The plans for the summer continue to shape up. We have signed up for Fargo, I am going to do the Marathon and Karyn the 1/2. Should be a enjoyable trip. The training now takes on an immediate purpose. I need to ramp for Fargo, the current plans look something like this:
3/02 - 12
3/08 - 14
3/15 - 16
3/22 - 11
3/29 - 18
4/06 - 12
4/13 - 20
4/20 - 15.5 (Trail Mix?)
4/27 - 22
5/03 - 17
5/10 - 11
5/17 - Fargo
If I follow the above for the long run schedule and mix in 3 or 4 more days of tempo and easy. I should hit Fargo in ok shape other than the fact that I still need to lose 20+ pounds. Not going to panic on the weight, the goal is by the end of the summer.
As to other marathons, the soccer season looks like Swan Lake will be a no go but Marathon 2 Marathon might work. Beyond that I am thinking I should go for the Afton 50k.
All in all looks a great summer for running, if I do the work, it will be fun, if I don't it will hurt..............
Monday, February 25, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Haulin Aspen and Grizzly are a go...........
The plans were made, friends were told and now the money is paid, we are committed to running two marathons in a week. Ok, Karyn corrected me, I am committed they will simply wait for me at the finish after getting back to the hotel for a good morning of sleep.
I now need to lock into a reasonable training plan in order to get to the start line as healthy as possible. It's funny how things work out, on the day that I sign-up, I am hacking away. Right now, I can't imagine doing these two but my hope is that my coming runs lay the foundation for a couple of enjoyable events.
Notice that I say events, I want to enjoy these runs. I know I will never probably be able to make it back to either of these events again. I plan on soaking them in, I may even take a camera with to get some race pictures. I did that one year at Grandmas where I was a bit injured and knew I couldn't race, it allowed me to slow down and to take in the beauty of Lake Superior, the sounds and sights of runners, volunteers and fans. I had never stopped to look at the lake nor paid much attention to the fans or runners during Grandmas (nor any marathon) as my focus was on the race. meaning my race. That race taught me that I race to participate not to race. I don't mean that I won't go as hard as I can because I will, I mean if it ain't my day to race then slow down, cut myself some slack and enjoy. As someone once said, no matter how bad you feel, someone else probably feels worse. If you stop and look around you can probably find that person and then you can help them, usually it is a first timer who just needs some reassurance. I have heard many stories from runners in a bit of trouble, my hope is that my conversations and encouragement helped them. I know that I was helped in more than one event by a comment from a fellow runner or fan. I also know that I will never win a race and I don't care, it's about enjoying the event, taking in the scenery, reflecting on life, thinking about the present, planning for the future and usually hoping the pain doesn't get worse.
Now if the weather would only improve to make it easier to get out the door. Ran twice over the weekend but my cold hit on Sunday and I decided to cut the run short by a couple of miles. The plan is to train for Fargo without injury. It bothered me to abort but I barely made it through the first mile, it was one of those runs where you just think it will get better but it didn't. Time to rest up, get healthy and work on the base............
I now need to lock into a reasonable training plan in order to get to the start line as healthy as possible. It's funny how things work out, on the day that I sign-up, I am hacking away. Right now, I can't imagine doing these two but my hope is that my coming runs lay the foundation for a couple of enjoyable events.
Notice that I say events, I want to enjoy these runs. I know I will never probably be able to make it back to either of these events again. I plan on soaking them in, I may even take a camera with to get some race pictures. I did that one year at Grandmas where I was a bit injured and knew I couldn't race, it allowed me to slow down and to take in the beauty of Lake Superior, the sounds and sights of runners, volunteers and fans. I had never stopped to look at the lake nor paid much attention to the fans or runners during Grandmas (nor any marathon) as my focus was on the race. meaning my race. That race taught me that I race to participate not to race. I don't mean that I won't go as hard as I can because I will, I mean if it ain't my day to race then slow down, cut myself some slack and enjoy. As someone once said, no matter how bad you feel, someone else probably feels worse. If you stop and look around you can probably find that person and then you can help them, usually it is a first timer who just needs some reassurance. I have heard many stories from runners in a bit of trouble, my hope is that my conversations and encouragement helped them. I know that I was helped in more than one event by a comment from a fellow runner or fan. I also know that I will never win a race and I don't care, it's about enjoying the event, taking in the scenery, reflecting on life, thinking about the present, planning for the future and usually hoping the pain doesn't get worse.
Now if the weather would only improve to make it easier to get out the door. Ran twice over the weekend but my cold hit on Sunday and I decided to cut the run short by a couple of miles. The plan is to train for Fargo without injury. It bothered me to abort but I barely made it through the first mile, it was one of those runs where you just think it will get better but it didn't. Time to rest up, get healthy and work on the base............
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Plans are coming together
The plans for the western vacation are progressing. I think we will be going so it's going to be two marathons in a week. I am excited by the prospect as today as I am not sure that I can do two in a week. That is why I love running marathons, it's pushing to take on something that I don't know if I can do. You know that the sequence will go like this.
1. Plan (to do something you aren't sure you can)
2. Sign-up for the races (money is on the line)
3. Tell friends (now you have to do it)
4. Train for it (gain confidence in your plan)
5. Get to the start line (now enjoy the experience)
The worse I will do on the two in a week is fail to finish. I have no time goals for these so all I got to do is get to the start line and then to enjoy the day.
