Well it's good to see the weather warming up. That now means I have no excuses not to run. If I can't make to gym, I can run the neighborhood.
I've been keeping up with my schedule pretty well. The one thing I am struggling with is whether or not I want to run the half-marathon at a fast pace, or the full marathon at a slower pace. At this point I am training like I will run the full, which allows me to switch at any time. I'm running around 13-15 miles per week, which was what I would do in week 10 (of 16) in the half training.
This is the year I'd like to tie a charity to the running. I've contemplated putting together a running team that could possibly raise additional funds. Please respond with a charity that you would want considered, or check the poll question to the right.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
The Next Step
This week marks another period of stretching my body to do what I don't think it can do. For the past 3 weeks, I've been running 1.5 miles at 7.5 mph. Starting today, I'll now be running the same distance at 8 mph. The goal is still 10 mph.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Not So Easy!!
When I first had the thought of running another marathon, my wife was still on maternity leave and getting up with the kids at night. Now that she is back to work and I have to give up, at least, 1.5 hours of sleep per night, it is getting tough. I'm finding that I need to argue with myself about whether or not to go to gym. So far "going" is winning.
I'm up to a 7.5 mph pace right now and will do that for the next 2.5 weeks. That equates to 8 min/mile. I am a bit surprised that it is kind of easy and it gives me hope that I'll be able to hit 10 mph.
I still need to better watch what I eat. I ballooned up to 218.6 earlier this week. Since then, I've been taking lunches to work and not stopping for bagels/juice. I've already dropped 4.5 lbs. I guess this should be a sign that it works, but I;m hungry.
Anyway....I'll see you back in a few weeks and thanks for keeping up.
I'm up to a 7.5 mph pace right now and will do that for the next 2.5 weeks. That equates to 8 min/mile. I am a bit surprised that it is kind of easy and it gives me hope that I'll be able to hit 10 mph.
I still need to better watch what I eat. I ballooned up to 218.6 earlier this week. Since then, I've been taking lunches to work and not stopping for bagels/juice. I've already dropped 4.5 lbs. I guess this should be a sign that it works, but I;m hungry.
Anyway....I'll see you back in a few weeks and thanks for keeping up.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Year 2
Ok, so I've completed one marathon and one year of training. I thought that was going to be enough for me, but I have the itch to do it again.
This years marathon will take place on October 19, 2008. I haven't gotten much of the race details beyond that, but I assume the course will be very similar. I have a few goals in mind that I'd like to accomplish, but I need to make sure they are realistic. They are:
-- Finish under 1 hour, 20 minutes. That's a little slower than 10mph or a 6-minute mile. (I'm sure I will be happy just to break 2 hours, but it doesn't hurt to push yourself a bit....lol)
-- This year I'd like to get my weight under 200lbs. I have read several articles noting the fact that weight loss isn't usually a goal of runners, but I have to believe I can lose something. Last year, I started and ended at the same weight. I think if I eat better, it should happen easier.
-- Recruite others. I already know of 2-3 other people that followed my progress the first time around and want to try it this year (it's the...if the fat guy can do it, why can't I mentality)
-- I'd like to make running a continuing part of my life, past 2008.
So here we start again. I have put together a training program that started on 1/26 and will hopefully allow me to accomplish my goals. As with the first run, I will continue to update my progress on this blog. If there is a lull in my reporting, please contact me, and ask me why I stopped. I will again need all the help I can get.
Starting Weight (1/26) - 214.3 lbs
Current MPH - 6.5
Miles Trained - 5.5
This years marathon will take place on October 19, 2008. I haven't gotten much of the race details beyond that, but I assume the course will be very similar. I have a few goals in mind that I'd like to accomplish, but I need to make sure they are realistic. They are:
-- Finish under 1 hour, 20 minutes. That's a little slower than 10mph or a 6-minute mile. (I'm sure I will be happy just to break 2 hours, but it doesn't hurt to push yourself a bit....lol)
-- This year I'd like to get my weight under 200lbs. I have read several articles noting the fact that weight loss isn't usually a goal of runners, but I have to believe I can lose something. Last year, I started and ended at the same weight. I think if I eat better, it should happen easier.
-- Recruite others. I already know of 2-3 other people that followed my progress the first time around and want to try it this year (it's the...if the fat guy can do it, why can't I mentality)
-- I'd like to make running a continuing part of my life, past 2008.
So here we start again. I have put together a training program that started on 1/26 and will hopefully allow me to accomplish my goals. As with the first run, I will continue to update my progress on this blog. If there is a lull in my reporting, please contact me, and ask me why I stopped. I will again need all the help I can get.
