ORN: 10.2 miles, 1:36:54, 9:30 pace
I was seriously hoping for a pain-free long run this morning and I got it. Did some extra stretching of the Left ITB (per Susie's suggestion..thanks!) and got through the entire run with no knee problems. I kept holding back, not wanting to push it too much, figuring if it could heal up with moderate effort, it would be wise.
So, the splits for today turned out to be:
9 44, 9 14, 9 43, 9 26, 9 36;
9 22, 9 41, 9 29, 9 36, 9 14 and 1 44 (@ 8 42 pace)
Not awesome, but I'm pleased.
I was into the run and other thoughts so much this morning I completely passed my first stashed water bottle. I've found a perfectly-shaped-for-a-water-bottle crook in a tree at a spot I pass three times on my long run. I fill up an old soda bottle and can stick it there the night before a long run, as it is right on my way home from work. And I almost spaced the first pass this morning. Not so much a "runner's high" as a "runner's space."
So, next Saturday, a half marathon in Indy. Weather is always a question...it can get warm and muggy by the first weekend in May here...we'll see how it turns out. Do I go for a sub 2?? Right now I'm thinking I will.
Persevere.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Commenting on Comments
ORN: Tuesday: 4 miles, moderate
Wednesday: 5 miles, easy
Thursday: 3 miles, felt stiff and flat
The Running Chick asked more about my knee I've complained about the past few days. as she had a similar-sounding problem after her first marathon.
It's a little odd, in that I've never quite felt something like this before. On a long run last Saturday and on a hard run last Monday, I was doing fine, very fine. Then, in fairly short order the L knee developed a pain on the outside portion. Enough that I had to slow (on Monday) or walk (on Saturday). The long run pain came after 8 miles at a 9:20 pace. Monday's run crunched after 4.8 miles at 8:55.
On Wednesday and today, as noted above, I still ran and had no knee pain at all. Felt a little stiff and flat on Wednsday and stiff again this morning. I credit this morning, though, to having umpired a baseball game (behind the plate) the night before!
Any wisdom there for me??
Regarding running plans, one of the fun events of the running year in Indiana hits next Saturday with the One America Mini Marathon, where I'll gather with 35,000 of my closest friends and do 13.1 miles in Indianapolis, including 1.25 laps of the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I have not decided yet if this will be my target race for a sub 2 hour half. If not then (and it depends on the knee), I'll shoot for the sub 2 in South Bend on June 3, in a cool half marathon that finishes at the 50 yard line of Notre Dame Stadium. Then, another half in Parkersburg, WV on August 19. Why Parkersburg? Because my sister lives there and I can sleep for free.
The next Marathon is on October 1, in Portland Oregon. Many rank it among the top 10 in US marathons. My middle son lives and works in Portland (do you see a theme developing here??) so I can combine a trip to see him with a cool marathon. Then there is a chance I'll do the St Jude Marathon in Memphis on Dec 2 to finish out the year. I'm already targeting the Marine Corp Marathon in the fall of 2007 and maybe the San Diego R&R in June 2007.
Or I might collapse in a heap and not run another one. Naaaaaaaaah. Way too much fun.
Persevere.
Wednesday: 5 miles, easy
Thursday: 3 miles, felt stiff and flat
The Running Chick asked more about my knee I've complained about the past few days. as she had a similar-sounding problem after her first marathon.
It's a little odd, in that I've never quite felt something like this before. On a long run last Saturday and on a hard run last Monday, I was doing fine, very fine. Then, in fairly short order the L knee developed a pain on the outside portion. Enough that I had to slow (on Monday) or walk (on Saturday). The long run pain came after 8 miles at a 9:20 pace. Monday's run crunched after 4.8 miles at 8:55.
On Wednesday and today, as noted above, I still ran and had no knee pain at all. Felt a little stiff and flat on Wednsday and stiff again this morning. I credit this morning, though, to having umpired a baseball game (behind the plate) the night before!
Any wisdom there for me??
Regarding running plans, one of the fun events of the running year in Indiana hits next Saturday with the One America Mini Marathon, where I'll gather with 35,000 of my closest friends and do 13.1 miles in Indianapolis, including 1.25 laps of the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I have not decided yet if this will be my target race for a sub 2 hour half. If not then (and it depends on the knee), I'll shoot for the sub 2 in South Bend on June 3, in a cool half marathon that finishes at the 50 yard line of Notre Dame Stadium. Then, another half in Parkersburg, WV on August 19. Why Parkersburg? Because my sister lives there and I can sleep for free.
