Week 1 Review, Week 2 Goals

The week went well, no major mishaps, got in the planed mileage 30.8 to be exact so an extra .8. I got in the hill run whichwas brutal and got in the long run of 11 miles in. So I guess week 1 was a success.

On to week 2. Heres what I got planned right now. Total weekly mileage of 30 miles, another hill run, a 10K trail race and long run of just 8 miles. Maybe Ill do an extra mile to make it 9, eight just seems to short, but it is early in the training plan. I have gone back and forth about the 10K race on next Saturday but have decided to go ahead and run it. After all I have to have a February race. Plus they usally give something nice and its fun race. Last year we started the race on the lake. Hopefully week 2 goes has good has week 1..

Sold Out!

No its not the newest blog entry of Confessions of a Race Addict, Its much worse then that. The race I was planning to run on February 14th is sold out already. I had was going to send it out on Monday January 19 but that was Martin Luther King day, so no mail. I let it sit around for a few days. After all who would think a trail race in February would sell out?

Then this evening I got a phone call, from the race director. She said they were only allowing 200 runners, I was number 235. I talked to her for a bit and im on the waiting list but extremely unlikely I will get in. One reason she called me was because I live over an hour away from where the race is being held. The plan was me, Bob and Rick, the RBRC, were going up to run the race. Turns out Rick didn't get in either. So do we let Bob go solo? I hate to say this but I couldnt do that and ruin the plans we had made. We made the effort to get in, I have never not signed up in time to get in a race. I have done the early bird sign up for Cleveland marathon 4 years in a row.

I guess im used to races in the Youngstown area where I often sign up on race day and worse case scenario is you dont get a t-shirt. I mean 3 weeks before this first time event its sold out. Im still impressed with that. Guess the race director has a good reputation in Cleveland area and advertised it well. They do an 8K in August on the same course so I might be back. If I get signed up in time.

Marathon Training Goal plan week 1

And yet another reason to not run on a treadmil. Shut Up and Run!: Re-enactment (video) I admit it im anti treadmill. Get outside and run.

Monday is the first day of my 16 week training plan leading up to the Cleveland marathon. Here's how the plan works, instead of how I normally wrote up a calendar with each days run filled in a just made a list of goals for each week. Days I run them will be decided week to week. Its kind of Jack Danielesque thing. I most likely will be running long on Sunday and speedwork on Wensday or Thursday but I will permit flexibilty in my schedule.

For week week 1 january 25 thru February 1 the goals are to run 30 miles for the week, with a long run of 12 miles and speed work will be either a 6 mile hill run or 3 mile tempo run. From now till the marahon I plan to post on Monday the upcoming weeks goal and how the previous week went.

Marathon Training here I come! In case your wondering if im relaxing or going at it this week I have a 10 to 12 miler planned for Sunday.

RunRunLive podcast review

Snot rockets in flight, afternoon delight, freezing cold trail run delight!!

The RunRunLive Podcast is chronically boring and anyone listening to a full episode must have masochistic tendencys. I find the only thing its good for is building mental toughness while marathon training. Listen to RunRunLive during a 5 miler, 26.2 miles without it seems so much shorter and easier.

Going to grab my shoes tie them tight grab some freezing cold trail run
only wimpy runners wait till the month of may get out and freeze your nuts off that's our way

Actually none of thats true. I just wondered what it was like to write a bad review. Either Im too nice or I like most podcasts. Since most podcasts are just done voluntarily I would never rip them up badly. Truth is RunRunLive produced by Chris Russell but hosted by many, including yours truly, is one of my favorites. He's got a great sense of humor, many episodes have a humorous skit or song in them. Episode 102 had the greatest rendition of "Afternoon delight" in history. I had trouble running thru it.

snot rockets in flight, afternoon delight, freezing cold trail run delight

Chris usually has a guess announcer at the beginning introducing the podcast. He lets them plug their own podcast, blog or whatever while following the basic script. I called it once, but cannt remember which episode it was in. He often does runs with Buddy the wonder dog possibly the most famous running podcasting dog around. He usually has an interview with someone, some famous, some not so famous, some promoting a charity, product or service. The last episode I listened to he interviewed a guy doing 250 marathons this year for charity. Where does he find this people?

got screw in my shoes, so I dont have to walk, nothing better then some hill work in the freezing rain.

The RunRunLive is a fun easy to listen to on the run podcast, with some good info and some laughs. It really is the podcast for all your running needs. Just stay away from the moldy pumpkin pie. What more do you want? I could live without the imagery the ice bath chronicles gives me though.

snot rockets in flight, afternoon delight, freezing cold trail run delight

Runrunlive.com

Sunday run

Today I got up in time for my 9 am run. I never used to think that 9 am was early, a while back that was sleeping in. Now that I work evenings and dont get home till 1 am its a different story. But I couldnt sleep in since I knew Bob and Rick would be waiting for me. This week they were only one's there, 2 others showed up last week.

