First week of marathon training and first weekend at our new house! Yesterday we ran five miles with our brother-in-law Brandon(and a little at the end with my 7 months pregnant sister), then spent the rest of the day tanning our pasty selves at the beach. Yesterday was perfect weather, low humidity, sunny, 80 degrees. Today we opted to eat brunch with Steph and Brandon and wait til this evening for our long run. Well, actually I would have preferred to get it over with before brunch but I was out-voted. It was raining and I guess some of us didn't want to run in the rain.
*clears throat* Ahem.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Friday, June 3, 2011
Good Company
Well the saying, "You are who you hang out with" holds good value.
To be an athlete, especially a competitive athlete, you need to be aware of this. Your company is influential in more ways than you ever could imagine.
Think of your room mates, your closest friends, your team mates, your family, your class mates, and your coworkers. Think of how often you revolve your actions around these people. You eat with them, you play and relax with them, you philosophize with them, and you even develop your sleep habits around them.
So who are these people? How do they help you? How do you help them? Are they helping or hurting your cause and your short and long term goals?
Always great questions to ask yourself, especially for those training and who have specific goals set for themselves.
It's not selfish to make these evaluations and act on them. It's not "Un-Christian-like". It simply holds true that you are positively and/or negatively affected by your company in some way. And with personal goals, come standards that you have to set for yourself.
This weekend, I will be blessed with the opportunity to see my sister and brother in-law as they are making the trip down from NY to hang. They are both road race runners and Brandon participates in triathlons as well. We've all made it a point to spend time with each other despite the large distance of interstate and numerous state lines between us. Biggest reason- they are family. But to keep on topic- they are such positive company. We've all made it a point to go on runs together, enter and run races together all over the east coast, lend ideas to each other considering lifestyle and health, and even just lay around the beach and pool. Seriously, just good people.
Today is a day off from training and tomorrow will begin it again, but mark my words- I will be in the waves at the beach tomorrow! Have a good one people, hope your company is great.
To be an athlete, especially a competitive athlete, you need to be aware of this. Your company is influential in more ways than you ever could imagine.
Think of your room mates, your closest friends, your team mates, your family, your class mates, and your coworkers. Think of how often you revolve your actions around these people. You eat with them, you play and relax with them, you philosophize with them, and you even develop your sleep habits around them.
So who are these people? How do they help you? How do you help them? Are they helping or hurting your cause and your short and long term goals?
Always great questions to ask yourself, especially for those training and who have specific goals set for themselves.
It's not selfish to make these evaluations and act on them. It's not "Un-Christian-like". It simply holds true that you are positively and/or negatively affected by your company in some way. And with personal goals, come standards that you have to set for yourself.
This weekend, I will be blessed with the opportunity to see my sister and brother in-law as they are making the trip down from NY to hang. They are both road race runners and Brandon participates in triathlons as well. We've all made it a point to spend time with each other despite the large distance of interstate and numerous state lines between us. Biggest reason- they are family. But to keep on topic- they are such positive company. We've all made it a point to go on runs together, enter and run races together all over the east coast, lend ideas to each other considering lifestyle and health, and even just lay around the beach and pool. Seriously, just good people.
Today is a day off from training and tomorrow will begin it again, but mark my words- I will be in the waves at the beach tomorrow! Have a good one people, hope your company is great.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Night running
Sunshine is delicious,
Rain is refreshing,
Wind braces us up,
Snow is exhilarating,
There's really no such thing as bad weather,
Only different kinds of good weather.
-John Ruskin
I do not advocate night running for obvious safety reasons, but we had no choice today. It was really hot and humid again, and we had a lot of work to do on the house so we didn't even start our 8 miler until 8:45. For some reason running in the dark makes me feel like I'm running super fast. I think all of my track PRs occurred in the dark (well, under the lights of course) so maybe it's not an illusion and I just run faster because I'm scared of the dark.
Tomorrow I am taking the day off from running. Our training plan calls for a 9 mile run, but Pete and I need to get our house ready for guests this weekend, and I'm going to be at a track meet for most of the day. We ran a little longer today to make up for it, but there's nothing wrong with skipping a day when you need to.
