Run-Schmun

Can't I just sit on the couch pounding a bag of potato chips and guzzling a 2-liter of Dr. Pepper in order to train for the marathon? I think my dear friend "Smells" had it absolutely freakin' right when she gave me her take on exercise. (For those of you who don't know Smells, she was not only my drinking buddy back at Berkeley but she was also my workout buddy.) One day, while punishing ourselves on the Precor Elliptical machines at the RSF - machines we waited probably a good 45 minutes for and fought tooth and nail to get by glaring at the skinny 18 year olds who were talking on their cell phones while "working out," but I'm not bitter - Smells noted that the higher powers that be should have given us "hot bods" in our youth with a sort of "repayment plan." You get the great, in-shape body up front and then have to workout to keep it. If Smells were running for the office of said higher power, she would totally get my vote. What a brilliant motivation to stay in shape and to stick to your training plan!

Wait, how did I get on this topic? Oh right, the weather it total crap today and I was running the risk of getting behind in my training plan. However, a quick trip to the local sporting goods store for a pair of running tights (yes, it is true! I bought a pair and I don't look half as good in them as Sixpack does!!!!) and a new longsleeve shirt to motivate me to get out in the cold drizzle to do my 5 miles. Mission accomplished. It wasn't as bad as I had imagined and I feel good to have it out of the way so that I can start thinking about my 9-miler on Sunday.

Like ROWC, last week's training flew by without a hitch. I think the three weeks off over the holidays gave me "fresh legs" because I am running faster than I was before the break. However, I am still sticking to my plan of "slow and steady." I was scheduled to run last week's 8-miler at a 10:39ish pace and managed to slow myself down to a 10 min. pace. I think that if I can focus on slowing down, I will minimize my risk for injury before the marathon.

Anywho, I hope that everyone is having a good week. For those of you with access to indoor treadmills, I envy you! Keep up the running and posting. Scooter, how are things going and are the miles getting any easier? Ginifer, how is your training? ROWC, post a pic of those big ol' honkin' new shoes of yours when you get them. Sixpack, when do we get the promised Speedo pics? And Deetschei, what about the photo of your running suit???

Hitting My Stride, I Think....

So I know it's only week 2 in my training, but I can already tell a difference. Thanks to a little field trip out of the gym and onto the road this weekend with Dr. Pavement Pounder I found a good pace (faster than a brisk walk) and was able to do the whole run today without stopping. It was only 2 miles, but trust me--that was a personal accomplishment.

I followed some other very good advice and made a beeline to the Fleet Feet store in my area last week. I have to say, for a beginning runner, it was a terrific experience. The salesman had a lot of good suggestions and with the aid of a video camera, a treadmill and a skeleton's foot (for illustration purposes only--no voodoo involved) got me into a great fitting pair of shoes. Unfortunately, with my freakishly large feet, they had to special order them, so it will be another few days before I actually get to wear them.

P.F. Changs 1/2 Marathon Result

Hey All!
Well, it's nice to see so many new faces and so many great posts after my holiday hiatus. I'm just checking in to give my result, then running off to pack since I fly home very early tomorrow.

Total Time: 1:49:15

All in all it was a good run, but I had one bad mile that cost me a personal best. Basically, I got blisters for the first time, then cramped from gu, and then my knee went wonky...all at the same time. So I ended up with a 8:59 mile between 11 and 12. I recovered in the end, and still finished very strong with a 8:11 final mile. I'm not complaining one iota-- It was a great run and a LOT of fun.

Keep up the great work everybody! I look forward to getting to know some of you over the next year :)

I Love You, Lance Armstrong!

Another week of running is over. Yes, it's true. It's the second week of training and things are going very well, I do have to say.  First, I scaled the leg workout way back this week, and saved my energies and soreness for the run. So far I think it's going to work. I'll add a few pounds to the leg workout next week and see how that goes.

