Monday, July 30, 2012

Week in Review: July 23-29

This week was one of my worst ever. Running, work, personal.  All bad. Things are changing now that I've resigned my director position at work. Running, and life, will return to balance very soon. Here's the glorious stats for this past week:

Count:2 Activities
Distance:7.61 mi
Max Distance:4.39 mi
Avg Distance:3.80 mi
Time:1:19:16 h:m:s
Avg Speed:5.8 mph
Avg HR:132 bpm
Max HR:159 bpm
Avg Run Cadence:77 spm
Max Run Cadence:105 spm
Calories:963 C

Impressive, eh?

No worries. Just you wait. I anticipate some good things happening over the next few weeks and months.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Week in Review: July 16-22

What a screwed up week. First I gave up on running completely, then I devised a grand scheme for running greatness, got injured, and then I decided to "start over" like I was a newbie. All in 7 days!  Crazy.

Now I don't know what the hell I'm doing.  I may settle on the "Tom Rice advice"...run for fun...run when you want...run how you want. Don't run if you don't want to. Guess that makes sense. Unfortunately, I know myself well enough to realize that I like to push myself to the limits and I like to compete against others. At times, that doesn't lend itself to following "reasonable advice" about how to run. Running and training are different concepts. Mr Rice's advice works well for everyday life...for a healthy lifestyle...for fun. It doesn't work if you want to run a 100 mile trail race. Or set a new PR. Or beat my best friend. Someday I'll be done with racing and testing my limits.  That day isn't here yet...but I do need a better balance between pushing and enjoying. Kudos to Tom for reinforcing the value of fun. 

For me, right now, the problem isn't running.  It's work. I'm overwhelmed and I have nothing left to give to my leisure activities and hobbies. I have nothing left for running. Work commitments will eventually change and my pursuit of running excellence will be revived.  Until then, I need to "run for fun" and not expect exceptional results. Ordinary running and ordinary results. Even now, I can fit in 3-4 runs each week at distances of 3-5 miles.  That's still about 9-20 miles per week. Good enough to maintain a base of fitness. Not enough to compete in ultramarathons.  One day I'll be back as a "competitive middle-of-the-pack" ultra runner! 

I've gotten off track. Here are my weekly statistics. Check out that "Max Speed"! I don't think that's accurate, but it's what my Garmin Connect data says. Who am I to correct fancy technology?

Count:6 Activities
Distance:30.92 mi
Max Distance:6.89 mi
Avg Distance:5.15 mi
Time:5:51:22 h:m:s
Avg Speed:5.3 mph
Max Speed:1,551.0 mph
Avg HR:128 bpm
Max HR:158 bpm
Avg Run Cadence:74 spm
Max Run Cadence:102 spm
Calories:3,777 C

Friday, July 20, 2012

Grand Experiment Halted, New One Begun

My grand experiment, in which I left the details unspoken, has been halted. My right arch was not willing to go along for the ride. Sad.  It had potential, but the darn experiment didn't even last a full 2 days. Maybe I can re-institute the plan later.

Today, the Riddler told me to run with him...barefoot.  Of course, he was in big clunky shoes.  We ran 4 miles. More accurately, we walked 2 miles and ran 2 miles. My bare feet cooperated. I even kept pace with my shod friend. Three hours after the run, my feet still feel good.  They are alive and tingly. Kind of like they have awoken from a long slumber. Will they be willing participants in a new, revised, experiment tomorrow?

Time will tell. I'll keep you posted. While it's still hot in central Illinois (high 90s almost every single day), it's not Badwater hot (like the photo here--me barefoot at Badwater in Death Valley with air temps around 125).

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Experiment in Jeopardy!

My "grand" experiment is in jeopardy! My right arch is now hurting more than ever.  Was limping badly at work today. I'll need to ice it several times tonight and tomorrow morning and hope for the best. I guarantee my plan was not to run for a couple of days, then take off for a week due to injury!

Best laid plans of mice and me. What can you do?  Cautious optimism is about to turn into somber depression. Can't believe the weekend is almost here...and I'm not looking forward to it. Why have a weekend when you can't enjoy it?

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

The Grand Experiment Has Begun

Today marks the first day of my grand experiment with running. We each need to figure out what works for us...we are each an experiment of one. (Apologies to George Sheehan.)