Rain is refreshing,
Wind braces us up,
Snow is exhilarating,
There's really no such thing as bad weather,
Only different kinds of good weather.
-John Ruskin
I do not advocate night running for obvious safety reasons, but we had no choice today. It was really hot and humid again, and we had a lot of work to do on the house so we didn't even start our 8 miler until 8:45. For some reason running in the dark makes me feel like I'm running super fast. I think all of my track PRs occurred in the dark (well, under the lights of course) so maybe it's not an illusion and I just run faster because I'm scared of the dark.
Tomorrow I am taking the day off from running. Our training plan calls for a 9 mile run, but Pete and I need to get our house ready for guests this weekend, and I'm going to be at a track meet for most of the day. We ran a little longer today to make up for it, but there's nothing wrong with skipping a day when you need to.
Balance People, Balance
I know it has been thought and perhaps even said aloud within certain company, but here it goes. People who exercise a lot (and by a lot I mean at least an hour + a day throughout the week) can be weird. Don't let this offend you, because I know how to fix this.
Here's the thing, if you are obsessed with workouts (RUNNERS!) you've got to chill out a bit, or at least know the art of balance. Balance means taking important aspects in life and giving them all equal opportunity. If you are OK with allowing most of your time and life to be devoted to workouts, well... "Houston, we've got a problem".
I've trained personally, observed my wife's training habits on a professional running level and trained "regular" adults as their hired personal trainer. All of us succeeded in not becoming the recluses of training. The object is to enjoy your training, seek the challenge and succeed, but seriously, leave the training there in that hour or two and move on with other important parts of your life when you complete the daily task.
I've worked with 2 different types of people. The reluctant and the obsessed. The reluctant people are unable or don't want to devote a full hour session a day to a workout, so they figure, "What's the point if I can't spend enough time working out each day to make a difference?". That's fine you feel that way. But now balance it out. No time for a 1 hour session? Make room for two 30 minute sessions a day. Maybe 3 days of two 30 min. sessions and 2 days of one 1 hr. sessions. It works, and it's the alternative to being fat and disappointed in yourself. Trust me, you won't "figure it out later".
The obsessed only want to train. They focus on it all day and then when they finish, it's about the next day and the next... They don't find time to relax, they make time with others miserable for the others! People, we love that you are a die hard worker. We're proud of you and sometimes amazed at your ability, but it's about working it out and balancing your life.
Make the choice to value your health over laziness and disease and strive to push yourself to experience accomplishments. But here's the kicker, make it a point to balance this with other important parts of your life. Don't turn it into an obsession that impedes on other important aspects of your life (like people and relaxation). That's how it works best. Balance people.
Day 2- Went outside after my morning class in 95+ degree F to run 11 miles. I was extremely optimistic, hydrated and driven. I approached mile 6 and felt like I was going to fall out. Here's the balance application:
I wished the 11 was done in one session, but it wasn't possible. I could have rested for 20 minutes, gone back out and tackled more, but I've got other things I need to do in the day. So I had to break it up. I called the workout, showered, went to my new house and took care of some projects in the AC. I even drank a beer while I worked. The follow up run came later. It's all getting done, just not quite as I originally projected. Between me and the support of my wife, I'll stay accountable in training, but there are other necessities that I need to accomplish. And I will gladly find a way to make it all happen.
Here's the thing, if you are obsessed with workouts (RUNNERS!) you've got to chill out a bit, or at least know the art of balance. Balance means taking important aspects in life and giving them all equal opportunity. If you are OK with allowing most of your time and life to be devoted to workouts, well... "Houston, we've got a problem".
I've trained personally, observed my wife's training habits on a professional running level and trained "regular" adults as their hired personal trainer. All of us succeeded in not becoming the recluses of training. The object is to enjoy your training, seek the challenge and succeed, but seriously, leave the training there in that hour or two and move on with other important parts of your life when you complete the daily task.