The run today, because I blogged about run one earlier this week, went really, really well. It was the usual Glen Park Monster, which entails a two mile run to the bottom of the hill (Yeah, take that Midwest flatlanders! It's two miles just to get to the bottom.) and then three miles up the hill, a mile running in circles at the top and then another mile home. It's a great run, and a very fun one. The best news? SUN! We saw the sun today for the first time in over a week, making it a beautiful run. So beautiful, in fact, that I almost took my shirt off, but it was a little chilly. Outdoor temp when I left for the run was 59 degrees. Not bad, not bad.

  Today is what running is all about. A beautiful day, some time outside in a great city and a good workout. Things feel good and I'm moving on. And when it was all over Lance Armstrong came on my iPod and congratulated me for running my longest run yet! I love hearing from Lance. Strangely it really does motivate me. Not because I have some delusion that Lance really does care, but the knowing that when I hear him I've pushed myself even further just gets me pumped.

As an aside, I read an interesting article by Kristen Armstrong (the ex-wife) in Runners World and I thought I would share it here.  It's entitled: Pretty Strong and  it just pulled at my heartstrings in it's honesty, it's motivation, and the way she works so hard to set a good example for her kids.  Enjoy.

Zusammenfassung der Woche:

Distance: 13 miles

Total time: 2:00:28

Average Pace: 9:15

Overall Impression: 

Factual Error

This comment came in yesterday in response to my post "New Year, New Marathon....New Tattoo (?)":

" The race staff is pleased that you "joined the bandwagon for the Madison Marathon." We would like to clarify one thing in your post...the race was stopped due to extreme weather conditions (90 degree heat and high humidity) but thankfully everyone was fine (ie no deaths to report)!

Glad you enjoy finishing at the World's Largest Brat Festival. We have some great things planned for 2008 and hope your readers will join us!

Madison Marathon Staff"

1. My apologies to the Madison Marathon Staff for insinuating there was a death at their race. To be honest, I couldn't recall exactly when I posted and was too lazy to look it up. Here's to no deaths in Madison, but a moment of silence for the fallen in London, the Olympic Trials, Chicago and others during the last year.
2. Readers? I didn't even know we had readers. Is the phenomenon growing? Am I becoming the leader of a cult? It's exciting to know that more people read this thing than just those of us kvetsching about our running. Does this mean others have heard of our Kenyan theory? Is that something we want getting out?

It's a family affair...

OK, so with a little bit of arm-twisting, here I am (that would be Kay, sister #2 to Dr. Pavement Pounder). My lovely sisters put a little of the G. family guilt-trip on me and I now find myself, very much used to a few miles on the elliptical machine at the Y every week, training for the OKC half-marathon.



I started today with a training plan (definitely the beginner one) from the Runner's World website DPP recommended. I think I need to tweak the pace a little bit--my "easy run" pace was more of a brisk walk. I'm wondering about the treadmill though...once you get off the treadmill, does the sensation of moving faster than you actually are disappear after awhile? It's a little unnerving....

That's a Good Boy!!!

I wanted to post today and tell of my winning the battle with that demon that Forest refers to as Sybil. I would call mine Heinrich, but he's much nicer than the voice I was battling with during my run today. For argument's sake, why don't we call him Jason Whitt. So, I've got my fancy "new" iPod on (it's an old model that was replaced under warranty right before Christmas) and I'm going for a treadmill run at the RSF. Past experience tells me that the Nike+ doesn't measure well when using a treadmill. Something about the strange gait on a treadmill throws off the rhythm or something, ask Deetschei, he's the one always using words like coefficient.

  Today, however, the measure was WAY off. I was on one treadmill and it told me I had run more than a mile when the mill itself hadn't yet registered .88 miles. Then my favorite machine came open so I thought I would switch to it. There things got worse. While running at a treadmill described pace of 9:20/mile, my iPod was clocking in at 7:30. As I said, WAY OFF!  As I'm approaching 6 miles (today's goal) on my iPod the treadmill reads only 4. Then the voice begins!!!! "If I keep the iPod running, then the distance will show that I ran over 7 miles when I only ran 6. So, I'll have to shut off the iPod."

"If I shut off the iPod then I can just meet the distance halfway, and run only 1 of the 2 miles I still have left to run." 