We went on a different route then any we normally take. Mill Creek park is a beautiful great place to run. That being said we did another run out of the park to break up the ordinary and did parts of run out of the park running on the streets in Youngstown. Definitely broke up the monotony. May of also added a hill or 2. Mixing it up last week is what prompted Bob to want to do it again this week. That and since I now have a Garmin 305.

We did 11.3 miles in 2:04:54. Not a fast pace but at times felt fast, but I never stoped the watch not for traffic stops or bath room breaks or anything. Long runs Im taking lets just go out and run and it is what it is. Starting the 25th when I get more serious about my training has I prepare for Cleveland Marathon in May.

Running Stupid Podcast Review

I almost going to do a review of one of my favorite podcasts because he had bribed me with an official Running stupid kazoo, seen above. But I felt I could be objective regardless. I dont sell out that easily. Of course I have emailed him many times and now that he made me an adminstrator on the Running stupid facebook page it's hard to claim objectivity.

Coach Ken hosts the Running Stupid podcast is an ultra runner in California. He doesnt seem to take himself or the podcast overly seriously, with his laughing thru out the show makes you realize he's just doing this for the fun of it. Yep he laughs at his jokes and remarks. Much like his running, assuming you consider pain and suffering for long distances fun. Most episodes are about his training or the latest ultra he's just finished. He usually keeps it fun on lighthearted. He's going into HURT 100 miler with only Mrs Coach Ken has his crew. If he ever runs an Ultra or any race in North East Ohio I promise to crew or run it with him.

Coach Ken has several regular segments like stupid philosphy and regular updates about his hero Dean Karnazes. Beware the kazoo never know when he's going to play it! Obviously a high point. Of course if I play it on computer when my wife is home she gives me a weird looks and thinks Im stupid for listening to it. Wait till he mentions his favorite energy gel.

On the serious side, if there is one, it is great to listen to someone who loves running and races. He isnt going to win a race, and his favorite expression. All Day!! is both an inspiration and how long he's going to be out there, long after the winners have finished. You can just tell how much Ken loves being out there just running a race. That enthusiasm can inspire you.

I realize this podcast isn't for everyone, I had to listen to a few episodes before I got it. But give it a try, become a Stupidhead.

Facebook Running Stupid

Running Stupid

Sunday morning run

It was 9* out this morning but seeing there were 4 guys waiting on me to run made it a little easier after I got to the park. We did a different route leaving Mill Creek Park going thru down town Youngstown and thru the YSU campus. Made for a little more interesting route, but downtown looked like a ghost town. Im sure it would be a completely different and more dangerous run on Monday morning.

BHAG

BHAG is Big Hairy Audicous Goal. I was listening to a podcast, Dirty Dawgs Running and he talked about having a BHAG. I liked the idea of setting a big goal for the year since I had been feeling a little unmotivated. And this is even after signing up for the Cleveland marathon. Had to get the early bird price.

So I considered a BHAG for me and came up with 2 marathons, one of them in 4:15. Or both. Now, first ones already decided it's Cleveland. Trying to come up with a second one this year. I always like the idea of running all the Ohio marathons and Columbus is a good possiblity. I think I have a place to stay there.

So started to consider the different possiblitys and without limiting myself to one state. But in being honest with my finicial abilities knew it would have to be one thats drivable without more then 2 nights away. Dont have much vacation time or hotel funds currently. The training to gt to 4:15 is an entirely different issue.

A couple of other ideas I was tossing around were doing an ultra and running 50 races in a year. Both are doable, the 50 races in a year would mean finding the right races to fit my work schedule.

So any one got any ideas for my BHAG? Any suggestions for a second marathon this year? Any reasonable idea will be considered.............

Welcome 2010!

I ended 2009 by running in the Jingle Bell run 5K. With most of the streets the race was held on snow covered I ended just slightly behind where I thought I would. In truth it was about has good has I had thought I could run in especially in the conditions.

So that means I ended 2009 with 20 races. Which consisted of:

• 7 - 5K's
• 1 - 4 miler
• 1 - 5 miler
• 2 - 10K's
• 1 - 8 Miler
• 2 - 15K's
• 1 - 10 miler
• 3 - Half marathons
• 1 - 25K
• 1 - Marathon

Of them I had no real PR's. I feel I've slowed down. Last couple of months I have noticed it more. But its a new year. I had some real fun races last year and hope for more of the same this year. So looking forward in a year I enter a new age group, but till August what are the goals. I gave it some thought and didn't come up with much, so I thought some. So here's what im willing to put down to blog.

1. Finish Cleveland Marathon. Preferably under 4:30. Ultimately in 4:15.
2. Run 1800 miles.
3. Have more fun running or at least has much has last year.
4. Get 2 PR's.

I will try to get some more goals. Am considering a second marathon next year but very non commital about it.