it works for me. Well, yoga kicks ass! I can't remember ever feeling that good. A co-worker asked me if it was the same as a runner's high. It isn't. A runner's high for me generally is an adrenaline rush that lasts for an hour or two afterward. I tend to become my normal loud and full of energy self. Not a bad thing, but also I can sometimes be TOO loud and full of energy, and I'm sure annoying to the non-runners around me. When I was finished with yoga, I felt as if I was floating. I was very relaxed and calm, and felt so care free. I was walking around with a goofy smile on my face. Needless to say, I will be looking into signing up for a yoga class. Any other "yogaholics" out there??
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
A Short Posting By a Tall Runner
Temperature: 31 degrees; splits 9:19; 9:18; 9:03; 8:34; 36:14 total for 4 miles; 9:03 per mile pace.
Due to a lack of time, (I love working part time at Weight Watchers) plus wanting more of a challenge, I chose to do a 4 mile road run close to home. Today was the first time I ran wherever I wanted to run, and allowed my Garmin to track the distance. I no longer have to rely on mapmyrun.com to create a route. Life is good! Well, my road runs are still not up to my expectations, but since I've only been able to run twice in the last 8 weeks on the road I guess I should cut myself some slack. The important thing is I'm still kicking ass on the uphills, am not short of breath, am enjoying myself more, and most importantly 12 hours later my heel and foot are great. I'm thinking, however, that running a 5K race on March 15 may not be a good idea. Although the post race beer and corn beef and cabbage taste great, the competitor in me might make myself run faster than I should, and if so re injure my heel. Warmer weather will soon be here (I hope) and I need to make sure I'm healthy and at my best for the longer distance races.
Due to a lack of time, (I love working part time at Weight Watchers) plus wanting more of a challenge, I chose to do a 4 mile road run close to home. Today was the first time I ran wherever I wanted to run, and allowed my Garmin to track the distance. I no longer have to rely on mapmyrun.com to create a route. Life is good! Well, my road runs are still not up to my expectations, but since I've only been able to run twice in the last 8 weeks on the road I guess I should cut myself some slack. The important thing is I'm still kicking ass on the uphills, am not short of breath, am enjoying myself more, and most importantly 12 hours later my heel and foot are great. I'm thinking, however, that running a 5K race on March 15 may not be a good idea. Although the post race beer and corn beef and cabbage taste great, the competitor in me might make myself run faster than I should, and if so re injure my heel. Warmer weather will soon be here (I hope) and I need to make sure I'm healthy and at my best for the longer distance races.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Yesterday's Run
Yesterday's Run Stats: Farmington Canal Linear Park; 27 degrees; 4 miles; 34:28; 8:37 per mile pace. Mile 1: 8:40, mile 2: 8:41, mile 3: 8:40, mile 4: 8:27.
I didn't want to run yesterday, and I had (one)legitimate reason(s) not to. It was only 27 degrees, with a "feels like" windchill of 20 degrees. My podiatrist doesn't want me running outside when it's below 35 degrees. It had snowed and was still snowing, and even though it was just a "dusting" of snow, I knew the trail would have puddles and snow covered bridges. Could I convince myself that it would be hazardous running conditions? Well, not really! My legs were a little sore from the previous days run. I had pushed myself, so I was thinking that maybe I should rest and recuperate. I was also thinking that I was full of it, and that the nor'easter that is outside as I type this today will prevent me from running for a while and provide time to rest my legs, which by the way are fine now. I told myself that I would stop at the local gas station/convenience store, buy a totally unhealthy "Monster" lo carb energy drink to get a pre-run buzz, and then run a nice and easy 4 miler at the trail. However, my brain reminded my hands that should they steer my car into the store, and should I consume the 16 oz.energy drink prior to my run, that bladder would not be happy about halfway through my run. Fortunately my hands listened to my brain and drove my car straight to the trail. Arriving at the trail, I was disappointed that roller blading, disco dancing, karaoke singing, linear trail lady wasn't there. The trail was wet, the bridges were slightly covered in snow, and my strategy still was to run a steady (9 minute mile pace)and effortless 4 miler. Starting out, I felt as if I had drank the energy drink. My legs were "flying," and it felt as if I had someone pushing me. About a half mile into my run, the meteorologist in me realized that the "pushing" was the wind aiding my run. As is usual for this time of year, it was blowing from the north, meaning I would have to run into it after my 2 mile turnaround on the trail. I passed mile one at 8:40, and although it was faster than I had planned, I decided to see if I could keep it up. I reached the mile 2, turnaround point, at 16:41. I was amazed. Not only did I have 2 nearly identical mile splits, but I was running comfortably. Of course, as expected, I now was running into a 10 mph chilly wind. But I wasn't about to let it slow me down. I was a runner, and a runner doesn't allow mother nature to kick his ass! I leaned forward, and kept pushing it. I did feel as if I was slowing down, and expected the worst at mile 3. My Garmin beeped as I hit mile 3, and I looked at it and saw "Lap 3 8:40." WOW!! I was psyched. One mile to go, and I wanted to push myself even further. At that point I went through my mental checklist of how I was feeling: Sweaty...check. Comfortable breathing...check. legs moving properly...check. arms at proper height and movement...check. Left heel and foot feeling good....ummmm, kind of. My left heel was feeling good, but my instep where I received my cortisone injection on January 15 was telling me to be sensible. So sensible thinking won, although somehow my last mile was run 13 seconds faster. However, as of now everything appears to be well. I've also realized that the pain I used to have in my right knee no longer exists. It's been gone for about as long as my heel pain has. Maybe while my heel was injured I was overcompensating for it, and that also affected my knee. Who knows? All I know is that slowly but surely I'm increasing my miles per run, and decreasing my time.
