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

Starting to Feel like a Runner Again

It's starting to become a very familiar pattern.  I finish up my fall marathon, flail around in November, half hearted running through the holidays with a short-lived commitment to train in earnest for the Meet of the Miles.  Same story this year, but what I have done is to maintain my base with better resolve.  Fifty and sixty mile weeks have been the norm, and they have come pretty easy.  Saturday morning's half marathon effort was proof of that.  I honestly didn't train for it, didn't even decide to run it for sure until 2 hours before the gun went off.  I ran hard on Thursday and even did a treadmill work out the night before the race, things I would never even consider had I been seriously planning a race.  So I toed the line, zero degrees , thinking I could run sub 1:30, but barely.  I ran the first 5 miles and was right on pace for 1:30.  As per usual, my miles got faster and faster, getting down to 6:25 for mile 10.  The last mile is a killer all up hill, but all in all a really solid effort.  I need to learn to trust my fitness and go out of the gates a little faster.  I've never been able to run a perfect half marathon.  I always feel that I leave too much on the course.  Anyway, good enough for a second place AG and more importantly, I feel like a runner again.

Happy Running!

Rick

Run, Work, Sleep, Repeat...

I sure picked the wrong year to commit to a running streak.  We are in the middle of a huge transition at work, which has me working 10 hours per day during the week and more hours during the week end than I would like to admit.  So, my week consists of getting ready for work, driving my daughter to school, commuting to work, put in a 10 hour day, fit in a run before dinner, then go to bed and do it all over again.  Don't get me wrong,  not complaining.  I'm very grateful that I am gainfully employed and that I'm healthy enough to run, but heck it's only January and this 20 day streak feels like 100!

Even with the work schedule, the running has gone well.  I'm around 60 miles per week and managing some pretty speedy tempo runs on Tuesday and Thursday.  Oh, and I managed a 5:33 mile at the Meet of the Miles on Monday night.  Good enough for a 11th place in the over 40 crowd and should get me first in my AG in the MDRA Grand Prix.  I have a half marathon to race next week-end.  Curious to see what the weather will be.  Certainly won't be fast in these temps.

Happy Running!

Winter Running

I could go on and on about the beauty of winter running.  In November and December, when the temps are still mild and the first snowfalls are fluffy, pretty and new.  Christmas and New Year's come and go and we find ourselves in January.  The wind picks up, the temps drop and that December fluffiness turns into rock hard ice and bitter cold.  I ran today with multiple layers in temps that barely broke zero with a cold, gusty wind out of the northwest that was downright painful.  Oh, I'll have some of those picturesque and pretty winter runs before this is all done, but right now spring training and running in shorts seems like a long ways away.

First race of the Grand Prix is tomorrow, the Meet of the Miles at the University of Minnesota field house.  I've been running well over the past few weeks, but haven't done enough of mile specific training to set a PR.  I do think I can break 5:30 though.

Happy Running!

Rick

Running Streak a Good Idea?

We are a week into 2013 and I have already realized how difficult a 365 day running streak is going to be.  Day one was fine, but on day two I got a phone call on my way to run club.  I had a family emergency to deal with and by the time everything was settled down it was already 8:30.  Do I scratch the streak on day two.  No, I put on my gear and ran 4 easy miles through the neighborhood.  Day 3 I was planning on going to the Metrodome for a tempo run, but my Outlook reminder popped up about 4:00 reminding me of an all company meeting and dinner at Mystic Lake.  Another late night run at Snap Fitness.  Wow, this is harder than it looks.

All in all, a good week.  Back into the mid 50's for mileage with some quality speed work to boot.  Finished the week with 10 bright, beautiful, sunny miles across Lake Minnetonka.  Absolutely gorgeous morning!

Happy Running!