Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Making it work

ORN: 4 miles, 48 min, 4/2, treadmill

I'm actually pretty fired up about my training. I think taking some time away really helped, plus, it's been a month or so since the Marine Corps Marathon.

The rule of thumb is that it takes one day per mile [if you're under 40] or one day per kilometer [if you're over 40] to recover from a marathon. So, since I am WAY past 40, it really should take about 6 weeks to feel normal. I think that te fact that I use a run/walk strategy makes the recovery shorter.

I'll need to be careful now not to let my enthusiasm get the best of me.

Waddle on, friends.

John

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Back from Hiatus

ORN: 11/29/05; 5 miles, 4/1, 60 minutes, on the treadmill.

I was away from the computer, but not entirely from running. While traveling I did manage to get in several runs.

Today was the first day back at it. I'm feeling great, very refreshed from the time away, and ready to be training again. It's COLD here in Chicago so I retreated to the gym. As I've said, the treadmill can be a very good alternative to running outdoors. This time of year probably half my running will be done indoors.

I've got to keep pushing the daily runs up just a little between now and the Disney Goofy Challenge. I've pretty much accepted that I will walk the marathon, but that will take preparation too. So, I'm going to do my best to extend my daily runs from 40 minutes to 50 minutes or an hour.

Waddle on, friends.

John

Sunday, November 20, 2005

On Hiatus

ORN: 11/20, 0

I'm going to take a week or so off. Not from running, but from the computer. It's time for a little Rest and Recovery.

I hope everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving. I'll be back soon.

Waddle on,

John

Saturday, November 19, 2005

Getting out there

ORN: A long 60 minutes, 6/1

It's a beautiful, sunny day in Chicago, but I still struggled to get out the door. Boy, am I glad I did.

I added an extra "bit' to my normal route, just to get in a few more minutes, and I've upped the ratio to 6/1. If I'm going to get ready in time, I've got to try to increase my running ratio just a little bit.

It was a gorgeous run, and one that I would have been VERY disappointed to have missed.

Waddle on,

John

Friday, November 18, 2005

Time and Travel and Tunes

ORN: 11/17-18, 0

Missed the last two days. Not so much because I wanted to, but because my schedule just got so crowded there wasn't time. I'm not sure what this will mean to my overall training schedule, but we'll see.

The truth is I'm STILL having a tough time getting fired-up about training. I want to do the Goofy challenge, but just don't know if I have the heart to get ready for it.

** Running Tunes: My iPod is a pretty ecclectic combination of artists, genres, and eras. I've got some old Chicago [Lowdown] and Blood, Sweat, and Tears [Lucretia Mac Evil] and Creedence Clearwater Revival [Lookin' Out My Backdoor].

I've got some Melissa Etheridge, Eric Clapton, and Steely Dan, right there with the Gypsy Kings and Sting. But I've got a LOT of Paul Simon, both old stuff and new.

Waddle on, friends.

John

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Chickening out

ORN: 5 miles, 60 min, 5/1

OK, I need to confess. I just didn't have the will to run outside today. I tried. I was dressed and OUT the door. Less than a block from my apartment I turned around, went home, got the car keys, and went to the gym. Today, I ran on the treadmill for the first time since last winter.

To be clear, it was below freezing AND windy [wind chill, 20 degrees!!!] I just wasn't ready to face winter yet. Maybe later!

It was a good run, though. I've forgotten how much I enjoy the treadmill. Good run. Nice pace. iPod in place!!

Waddle on, friends.

John

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Tight Wire Act/Charity Runners

ORN: 0

This is a funny time. I'm trying to recover through my training, or train through my recovery depending on how you look at it. I'm trying to pay very close attention to the subtle messages my body is sending me. I know I've got to get in the miles, but I've got to get rested enough to have them work.

CHARITY RUNNERS:

This whole Marine Corps Marathon/Jean's Marines controversy is turning into a tempest in a teapot. There's no question that cutting the course is wrong, but this isn't the first time that course cutting has happened. And, it isn't as though some race directors don't tacitly accept that there will be some prudent shaving of the course.

That doesn't make it right. But it does make it true.

The danger, it seems to me, is lumping all "charity runners" into the slow, course-cutting category. The VAST majority of runners - charity and otherwise - train well and show up prepared to complete the distance in the time required.

It may be time for race organizers and the charity groups to sit down and have an honest heart-to-heart talk. Races are all too happy to take the registration dollars from the charity runners, but then seem to forget that they need to accomodate them, fast and slow.

John

Monday, November 14, 2005

Building up and responses

ORN: 50 min, 6/1

GREAT run, once I got out there. I'm having a tough time making myself get out the door. I'm tired, and I'm feeling so good about the Fall season that I guess I don't want to start looking ahead just yet.

That said, I'm going to increase my run/walk ratio on the shorter sessions. Not dramatically, but a little. Then I'll alternate a 4/2, 3/2, 2/3 ratio on the longer sessions.

RESPONSES: Well, it's pretty clear how you feel. Don't run the distance. Don't get the medal. Reminds me of the Will Smith line in "Men in Black" where he's talking to the "bug". Don't WANT none? Don't START none.