"If I shut off the iPod no one will ever know that I didn't really run the full 6 miles."

So I shut off the iPod. Then continued to run and run and run, until Jason Whitt had been struck down, and I had run the full 6 miles according to the treadmill. So, Nike+ thinks I ran 6 miles incredibly fast, but I know in my heart of hearts that Jason Whitt can't always talk me into not finishing a workout, and that I am going to beat this thing!!!

Rock on all you marathoners, half marathoners and Ben's that refuse to blog!!!!

A World of Marathons!

Who knew? Out of curiosity, I was checking out the course map for this weekend's Houston marathon. Interestingly, the banner at the top of the website had photos advertising various "adventure" marathon's around the world including The Great Tibetan Marathon, The Great Wall (of China) Marathon, and The Polar Circle Marathon. Sounds absolutely fascinating and grueling! Definitely something to consider AFTER running my first marathon at/below sea level! :)

Speaking of which, today marks the first "official" day of training for the OKC Marathon. I ran a short 4.5 miler last week, as I believe I mentioned in a previous post, just to make sure the ol' machine was still working. Which, I am pleased to report, it is.

I hope that, over the next 16 weeks, you will also be hearing from my sisters as they log their training miles for their first race ever and their first time to run at distance. Ben has already stated that he will NOT be posting as he trains for the half-marathon. I leave that up to him to explain. So, it appears that the OKC Marathon will be a family affair. I only wish that I had my tried-and-true drunkrunner buddies along for the ride.

More to post at the end of this week!

Deetschei, how is the final week of training going for the AZ half-marathon? Be sure to give us a report!!!

Weightlifting Pitfalls

I'm checking in for the week although there's isn't much to post about.

I ran 5 miles on Thursday, and it went well. Average pace of about 9:40, not bad, not bad. Then lifted on Friday. Saturday and today I was way too sore to do any running, so had to lay off.

This brings me to the point that I need to seriously re-evaluate my weightlifting during the week. I'm overworking my legs so much on the workouts that I'm unable to follow up the running the next day. So this week I will scale back to step one and see what that does for me. I'll be doing the whole workout, but without weights this week. Just the body. Maybe that is enough. I'll let you know. In the meantime, I'm happy to have run 5 miles and begun training for the race.

Keep up the great work!!!!!

Week in review:

Distance: 5.06 miles

Time: 48:59

Pace: 9:40

Overall Impression: Will Cutting Back Leg Workouts Jeopardize My Buns Of Steel? (WCBLWJMBOS?)

Fluid Tips

Scooter asked for some assistance on hydrating techniques for runs, so this is a good time to go back through them for the gang. If you have any tips or hints that don't get covered here, please feel free to post them.

1. Hydration is extremely important for runs over 6 miles. My experience tells me that before six miles it's not a big deal. I mean, I've run a few 6 milers still drunk from the night before (at least that's how it felt) and was just fine without fluids.
   
2. That said, regardless of the run length, I like to have a glass or two of water before hitting the trail. With a drink or two before the run, its possible to extend that non-hydration rule mentioned above to runs of even 7 or 8 miles. If I recall correctly my hydration is more conservative than other contributors here, but it is in the end an individual sport.
   
3. When it comes time to take water with you on the run, I highly recommend Gu. They have a product called Gu20 that makes a great hydrating drink. There are, of course, many others on the market, Gatorade, etc. Mix your own and carry with you. Gu also has Gels, Espresso Love and Vanilla being my favorites. These provide more electrolytes and some caffeine to keep you going on that 20 mile run. I generally use Gels on any run over 7 miles, and use liquids on any run over 6 miles.
4. Hydration belts: mine is a Fuel Belt. Again, pick the one that's best for you, but don't be afraid to spend the money. The Fuel Belt is so much better than thinking you can carry the water bottle in your hand for 14 miles. Don't even kid yourself. Find something that will strap it to your body so you can forget about it until you need it. My only complaint about the Fuel Belt is that tying a shirt around your waist becomes impossible. It throws off the tension and becomes very awkward, and if I tuck the shirt in my shorts then they start to fall down, but enough about my shorts. Do some research and find the one that is best for you.
5. On the topic of Gels and Drink mixes, you'll need to discover for yourself how much you need. It's best to be over prepared than to find yourself begging for water, wearing nothing but a pair of shorts and a smile, in a New Berlin gas station on a 90 degree day (Not that that has EVER happened to me.) Race day, is also a day not to mess around. In my two races I've found I needed way more fluids to complete 26 miles than I had needed to complete 20. There is an equation there that I don't understand.

