Is It Racing Season Yet?

I've really been feeling the need to race lately.  Perhaps it's because my training has felt a been a little stale lately and I just need something to shake things up.  Also, I continue to have awesome track workouts on Tuesday nights.  This week after a mile warm up, I did 10 more miles at an average of 6:30!  Awesome!  So, I won't get to truly test out my speed until St Patricks Day week-end when I have a 8k scheduled.  My PR is 30:21 and every year I think I have a sub 30 in me, but I just don't know.  I think I'll shoot for a 30:10 and see if I can close the gap in the last quarter mile.  It's a flat course up and down Summit Avenue, so if the weather is good, I have a shot.

Pretty good week.  Along with my awesome Tuesday run, I'd had my longest run of the year today, 17.5 and kept my streak alive, now at 58 days with an average of 8.2 per day.  My body felt pretty good after the long run, even with the many hills that we endured.  Lastly, I killed a treadmill this week!  It was a recovery run and I was bored, so on the last mile I cranked up the TM higher and higher, when suddenly there was a popping sound, sparks shooting out of the front and then came to a screeching halt.  Cool!  Take that treadmill!

Happy Running!

Grandma's Training Officially Begins

Week 1 of my 19 week training plan began in earnest this week.  Nothing too radical, but I did break the 60 mile barrier for the first time in a long time.  I had a killer run at the track on Tuesday night, where I alternated 6:52 and 6:06 miles for 10 miles.  I was feeling really good and looking forward to my St Paddy's Day race.  I also got in 15 miles today for my first actual long run in over a month.  The mileage will get ramped up here in a hurry and I will soon by doing 15 miles plus every Wednesday.  I hope spring comes early, as I am totally fed up with the track, the treadmill and the Yak Trax.  I did all 15 miles in Yak Trax through ice and snow and my legs really took a beating.  Blech!

My running streak is still in tact, at 50 days and 410 miles total.  My average is just over 8 miles and I am aiming for an average of just under 10 for 2013 for a grand total of 3,500 miles.

Still looking for some motivation or spark to get me fired up about this cycle.  I am still enjoying most of my runs, but the drive just isn't there like I had last summer.  I think I need a theme song!  

Happy Running

Rick

Making Running a Priority Again

The work marathon is complete.  Thirty consecutive 12 hour days and finally, mission accomplished.  I managed to keep my running streak alive (now at 42 days) but my running, nutrition and rest have taken a back seat.  Well, tomorrow marks 19 weeks out from Grandma's Marathon, and it's time to get busy.  I have had 6 consecutive weeks of mileage in the 50's, which is a far cry from where I need to be.  So tomorrow begins the fast ramp up to the world of 70, 80 and 90 miles per week.  I spent my Saturday morning mapping out my strategy on how to get there.  As usual, spring or early summer marathon training has its challenges.  Frequent snow storms, cold temps, and icy trails, make it difficult to get in the speed work needed for a successful training cycle and its hard to get too excited about hours on the indoor track or treadmill.  Luckily the meat of this training plan is March and April when I can look forward to better conditions. 

So, what is going to set this training cycle apart from the others?  I can tell I am need some added inspiration.  What is it going to take to get me to 2:56?

Happy Running!

Rick

Work Wins Again

I have an informal war between hours worked per week versus miles ran.  January was handily won by the work hours, defeating miles ran by a margin of 307 to 252.  Things should even out this week and by the end of the month miles ran should be able to turn the tables and be back on top again.  I predict February will be miles ran 270 and miles worked 250.  Regardless of who wins, I'm freakin' exhausted.  The running streak is in tact,  but something has to give pretty soon.  I have to go to work tomorrow, but nothing sounds better than sleeping in, not running, not working, NOT DOING NOTHING!  But, that isn't going to happen, tomorrow is go-live for our new venture.  So I'll get up and put in another 10 to 12 hours and manage to fit in a quick run.

Because of the crazy schedule I have adapted my training.  I don't plan miles anymore.  I get done with a long day and determine how much time I have to run.  I may only have 40 minutes some days, so I try to get in as many miles as possible.  All is good as long as I can get at least 4 miles in and on continue the streak.

Happy Running,

Rick