Prior Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance
I learned that in high school NJROTC. Forgive me instructors if I mixed up the order. I bring it up because I have just planned out the next 5 months of running before my first marathon. See, I'm following Hal Higdon's 18 week novice 1 plan. I like it a lot. The only problem is that it's only 18 wks and I started my marathon training w/ about 30 wks to go, so now I am ahead of schedule. Solution: modify and lengthen the plan. Rather than increasing regularly from 15mi/wk to 40mi/wk over 18 weeks, I can spend more time in the 25-35 mi/wk range. The revised plan looks good and I'm confident it will make me stronger, especially as I continue with my distance running and look forward to more marathons and hopefully some ultras. Hopefully, I won't have to mess too much with the plan as I'm moving through the semester, but if I do it's okay because after all, I'm ahead of schedule.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
1.5 hrs of running, 3 hrs of dancing
Friday morning I ran into the double digits for the first time in my life. I had a great ten miles. I wasn't overly tired or stressed and the weather was cool during the early morning (6:30 start). I kept my heart rate fairly low (low 70%s) and still kept a fine pace for me right now (9:35). Overall, I felt prepared for it.
I chose to run the entire way on pavement which wasn't too bad - nice and smooth. Though when I finished, my knees were aching. For the first time I took an ice bath which felt good while enjoying a nice glass of milk. Then I ate a large serving of beef stroganoff before my family and I headed up to Ocala to set up for my sister's wedding the following day.
The wedding was great! She looked BEAUTIFUL, the weather was nice (though hot), the garden setting was wonderful. I had the honor of being a groomsman, so I was able to be very involved. While the wedding was a blast, I also got some good recovery. The groom and groomsman went tubing the morning of down a cool spring fed river. And of course, all the dancing got the blood flowing to the legs. :) In all seriousness, my legs are more sore from dancing than running. That twist always seems to tweak my knee.
It was a wonderful and beautiful weekend. My love and congratulations goes out to Stephanie and Brian!
I chose to run the entire way on pavement which wasn't too bad - nice and smooth. Though when I finished, my knees were aching. For the first time I took an ice bath which felt good while enjoying a nice glass of milk. Then I ate a large serving of beef stroganoff before my family and I headed up to Ocala to set up for my sister's wedding the following day.
The wedding was great! She looked BEAUTIFUL, the weather was nice (though hot), the garden setting was wonderful. I had the honor of being a groomsman, so I was able to be very involved. While the wedding was a blast, I also got some good recovery. The groom and groomsman went tubing the morning of down a cool spring fed river. And of course, all the dancing got the blood flowing to the legs. :) In all seriousness, my legs are more sore from dancing than running. That twist always seems to tweak my knee.
It was a wonderful and beautiful weekend. My love and congratulations goes out to Stephanie and Brian!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Spare Time & Spider Webs
I just got back from a good midweek run - the sorta long run which gets progressively longer throughout my marathon training. Today a friend and I ran 5.79mi at the Withlacoochee State Forest in Brooksville, FL near my family's home. If you are ever in the neighborhood, check it out. The scenery is typical Floridian - oak & pine trees, sandy & leaf covered trails, sunlight & humidity. There are no mountains, elk, or grand views but it makes for a very nice and serene trail run. Google it to find info and maps for the many hiking, biking, and equestrian trails. Check out www.wecefar.com for info about periodic trail races and adventure races held there by West Central FL Adventure Racing Club. One more thing the Withlacoochee Trails have are lots of spider webs. I had the privilege of leading today so I collected enough silk to make a scarf. I'll take the spider webs over the fly bites any day though. Wear glasses and maybe some bugspray.
I am really growing fond of running on the trails. Certainly running in a more natural environment is nice, and the ever changing pace and demanding terrain of trails is a nice release from the monotany of cruising on pavement. Every once in awhile though just cruising mindlessly is fine too. For now I will be an equal opportunity runner and mix up running surfaces. I really look forward to being back in Nashville where I can enjoy more diversity of trees, hills, and cooler weather. It will even be nice to be in Huntsville for 3 weeks in July. I plan on checking out Mante Sano park where the Mt. Mist 50k is held in January by the Huntsville Track Club.