I didn't want to run yesterday, and I had (one)legitimate reason(s) not to. It was only 27 degrees, with a "feels like" windchill of 20 degrees. My podiatrist doesn't want me running outside when it's below 35 degrees. It had snowed and was still snowing, and even though it was just a "dusting" of snow, I knew the trail would have puddles and snow covered bridges. Could I convince myself that it would be hazardous running conditions? Well, not really! My legs were a little sore from the previous days run. I had pushed myself, so I was thinking that maybe I should rest and recuperate. I was also thinking that I was full of it, and that the nor'easter that is outside as I type this today will prevent me from running for a while and provide time to rest my legs, which by the way are fine now. I told myself that I would stop at the local gas station/convenience store, buy a totally unhealthy "Monster" lo carb energy drink to get a pre-run buzz, and then run a nice and easy 4 miler at the trail. However, my brain reminded my hands that should they steer my car into the store, and should I consume the 16 oz.energy drink prior to my run, that bladder would not be happy about halfway through my run. Fortunately my hands listened to my brain and drove my car straight to the trail. Arriving at the trail, I was disappointed that roller blading, disco dancing, karaoke singing, linear trail lady wasn't there. The trail was wet, the bridges were slightly covered in snow, and my strategy still was to run a steady (9 minute mile pace)and effortless 4 miler. Starting out, I felt as if I had drank the energy drink. My legs were "flying," and it felt as if I had someone pushing me. About a half mile into my run, the meteorologist in me realized that the "pushing" was the wind aiding my run. As is usual for this time of year, it was blowing from the north, meaning I would have to run into it after my 2 mile turnaround on the trail. I passed mile one at 8:40, and although it was faster than I had planned, I decided to see if I could keep it up. I reached the mile 2, turnaround point, at 16:41. I was amazed. Not only did I have 2 nearly identical mile splits, but I was running comfortably. Of course, as expected, I now was running into a 10 mph chilly wind. But I wasn't about to let it slow me down. I was a runner, and a runner doesn't allow mother nature to kick his ass! I leaned forward, and kept pushing it. I did feel as if I was slowing down, and expected the worst at mile 3. My Garmin beeped as I hit mile 3, and I looked at it and saw "Lap 3 8:40." WOW!! I was psyched. One mile to go, and I wanted to push myself even further. At that point I went through my mental checklist of how I was feeling: Sweaty...check. Comfortable breathing...check. legs moving properly...check. arms at proper height and movement...check. Left heel and foot feeling good....ummmm, kind of. My left heel was feeling good, but my instep where I received my cortisone injection on January 15 was telling me to be sensible. So sensible thinking won, although somehow my last mile was run 13 seconds faster. However, as of now everything appears to be well. I've also realized that the pain I used to have in my right knee no longer exists. It's been gone for about as long as my heel pain has. Maybe while my heel was injured I was overcompensating for it, and that also affected my knee. Who knows? All I know is that slowly but surely I'm increasing my miles per run, and decreasing my time.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Will The 3rd Time Be The Charm?!
We have received your application for the
ING New York City Marathon 2009
My third, and final attempt to be accepted for the New York City Marathon. If I'm not chosen this year, I get guaranteed entry in 2010, due to their 3 strikes rule!!
ING New York City Marathon 2009
My third, and final attempt to be accepted for the New York City Marathon. If I'm not chosen this year, I get guaranteed entry in 2010, due to their 3 strikes rule!!
Hooray, it's March 1st!
I'm extremely happy about it being March 1st. Why? First, I get to take my heel cup out of my shoes. Second, I don't have to sleep with the night splint on my foot. Third, I can increase my miles per run, and decrease the time it takes me. Fourth, supposedly we're closer to it being spring here in CT, although we're supposed to get a Nor'easter tonight and a foot of snow! Fifth, a week from today we put our clocks ahead an hour, meaning sunset will be around 7 p.m. Sixth, my wife's an accountant, and March means she's that much closer to April 15th and not working 7 days a week.
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