Chasing 3 Hours: Rebuilding the Base

Chasing 3 Hours: Rebuilding the Base: Motivation can be short-lived.  You can be inspired on Sunday, but by Thursday, that motivation can wane.  This is particularly evident in ...

Rebuilding the Base

Motivation can be short-lived.  You can be inspired on Sunday, but by Thursday, that motivation can wane.  This is particularly evident in the base-building phase.  Not a lot of glamor, fast running or fun runs, just getting out the door and logging the miles at whatever the pace.  Doubly hard for a 55-year old body that has been pretty lazy for the past 10 months! All that being said, I am happy to report that I broke 50 miles per week for the first time in memory.  I certainly didn't run very fast, but I felt pretty good most of the week and encouraged to the point that I can up the miles and intensity for the coming week.  I think I will keep my increases to about 10% per week, while also introducing some intensity on Tuesdays and Sundays.

 

Honestly, I am not sure what my fitness level is.  Truth be told, I am bit scared to find out.  I have been looking at the calendar, trying to find a race is next on the list.  Probably start with a 5K and get a quick snapshot of where I am at.  I am hoping that I can get close to a 20-minute 5K and simply build from there.

 

Rick

Chasing 3 Hours: Running Motivation

Chasing 3 Hours: Running Motivation: Its been a long time coming, but I am finally starting to gain some motivation after almost 11 months of floundering.  A couple of things h...

Running Motivation

Its been a long time coming, but I am finally starting to gain some motivation after almost 11 months of floundering.  A couple of things happened.  First, I signed up for a race; not just me but both of my kids.  While we have been taking part in some friendly trash-talking, this race will be less of a competition and more of a celebration.  Celebrating the joys of running, not just for myself, but for my daughter, who epitomizes strength and  determination.  Never met a person who works as hard as this young lady.  Also for my son, who has experienced a long absence from running, and from my life; his return is most welcome.  Never been happier to see a young man work so hard to get his life back.  Now don't get me wrong, its still a competition and while I hope they both beat me, they will have to earn it to pass this old man!

 

Second, I started reading some old posts.  I realized I am not quite ready to hang it up just yet.  I may have run my fastest races, but I still want to experience the exhilaration of racing and competing to the best of my ability.  Not ready to become a "jogger" just yet!

 

The next month or two will be devoted to simple base-building, before I kick-off a formal 5K training plan in mid-April.   I managed 46 miles this week with a couple of quality runs.  The first as an 8-mile progression starting at 9:00 pace and finishing in 6:23 and Sunday's 9 miler included some serious hills and 8X100m strides.  Physically I feel good and mentally I feel ready to go!

 

Happy Running!

Rick

Chasing 3 Hours: The Need to Blog

Chasing 3 Hours: The Need to Blog: It has been a long time between blog posts.  I have not had much to write about, running-wise, so I went silent.  I missed writing my blog,...

The Need to Blog

It has been a long time between blog posts.  I have not had much to write about, running-wise, so I went silent.  I missed writing my blog, so here I am.  I've been posting pretty consistently for about 6 years and I think I will continue to write, even if no one reads them.  They are a wonderful reference for my running plans and I really enjoy looking back on some of the older posts.  Did I really run that many miles?  Wow, that was a pretty speedy 5K I ran back in 2012!  Good stuff and better memories.  Plus, I actually heard from a few of you, telling me they were missing my posts. 

 

I still don't have a lot to talk about in regards to my running.  Maintaining a base of 35 to 45 miles per week.  Throwing in some quality here and there and kinda thinking that I can get back into sub 1:30 half marathon shape by the time the Winter Carnival Half rolls around in January.  I go out on Sunday's and see how far I can run in 90 minutes.  I am getting close to 12 miles, so I am not too far away.  Looking for inspiration where I can, but really just enjoying my running and taking it one day at a time.

 

Lost a running friend this week.  I met Keith Ainsworth about 7 years ago while I was working at the Running Room and leading the Wednesday night run club.  We have ran together almost every Wednesday for those seven years, until pancreatic cancer slowed our runs to walks and those walks eventually ended last Tuesday.  Through 5 plus years of chemo, Keith rarely missed a run, never complained and never felt sorry for himself.  He handled his illness with grace, dignity and courage.  What an inspiration; the true meaning of perseverance.  Our Wednesday runs will never be the same.  RIP Keith.

Best,
Rick

What I Did Over my Summer Vacation

First off, let me tell what I didn't do over my summer vacation.  I did no competitive racing.  I had a couple of decent races very early summer, mainly off the fumes of my Boston training, then realized during the MDRA 15k that 30 miles per week of jogging and racing do not mix.  Really hit home today when I passed on the Victory 10k after 7 years in a row.

So, what did I do?

• I became quite good at reading and interpreting the Daily Racing Form.  I am a long way from making any money as a handicapper, but am currently a "break-even" sort!
• Went on a wonderful road trip to Montana with my (no kids) and rediscovered how much in love I still am with Kristen.  Nice to know that after 25 years we still have so much to talk about and enjoy each other's company.
• I got a colonoscopy; they are always fun.  The narcotics and muscle relaxants were worth the price of admission and finding out you don't have colon cancer is a plus.  
• I wanted to be able to list the fact that my yard was finally back in shape, but that didn't happen.  I did make an honest effort through June, but even with the extra time, I realized I just can't make myself do things I hate. How bad is it?  All I need is to add a broken down appliance and rusted out pick up truck to complete the "look." Looking forward to the day when we move into a condo!  I've been mowing the yard for most of the past 45 years and it has lost its charm!
• I have a new job title.  Business Intelligence Manager.  Enough said.
• I got new glasses.  Not a radical change. It was the same week as my colonoscopy.  I pretty much did all the health maintenance stuff in a week off this summer.  Eyes, teeth, complete physical.  Turns out I am okay.  
• I gained 12 pounds.  Yeah, I know, it doesn't show.
• Bought a pair of running shoes that weigh more than 8 oz.  I was feeling old and the extra cushion of some Brooks Ghosts was a welcome relief.
• I ran a 5k race that was almost 3 minutes slower than my current PR and the world didn't come to an end.  Turns out it's not that big a deal in the grand scheme of things.
• Discovered that 55 is a pretty good age.  I may have to work a little harder to get less than stellar results, but I think I am up for the challenge.

Now time to stop looking back and plan forward for the next "great" running or non-running adventure.

Rick