Well, not yet, but it is only a week away. I have also realized that I haven't posted anything in awhile. I'm not sure that matters, but in case there are a few souls out there who are unaware of my "status," and who actually read my blog, I'll bring you up to date.
I have no events on the horizon, and have been limiting my training to get over two injuries. I haven't ran in three weeks, however, I have gotten back on a regular swimming routine, and I have been biking when daylight and weather permit. I have also been hitting the weights, which has become a good alternative to running right now. I really feel it is making a difference in my recovery, and I think I will come out of the winter stronger, and more prepared to start up training for spring triathlons.
Work has been going well; I can't believe there is only about 30 days left in the first semester. On one hand that is nice, but on another, it serves to show how life is accelerating. I'm still teaching World History and Global Perspectives. I enjoy these subjects and certainly hope I can finish out my career teaching them. That is possibly only 6 years away. I really need to start considering what I'm going to do with phase II of my life. Besides academics, another teacher and I are going to start up an informal triathlon club at school. There seems to be a lot of interest, so we're going to "pilot" a club and see what kind of turnout we get. Lastly, due to time constraints, I am not planning on chaperoning ski club this year. This might mean that I won't ski this winter, it's just to expensive and time consuming. Hopefully, we'll have good snowfalls this year, so I can resume xc skiing again.
On the family front, things couldn't be better. Tina is teaching Pilates and now playing soccer in a women's over 30 league. The boys are doing well in school and thriving both academically and athletically. Tristan wrapped up his first season of soccer and Kyler had a great experience playing U9 Travel. His team, The Explosion, won the league championship. Kyler was voted "Most Versatile Player" and "Best Offensive player" by the coaches. Both boys also did well in the Race for Education. Tristan ran 3.25 miles, and Kyler ran 6.25 miles. Kyler's performance was the best in his class/third grade and he received a trophy for his efforts. He also entered the "6 Mile Club." Up next for us is the Jingle Bell 5K run in December.
That's about it as we head into the holiday season. Hope all who check in from time to time are doing well.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Legends of the Fall
The title of this post could relate to my "fall" back in August while participating in the Livestrong Ride. To this point, I am still having shoulder issues which has curtailed my swim training. In fact, I have not swam in 3 weeks.
In addition to a dinged up shoulder, I have been having all the symptoms of a "sports hernia" again, however, it has subsided somewhat, because I have been resting. Resting is something that I don't do well.
Despite resting, I have participated in a few athletic endeavors including the Race for Education with both of my sons at their school. Kyler, 8 years old, was able to get into the 6 mile club. We averaged around a 9:40 mile. Tristan, 6years old, was able to run 3.25 miles. I was quite proud of both of them. Up next for Kyler and me is another 5K in November. Other than that, I have ridden my bike a little bit and been out hiking.
The fall has been pretty nice, but there has been a lot of rain. Soccer has kept me busy, both coaching and spectating. School, as usual, is also a source of constant focus and energy depletion.
That's about it right now.
In addition to a dinged up shoulder, I have been having all the symptoms of a "sports hernia" again, however, it has subsided somewhat, because I have been resting. Resting is something that I don't do well.
Despite resting, I have participated in a few athletic endeavors including the Race for Education with both of my sons at their school. Kyler, 8 years old, was able to get into the 6 mile club. We averaged around a 9:40 mile. Tristan, 6years old, was able to run 3.25 miles. I was quite proud of both of them. Up next for Kyler and me is another 5K in November. Other than that, I have ridden my bike a little bit and been out hiking.
The fall has been pretty nice, but there has been a lot of rain. Soccer has kept me busy, both coaching and spectating. School, as usual, is also a source of constant focus and energy depletion.
That's about it right now.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Marathon Season Week 3
It's over. I have decided not to run the Harrisburg Marathon, because of an injury that has become aggravated by the increase in mileage. I plan on resting, then beginning an off-season weightlifting plan to prepare me for the Spring. I will also run, bike and swim, but at a reduced volume.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Marathon Season Week 2
Last week went well despite fighting a cold. I took Monday off. Tuesday I did speed work: 10:00 warm-up; 4:00 @ 6:20; 4:00 easy x5; 5:00 cool-down. Wednesday I swam for 30:00. Thursday: 10:00 warm-up; 25:00 @ 7:10; 5:00 cool-down. Friday: off. Saturday: half marathon, 1:42:25, or @ 7:50 pace. This was not a race, but I was well under BQ pace. Of course, the question is, can I hold that for 13.1 more miles. Sunday: 20 miles on the bike @ 19.1 mph.
I really think that I will have no problem running a BQ time. The biggest difference between now and when I ran a BQ time before is my lactate threshold seems to be higher, which means I can run faster, longer. I attribute this to a successful triathlon season/5K season. I put in a lot of speed work over the summer, and a lot of tough riding.
