The last of the "easy" weeks is over. It's now time for some serious training.
I was able to get back on track this week and complete the full 13.0 miles. The weekend runs of 3.0 miles and 4.5 miles weren't too taxing, and I actually felt I could have gone further both days. My only regret is that I was not able to get outside to run. I haven't broken that seal yet, and need to do it quickly (although 90 degrees this week isn't going to help).
Week 5 is another test week for me, increasing to 18.0 miles. This includes a Sunday run of 7.0 miles. I think if I can get through this week, I will go ahead and actually sign up for the marathon as I will then feel this thought will become a reality.
I'm 25% done with the training, which is further than I usually get. I appreciate everybody continuing to read my blog and hope to continue for another 12 weeks.
Miles Trained - 44.2
Time Trained - 7 Hours 56 Minutes
Calories Lost - 55.46 cans
Low Weekly Weight - 210.3 lbs
Average Weekly Weight - 212.0 lbs
Monday, July 30, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
July 23, 2007 - Not Good, But Good
Much like many of the other times I fell off the bandwagon, life got in the way this weekend. I took my son to the park and to the Bounce House on Saturday, and had company at night. On Sunday, I pulled sod and did a marathon's worth of leg work (10 hours). That being said, I did not run at all over the weekend, but feel I actually did more to strengthen my legs than if I had run. I only ran 6.0 miles this week instead of the scheduled 15.0.
On the plus side of things, my weight started to drop this week. I've also picked up the pace a little bit on my runs, finishing a full minute ahead of pace in the 1.5 mile run. Doesn't sound like much, but it means running at 7.0/mph for 6 minutes instead of 6.0/mph, or completing the half-marathon 19 minutes quicker.
Week 4 is a "break" week. Only 13.0 miles with the long run of only 4.5 miles. Because of the full leg workout I got on Sunday, the key day is going to be Tuesday. My hamstrings and feet are quite sore. If I can get to the gym and work through the soreness, I should be fine.
Miles Trained - 31.2
Minutes Trained - 322
Calories Lost - 41.13 cans
Low Weekly Weight - 211.2
Average Weekly Weight - 212.9
On the plus side of things, my weight started to drop this week. I've also picked up the pace a little bit on my runs, finishing a full minute ahead of pace in the 1.5 mile run. Doesn't sound like much, but it means running at 7.0/mph for 6 minutes instead of 6.0/mph, or completing the half-marathon 19 minutes quicker.
Week 4 is a "break" week. Only 13.0 miles with the long run of only 4.5 miles. Because of the full leg workout I got on Sunday, the key day is going to be Tuesday. My hamstrings and feet are quite sore. If I can get to the gym and work through the soreness, I should be fine.
Miles Trained - 31.2
Minutes Trained - 322
Calories Lost - 41.13 cans
Low Weekly Weight - 211.2
Average Weekly Weight - 212.9
Monday, July 16, 2007
July 16, 2007 - Week 2 Recap
2 weeks down and still on pace. I've been here before, so I'm not too excited. What I am excited about is the fact I ran the full 14.5 miles last week, including the 5.5 mile run on Sunday.
Two things were surprising to me. First, that I actually got to the gym on Sunday. I wasn't feeling too good and almost had myself talked out of it. I was pretty tired and the wife made a good dinner. Second was how easy the run was after I got past a certain point. I continued to battle the run for the first 2.0 miles and was in pretty bad shape. After that, I seemed to see the end in site and it was pretty smooth. I guess I got the perverbial "runners high". I wasn't even out of breath at the end. Just a little soreness in the calves.
Week 3 is only .5 miles farther than week 2, so it provides "a break". The only difference is Sunday's run will be 6.0 miles. I can't say I'm not happy for the off day today, but look forward to continuing on.
See you next week.
Miles Trained - 25.2
Minutes Trained - 262
Calories "Lost" - 27.9 cans
Low Weekly Weight - 212.4
Average Weekly Weight - 213.8
Two things were surprising to me. First, that I actually got to the gym on Sunday. I wasn't feeling too good and almost had myself talked out of it. I was pretty tired and the wife made a good dinner. Second was how easy the run was after I got past a certain point. I continued to battle the run for the first 2.0 miles and was in pretty bad shape. After that, I seemed to see the end in site and it was pretty smooth. I guess I got the perverbial "runners high". I wasn't even out of breath at the end. Just a little soreness in the calves.
Week 3 is only .5 miles farther than week 2, so it provides "a break". The only difference is Sunday's run will be 6.0 miles. I can't say I'm not happy for the off day today, but look forward to continuing on.
See you next week.
Miles Trained - 25.2
Minutes Trained - 262
Calories "Lost" - 27.9 cans
Low Weekly Weight - 212.4
Average Weekly Weight - 213.8
Monday, July 9, 2007
One down, 15 to go. My world now consists of weeks that run from Tuesday to Sunday. 5 runs. I've made it through the first week and am pretty happy with the results. Although I fell a little short of my goal (10.7 miles instead of 11.0), I forced myself to run even at 9p after my son went to bed.
Week two will be quite a bit tougher. The weekly total goes from 11.0 miles to 14.5, with the long Sunday run increasing to 5.5 miles from 3.0. With how I struggled with the 3 miles this week, I'm not sure it will happen.