I asked my friend today what he thinks about while running. He said that he finds a happy place. Personally I don't think about much at all. Distance and time and pace and listening to my body play a role, but most of the time I think I am more of a video recorder, just collecting visual data and not paying it much attention. That may explain why I never seem to recognize my surroundings on an out & back course. I've considered listening to music or sermons or news while running; maybe I'll try that, but right now I am not getting bored or lacking motivation so why change. If any one reads this, what goes through your head?
Well, au revoir for now. I will cross the double digit mark Friday, so look for an update.
I am really growing fond of running on the trails. Certainly running in a more natural environment is nice, and the ever changing pace and demanding terrain of trails is a nice release from the monotany of cruising on pavement. Every once in awhile though just cruising mindlessly is fine too. For now I will be an equal opportunity runner and mix up running surfaces. I really look forward to being back in Nashville where I can enjoy more diversity of trees, hills, and cooler weather. It will even be nice to be in Huntsville for 3 weeks in July. I plan on checking out Mante Sano park where the Mt. Mist 50k is held in January by the Huntsville Track Club.
I asked my friend today what he thinks about while running. He said that he finds a happy place. Personally I don't think about much at all. Distance and time and pace and listening to my body play a role, but most of the time I think I am more of a video recorder, just collecting visual data and not paying it much attention. That may explain why I never seem to recognize my surroundings on an out & back course. I've considered listening to music or sermons or news while running; maybe I'll try that, but right now I am not getting bored or lacking motivation so why change. If any one reads this, what goes through your head?
Well, au revoir for now. I will cross the double digit mark Friday, so look for an update.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Movin on Up
Just finished my first real distance run - 9mi. Yeah, I know, 9mi isn't really that long, but you have to walk before you run, so to speak. I felt good throughout and it really didn't feel that long. But when I stopped I started feeling it in the legs and knees, so I jumped in the pool, took a shower alternating hot/cold and stretched. Next week - the BIG 10 mark. I just have to fit it in around my sisters wedding. Does dancing count as active recovery?
Since I've started running, it's been neat seeing how my heart rate varies. One major factor is temperature. Living in FL, there's a big difference in temp and exertion between running at 7am in 75 degrees and at 2pm in 95 degree heat. I haven't looked at the effect of running surface, but I try to run off the pavement whenever possible to help my joints. Cruising on the asphalt is so nice and smooth and fast, though.
Since I've started running, it's been neat seeing how my heart rate varies. One major factor is temperature. Living in FL, there's a big difference in temp and exertion between running at 7am in 75 degrees and at 2pm in 95 degree heat. I haven't looked at the effect of running surface, but I try to run off the pavement whenever possible to help my joints. Cruising on the asphalt is so nice and smooth and fast, though.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Grand Opening!
Day one of my blog. This is intended to be an avenue for me to share my new found love of adventures, including climbing, camping, cycling, training for a marathon and trail running. No telling exactly how it will develop or how often I'll post - you'll just have to stay tuned. Welcome!
- Backpacking and Climbing in CO: I spent the last week in May on an awesome trip out to the Rockies, my first trip out west with the Vanderbilt Outdoor Recreation Program. During the week we rock climbed at Lumpy Ridge in Estes Park, Jurassic Park, and on North Table Mountain in Golden. The rock, weather, and climbing were incredible. As a fairly new climber, I learned a lot and experienced many firsts: I climbed my first multipitch route (Left Book at Lumpy), belayed a leader, cleaned an anchor, and even led (an easy but great 9 bolt arete at Jurassic Park). Here I am almost a month later and my fingers are still peeling from all the climbing. Climbing so much was actually not the original plan. The trip was initially more of a mountaineering trip. We camped at Battle Mtn near Long's Peak for 2 nights. After all the snow the Rockies have received, the hike up was surprisingly dry. That all changed the first night though when we received several inches of snow, completely changing the scenery - an awesome sight for this FL boy. We attempted the Key Hole route on Long's the day after the snowfall. We were decked out with ice axes, crampons, harnesses and ropes, helmets, shades and we needed it given the large amount of snow on the mountain and the limited experience of the group. Not everyone needs so much gear though. We encountered one tourist headed for the route solo in his frozen solid blue jeans, cotton socks, and school style back pack. He followed us for awhile since he didn't know the way but soon turned around 
because we were going too slowly. It was a rescue waiting to happen in my opinion. We did not summit, unfortunately, due to a late start, slow progress, and some altitude sickness with some barfing in the snow. Still, though, being on that mtn was incredible. Right after you pass through the keyhole, you must traverse a very steep slope around the mountain. We chose to rope up. I was the second person to go out and had the privilege of kicking many steps in the deep snow. I tell you, jabbin that ice axe and stomping into several feet of snow is tiring! The view of the surrounding peaks and the gorge below was stunning. All in all the trip was a one of the best experiences I've ever had and certainly the most adventurous. And on top of having fun on the peaks and the crags, I got to hang with my roommate in Pueblo.