The next Marathon is on October 1, in Portland Oregon. Many rank it among the top 10 in US marathons. My middle son lives and works in Portland (do you see a theme developing here??) so I can combine a trip to see him with a cool marathon. Then there is a chance I'll do the St Jude Marathon in Memphis on Dec 2 to finish out the year. I'm already targeting the Marine Corp Marathon in the fall of 2007 and maybe the San Diego R&R in June 2007.
Or I might collapse in a heap and not run another one. Naaaaaaaaah. Way too much fun.
Persevere.
Monday, April 24, 2006
Marathon Photos
Finally had some time post a few photos from the St Louis Marathon. Enjoy!
Here is a shot my brother-in-law took of me near mile 22. I was still feeling pretty good at this point, was just gettins set to turn to my right and head back downtown. It was sure wonderful to see a familiar face and let him know I was feeling good and was pretty confident I was going to finish. He promptly called my wife, (his sister) and let her know I was not laying in a ditch somewhere. She was grateful.
I also experimented in this race by putting my name in big letters on the front of my shirt. What fun!! I got a lot of encouraging comments. As hokie as it sounds, it was a real boost to have a steady stream of "Way to go, Joe!" all the way along. Now, the brothers from Pi Kappa Alpha at one of the local universities were a little too well lubricated for that early on a Sunday morning and they were over the top...but the rest were great. I'll wear it again.
Meet Nichole. We ran the first half of the marathon together. She was a delightful third-year nursing student who was running her first marathon. She has a great future in pediatrics. Her ability to speak comfortably with people and put them at ease will be a wonderful gift to sick kids and their parents for years to come. She even tolerated running with a guy that she realized was plenty old enough to be her father...thanks Nichole for humoring me!!
About a week after the race, I received the nicest greeting card from her in the mail. She had tracked down my snail-mail address and wrote to thank me for encouraging her though the first 13 miles! She then battled some side stitches and all the fatigue associated with 26.2. But she persevred and this is her at the finish! Way to go Nichole!!
Here I am just yards from the finish. By this point, I had the biggest, cheesiest grin on my face, despite how tired my legs were. It hit me that I was done, I was a marathoner again. I couldn't quit smiling...even if I was two full hours behind the winner...who cares??
No it doesn't look like I'm running....but I was, honest...bummer of timing on the shutter though...the guy behind me has HIS feet off the ground...maybe next time....
And it's official. Crossing the mats, hand on watch.
What fun. And worth persevering for.
Here is a shot my brother-in-law took of me near mile 22. I was still feeling pretty good at this point, was just gettins set to turn to my right and head back downtown. It was sure wonderful to see a familiar face and let him know I was feeling good and was pretty confident I was going to finish. He promptly called my wife, (his sister) and let her know I was not laying in a ditch somewhere. She was grateful.
I also experimented in this race by putting my name in big letters on the front of my shirt. What fun!! I got a lot of encouraging comments. As hokie as it sounds, it was a real boost to have a steady stream of "Way to go, Joe!" all the way along. Now, the brothers from Pi Kappa Alpha at one of the local universities were a little too well lubricated for that early on a Sunday morning and they were over the top...but the rest were great. I'll wear it again.
Meet Nichole. We ran the first half of the marathon together. She was a delightful third-year nursing student who was running her first marathon. She has a great future in pediatrics. Her ability to speak comfortably with people and put them at ease will be a wonderful gift to sick kids and their parents for years to come. She even tolerated running with a guy that she realized was plenty old enough to be her father...thanks Nichole for humoring me!!About a week after the race, I received the nicest greeting card from her in the mail. She had tracked down my snail-mail address and wrote to thank me for encouraging her though the first 13 miles! She then battled some side stitches and all the fatigue associated with 26.2. But she persevred and this is her at the finish! Way to go Nichole!!
Here I am just yards from the finish. By this point, I had the biggest, cheesiest grin on my face, despite how tired my legs were. It hit me that I was done, I was a marathoner again. I couldn't quit smiling...even if I was two full hours behind the winner...who cares??
No it doesn't look like I'm running....but I was, honest...bummer of timing on the shutter though...the guy behind me has HIS feet off the ground...maybe next time....