I've worked with 2 different types of people. The reluctant and the obsessed. The reluctant people are unable or don't want to devote a full hour session a day to a workout, so they figure, "What's the point if I can't spend enough time working out each day to make a difference?". That's fine you feel that way. But now balance it out. No time for a 1 hour session? Make room for two 30 minute sessions a day. Maybe 3 days of two 30 min. sessions and 2 days of one 1 hr. sessions. It works, and it's the alternative to being fat and disappointed in yourself. Trust me, you won't "figure it out later".
The obsessed only want to train. They focus on it all day and then when they finish, it's about the next day and the next... They don't find time to relax, they make time with others miserable for the others! People, we love that you are a die hard worker. We're proud of you and sometimes amazed at your ability, but it's about working it out and balancing your life.
Make the choice to value your health over laziness and disease and strive to push yourself to experience accomplishments. But here's the kicker, make it a point to balance this with other important parts of your life. Don't turn it into an obsession that impedes on other important aspects of your life (like people and relaxation). That's how it works best. Balance people.
Day 2- Went outside after my morning class in 95+ degree F to run 11 miles. I was extremely optimistic, hydrated and driven. I approached mile 6 and felt like I was going to fall out. Here's the balance application:
I wished the 11 was done in one session, but it wasn't possible. I could have rested for 20 minutes, gone back out and tackled more, but I've got other things I need to do in the day. So I had to break it up. I called the workout, showered, went to my new house and took care of some projects in the AC. I even drank a beer while I worked. The follow up run came later. It's all getting done, just not quite as I originally projected. Between me and the support of my wife, I'll stay accountable in training, but there are other necessities that I need to accomplish. And I will gladly find a way to make it all happen.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
National Running Day
June 1st is National Running Day... so if you haven't gone for your run yet, you still have a few hours left!
Today's workout was 11 miles. The first 6 or 7 were fine, but the last 30 minutes were awful. It was so hot, and all I kept thinking about was water, water, water. A bug flew down my throat in the last two minutes. But it's over, and I feel pretty good now.
So just to recap: alarm went off at 5:20 (although I hit the snooze and didn't get up until 6), drove 30 minutes to work, taught three classes of hyper 9th graders, left work at 2:45 because I cancelled practice today, drove home and got Bella, put together an end table and 2 chairs from Ikea and helped Pete install the Pergo floors, ran 11 miles, and now finally, we're back home waiting for the pizza! Yum!
Thank goodness school is almost out.
Today's workout was 11 miles. The first 6 or 7 were fine, but the last 30 minutes were awful. It was so hot, and all I kept thinking about was water, water, water. A bug flew down my throat in the last two minutes. But it's over, and I feel pretty good now.
So just to recap: alarm went off at 5:20 (although I hit the snooze and didn't get up until 6), drove 30 minutes to work, taught three classes of hyper 9th graders, left work at 2:45 because I cancelled practice today, drove home and got Bella, put together an end table and 2 chairs from Ikea and helped Pete install the Pergo floors, ran 11 miles, and now finally, we're back home waiting for the pizza! Yum!
Thank goodness school is almost out.
Officially Registered
We are registered for the marathon! I almost panicked. Clicked on the link to go register and it said the race was full! So I write an email to the race director pleading for an entry, click send before checking what the webpage said... then I look a little closer.... ooooh. It says October 10, 2010. Yeah that was last year.
Everything's ok now, we're in, and I sent another email to the race director to apologize. Maybe I gave him a good story to tell to his friends today. Anyway, I learned my lesson, to always check for the date and time before wigging out.
Everything's ok now, we're in, and I sent another email to the race director to apologize. Maybe I gave him a good story to tell to his friends today. Anyway, I learned my lesson, to always check for the date and time before wigging out.
The Great Outdoors
What a way to begin the first day of training- heat index at 100 degrees F. Most would take it to the treadmill right? That would be the smart, safe, no-brainer option wouldn't it? Well let me describe to you this experience and let you decide...
The treadmill experience:
It all went down at my local university that I am attending to earn my VA state teaching license. I exit class and go straight to the locker room to change into my newer USATF running shorts that my wife bought me at this year's Penn Relays. My head is in a great place and I'm psyched on getting to begin my training with a solid workout.