I really think that I will have no problem running a BQ time. The biggest difference between now and when I ran a BQ time before is my lactate threshold seems to be higher, which means I can run faster, longer. I attribute this to a successful triathlon season/5K season. I put in a lot of speed work over the summer, and a lot of tough riding.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Marathon Season Week 1
Well, as I have already posted, I have decided to run another marathon. I'm doing it for a number of reasons: 1) I can, 2) my friend Kirk Luther is laying in the hospital after emergency heart surgery, so in a way I'm doing it, because he can't, 3) I have run four, and that seems like a weird number and 4) it's one thing that actually fits into our busy family schedule since most of the training is done early in the morning.
So, what's my plan? When I ran my first marathon, I followed Hal Higdon's plan, which was simply an increase of miles from week to week It worked, and I ran a 3:46. For my second marathon, I used the Furman FIRST program, which was three core runs and cross-training, results, 3:22, a BQ time. The third marathon was run two weeks after the second one, so there really wasn't any training plan used, results, 3:21. For Boston, my fourth marathon, I basically followed the FIRST program with slight modifications, results, 3:36 (cramping and heat hindered me). For this one, I'm trying something of a hybrid plan. I'm going to use the FIRST concept with my own variations and simplifications. I have six weeks until the marathon, and I have an excellent fitness base from triathlon season, so my weeks are going to look like this:
Monday: Off or cross-train, most likely swimming
Tuesday: Speed work, 4:00 on/4:00 off x 5
Wednesday: Cross-training, swimming
Thursday: Tempo work; 20:00 at 7:00 per mile
Friday: Off
Saturday: Long run, 10, 13, 15, 18, 20, 15
Sunday: Bike 20-30 miles
As you can see, my speed work is going to simply be around 3 miles a week, nothing fancy, 4:00 intervals, or around 5x1000 m. Tempo, 1:00 below goal pace for 20 minutes, and a gradual increase of mileage for my long runs.
In a sense, I began training on Saturday as I was out running what I thought was going to be an easy five miles. I was off yesterday, because of a trip with my son Kyler to State College for the football game. Today I biked 30 miles at a 17.7 mph pace. This weekend will be the true test of my readiness, as I'll begin increasing my long-run mileage.
So, what's my plan? When I ran my first marathon, I followed Hal Higdon's plan, which was simply an increase of miles from week to week It worked, and I ran a 3:46. For my second marathon, I used the Furman FIRST program, which was three core runs and cross-training, results, 3:22, a BQ time. The third marathon was run two weeks after the second one, so there really wasn't any training plan used, results, 3:21. For Boston, my fourth marathon, I basically followed the FIRST program with slight modifications, results, 3:36 (cramping and heat hindered me). For this one, I'm trying something of a hybrid plan. I'm going to use the FIRST concept with my own variations and simplifications. I have six weeks until the marathon, and I have an excellent fitness base from triathlon season, so my weeks are going to look like this:
Monday: Off or cross-train, most likely swimming
Tuesday: Speed work, 4:00 on/4:00 off x 5
Wednesday: Cross-training, swimming
Thursday: Tempo work; 20:00 at 7:00 per mile
Friday: Off
Saturday: Long run, 10, 13, 15, 18, 20, 15
Sunday: Bike 20-30 miles
As you can see, my speed work is going to simply be around 3 miles a week, nothing fancy, 4:00 intervals, or around 5x1000 m. Tempo, 1:00 below goal pace for 20 minutes, and a gradual increase of mileage for my long runs.
In a sense, I began training on Saturday as I was out running what I thought was going to be an easy five miles. I was off yesterday, because of a trip with my son Kyler to State College for the football game. Today I biked 30 miles at a 17.7 mph pace. This weekend will be the true test of my readiness, as I'll begin increasing my long-run mileage.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Harrisburg Marathon
Nothing would have convinced me that I was going to begin training for a fall marathon when I awoke this morning.
I was going to go for an hour trail run, which then turned into planning on doing an easy five around the neighborhood. I had a cup of coffee, read the sports section, laced up the shoes and departed. There was a crispness in the air, and the tell-tale smells of autumn, and I quickly fell into a comfortable 7:45 pace. I kept running, but turned right onto my seven mile route, forgoing the five-mile plan I began with. Then, I kept going past my seven mile turn, and stretched my run out to ten miles.
Along the way, I heard the "call to adventure," and mentally began to calculate what I would have to do to get ready for a marathon six weeks down the road. I decided I had the time, and I was feeling very good, so the decision was made. Harrisburg Marathon on November 8th, BUT, I'M NOT RUNNING BOSTON IF I BQ...
I was going to go for an hour trail run, which then turned into planning on doing an easy five around the neighborhood. I had a cup of coffee, read the sports section, laced up the shoes and departed. There was a crispness in the air, and the tell-tale smells of autumn, and I quickly fell into a comfortable 7:45 pace. I kept running, but turned right onto my seven mile route, forgoing the five-mile plan I began with. Then, I kept going past my seven mile turn, and stretched my run out to ten miles.