And it's official. Crossing the mats, hand on watch.
What fun. And worth persevering for.
Whatever the name, it was a good run
ORN: 5 miles, at pace, tempo or something, 44:47, 8:57/mile
With my left knee huring somewhat Saturday, I skipped the Sunday run and did it this morning instead. My objective was to run 5 miles at race pace for the half marathon, which, on my Garmin, is 9:02/mile.
After a warm up, I flipped on the training mode and off I went. And it went smoothly. Splits were 8 47, 8 56, 8 59, 8 57 and 9 03. Better, it felt fairly easy. Never did feel like I was pushing.
Bummer...the last quarter mile saw my left knee talking to me again. Since I'm two weeks post marathon, I pay attention to it.
Will do an easy five tomorrow. Will I get in a full 12, as scheduled, on Saturday?? Stay tuned.
Persevere. Knee pain or not.
With my left knee huring somewhat Saturday, I skipped the Sunday run and did it this morning instead. My objective was to run 5 miles at race pace for the half marathon, which, on my Garmin, is 9:02/mile.
After a warm up, I flipped on the training mode and off I went. And it went smoothly. Splits were 8 47, 8 56, 8 59, 8 57 and 9 03. Better, it felt fairly easy. Never did feel like I was pushing.
Bummer...the last quarter mile saw my left knee talking to me again. Since I'm two weeks post marathon, I pay attention to it.
Will do an easy five tomorrow. Will I get in a full 12, as scheduled, on Saturday?? Stay tuned.
Persevere. Knee pain or not.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
The Marathon Keeps Teaching
ORN: 7 miles running, 2 miles walking.
Went out this morning, intending to do 11 miles at 9:30. Man, it felt good. The form felt quiet, smooth, comfortable. The first five miles went off at 9 07, 9 25, 9 19, 9 30, 9 07.
It just felt super. Moving on to miles 6 and 7, it just kept rolling, as I turned them at 9 13 and 9 10. I was doing calculations on my goal of a sub 2 hour half marathon, figuring I had a shot at it in Indy on May 6.
Then, I felt it.
My left knee, very quickly, developed a dull but clear ache. Some quick thinking reminded me I was only 13 days away from the Marathon. And so not surprising.
Unusually for me, I backed it off,cut the route short and walked it home.
It was a beautiful spring day...just wonderful to be out, so it was enjoyable simply being in the sunshine. And the lesson of remembering the seriousness of the marathon distance. It is a clear teacher, a taskmaster, a distance not taken lightly.
Good stuff. Persevere.
Went out this morning, intending to do 11 miles at 9:30. Man, it felt good. The form felt quiet, smooth, comfortable. The first five miles went off at 9 07, 9 25, 9 19, 9 30, 9 07.
It just felt super. Moving on to miles 6 and 7, it just kept rolling, as I turned them at 9 13 and 9 10. I was doing calculations on my goal of a sub 2 hour half marathon, figuring I had a shot at it in Indy on May 6.
Then, I felt it.
My left knee, very quickly, developed a dull but clear ache. Some quick thinking reminded me I was only 13 days away from the Marathon. And so not surprising.
Unusually for me, I backed it off,cut the route short and walked it home.
It was a beautiful spring day...just wonderful to be out, so it was enjoyable simply being in the sunshine. And the lesson of remembering the seriousness of the marathon distance. It is a clear teacher, a taskmaster, a distance not taken lightly.
Good stuff. Persevere.
Friday, April 21, 2006
Small Wonder I Can't Dance...
...'cause I have no tempo.
ORN
Wednesday: 5.3 miles, tempo run
Friday: 3 miles, nice pace
With the marathon behind me, I'm now tuning for half marathons on May 6 and June 3. Using Hal Higdon's program, as I have for some time, I find this thing called a "tempo run" on the docket every other Wednesday. But what is it??
Higdon calls the tempo run a "thinking man's run." Well, this man feels a bit dull of thought, because I have never really "got it." From other blogs, though, I took a guess. Which is to run each mile at a different pace, building to some level of push towards the end of the run.
So, Garmin strapped on, out I went on Wednesday (note: which also demanded I clear my marathon finishing time...a moment of sadness). I took the first mile easy, as the legs take a little longer to warm up right now. Time of 10:48.
I decided to try to do mile 2 at 9:00 per mile. Off I went and hit the mile 2 spot at 9:02. Good.