Starting Weight (1/26) - 214.3 lbs
Current MPH - 6.5
Miles Trained - 5.5
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Pictures
My goal was to finish the run in under 2:10:00. As you can see I blew that goal away....lol
Nadine entitled this photo..."Shrek Likes to Run". Is my head really that big?
Monday, October 22, 2007
Race Day
The Preparation
It all started at 3:15am. I woke up and couldn't fall back to sleep. Maybe it was nerves, maybe it was excitement, but I crawled out of bed, took a shower and ate a small breakfast (toast and peanut butter). I had to pick up my Aunt (who also ran), Uncle and father in law at 5:00a so we could make the 45 minute drive to Detroit. We took the peoplemover from Greektown to the start line and were in place around 6:45a. I was surprised at the number of people that were running (16,000), as well as how compact the start line was. Things got started by hearing motivational speaches from Detroit and Windsor's Mayor and both national anthems were played.
The Start
Music was blasting (Right Now, by Van Halen) and the crowd counted down to the start. It was pretty exciting. All the training came down to this moment. Because of the amount of people, it actually took me 3 minutes just to get to the starting line. Once my chip registered on the start, the run was on.
Miles 1-3
Still pretty exciting at this point. It was tough not to get caught up with the crowd and run to quick a pace. The streets were lined with families and "Cheer Teams". We started down Michigan Avenue and ran past Tiger Stadium (1 mile mark). We then meandered through the streets and through Mexican Town. I can honestly say I have never seen this part of town. It reminded me of Playa Del Carmen, but empty because of the time. The cheering sections thinned out a bit, but there were DJ's and bands playing which helped.
Miles 4-5 (The Bridge)
The one thing I could not prepare for during my training was the constant uphill run to go over the Ambassador Bridge to Canada. It seemed like it would never end. Everybody was pretty excited to get to it, but about halfway up, it was evident that it was a challenge. It didn't help that there was a pretty strong cross-wind either. The one good thing about going up so far, is that you get to come down the other end. Although much less strain on the legs, it was important not to go too fast, or an injury could occur. Once at the bottom, a Windsor DJ was at the Customs station pumping up the runners.
Miles 6-8 (Canada)
The best part about the run was Canada. Not because of the view, the fact that it was flat terrain, or the wind was at our backs. It was the fact that it's at this point where the endorphines kicked in and running was really comfortable. The streets were lined at all points with spectators, and it seemed they had fluid stations a little closer together.
Miles 9-10 (The Tunnel)
As we entered the tunnel, it seemed as if you were being sucked down and the pace really picked up. Runners were cheering and making a lot of noise. We must have forgot the opposite effect of the bridge. What goes down, must come back up. Once I started the incline, I really had to dig deep to keep running. I think is was about .75 miles uphill and the legs were burning. It didn't help that there wasn't fresh air and was very hot.
Miles 11-12.7 (The Test)
In my training, I had never gone further than 10 miles, and certainly had never put my body through the hills. When I started Mile 11, I told myself that this is what I trained all these months for. I knew it was going to be fairly flat and all I had to do was keep moving. I was actually 3 minutes ahead of my pace goal at this point. Doing these three miles tested everything I had. I was not going to walk, but my body wanted to. I could feel myself slowing down and that was evident when I got to the 12 mile marker and I was now only 30 seconds ahead of pace. The next .7 miles were just as trying for me, but.........
Mile 12.7-13.1 (The Finish)
As I turned the final corner I saw the finish line. Only .4 miles to go and it would all be done. The crowd was thick and loud. The finish line DJ was urging people on it was exciting. It gave me a 2nd (or was it 10th) wind. I started to sprint and kept on going past the finish line. My time was 2:09:56....a full 4 seconds ahead of pace goal.
Conclusion
To look at me, this experience has not changed me. I am still the same height, still the same weight, and probably not much thinner than I was. But on the inside, this run made a big difference. I am many years removed from past sports glory. I'm not saying my finishing time was anything glorious, but for me to hear the cheering crowd and get some attention for this accomplishment meant a lot. It's not something you get from being an accountant.
Thanks for keeping up with me, and I'll try to get some pictures on later in the week.
It all started at 3:15am. I woke up and couldn't fall back to sleep. Maybe it was nerves, maybe it was excitement, but I crawled out of bed, took a shower and ate a small breakfast (toast and peanut butter). I had to pick up my Aunt (who also ran), Uncle and father in law at 5:00a so we could make the 45 minute drive to Detroit. We took the peoplemover from Greektown to the start line and were in place around 6:45a. I was surprised at the number of people that were running (16,000), as well as how compact the start line was. Things got started by hearing motivational speaches from Detroit and Windsor's Mayor and both national anthems were played.