I am at the end of my first day of this personal experiment. I'll try to share my thoughts every day here in the blog, but I'm not going to post running statistics here. That would be boring and redundant. Here you'll find my thoughts and feelings. The stats will be recorded and posted to my DailyMile site. You can go there and track my miles, time, pace, cadence, heart rate, efficiency, weather, elevation, etc. Here you'll find my feelings. In about 3 weeks, I'll share the actual experiment...rules, rationale, intention, hopes, goals, dreams. For now, look at my DailyMile posts, check out this blog, and hypothesize on what the hell I'm doing...and why.

At the end of this first day, I am pooped.  Just dead tired. I ended my evening jaunt feeling incredibly thirsty, hungry, fatigued, and "uncomfortable." Kind of like how I feel around the 25 mile mark of a 50km race. At that point you "only" have 10km left, but it ain't going to be easy. You look for the next aid station. Hydration and calories dominate your thought process. One foot in front of the other...repeat. Don't stop.

I'm satisfied after day one, but feeling a bit sad that I feel so damn tired after a fairly short run.

My improvement tip for tomorrow? Drink more water during the day and right before I run. I'll still take a standard 20oz bottle with me on the run, but that clearly wasn't enough today.  I think I'm dehydrated. "Drink to thirst" is a great motto...if you have access to water!

PS:  My most recent DailyMile log shows up on this blog on the right sidebar.

Monday, July 16, 2012

Week in Review: July 9-15

Not the week I imagined, but I managed a few miles. For now, all bets are off--no training goals for the rest of this year and no races planned. Not sure I'll even follow through and do Howl at the Moon 8-Hour on August 11.  Not ready and I have no motivation. Why waste my time?  For the near future, I run when I want to, not when my schedule says I need to run. If running makes me happy, then I'll run more.  If it simply creates more pressure and stress, then I skip it. Why force it?  Why add unhappiness? I'm not a professional athlete, so this running thing is a hobby...to be enjoyed. The last time I really enjoyed running was back in January at the Riddle Run 28 mile "fat ass" event. That was a long time ago. Seems like another life.

Here are basic run statistics from this past week. Nothing special.

Count:5 Activities
Distance:35.23 mi
Max Distance:10.06 mi
Avg Distance:7.05 mi
Time:6:25:41 h:m:s
Avg Speed:5.5 mph
Max Speed:8.9 mph
Avg HR:127 bpm
Max HR:156 bpm
Avg Run Cadence:75 spm
Max Run Cadence:104 spm
Calories:4,383 C

Hope life gets better soon. With extreme changes at work 2 years ago, my running has suffered for 23 months now. I am cautiously optimistic that work issues will improve within the next month. When work turns around, running usually follows.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Running is a Fickle Bitch

Running and I haven't seen eye to eye lately. We are on the outs. This whole year has been up and down...but mostly down. We may have to break this thing off, permanently. Running has been a fickle bitch lately. Loves me, hates me. Admires me, scolds me. She's a temptress. Even though things get bad, I can't seem to let her go. Our little affair should be over, but something keeps me entranced. She promises the world...then delivers a cold shoulder. What's up with that?

I took three days off in a row this week. Tough times at work and I didn't feel like, or have time, for running. Once I found time yesterday, I devoted over three hours to my neglected mistress...just her and me for 18 miles on the trails. But it wasn't enough. I suffered in the warm temps as the sun beat down on me. My pace was slow and my right foot ached. I was tired, but I wanted to prove myself worthy of the title "runner." I failed. Nine minute miles faded into ten minute jogs which turned into eleven minute slogs. Three days off and this is how you treat me? Screw you!

Running isn't my only interest.  I have tennis, soccer, hiking, and biking. Two can play at this game.  Maybe I should toss this fickle mistress aside and hold on dearly to a more stable partner...hiking seems nice. Beautiful wooded trails with lots of hills and lakes? No rush. No pressure. Just a walk in the park. Who'll be jealous then? Don't think I won't make the swap.  I have options. Understand?

My wife is away for a couple of weeks, maybe running and I can "make nice" and enjoy lots of solo time together. No other distractions. No other temptations. Care to give it a whirl? Maybe double-days for a week or two. Early morning jaunts, followed by romantic evening strolls?