REWIND- I had just been previously explaining to a classmate as I exited my class on the way to the locker room that I didn't run with headphones on. I told him about how I have adopted that habit for safety reasons and that I don't need to have music in my ears to keep me occupied and entertained during a run. I explained to him how I like to use my own thoughts and observe the environment around me for entertainment during my runs.
NOW- Dressed out, I'm walking from the locker room to the treadmills of the university's gym. It's May session and the gym is practically empty. It feels like the university is saving on energy costs as the facility's AC feels like it's at a stale 80 degrees F. I step on the treadmill and begin the run, starting with 2 miles at an easy warmup pace. I immediately notice my pace feels fast compared to the pace indicated on the treadmill. I figure maybe I'm just going to take a few miles to break in. After 2 miles I pick up the pace into my 4 miles of tempo. Again the treadmill indicates I'm slow as ever, but I know what condition I'm currently in and what paces I currently run and this digital pace is not anywhere close. Now discouragement and confusion are in my mind. "Is the calibration on the treadmill off?" "Am I just having a terrible day?" "And why is the Roger Federer tennis match close captioned on the tv in front of me? Can't I just watch the match and enjoy that without half the screen covered with CC text?"
I look out the enormous 2 story windows beyond the televisions and quickly realize, it's not me, it's the environment. The treadmill sucks and the room sucks. I need to step into the great outdoors. Impulsive as I am, I barely took the time to power down the treadmill before I ran down the stairs, out the security gates and front doors of the recreation center building and straight into the last 3 miles of my run. It was hot, and the sun was bright with not a single cloud in the sky, but with the improvement in my attitude and a little extra vitamin D added (thank you sunshine) I felt great and ended the workout with such a great feeling. P.S.- nailed my pace once I was outdoors.
"Endorphin city" kicked in after that and now I'm ready to enter the next workout (11 miler) with a positive attitude. And you better believe I'm running outside.
The treadmill experience:
It all went down at my local university that I am attending to earn my VA state teaching license. I exit class and go straight to the locker room to change into my newer USATF running shorts that my wife bought me at this year's Penn Relays. My head is in a great place and I'm psyched on getting to begin my training with a solid workout.
REWIND- I had just been previously explaining to a classmate as I exited my class on the way to the locker room that I didn't run with headphones on. I told him about how I have adopted that habit for safety reasons and that I don't need to have music in my ears to keep me occupied and entertained during a run. I explained to him how I like to use my own thoughts and observe the environment around me for entertainment during my runs.
NOW- Dressed out, I'm walking from the locker room to the treadmills of the university's gym. It's May session and the gym is practically empty. It feels like the university is saving on energy costs as the facility's AC feels like it's at a stale 80 degrees F. I step on the treadmill and begin the run, starting with 2 miles at an easy warmup pace. I immediately notice my pace feels fast compared to the pace indicated on the treadmill. I figure maybe I'm just going to take a few miles to break in. After 2 miles I pick up the pace into my 4 miles of tempo. Again the treadmill indicates I'm slow as ever, but I know what condition I'm currently in and what paces I currently run and this digital pace is not anywhere close. Now discouragement and confusion are in my mind. "Is the calibration on the treadmill off?" "Am I just having a terrible day?" "And why is the Roger Federer tennis match close captioned on the tv in front of me? Can't I just watch the match and enjoy that without half the screen covered with CC text?"
I look out the enormous 2 story windows beyond the televisions and quickly realize, it's not me, it's the environment. The treadmill sucks and the room sucks. I need to step into the great outdoors. Impulsive as I am, I barely took the time to power down the treadmill before I ran down the stairs, out the security gates and front doors of the recreation center building and straight into the last 3 miles of my run. It was hot, and the sun was bright with not a single cloud in the sky, but with the improvement in my attitude and a little extra vitamin D added (thank you sunshine) I felt great and ended the workout with such a great feeling. P.S.- nailed my pace once I was outdoors.
"Endorphin city" kicked in after that and now I'm ready to enter the next workout (11 miler) with a positive attitude. And you better believe I'm running outside.
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