we interupt this training schedule to bring you...

LIFE

It has been awhile since I have blogged... life seems to be getting a little out of control - or at least not as orderly as I like things. Everything has its place you know. My running was going well last week. I got all my runs in, went to dinner on Friday night where I ordered a pasta dish that apparently did not agree with me at all and left me hurling all night. Needless to say, my 14 mile long run the next day did not happen, nor did it happen the next day. A big "bagel" for mileage this past weekend.

Then my work schedule kept me from getting any runs in early on in the week. I was up early to go to Michigan Monday morning, not getting back until 11pm, then up at 4:30am on Tuesday to go to an early meeting, working late to try to "catch up" which didn't do any good. Then it was up early again to go to Michigan on Wednesday, getting back around 7pm, but feeling so incredibly drained that running would not have been a good idea. I literally had no time to get a run in. It has left me stressed out and reconsidering running a marathon this fall. I do not like it when I fall short of my goals and I really do not like missing any of my runs.

After my day at work yesterday, I left just a few minutes early to get home a go for a run. I needed it, I needed an outlet for my stress and frustration and running was my only hope. I headed out to the park and settled on 7 miles. I was ready to get started and went to get my watch ready when I realized I had forgotten it at home... just one more small thing to piss me off. I shrugged it off and decided to just run - to hell with time. I knew the distances, so that wasn't a big deal. I headed out and just ran. It was me and my music, running as hard as I could, charging hills and trying to pick up the pace whenever I could, leaving my stresses behind me - kind of like that Propel commercial with the song "Pressure" playing in the background (which is a great song to run to BTW) . So, I am struggling to get back on track, but am finding myself falling further and further behind in my mileage. I am going to rework my schedule once again to attempt to get "caught up" before the weekly mileage really climbs. I have some baby news updates, but will save it for another post. I'd rather keep my dismal running performance separate from that stuff. Until then - just keep on running - I'll catch up with you...

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...