Let the Dam Jokes Begin

I planned a trip to Des Moines to take part in two other activities out side if running that I enjoy, horse racing and baseball.  I would handicap the races during the day and watch an Iowa Cubs game at night.  Never to be one to leave well enough alone, I looked up to see if there were any races the week-end that I was visiting Des Moines.  Lo and behold, not only was there a race, but a the biggest and longest running road race in Iowa history.  It is the Dam to Dan Half Marathon.  Named that because it starts north of Des Moines at the dam across Saylorville Lake and ends near the dam at the Des Moines river downtown.  8,000 runners for the half and 2,000 for the 5K.  Looking at the finishing times from the past two year, I figured if I could  get in decent shape by June 3rd, I would could win the "old guys" division.  What a week-end, play the horses Friday, race on Saturday, play the horses again that day and watch the Iowa Cubs that night.  Then of course, more horse-racing Sunday!

 

And if you need some inspiration for dam jokes, see the link below.

 

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=national+lampoon%27s+vacation+hoover+dam&view=detail&mid=B5562558D7461B640EE3B5562558D7461B640EE3&FORM=VIRE

 

I also hit my mileage goal for the week, making it to 56 despite taking a day off.  I am finding my endurance is coming back quickly, but speed is a reluctant to make a comeback.  A 6:52 pace is doable, but it takes a lot of warning up to get there and is short lived.  I am hoping that after another few weeks of pounding out 60 and 70 mile weeks, I will se my paces start to drop.

 

Few things are more motivating that a new pair if shoes.  Even if they do resemble clown shoes!  These are my new Altra One 1.5.  Anyone ready to go bowling!

 

Have a good week everyone!

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