That's the long and the short about hydration from my end. We did complete some 12 mile runs without fluids back in the day, but at least my performance suffered because of it. Stay hydrated even when you are not running. If you don't have clear pee by noon, consider taking in more water.  Right, PP?

T.G.I.F. Thank god I finished

I just finished my first mile & a half. sweating hard but feeling grrrreat!! If only spring would get here. Midwest winters are the best for running.

New Year, New Marathon....New Tattoo(?)

Yes, it's a new year!

A quick look at Nike+ tells me I ran roughly 300 miles last year. I can recall at least 15 miles that were undocumented, giving me a total of 315 for the year. OH! I almost forgot that I didn't have my iPod chip with me for the marathon, that puts last years total at 341.2 miles (just shy of 1 mile per day). Not bad.

The year in review:
I started off with a bang running the Carlsbad Marathon which I blogged about. It was amazing, and put me through another loop. I spent 5 months in physical therapy. In fact, I've spent so much time in PT over the past 18 months that I almost cried when my therapist quit. He was great, and his replacement was not quite my cup of tea.
By June I had begun training for a marathon again, the Nike Women's--I think. I went for a ten mile run in Milwaukee (actually ran all the way to New Berlin and back.) and came back feeling great. The next day I had a back ache that lasted for months and eventually worked to my feet. Of last year's 341.2 miles only 88 of those came after that run to New Berlin. Acupuncture is the next attempted cure. I'll keep y'all posted.
In the meantime I'm feeling much better and would say I'm 98% recovered, but won't give up treating this until it is 100%.

In September Steve and I started Body for Life, before we were mowed down by the Mack Truck that is the holiday season, I had lost 15 pounds, and 2% bodyfat, Steve had lost 30 pounds. Now the holidays are over and the results weren't too bad. I stepped on the scale yesterday, and I had only gained 2 pounds, but had converted several pounds of muscle into gingerbread cookies and beer and spritz cookies and wine and a gingerbread house and beer. You get the picture. The diet started again yesterday and I've never felt better. We are both amazed at how good it feels to eat this way. I would honestly continue to do it even if I didn't lose weight. It's great. So, look for bigger changes, and yes, some more pics as soon as I've decided I'm in good enough shape to be seen in public. 

The coming year:
2008 promises to be awesome!! I've joined the bandwagon for the Madison Marathon (the fact that someone died there two years ago will not deter me!). The best part of the Madtown Marathon? The fact that the finish line is also BRATFEST, of course!  Will there also be a new tattoo at the Madison Marathon? It's hard to say, but it's a definite possibility. I won't bore you all here with ideas, but will definitely post a pic if/when it happens.

  This will hopefully be followed by a summer of happy running in preparation for the Berlin Marathon. It's early enough to begin planning for it, any takers?

The Dr's Year in Review

After reading Deetschei's accomplishments and after briefly glancing at my own distance for the year, I was a bit disappointed that I hadn't managed to put in more miles. But then I took a look at my distance for 2006 and cheered up a bit. I increased my distance for the year by more than 100 miles (over 200 depending on the accuracy of last year's calculations).

I didn't meet the goal of running a marathon, but I have signed-up for the OKC marathon in 2008, and I begin training next week. In addition, following Sixpack's example, I got my sisters running this year and have gotten them to agree to run the OKC half-marathon. While my times were significantly slower this year than last - due to my training for the Houston marathon - I achieved a personal first by completing a 14 mile run. It almost broke me, but I did it. I also learned that training for a marathon in 12 weeks isn't "smart training." My fastest mile this year was 7:31 on a 3.5 mi. run. My fastest average time was 7:53 on a 5.5 mi. run.

