pre-inaugural geist half marathon

With 13 miles to run I decided to try a new route. It was announced early in the year that there will be a new half marathon with the inaugural race being next May. So I somewhat jokingly suggested it to Brooke, who took a couple of days to look it over and decide to join me.

So, starting out at about 7:30am, we headed on the route to see what it was like. Actually, it was not too bad -- even with some "dicey" moments on the side of the road with no shoulder, but these were few and far between and only for short stretches. We paid careful attention to the cars and most were nice enough to move over for us.

Felt good for most of the run, though there was a time that I was running out of steam, but the last 2.5 miles I was good. Our time wasn't bad - 2:04 with an average pace of 9:32/mile. A beautiful day out there - slightly overcast, slight breeze and low humidity -- it was just about perfect. We had a few rolling hills to deal with, but they weren't too bad. All in all, it was a good run and a good route. I think I'll be trying it again later on.

That's all for now. Happy running.

8 miles - 10x100mstrides

First off, I tried.

I left work early to get started on my 8 mile run and then my strides. I had the course all plotted out so I could get to the track and do my strides on the way back. I got to my turn around point and stopped to get a drink...I was dripping. I was hot. My sunglasses were fogged up and wet at the same time. It was not pleasant. I pushed on trying to run in the shade as much as possible, but there seemed to be a lack of it.

By the time I made it to the track, I was overheated, felt drained and I wussed out - plain and simple. It took all I had to get home (and about a half mile short of a full 8 miles at that). Perhaps I ran too hard - I averaged a 9:34/mile pace... Anyway, I cooled down while stretching, then was able to eat. I am reviewing my schedule for the week and may cut some of my runs shorter (except for Saturday's) just to ease my mileage up. I was not at a base level I should have been to begin this training plan, but I think I can still manage it - it will just require a little more effort.

On another note, during my run I met a member of the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association. I learned that they are going to be reworking the trails in Fort Harrison State Park, making them less steep in spots and making them longer. I was glad to hear about this an am looking forward to it happening (though I doubt it happens until next year).

week one over, 17 to go...

My first week of training went okay. Afterall, I didn't exactly get started out exactly as Pfitz would have had me, but nevertheless it ended on a strong note. Saturday's run was a scheduled 12 miler. The weather finally did something other than be sunny, hot and humid. It was a pleasant overcast, cool and humid.

On my drive over to the Monon Trail I drove though patches of rain. Not what I had hoped for, but better than heat. The plan was to run a few miles and then meet up with my friend Jason for at least 6 miles, then finish up my run by myself. I got there around 6:45am and got right to my run. I decided I could get in 4 miles and then see if I couldn't convince Jason to run more than 6. I finished up four miles and was back at the meeting point right on time. I didn't check my pace during this part of my run, but waited until it was all over to see how I did.

Jason was a good sport and decided he'd give 7 miles a shot, but 8 would be pushing it. So we headed north for 3.5 miles up and then back. On our way back we both felt pretty good, hitting our stride and picking up the pace. Jason picked it up the last 1/4 mile and finished up, I had just 1 mile to go so I headed down for another 1/2 mile then turned around. I met up with Jason at his place for some water and to relax.

I checked on our results and was pleasantly surprised... our splits were good, in fact we got faster towards the end...

1. 9:26/mile (solo)
2. 9:28/mile (solo)
3. 9:40/mile (solo)
4. 9:40/mile (solo)
5. 9:30/mile (started w/ Jason)
6. 9:46/mile
7. 9:37/mile
8. 9:53/mile (includes a water stop)
9. 9:08/mile
10. 9:01/mile
11. 8:59/mile (Jason's last)
12. 8:36/mile (my last)

It was a good run, it felt easy, though I was a little sore when I was done, but I stretched really well when I got home and that made a big difference. So we'll see how this weeks training goes.

This week's schedule:

Monday: 8 miles w 10x100m strides

Tuesday: Cross train

Wednesday: 10 miles

Thursday: rest

Friday: 5 mile recovery

Saturday: 13 miles

scorched earth

It was a hot one today, or so it seemed to me, so I headed to my favorite running spot for an easy 4 mile recovery run. My legs were pretty sore from yesterday's "homework" so I tried to take it easy. At first I felt like I was awkward and my form was that of a novice. I could not seem to find a rhythm, so I kept pushing on. I felt slow and I thought I was doing a good job of taking it nice and easy, but when I was finished I found out that my splits were a little fast...

1. 9:12/mile
2. 9:04/mile
3. 9:15/mile
4. 9:09/mile

Unless... maybe I am getting that fast that a 9 min/mile pace is slow...

summer school

"Yo' sound the bell, school's in sucka..."

Yes, that's right it is time for Marathon Training to start (a day before the first day of summer no less)... and I did my first homework assignment tonight - 8x400's. Admittedly I am a few days late getting started, but with the bug I had, I wasn't ready to jump right in and I am taking these first couple of weeks and using Dave Keuhl's 4 months to a 4 hour marathon training, but jumped ahead a few weeks to sort of match the Pfitz plan... crap, they sure kicked my butt... I went out way too fast and couldn't find the right pace, but I got to start somewhere. I will spare the details...

