I really think I will be able to finish now. I had my doubts ealier because I had yet to run outside, and week 7 put a real strain on my legs. Week 8 was entirely different. I felt comfortable running and actually think I prefer it to the treadmill. I think it has a lot to do with actually seeing progress made instead of running in one spot. It also save me about an hour/day in drive time and hot tub.
My weekly goal was 20.5 miles with the long Sunday run being 8.5 miles. I completed 21 miles and 9 miles on Sunday. What was strange was I really didn't start to tire until after the 8 mile mark. Week 9 will be the longest training week unless I decided to push things later. At 22.0 miles, it isn't much different than this past week.
Miles Trained - 99.2
Minutes Trained - 1,013
Calories "lost" - 17,265
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
Week 7 Recap
Back on track this week by running 16.0 miles. I was only supposed to run 15.5, but I felt like I had to start making up for last week.
The big change this week was the fact that I started running outside. Of the 16 miles, 14 of them were in the neighborhood. It is quite a difference in the pounding that my body is taking. On the treadmill, it is flat, a comfortable temperature, and it helps your legs along. Although not drastic, the peeks and valleys put strain on different leg muscles. I ran in the rain and it was also a bit windy on Sunday.
The upcoming week is one of the longest of the whole training program. The 20.5 miles is only 1.5 miles less than the longest week (week 9). Although I would like to try to do it completly outside, I think I will do one of the short runs inside so I can relax in the gym hot tub.
Miles Trained - 78.2
Minutes Trained - 803
Calories Lost - 92.36 cans
The big change this week was the fact that I started running outside. Of the 16 miles, 14 of them were in the neighborhood. It is quite a difference in the pounding that my body is taking. On the treadmill, it is flat, a comfortable temperature, and it helps your legs along. Although not drastic, the peeks and valleys put strain on different leg muscles. I ran in the rain and it was also a bit windy on Sunday.
The upcoming week is one of the longest of the whole training program. The 20.5 miles is only 1.5 miles less than the longest week (week 9). Although I would like to try to do it completly outside, I think I will do one of the short runs inside so I can relax in the gym hot tub.
Miles Trained - 78.2
Minutes Trained - 803
Calories Lost - 92.36 cans
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Now It's Serious!!
I've made the step that will ensure that I will run the race. I've paid the entry fee. On top of that, I've signed up for the special edition newspaper that details the pre-race activity and gives the race results. I'll be damned if I get a results paper and not have my name in it.
Although I wasn't able to run this past week, I got a vote of confidence from the wife (whether she knew it or not). As with any training, it takes some time away from the family, and we are no different. With me sometimes running at 10p at night, it can be taxing. We were on a neighborhood walk and I was talking about the day of the run and how she could follow my progress online if she wanted because of the chip technology. She made the comment of, "what makes you think I don't want to be there to see you cross the finish line?" Although I know that deep down she supported me getting healthier and completing this goal, it was very uplifting to hear it voiced.
Although I wasn't able to run this past week, I got a vote of confidence from the wife (whether she knew it or not). As with any training, it takes some time away from the family, and we are no different. With me sometimes running at 10p at night, it can be taxing. We were on a neighborhood walk and I was talking about the day of the run and how she could follow my progress online if she wanted because of the chip technology. She made the comment of, "what makes you think I don't want to be there to see you cross the finish line?" Although I know that deep down she supported me getting healthier and completing this goal, it was very uplifting to hear it voiced.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Week 6 Recap
Not much to recap this week. I didn't make it to the gym at all. Not because I didn't want to, but life got in the way again.
On a more positive note, I have found a partner to do the run with. That should provide some extra motivation to make sure I see this thing through to the end.
See you next week.
On a more positive note, I have found a partner to do the run with. That should provide some extra motivation to make sure I see this thing through to the end.
See you next week.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Week 5 Recap
This week provided a real test in the training program. It wasn't necessarily the 7.0 mile run, but the time it takes to run it. At 74 minutes, plus travel and hot tub, I'm away from the family for 2.5 hours. Luckily the wife has been pretty supportive and sees that it really does have a positive influence on me. My 2 year old is going through a period where he only wants his mom to do things, so I'm sure he doesn't care if I'm gone...lol
I was able to get through the full 18.0 miles this week. Much like my other longer runs, the beginning of the 7.0 mile run was grueling, but after awhile, it was pretty relaxing. I am happy for the day off today, as I'm a little sore.
Next week is much like this week, with a distance of 18.5 miles. Only exception is a Sunday run of 7.5 miles. I have family coming over this weekend and possibly people staying over, so finding the time to run will be a challenge.
On a side note, I've always wondered why long distance runners that I see usually don't have headphones (iPod, etc). I always thought that it had something to do with the weight or the bother of the cord. I decided this week to try running without. Actually my dead batteries decided for me. I was surprised that it actually made the runs easier. It helped it two ways. First, I know that most of the songs are between 4 and 5 minutes long. This provides a sort of timer that tells me how far I have gone. I don't like this. It structures the run too much. This week I put a towel over the distance reader and set a goal for when I could check distance or drink water (ex: One full inning of baseball game). Some innings were long, and some were not.
Secondly, it was more relaxing. I was able to notice other things around me. I even got lost in a TV show in which I had to read the closed captioning. It took my mind off the run. I imagine when I run outside, it is much better.
Distance Run - 62.2 miles
Time Trained - 10 hours, 42 minutes
Calories Lost - 74.9 cans
Low Weekly Weight - 208.8
Average Weekly Weight - 210.1
I was able to get through the full 18.0 miles this week. Much like my other longer runs, the beginning of the 7.0 mile run was grueling, but after awhile, it was pretty relaxing. I am happy for the day off today, as I'm a little sore.
Next week is much like this week, with a distance of 18.5 miles. Only exception is a Sunday run of 7.5 miles. I have family coming over this weekend and possibly people staying over, so finding the time to run will be a challenge.
On a side note, I've always wondered why long distance runners that I see usually don't have headphones (iPod, etc). I always thought that it had something to do with the weight or the bother of the cord. I decided this week to try running without. Actually my dead batteries decided for me. I was surprised that it actually made the runs easier. It helped it two ways. First, I know that most of the songs are between 4 and 5 minutes long. This provides a sort of timer that tells me how far I have gone. I don't like this. It structures the run too much. This week I put a towel over the distance reader and set a goal for when I could check distance or drink water (ex: One full inning of baseball game). Some innings were long, and some were not.
Secondly, it was more relaxing. I was able to notice other things around me. I even got lost in a TV show in which I had to read the closed captioning. It took my mind off the run. I imagine when I run outside, it is much better.
Distance Run - 62.2 miles
Time Trained - 10 hours, 42 minutes
Calories Lost - 74.9 cans
Low Weekly Weight - 208.8
Average Weekly Weight - 210.1
Monday, July 30, 2007
Week 4 Recap
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
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 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
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