The Start
Music was blasting (Right Now, by Van Halen) and the crowd counted down to the start. It was pretty exciting. All the training came down to this moment. Because of the amount of people, it actually took me 3 minutes just to get to the starting line. Once my chip registered on the start, the run was on.
Miles 1-3
Still pretty exciting at this point. It was tough not to get caught up with the crowd and run to quick a pace. The streets were lined with families and "Cheer Teams". We started down Michigan Avenue and ran past Tiger Stadium (1 mile mark). We then meandered through the streets and through Mexican Town. I can honestly say I have never seen this part of town. It reminded me of Playa Del Carmen, but empty because of the time. The cheering sections thinned out a bit, but there were DJ's and bands playing which helped.
Miles 4-5 (The Bridge)
The one thing I could not prepare for during my training was the constant uphill run to go over the Ambassador Bridge to Canada. It seemed like it would never end. Everybody was pretty excited to get to it, but about halfway up, it was evident that it was a challenge. It didn't help that there was a pretty strong cross-wind either. The one good thing about going up so far, is that you get to come down the other end. Although much less strain on the legs, it was important not to go too fast, or an injury could occur. Once at the bottom, a Windsor DJ was at the Customs station pumping up the runners.
Miles 6-8 (Canada)
The best part about the run was Canada. Not because of the view, the fact that it was flat terrain, or the wind was at our backs. It was the fact that it's at this point where the endorphines kicked in and running was really comfortable. The streets were lined at all points with spectators, and it seemed they had fluid stations a little closer together.
Miles 9-10 (The Tunnel)
As we entered the tunnel, it seemed as if you were being sucked down and the pace really picked up. Runners were cheering and making a lot of noise. We must have forgot the opposite effect of the bridge. What goes down, must come back up. Once I started the incline, I really had to dig deep to keep running. I think is was about .75 miles uphill and the legs were burning. It didn't help that there wasn't fresh air and was very hot.
Miles 11-12.7 (The Test)
In my training, I had never gone further than 10 miles, and certainly had never put my body through the hills. When I started Mile 11, I told myself that this is what I trained all these months for. I knew it was going to be fairly flat and all I had to do was keep moving. I was actually 3 minutes ahead of my pace goal at this point. Doing these three miles tested everything I had. I was not going to walk, but my body wanted to. I could feel myself slowing down and that was evident when I got to the 12 mile marker and I was now only 30 seconds ahead of pace. The next .7 miles were just as trying for me, but.........
Mile 12.7-13.1 (The Finish)
As I turned the final corner I saw the finish line. Only .4 miles to go and it would all be done. The crowd was thick and loud. The finish line DJ was urging people on it was exciting. It gave me a 2nd (or was it 10th) wind. I started to sprint and kept on going past the finish line. My time was 2:09:56....a full 4 seconds ahead of pace goal.
Conclusion
To look at me, this experience has not changed me. I am still the same height, still the same weight, and probably not much thinner than I was. But on the inside, this run made a big difference. I am many years removed from past sports glory. I'm not saying my finishing time was anything glorious, but for me to hear the cheering crowd and get some attention for this accomplishment meant a lot. It's not something you get from being an accountant.
Thanks for keeping up with me, and I'll try to get some pictures on later in the week.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Week 14 Update
Bet you thought I gave up, didn't you? No siree Bob! I just no longer need the motivation of documenting my run to know that I'm gonna finish. I've continued my training for the past 3 weeks and am happy to say, I am on the stretch run (pardon the pun!). No run will be longer than 4 miles, with the majority only being 2 miles.
My only concern at this point is the weather. If it is 60-70 degree, I know I can handle it. If it's 90 degrees, like this past week, I will have some problems. Conversely, if it's 30-40 degrees, I don't know how my body will react. Either way it is out of my hands!
I probably won't post anymore until after the run, but will hopefully get some pictures up of me crossing the finish line.
Thank you for your continued support!
My only concern at this point is the weather. If it is 60-70 degree, I know I can handle it. If it's 90 degrees, like this past week, I will have some problems. Conversely, if it's 30-40 degrees, I don't know how my body will react. Either way it is out of my hands!
I probably won't post anymore until after the run, but will hopefully get some pictures up of me crossing the finish line.
Thank you for your continued support!
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