Days to Run - 104
Miles Trained - 10.7
Minutes Trained - 112
Calories Burned - 11.91 cans
Week two will be quite a bit tougher. The weekly total goes from 11.0 miles to 14.5, with the long Sunday run increasing to 5.5 miles from 3.0. With how I struggled with the 3 miles this week, I'm not sure it will happen.
Days to Run - 104
Miles Trained - 10.7
Minutes Trained - 112
Calories Burned - 11.91 cans
Friday, July 6, 2007
July 6, 2007
So far so good. Because of the holiday, I've been able to run at all times of the day to see what works best for me. I think I feel the best after work. My body seems more awake and natually stretched out. My afternoon run wasn't too bad, but not possible with working during the week. My morning run was nice because it got it out of the way, but I couldn't seem to get comfortable. This concerns me since the marathon is in the AM.
I'm actually looking forward to my runs this weekend (2.5 & 3.0 miles). I may actually try to do an outdoor run if it doesn't hit 90 degrees. I'm still in the exciting phase of my training and I am enjoying it. The test will come in week 3 and beyond.
Many of the people I have spoken to, who work out, tend to equate calories burned to food items "saved". In my case it is 12oz cans of regular pepsi (150 calories). I have tried to cut out regular pop, which is difficult for me. In my future postings I will show my workout calories burned on a per can basis.
Days to Marathon - 107
Miles Trained - 5.5
Minutes Trained - 58
Calories Burned - 6.11 cans (917 calories)
I'm actually looking forward to my runs this weekend (2.5 & 3.0 miles). I may actually try to do an outdoor run if it doesn't hit 90 degrees. I'm still in the exciting phase of my training and I am enjoying it. The test will come in week 3 and beyond.
Many of the people I have spoken to, who work out, tend to equate calories burned to food items "saved". In my case it is 12oz cans of regular pepsi (150 calories). I have tried to cut out regular pop, which is difficult for me. In my future postings I will show my workout calories burned on a per can basis.
Days to Marathon - 107
Miles Trained - 5.5
Minutes Trained - 58
Calories Burned - 6.11 cans (917 calories)
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
July 3, 2007 - Day 1
Today is the first day. I have searched the internet and found a few training schedules. The one I am choosing to follow is the intermediate 1 program at http://www.halhigdon.com/marathon/inter1.html. Since I only have 16 weeks, I cut out the first two weeks. Although this is a full-marathon schedule, I just cut the distances in half, and hope it works. I currently weigh 216.0 and would like to be below 200.0 by race day.
So today is 1.5 miles. At my comfortable pace of 6mph, it will take me about 16 minutes. As I progress, I'd like to kick it up a bit to 7mph, but for now, I'd just like to finish.
Current Weight - 216.0
Training Miles To Go - 259
Days to Race - 110
So today is 1.5 miles. At my comfortable pace of 6mph, it will take me about 16 minutes. As I progress, I'd like to kick it up a bit to 7mph, but for now, I'd just like to finish.
Current Weight - 216.0
Training Miles To Go - 259
Days to Race - 110
Monday, July 2, 2007
July 1, 2007 - The Plan
I'm gonna do it this time. I've always had the idea in my head that I could run a (half)marathon. Better yet, I could run it in less than 2 hours. Is it possible?......sure. Is it possible for me?....now that may be a different answer.
In 2004, I trained 17 weeks to run the Pinckney Trail Run. I actually thought one of my life-goals was going to happen. The problem is that I trained indoors because of the weather and the fact that I could sit in a hot tub after the session. On the day of the run it snowed 6-8 inches and was 20-some degrees. Not exactly the 70-degree, no wind climate of my gym. Needless to say, I backed out. Since then I have made several attempts to train again, but usually fade after 2-3 weeks. This time WILL be different.
My plan is to run the Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Half-Marathon (http://www.detroitfreepressmarathon.com/) on October 21. That gives me 16 weeks to prepare, 16 weeks to battle the urge to stay home instead of workout, and 16 weeks to back out. It also gives me 16 weeks to prove to myself that I can accomplish something that, at this point, is impossible to me.
I will try to keep this blog up to date as much as possible. If you keep seeing postings, I am still on course. If not, I'm sure you can figure out what happened.
In 2004, I trained 17 weeks to run the Pinckney Trail Run. I actually thought one of my life-goals was going to happen. The problem is that I trained indoors because of the weather and the fact that I could sit in a hot tub after the session. On the day of the run it snowed 6-8 inches and was 20-some degrees. Not exactly the 70-degree, no wind climate of my gym. Needless to say, I backed out. Since then I have made several attempts to train again, but usually fade after 2-3 weeks. This time WILL be different.
My plan is to run the Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Half-Marathon (http://www.detroitfreepressmarathon.com/) on October 21. That gives me 16 weeks to prepare, 16 weeks to battle the urge to stay home instead of workout, and 16 weeks to back out. It also gives me 16 weeks to prove to myself that I can accomplish something that, at this point, is impossible to me.
I will try to keep this blog up to date as much as possible. If you keep seeing postings, I am still on course. If not, I'm sure you can figure out what happened.
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