In this inaugural post, let me briefly describe my summer.
- Backpacking and Climbing in CO: I spent the last week in May on an awesome trip out to the Rockies, my first trip out west with the Vanderbilt Outdoor Recreation Program. During the week we rock climbed at Lumpy Ridge in Estes Park, Jurassic Park, and on North Table Mountain in Golden. The rock, weather, and climbing were incredible. As a fairly new climber, I learned a lot and experienced many firsts: I climbed my first multipitch route (Left Book at Lumpy), belayed a leader, cleaned an anchor, and even led (an easy but great 9 bolt arete at Jurassic Park). Here I am almost a month later and my fingers are still peeling from all the climbing. Climbing so much was actually not the original plan. The trip was initially more of a mountaineering trip. We camped at Battle Mtn near Long's Peak for 2 nights. After all the snow the Rockies have received, the hike up was surprisingly dry. That all changed the first night though when we received several inches of snow, completely changing the scenery - an awesome sight for this FL boy. We attempted the Key Hole route on Long's the day after the snowfall. We were decked out with ice axes, crampons, harnesses and ropes, helmets, shades and we needed it given the large amount of snow on the mountain and the limited experience of the group. Not everyone needs so much gear though. We encountered one tourist headed for the route solo in his frozen solid blue jeans, cotton socks, and school style back pack. He followed us for awhile since he didn't know the way but soon turned around 
because we were going too slowly. It was a rescue waiting to happen in my opinion. We did not summit, unfortunately, due to a late start, slow progress, and some altitude sickness with some barfing in the snow. Still, though, being on that mtn was incredible. Right after you pass through the keyhole, you must traverse a very steep slope around the mountain. We chose to rope up. I was the second person to go out and had the privilege of kicking many steps in the deep snow. I tell you, jabbin that ice axe and stomping into several feet of snow is tiring! The view of the surrounding peaks and the gorge below was stunning. All in all the trip was a one of the best experiences I've ever had and certainly the most adventurous. And on top of having fun on the peaks and the crags, I got to hang with my roommate in Pueblo.
-Recent News & Endeavors: Besides the three weddings I am attending this summer, one of which is my sister's, I have hardly been doing anything. My typical day has involved some sort of exercise and a whole lot of internet browsing (mostly pertaining to gear). Much of that browsing has been research into trail running and marathon training. That's right, marathon training. No, I am not really a runner, but go big or go home right? I grew playing football and baseball. In high school I played 4 years of football, 2 years of middle distance track (10/11), 1 year of baseball (9) and 1 year of basketball (12). Since I didn't wind up playing QB for the Gators (stiff competition from Tebow, you know), I took up cycling after graduation. I've raced around the southeast for two seasons with the Vanderbilt University Cycling Club with some mild success. Recently, though I've just had the desire to get back to the simplicity of running, so I am. The marathon idea was put into my head by a college buddy though. So here goes. I started running regularly the first week of May and am following a generic plan by Hal Higdon. The marathon is the annual Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon in Nashville. The 26.2 is based entirely in the beautiful Percy Warner Park, which is an awesome ride on a bike, and will make for a great race. Oh yeah, it is very hilly - 3500ft of elevation change. In fact the website used to openly state that this would not be a good first marathon. Oh well, I won't be the first. I'm really more interested in trail running though, so in my training and after the marathon I will be running the trails.
The plan:
-do the Higdon plan with some modification
-run the 11mi StumpJump in Chattanooga, TN - Oct. 4
-run the Monkey Marathon - Nov. 23
-run the trails
-maybe run Mountain Mist 50k in Huntsville, AL - Jan. 24
So far:
- 73.6 mi
- New Shoes: Asics GT2130 for the road & Brooks Cascadia 3 for the trails
Sorry for the long post. I will try to update this regularly with my running progress, other adventures, and shoe reviews.
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