All in all, I think that 2008 holds lots of promise in terms of new personal firsts and bests. I want to thank everybody, especially Deetschei and Sixpack, for their advice and words of encouragement this year. We might be scattered to the four corners, but we're still running!

JUST STOPPING IN TO SAY HELLO

Hello All,
I am new to the blog. My Name is Scott (a.k.a Scooter from here on out). I have been a "walker" for the past 3 months. I started walking to lose weight and became addicted. I used to run with Forrest years ago and had to stop due to recurring knee injury. The walking has paid off well (50 lbs in 3 months) But as I have hit yet another plateau in my quest for the all american body not to mention the pressure from Forrest and the encouragement from Sixpack Chopra i have decided to kick it up a notch and begin to train for the Madison marathon in May. This will be a task for me. I am the father of 2, little league coach for 2 teams, and I star Fireman training school in 1 week. All this said I am scheduled with the program from runners world to begin full on training on Moday, Jan. 7. I have been running a mile a day this week and will begin searching for local 5k runs in the near future. Thank you for your time and thanks for the invite Sixpack!

Year in Review

First, I can’t believe that an entire year of drinking and running has passed again. I remember writing this entry last year in Cologne while lying in bed and wondering whether I would be able to run much in 2007. I believe I had compiled 600 something miles over the course of 2006 before sitting down in a post-marathon funk that lasted until late December. As a result, I had to run two-a-days through most of January in order to get back in shape.
I was not only able to run in 2007, but January gave me a solid base that carried me through the entire year. Although I didn’t run another marathon in 2007, I was able to maintain a consistently high level that saw me hit a variety of new goals. During my speedy Spring, I ran my fastest mile probably ever (6:59) and also hit a personal best for the 5K (21:50).
After my legs nearly fell off, I decided to withdraw speedwork and focus entirely on more base building. That culminated in two consecutive months with more than 100 miles. I ultimately ran over two hundred miles more than I did in the previous year (835) with an average pace of around 8:52 per mile.

So I got that going for me, which is nice.

This next year will hopefully build upon the last. I am running a half marathon in one week, and am in discussions with my coaching staff (Tessa) about potentially running another marathon, perhaps in Hamburg (Spring) or Cologne (Fall). I’m still not sure I want to go back to that distance yet, though. The one goal I have set that I am excited about is to run 1,000 miles in 2008. If I can manage 20 miles a week for the entire year, then its in the bag. That’s all.

So, I know there were a lot of accomplishments on this blog last year. I can think of at least two marathons and a lot of Texan ass-kickings. I’d love to hear your thoughts about 2007 and what you are looking forward to in 2008.

Scientific Proof

Finally, scientific confirmation for what we Drunkrunners already knew:

"Guinness good for you - official"

OOOOOOOOOOOOOKLAHOMA where the wind comes sweepin' down the plains...

The bad news:
I have pulled out of running the Houston Marathon.

Here is my justification to those of you (read: Deetschei), who are grumbling and disappointed:

1. 12 weeks to train for my very first marathon was just a silly and painful idea - no rest weeks leading up to the big day, no rest weeks from my 12 mi. run to my 20 mi. run, no rest week in between back-to-back 20 mi. runs, ... etc.
2. I waited way too long to buy a bib. The bib-exchange is ridiculous. People are selling bibs starting at $100 and then the organization tacks on another $40 exchange fee. I like running, but I do not like it enough to pay a minimum of $140 in order to punish my body. I can do that for free!
3. The job market put me behind on my training and I pushed myself too hard to catch back up and have developed some knee issues (see various previous posts about 2 ACL surgeries, 1 meniscus repair, and 1 meniscus removal).

Ok, now that I have put you in your places and defended my decision...

