Another fine mess

Today the milage started to get serious for the marathon training. This morning I met with Rick to get our 17 miler in. Bob and Todd were there at the start of it. Our plan was to loop Mill Creek park a great place to run. I had no goal pace in mind just get in the miles.

It was a good thing cause I really started hurting last 3 or 4 miles. Of course going a distance you haven't done in some time can cause some pain. Yep I guess 17 miles isnt a piece of cake. And speaking of food or fuel I need to figure out what to eat the night before a long run. Stomach was messed up during the later miles. I was trying out the power bar energy gels and may of ruled them out for future use.

Overall, the marathon training is a bit lacking. I have missed several runs so far but nothing too serious. I have gotten in the long runs and most of my speedwork or hill work I had planned. I still got 11 weeks to go so still time. I signed up for the Mill Creek Distance Classic Half marathon next Sunday, March 7th. It's a very hilly half, advertises 19 hills. Big selling point there. But worked in perfectly for training plan which calls for 12 miles. Hopefully it goes well, not expecting a good time but I have never had a good time running there. At least it keeps my streak alive of 1 or more races a month, February 2008 was last month without a race.

New computer and my first race has a girl.

I haven't had much time to post lately. And when I did get on computer it was taking so long to do anything I finally gave up. About all I was doing for a couple weeks was logging my run. So whats up? Hows the marathon training going? Not so great. Life and weather has gotten in the way more then once. But I have got in my long runs has planned so hopefully I still on track for the Cleveland marathon. I have till May 16th, but it can sneak up on you. I plan to do 15 miles this Sunday so hoping that goes good.

Last Sunday, yes on Valentines day I went to run the Run for your Heart 15K trail race with my buddy Bob. It was in North Chagrin park, part of the Cleveland Metro park. I had sent the money in to sign up and was later called and told they sold out already, 3 weeks before the race. A trail race. In Cleveland area. Sold out. Come on theres room on a snowy trail for more the 200 runners in 2 races. Hard to believe that many people want to run in the snowy trails and cold. The problem was I promised my buddy Bob I would run it.

So I did something I dont really agree with normally and was going to the race and running it anyways. Yes I was going to bandit the race, but I had tryed to sign up. Then the day before the race I got a message from Pam on dailymile.com and she asked me if I was still going to the race and would pick up the bag and hat they were giving away? Yes I would and hope you dont mind if I use your race number.

So Bob picked me up at 6:45 am for the drive to Chagrin park. Plenty of time to get registered has Pam. Yes, here it was Valentines day and my buddy Bob was spending the day with Pam. The 8K started first we waited a bit and noticed the runners were looking a little slow. Then we got started with 15K and found out why, the snow was deeper/tougher then I thought it would be. The course was a double loop and no good footing for most of it. There was a coupld short stints on a bike path and you sure could tell the difference. I could really feel it in my calves and ankles.

Near the end of the first mile there was the big hill. Just what you want, a steep snow covered hill. On the second loop around it was steeper then the first. Of course there was a down hill later on that was real tempting to slide down, where was my sled? We finally finished, I didn't place in my first race has a 31 year old female.

I wasn't fast but it was tough, my "girly" calves hurt for days after wards. We then went to 5 Guys Burger and Fries. Sounded like perfect recovery food to me.

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.