The other news is I did not go to New York this week and in fact will not be on that project afterall. On one hand, I am disappointed, but on the other, I am glad -- I am too busy and I have a lot going on in my life to be traveling so much, so it is all good.

So, it's on. I have a long 18 weeks ahead of me. Starting out this weekend is a 12 mile run -- ugh! We'll see how this goes. I think it will be up early to avoid the heat... more to follow. Until then, Happy Running!

crash and burn

Since Thursday evening I have been down and out with some sort of bug. I never get sick - well, almost never. When I do, I like to be left alone and just let myself get over what it is I have. I feel better this morning. I feel "normal" today -- slightly tired and already thinking about the 100's of things I have to do for the week. Oh, and to top it off, marathon training is supposed to start THIS WEEK! Ugh!

The good news is two weeks ago my running went pretty well. I got three mid-week runs in and then topped it off with an 11 mile run. I found out that the 11 miles was pushing it slightly. I quickly got into an ice bath when I got home. Then last week I had a nice recovery trail run on Tuesday and then that was it, I was up in Michigan for a long day on Wednesday and then busy with some side work when I started getting aches and chills. I knew I was in trouble at this point so I went to bed early and woke up feeling okay - not great, but well enough to go to work.

Yeah, that lasted until noon and it was back home for me. I slept the rest of the afternoon, was able to eat dinner, then early to bed for me again. I slept pretty much all day Saturday. I got up some time in the afternoon to sit around and try to clear my head.

Sunday I felt well enough to go to brunch with my parents for father's day, then it was back home for a nap... a much needed nap.

So now I am trying to ease back into things and it is going to be an interesting running schedule this week. Not sure how one eases into a Pfitz training plan, so I am working on some "adjustments" for the first few weeks so I do have a relapse of this weekend.

That is all for now. It is off to New York for me on Tuesday and Wednesday, so it will be an interesting week all around. I need to rest up for 12 miles this weekend...

hoosier daddy

So here's my big annoucement... I'm going to be a dad... *big smile*

Steph is 14 weeks along and is due December 5th. We'll hopefully know the sex in 6 more weeks...

motor city madness

We just got back from our Detroit wedding weekend. We had a good time seeing some old friends, and saying goodbye to some for awhile... as the couple getting married are moving to San Francisco this Thursday... they are quite the crazy couple. Not only did they get married last night, she was graduating from Med School today and they are moving to San Fransisco for her to begin her residency. All of this occurred in the span of about 4 months... we wish them the best of luck. They are a great couple.

Detroit is an interesting city - certainly not what I expected. Admittedly, I expected it to be grittier, but it was actually not bad. With that said though, the planning that went into the layout of that city sucks. I have never encountered a city whose roads were all at angles, many not at right angles to one another.

But, there were some real gems there like these:

Amazing buildings with some great detail. Almost a shame they are in a city that seemed to lack some life... There were no attractions, nothing to be downtown for except perhaps at night. Many of these building were vacant.

This will probably be the only time we visit Detroit (unless I give their marathon a try), so I was glad to get the chance to go, but I wonder if there will be a rebirth of this city? It sure has a lot of potential.

double digits

I finally made it - my long run got into double digits. A big 10 miles.

It was an interesting run for me this morning. I woke up early and got out the door by 6am. I had the route more or less planned in my head, and knew where I could add mileage if needed. So I headed out and felt a little slow and tired, probably from just getting 5-1/2 hours of sleep, but who knows.

I had a weird inner dialogue going on during my run... About mile 3: "My toes feel like they are all rubbing together. What is up with that?" "You should stop and adjust your sock" "Good idea" So, I stop and try to fix the problem, but nothing seemed to help so I pushed on... things were going as well as they could go at this point but I was dripping in sweat... "I'm drenched! I am sweating like a stuck pig!" "I believe that is bleeding like a stuck pig" "Oh, okay. I am sweating like a bleeding stuck pig!" "Never mind"

Around mile 4.5 I entered Fort Harrison State Park: "Ouch! what was that?!" "Just some bug" "Oh, I think it was an African Tsetse Fly!" "It was not a Tsetse Fly" "Well, it sounds much cooler than just saying I was bitten by some bug" "Whatever"

So the entire 3.5 miles that I was in the park I was swatting at these bugs. The good thing was they took my mind off my toes. But when I got out of the park, I noticed them again and it was becoming more uncomfortable. I finished up and was never more glad to be done with a run. My toes felt like they swelled up to twice their size. I ripped my shoes off to find just a few small blisters thankfully.

My splits were not bad:

1. 9:36
2. 9:35
3. 9:48
4. 9:32
5. 9:13
6. 9:46
7. 9:19
8. 8:34
9. 9:36
10. 9:06

That's all for now. Hope you all have a good weekend. It's off to Motown for me...