Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Big Shoes, a Little Race and a Pair of Shorts

ORN:Sunday; 5.2 miles, R3/W2, 10:53 pace
Sunday: 2 miles, 2/2
Tuesday: 3 miles, 3/1, 10:22 pace

It is fun to be encouraged about running again!

I just finished my fourth consecutive week of consistent running. That hasn’t happened since September. I’ve missed it.

So far, I’m quite pleased with the Brooks Beasts I bought last Friday. Yeeeeesh, they are big shoes. I put them on and feel as if I should add a red nose and a wig and just BE a clown, since I already have the feet for the act. Yet they are very comfortable while running and don’t feel big. Best of all, I’m having no discomfort from the ITB. And, that’s key.

I’m also getting used to (and liking) the run/walk routine. With many thanks to advice from Michelle of
The Back of the Pack, I’m starting with a low ratio and gradually working up. What has surprised me very much is the overall pace I’m doing, even with the walking. The target now will be to get to an 8/1 or 9/1 ratio, but we’ll see how it goes.

With this encouraging news, I’m going to run a race this Saturday! The local YMCA has a training series for the
OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, the huge half marathon in Indy on May 5. The 10km event is this week. $5 entry fee for a small, no-frills, local 10K. Very cool. While it will be fun to be in a race, I’m mostly interested in starting to get used to the psychology of the run/walk in a race. Particularly the ego-bruising of being passed every time I walk. But, man, it is fun to have a race to look forward to.

And, to top it all off, I got up to run this morning and the thermometer said 38F. Well, according to my
temperature chart, that is the threshold for wearing shorts! So, out I went, with 17” of snow still on the ground (though it is melting) and I ran in shorts. It was invigorating. And, at 5:30am, probably made a few drivers wonder if they should get a double shot cappuccino on the way to work.

Persevere.

8 comments:

Wes said...

Shorts? You animal!! LOL. I do the run/walk thing as well, and I did some experimentation. I still managed to pull a sub-28 training run using R3/W1, so I wouldn't worry to much about your ratio. Find something you are happy with. For my long ones I usually do R10/W1 because I am running in Zone 2 at alike 11-12 minute miles. I just don't feel like stopping! It did surprise me too that the walk break just didn't affect my overall time that much. Good luck in the race Saturday. I'm excited for you!!

Backofpack said...

Joe,
I like the 9/1 for a silly reason - it is easy to figure out where I am with a glance at my watch. When I've run a 7/1 I found that I have to do math to figure out where I am in the cycle. That's hard! I printed up a little laminated chart to use with the 7/1 in the Seattle marathon. For the last marathon and the 50K I stuck with 9/1.

I'm so glad you are out running and all is well! Eric wears shorts at those temps too. I did in the fall, but now that I've been in tights a while, it's hard to go back...

IronWaddler said...

I love the run/ walk. If you read Galloway some people have actually decreased their times alot while staying injury free.

Glad the shoes are working out.

Unknown said...

haha...this made me grin. can't wait to read how the race goes on saturday, but the best part of the post was the shorts in 17" of snow. now i know why you and dianna are so tight. you're both a little nuts.

=)

Jenny, Maniac #401 said...

Joe-
yikes! Shorts in 38 degrees! You are brave. I suppose if the sun was shining and there was no wind I could manage. Right now if it is 50 degrees I'll wear shorts! I am so glad to hear that the IT is not bothering you! It is so nice to run pain free.
Well, as for my 15 miler, 2hours would be nice, but if it's longer, that's okay too. I finished a half in 2 hours and I figure I'm in better shape now, so, I'll give it a go.
I bought the counter so that I wouldn't have to count laps at the Y track. It's hard to keep track after a while. I also figure Paul could use it for coaching if he needed. He'll use it also at the track when he can run again.
Good luck with your 10K this weekend. And, congrats on perservering through a tough injury to get over. There islight at the end of the tunnel!
-Jenny

Sarah said...

Have fun at your race this weekend! You are being very smart about your comeback. Glad your ITB is happy!

Darrell said...

I'm sure you'll do fine with the run/walk during the race. That technique got me through my first 7 marathons. I used it in my first half as well and the whole 13.1 miles I would get passed by a certain couple during my walk breaks, then I would catch and overtake them on the run parts. We ended up finishing within seconds of each other. Enjoy the race no matter, I know you will.

P.S. Doesn't everybody run in shorts in February?

Anne K. said...

Hey, Joe, good luck today! Can't wait to read all about it!

Love,
Anne