It really does come down to that. Cutting the course is cutting the course, whether you finish in the top 10 or final 5. Thanks for your responses.

Sunday, November 13, 2005

Regrouping and Controversy

ORN: November 11, 12, 13: REST and recovery

OK, I've made the decision to take a shot at the Goofy challenge of running the Walt Disney Half Marathon on Saturday and the Marathon on Sunday. But, I'm also at the end of a long training and traveling season. So, I took three days off, and now I'm ready to get started again.

CONTROVERSY: Some of you may have heard about this. Apparently, a small group of runners from the much LARGER group called Jean's Marines cut the Marine Corps Marathon course in order to beat the bridge closing. They've been busted and asked to give back their medals.

I understand the concern. No one should cut a course short. But, the truth is that had they NOT made the bridge closing they would have been bused to the other side of the bridge and allowed to finish AND get a medal. In that case, they STILL wouldn't have covered the entired distance.

My heart really goes out to the entire Jean's Marines organization. They are doing wonderful things for many, MANY people. This seems to have been an error in judgement. But, knowing Bob and Jean, I'm sure it was done without malice. Their only goal is to help their participants achieve the goal of finishing a marathon.

I hope the dust settles quickly on this.

If you have thoughts about the topic, please share.

Thanks.

John

Thursday, November 10, 2005

Slow But Steady

ORN: 60 min, 5 w/u, 50 @ 4/2, 5 c/d

OK, I sent in the application for the Goofy challenge. So, I guess I'm going to take a shot at it.

My training for the next 6 weeks or so will have a single-mindedness. I've got to figure out how easy I need to run on Saturday to be able to get through a marathon on Sunday.

Coach Jenny has me on a two day on, one day off schedule. I'll do a short run the first day followed by a longer run the next. Not sure exactly what that means yet, but I'm willing to try.

I'm on the road for the next few days and may not have access to a computer and I'm certain that I won't be running.

Waddle on, friends.

John

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

A Goofy Idea

ORN: 50 minutes, 5/1

If you've been following this, you'll see what I'm up to. Same route, different interval, more running. I'm still trying to understand why my legs aren't any more trashed than they are, but, I had a great run today and was actually able to "push" the pace a little every now and then.

Some of you may know about the "Goofy" challenge at this year's Walt Disney World Marathon. If you run the half marathon on Saturday you get a Donald Duck medal. If you run the FULL marathon on Sunday you get a Mickey Mouse medal. If you run them BOTH, you get a GOOFY medal.

Well, the temptation is setting in. I wasn't going to because I had missed the deadline, but I've been offered a number... so... how can I say no!!

AAARRRGGGHHH! I can't believe I'm even THINKING about this.

Waddle on,

John

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Nearly Normal

ORN: 50 minutes, 4/2

I'm back home, running on my favorite route, and it felt GREAT. I'm shocked at how good my legs feel just a week after the Marine Corps Marathon. I think I'm beginning to understand how people "run" marathons every month. You just have to take your time.

I'm "leaning" towards running/walking the Honolulu Marathon. I'll be there with Team in Training and so would be out on the course all day anyway. The last time a "ran" the event I had a terrible day. This might get that taste out of my mouth.

Waddle on,

John

Monday, November 07, 2005

Lost in New York

Wow. I think this is the longest I've gone without blogging since I started blogging.

I've been at the ING New York City Marathon since last Thursday. Jenny and I were on a panel at the expo and I was doing appearances for Runner's World magazine. I didn't have access to my computer, so I've gotten behind.

The highlight of the trip was getting to run 3 times in Central Park. Living in Chicago, on the north side, I've got a beautiful place to run every day; along the lakefront. But, as much as I hate to admit it, running in Central Park is better. There are rolling hills, lots of paths, and LOTS of people.

The biggest, and most pleasant, surprise was how my legs are already starting to come back after the Marine Corps Marathon. It's probably because I did so much walking. By yesterday [Monday] I was able to run/walk for a solid hour without any problem.

I registered for the Honolulu Marathon! Still not sure I'll do it, but I wanted to get a number just in case.

The New York City Marathon is special. There's no getting around that. It's not an easy course, but it IS the most international marathon in the world, and that alone makes it special.

So, I'll be back to regular blogging this week. Thanks for your patience.

Waddle on,

John

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

Chilling

ORN: 40 min, city bike

Whew! My legs are pooped! MCM was much hillier than the last time I ran it, and the hills are taking their toll.

I'm not going to rush back into it. It's been a long training/race season. I need time physically and emotionally to just cool it. I'm travelling this weekend and hope to get in a couple of light jogs, but I'm not going to worry if I don't.

Waddle on,

John

Tuesday, November 01, 2005

REST and Recovery

ORN: 0

I'm going to take SEVERAL days off. I'm having more soreness than I expected. Nothing major, just some dull aches and pains.

Pretty sure I won't be doing Honolulu. If for no other reason than it STARTS so early!!

Waddle on, friends,

John