Now, to back off, I decided to have mile 3 at 9:30. Easier. Well, too easy, it turned out, as the actual was 9:42.
OK, so let's crank it to 8:45 for mile four. Pushed it more. Not enough. 8:54.
So, I'm heading home, still enjoying the run. Let's do it at 9:15. Nope. Mile 5 was at 8:54 as well.
The good news?? 10 days after a marathon I had a quality, hard run. That was cool.
Bad news?? Not much of a grasp of tempo.
I welcome any comments on what I might do to help this out. I kind of liked the varying of the pace...made for some mental stimulation. But I didn't feel I got all I could have out of it.
Persevere!!
ORN
Wednesday: 5.3 miles, tempo run
Friday: 3 miles, nice pace
With the marathon behind me, I'm now tuning for half marathons on May 6 and June 3. Using Hal Higdon's program, as I have for some time, I find this thing called a "tempo run" on the docket every other Wednesday. But what is it??
Higdon calls the tempo run a "thinking man's run." Well, this man feels a bit dull of thought, because I have never really "got it." From other blogs, though, I took a guess. Which is to run each mile at a different pace, building to some level of push towards the end of the run.
So, Garmin strapped on, out I went on Wednesday (note: which also demanded I clear my marathon finishing time...a moment of sadness). I took the first mile easy, as the legs take a little longer to warm up right now. Time of 10:48.
I decided to try to do mile 2 at 9:00 per mile. Off I went and hit the mile 2 spot at 9:02. Good.
Now, to back off, I decided to have mile 3 at 9:30. Easier. Well, too easy, it turned out, as the actual was 9:42.
OK, so let's crank it to 8:45 for mile four. Pushed it more. Not enough. 8:54.
So, I'm heading home, still enjoying the run. Let's do it at 9:15. Nope. Mile 5 was at 8:54 as well.
The good news?? 10 days after a marathon I had a quality, hard run. That was cool.
Bad news?? Not much of a grasp of tempo.
I welcome any comments on what I might do to help this out. I kind of liked the varying of the pace...made for some mental stimulation. But I didn't feel I got all I could have out of it.
Persevere!!
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Connections
ORN: 5 miles, decent pace
The Boston Marathon happened yesterday. Big news in running, even in the regular sports pages. But unlike most big events, regular folks can participate.
We had several from our local running club run. And, in some cool technology, each time they ran over the timing mats at 10km, half marathon, 30km and finish, they could select up to three email addresses to fire off the time! Sooooo, working with our local club's webmaster, several of our runners chose an local club email address that he set up to then zap our entire running club with the progress! The bottom line was about 20 emails informing us of the pace and progress of our local pals!
It gets better.....
This morning on my regular running route, I saw the wife of one of the guys who ran. She was getting her daily run in and I could greet her, knowing Tony's time already and the fact that the second half of the race must have been tough! She filled me in on the details and how the late hills gobbled him up. Yet the experience was awesome.
Cool.
A world class event. And, in the very same event, regular folks participating, at the same time, over the same course. Would I ever get to see a single pitch at a game in Wrigley Field?? I wish, but no, never. A chance to make an inbounds pass to a fellow Boilermaker at Mackey Arena? Nope. Run in a race with world-class runners? Yep.
Very cool.
Persevere.
The Boston Marathon happened yesterday. Big news in running, even in the regular sports pages. But unlike most big events, regular folks can participate.
We had several from our local running club run. And, in some cool technology, each time they ran over the timing mats at 10km, half marathon, 30km and finish, they could select up to three email addresses to fire off the time! Sooooo, working with our local club's webmaster, several of our runners chose an local club email address that he set up to then zap our entire running club with the progress! The bottom line was about 20 emails informing us of the pace and progress of our local pals!
It gets better.....
This morning on my regular running route, I saw the wife of one of the guys who ran. She was getting her daily run in and I could greet her, knowing Tony's time already and the fact that the second half of the race must have been tough! She filled me in on the details and how the late hills gobbled him up. Yet the experience was awesome.
Cool.
A world class event. And, in the very same event, regular folks participating, at the same time, over the same course. Would I ever get to see a single pitch at a game in Wrigley Field?? I wish, but no, never. A chance to make an inbounds pass to a fellow Boilermaker at Mackey Arena? Nope. Run in a race with world-class runners? Yep.
Very cool.
Persevere.
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