Along the way, I heard the "call to adventure," and mentally began to calculate what I would have to do to get ready for a marathon six weeks down the road. I decided I had the time, and I was feeling very good, so the decision was made. Harrisburg Marathon on November 8th, BUT, I'M NOT RUNNING BOSTON IF I BQ...
Monday, September 14, 2009
Speedwell Triathlon
Three weeks ago, I banged my shoulder up in the Livestrong Ride, and was glad that I hadn't signed up for the Marshman Triathlon. Two weeks ago, I got a wild hair up my ass and decided to to try and enter the Speedwell Sprint triathlon, which I was able to do. The night before the race, I got an even bigger wild hair up my ass and decided to once and for all get the monkey off my back, so I transferred into the Olympic event.
Race Day
Conditions were wet and muddy in the transition area. The temperature was in the mid 60s and there was a steady drizzle. The water temperature was 65.
I arrived about 1 hour and 45 minutes early, which gave me plenty of time to set up and hob nob with my fellow racers. at about 7:30 a.m. I went for a mile warm-up run then returned and donned my wetsuit for the swim. After the race announcements it was down to the lake.
Swim
This was the real monkey on my back, a 1 mile swim in open water. It wasn't so much the distance, but open water swims tend make me a little crazy. There is something about being in murky water and not being able to get your bearings that drives me nuts. Nonetheless, there I was, and when the gun went off I began to swim, and swim, and swim. And, to be honest, it wasn't bad. I was able to get into a rhythm much faster than in a sprint and I was very relaxed. My time was a little slow, 30 minutes, but for my first swim, I was pleased as I swam a little faster than my usual 2:00 per hundred yards. I was a little wobbly getting out of the water and back onto land, but my transition was right around 2:00.
Bike
I didn't know how to pace myself on the bike knowing that I had to run a 10k as opposed to a 5k, so I took it a little easy, which was probably good because of the road conditions. I was passed by very few people and managed to do my share of passing on the long slow climbs up Long Lane. I managed an 18.7 mph pace, which looking back was a little to slow, because I had pretty much left in the tank when I started the run.
Run
6.2 miles over a tough, hilly course. I did well here and finished in the top 25 of all competitors (I'm not counting those people who ran as a relay) in this event. I managed a 7:13 pace, and could have managed that even if I would have pushed a little harder on the bike.
Results and Final Comments
*2:43:58; 59th place overall; 8th in my age group
* Need a little more work in open water swimming, but that will come with experience. The monkey has been removed, I'm ready for another Olympic event.
* Could have pushed a litle harder on the bike, eased up a little too much when I wasn't around other competitors.
* Running is my bread and butter, but I have to put myself in a little better position by improving in the first two events.
* Volunteers were great; course was fine by me. I'll do it next year.
* Semper Fi and OOHRAH!! to Chris Kaag the race director.
Race Day
Conditions were wet and muddy in the transition area. The temperature was in the mid 60s and there was a steady drizzle. The water temperature was 65.
I arrived about 1 hour and 45 minutes early, which gave me plenty of time to set up and hob nob with my fellow racers. at about 7:30 a.m. I went for a mile warm-up run then returned and donned my wetsuit for the swim. After the race announcements it was down to the lake.
Swim
This was the real monkey on my back, a 1 mile swim in open water. It wasn't so much the distance, but open water swims tend make me a little crazy. There is something about being in murky water and not being able to get your bearings that drives me nuts. Nonetheless, there I was, and when the gun went off I began to swim, and swim, and swim. And, to be honest, it wasn't bad. I was able to get into a rhythm much faster than in a sprint and I was very relaxed. My time was a little slow, 30 minutes, but for my first swim, I was pleased as I swam a little faster than my usual 2:00 per hundred yards. I was a little wobbly getting out of the water and back onto land, but my transition was right around 2:00.
Bike
I didn't know how to pace myself on the bike knowing that I had to run a 10k as opposed to a 5k, so I took it a little easy, which was probably good because of the road conditions. I was passed by very few people and managed to do my share of passing on the long slow climbs up Long Lane. I managed an 18.7 mph pace, which looking back was a little to slow, because I had pretty much left in the tank when I started the run.
Run
6.2 miles over a tough, hilly course. I did well here and finished in the top 25 of all competitors (I'm not counting those people who ran as a relay) in this event. I managed a 7:13 pace, and could have managed that even if I would have pushed a little harder on the bike.
Results and Final Comments
*2:43:58; 59th place overall; 8th in my age group
* Need a little more work in open water swimming, but that will come with experience. The monkey has been removed, I'm ready for another Olympic event.
* Could have pushed a litle harder on the bike, eased up a little too much when I wasn't around other competitors.
* Running is my bread and butter, but I have to put myself in a little better position by improving in the first two events.
* Volunteers were great; course was fine by me. I'll do it next year.
* Semper Fi and OOHRAH!! to Chris Kaag the race director.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
