Chasing 3 Hours: Kinda Feeling Like a Runner Again

Chasing 3 Hours: Kinda Feeling Like a Runner Again: After last week's mileage debacle, I had a pretty good bounce back week this week.  I hit my mileage goal of 54 miles and on Sunday&#39...

Kinda Feeling Like a Runner Again

After last week's mileage debacle, I had a pretty good bounce back week this week.  I hit my mileage goal of 54 miles and on Sunday's progression run, I finally felt "normal," working my way down to a 6:45ish pace by the last part of my run and was able to hold it fairly easily for a few miles.  Much better than some of my previous efforts, where it felt as though I am pulling a plow  All this after a 13 mile slow burn on Saturday.  I still have a long way to go to get back in to sub-3 territory, but it is always nice to see a little progress.

 

Next short-term goal is to get over 60 miles in the next week or so, then maybe look for a race, just to see were I am really at, fitness-wise.  And it is April, so time to make the transition from evening running to early morning runs.  April 17th, training begins for the Torchlight 5K.  I will then be in the 60 and 70 mile range comfortably and can start adding some 5K specific workouts into the routine.  Still haven't signed up for a fall marathon yet, but I am still considering Twin Cities.

 

Rick

Chasing 3 Hours: Excuses Week

Chasing 3 Hours: Excuses Week: Yeah, so this was not a good week.  Let the litany of excuses begin.  Monday started off the week well, an easy 6 turned into an easy 7, so...

Excuses Week

Yeah, so this was not a good week.  Let the litany of excuses begin.  Monday started off the week well, an easy 6 turned into an easy 7, so ahead of schedule right?  Tuesday was a planned 9 mile progression with grand plans to get down in the 6:40 range at the end of 8 or 9 miles.  I seriously must have been battling the flu bug that is going around, because not only did I not do the run, I only completed less than 5 miles, all at an easy pace and all with a very elevated heart rate (EXCUSE #1)  I knew I had a very busy work schedule this week, so I planned an off week, but Wednesday was so busy at work, I had to take the day off completely! (EXCUSE #2)  Wednesday night we went to a club to watch my son perform.  He went on late and played much longer that we thought he would, which meant I didn't get to sleep until about 2:00 am, which is about 4 plus hours past my bedtime.  I had to get up early Thursday for another busy day at work, which you guessed it; another day off! (EXCUSE #3)  Not sure why I missed Friday.  While I have solid excuses for the other missed work-outs, I chalk this one up to just being lazy. NON-EXCUSE #4)  Saturday and Sunday I completed my planned work outs, but with all the missed days, I only could muster about 35 miles this week.  Aaarrghh!

 

Also, after Sunday's workout, I probably need to rethink my goal for the Dam to Dam.  I ran 11 miles on Sunday with plans to do about 5 or 6 at or below HMP, but could only muster a couple.  Think I will aim low for a sub 1:35 and leave the extreme A goal of sub 1:30.

 

The week ahead looks pretty good, so I don't plan any excuses and hope to be back in the 50 to 60 mile range again.

Best,
Rick

Chasing 3 Hours: Let the Dam Jokes Begin

Chasing 3 Hours: 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 h...

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 ...