It's a little like today, do I run? The knee is sore from yesterday, it is -6F with a 15 mph wind, making the temp feel around -25F. I know if I get dressed to go I will get a run in. I know if all I do is think about it I won't. It's all about starting out and seeing what happens.
1. Plan (to do something you aren't sure you can)
2. Sign-up for the races (money is on the line)
3. Tell friends (now you have to do it)
4. Train for it (gain confidence in your plan)
5. Get to the start line (now enjoy the experience)
The worse I will do on the two in a week is fail to finish. I have no time goals for these so all I got to do is get to the start line and then to enjoy the day.
It's a little like today, do I run? The knee is sore from yesterday, it is -6F with a 15 mph wind, making the temp feel around -25F. I know if I get dressed to go I will get a run in. I know if all I do is think about it I won't. It's all about starting out and seeing what happens.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Spirit of the Marathon
I have given some thought to the movie "Spirit of the Marathon" and decided to jot down some of them.
1. I will never run Chicago, too many runners but what a really cool view of the start.
2. Chicago looks like it would be a good course to run with even better fan support than TCM, wow.
3. Running a marathon with one of my daughters would be a neat experience.
4. Newbie runners are entertaining and say the darndest things.
5. Slow runners have more fun but would love to go fast, fast runners can't comprehend going slow.
6. Deana Kastor rocks and her training routine while injured was impressive.
7. I may not want to do Boston, too many runners their too.
8. Listening to runners talk about their races, training, etc... makes me feel like I belong as they sound like me.
9. The audience for the movie resembled Duluth during Grandma's week.
What a great movie to motivate any runner that has forgotten why we run.
1. I will never run Chicago, too many runners but what a really cool view of the start.
2. Chicago looks like it would be a good course to run with even better fan support than TCM, wow.
3. Running a marathon with one of my daughters would be a neat experience.
4. Newbie runners are entertaining and say the darndest things.
5. Slow runners have more fun but would love to go fast, fast runners can't comprehend going slow.
6. Deana Kastor rocks and her training routine while injured was impressive.
7. I may not want to do Boston, too many runners their too.
8. Listening to runners talk about their races, training, etc... makes me feel like I belong as they sound like me.
9. The audience for the movie resembled Duluth during Grandma's week.
What a great movie to motivate any runner that has forgotten why we run.
A plan is forming
Well, it seems as if the marathons for the year are starting to take shape.
First some good news, I ran back to back days for the first time since October with only some pain. The knee is tender but I am still walking, the plan will be to go for three days in a row tomorrow and then take a day off. I am being careful about icing and stretching and hopefully the combination will work. I am slow but hopefully some speed will come back if I can keep it up. I am trying not to push as we have some plans coming together for this year.
Karyn is planning our trip out west, I am planning on ramping for Fargo. If all holds together (body) and a few other things work out (finances) then I am thinking I can get in somewhere between 4-6 marathons for the year plus a 50k. So here is what the year is looking like:
May 17th: Fargo Marathon (ND)
then
June 8th: Swan Lake Marathon (SD)
or
June 14th: Marathon to Maration (IA)
then
July 5th: Afton 50k
then
August 10th: Haulin Aspen Marathon (OR)
then
August 16th: Grizzly Marathon (MT)
then maybe
September 28th: Quad Cities
then if not Marathon 2 Marathon how about
October 19th: Des Moines Marathon (IA)
then ????????????????
Ok, this is an aggressive plan. Well it might be, but it does look like fun. I am starting to gain more respect for the 50 stater's, it does take a bit of planing and some flexibility in training. The two western marathons will be interesting, let's see no training in altitude, 2 marathons in 6 days. I am not sure if I can do it which is exactly why I want to try.
Now I need to stay motivated, healthy and do the training.....................
First some good news, I ran back to back days for the first time since October with only some pain. The knee is tender but I am still walking, the plan will be to go for three days in a row tomorrow and then take a day off. I am being careful about icing and stretching and hopefully the combination will work. I am slow but hopefully some speed will come back if I can keep it up. I am trying not to push as we have some plans coming together for this year.
Karyn is planning our trip out west, I am planning on ramping for Fargo. If all holds together (body) and a few other things work out (finances) then I am thinking I can get in somewhere between 4-6 marathons for the year plus a 50k. So here is what the year is looking like:
May 17th: Fargo Marathon (ND)
then
June 8th: Swan Lake Marathon (SD)
or
June 14th: Marathon to Maration (IA)
then
July 5th: Afton 50k
then
August 10th: Haulin Aspen Marathon (OR)
then
August 16th: Grizzly Marathon (MT)
then maybe
September 28th: Quad Cities
then if not Marathon 2 Marathon how about
October 19th: Des Moines Marathon (IA)
then ????????????????
Ok, this is an aggressive plan. Well it might be, but it does look like fun. I am starting to gain more respect for the 50 stater's, it does take a bit of planing and some flexibility in training. The two western marathons will be interesting, let's see no training in altitude, 2 marathons in 6 days. I am not sure if I can do it which is exactly why I want to try.
Now I need to stay motivated, healthy and do the training.....................
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