I'm serious. If running and I don't work this out soon, I'm seeking a divorce. I have plenty of evidence of your cruel treatment. Don't make me go public with your temperamental ways. You've caused mental and physical anguish. Just treat me well and I'll stay with you. I'm willing to work hard. Long runs. Tempo runs. Hill repeats. Intervals. Strides. Let's make up and go forward, hand in hand. Running, you out there?  You listening? Don't be a fickle bitch. Let's make up.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Week in Review: July 2-8

I've skipped a few "weeks in review" since there doesn't seem to be any need to report that "I ran once or twice this week."  With heavy duties at work, then vacation, I haven't run much in the past 4 weeks.  Until this past week!  I had a great week, especially considering we had serious heat every single day (98-104 for high temps). I intended to run every day in July, sort of a mini run streak...and already failed that goal.  I'm just not a streaker. So, my new goal is to run at least 7 days each week. If I skip a day, then I need to double on another day that week. That's what happened this past week.  I ended up with 7 runs on 6 days. Good enough for me. In addition to not being a good run streaker, I'm not a very consistent or high mileage runner.  For me, a 40 mile week is good, 50 miles is great, and 60 is awesome. With 49.9 miles, I just made it into the "great" category for the week! (I'm comfortable rounding 49.98 to 50 and counting it in the "great" category rather than the 40+ week of simply "good.")  Here are my statistics from last week:

Count:7 Activities
Distance:49.98 mi
Max Distance:10.89 mi
Avg Distance:7.14 mi
Time:9:10:05 h:m:s
Avg Speed:5.5 mph
Max Speed:8.0 mph
Avg HR:131 bpm
Max HR:152 bpm
Avg Run Cadence:71 spm
Max Run Cadence:100 spm
Calories:6,175 C

I'll take this as a good sign I'm getting back to consistent training. Nothing fast or long, but still consistent miles. I'm managing to keep the heart rate down (average HR and max HR) even when running in extreme temperatures--heat indices ranged from 105-115 all week. My run cadence is fairly slow due to more walking and slow jogging. That's OK.

I hope this week will keep me in the "great" category (50-59 miles)...or even venture into the "awesome" realm of 60+ miles. And I'm committed to blogging a bit more too. I've been adding a few notes to each of my DailyMile run posts lately, but that still doesn't count as a blog posting.

Howl at the Moon 8-Hour race preparation update: 33 days to go until race day!  I don't have sufficient time to fully prepare for Howl.  I hope to be fit, but not ultra-fit, by August 11. Wish me well...I'm going to need some good karma to make it through 8 rough hours.

Monday, July 2, 2012

I'm Back (Sorta)

I'm back to running...sorta...at least more than I have been in the last 4 weeks.  It's been a struggle balancing work, vacation, and running over the last month.  Running has taken a back seat to everything else.  Plus, it's been hot and humid around central Illinois--which makes it easy to skip runs. I feel tired all the time anyway...and the heat doesn't help. I'm at the tail-end of a cold that I caught in Greece. If I can finally get healthy, things will turn around and I'll become more optimistic.

Now that July is here, I'm re-dedicating myself to daily running.  Even if it's slow, or short, I'll get out every single day and do some running. I only have 40 days until the 8-Hour Howl at the Moon race. Not sure 40 days is enough to get back into shape.  I think I can be fit again in 6 weeks, but not "ultra running fit"--not sure what that means for my race.  There is virtually no way I can achieve my 50 mile goal in 8 hours...even if the heat and humidity break. I already have 469 "lifetime" Howl race miles...only 31 more to break 500!  That is my new goal.  It is realistic and still a reasonable accomplishment (50km or more seems laudable no matter what the race). My worst year at Howl, I completed 33 miles. Unless this year is a new low, I'll knock out 31+ miles.

With the summer heat, I plan on slogging through miles every day. One step at a time. Those miles will eventually add up to significant totals. In my dreams, I plan on 7 miles in the morning and 3 in the evening.  10 miles per day, everyday. That's good for me. In reality, it'll likely be 7 miles/day for a total of 49-50 miles per week.  Still OK. I'm tired, but I can still dream. The turtle is my new mascot. Slow and steady wins the race...or at least covers some steady ground.