I have good news:
I will be running the Oklahoma City Marathon on April 27th. The even better news is that Ginifer and my as-of-yet-unmentioned-sister (who I will let come up with her own drunkrunner name), will be running the half-marathon!!!! Woohoo!!!! This will be the first time any of us have run these distances and run them competitively. While I am trying to stay a Positive Polly, my only concern is Oklahoma in late-April. It could either be freakin' cold (which I actually wouldn't mind) or it could be freakin' sticky and hot (which I mind greatly). But I shan't think about that now. Gotta keep my eye on the prize.

I took the last two weeks relatively easy, because I still have not recovered entirely from my 14 miler - which kind of scares me... However, I ran just over 9 miles yesterday at a 9:22 pace, so I couldn't have broken myself too badly. But the knee pains persist, and I have developed an unpleasant stabbing pain* in my calf/ankle. It might be time to really invest in a good, expensive pair of shoes. I think I might have come to learn finally what all this IT band hooha is about, unfortunately. I went for a run the other day, stopped to catch my breath and when I tried running again, I had this sharp stabbing pain* run down the side of my leg from my hip to my knee. Hmmmm. Not pleasant. When I tried putting my foot down to move forward and put weight on it, my leg felt like it was going to buckle. Scary. But that was the other day and I didn't have the same problem yesterday, so hopefully it was just a fluke.

Anyshmoo. I am going to do some "fun runs," as Sixpack would call them, and try to work in a few longer runs (12 & 14) for the next couple of weeks, before my training plan for the OKC marathon begins.

Ho ho ho. I wish you all a happy holiday and hope that your stockings are stuffed with lots of fun running gear. I, too, have loaded the list with new running apparel as well as a request for weights and a weight bench. Soon I will be stealing back my skinny runner's legs from Sixpack!

Deetschei!!! When is your race? Good luck to you and Sevey!!!! Be sure to drink lots of beer at the finish line (as if I needed to tell you!)

* Has anyone noticed how we repeatedly use the term "stabbing" to refer to certain running pains? I, personally, have never been stabbed and hope never to be stabbed, so I am not sure if "stabbing pain" can accurately describe what I am feeling. I suppose a more apt description would be "it feels like I *imagine* it might feel, if someone took a big rusty, semi-dull knife and stabbed it repeatedly into my leg." I wonder how a doctor would respond, if I went into his office and described my pain in such vivid terms... Might have to try that out for kicks. ;)

Questionable Running Foods

To the long list of Questionable Running Foods I would like to add this menu item: Sauteed Happy Family.



Just had to share that typo. I love them!!!!

quick post

I know i owe you a real post (and this isn't going to be it), but I just wanted to drop in realquick and tell everyone how great it is to hear about you guys sticking through the bad times running. Very inspirational! How was the 16 miler, Dr. P.P.?
I am frantically trying to get ready for my flight to the USA tomorrow so I can't publish anything substantial, but I have resolved to compose something during the voyage. This means that sometime in the next few days you will get to hear about my recovery week (ooh!!!!), some new running gear I received for Christmas (aaaaahh!!!!) and my verdict on a new entry in the series of questionable food before the run: steak and onion pie (huzzzaahh!!). Keep up the good work, and don't forget that we run because we enjoy it :)

Skinny Runner's Legs and 6 miles down!

I'm working hard here trying to get back on track. The best part is, I'm running for fun these days. I left the house this morning with the plan of running 5 miles. I had the plan of running to Glen Park and then climbing back up the O'Shaughnessy Monster. It's 1.5 miles uphill, followed by another 1.2 up to the top of Twin Peaks. By the time it was all done, I had actually run 6 miles. It was awesome!!! It was fun! That was the best part. I had a great run.

I also noticed I have developed a serious case of skinny runner's legs. Yes that is right. I somehow managed to lose all of my fat from my legs. They are downright twigs. Rather interesting. I've always had those farmer's thighs. Now they seem to be disappearing. I'm hoping they don't go too far, but in the meantime, I'm loving my new life as Lance Armstrong.

Just chiming in and letting you know I'm feeling a little better.

The Inadequacies of the Internet

You would think that with all the shit out on the web, there would be ONE still from the movie Terminator 2: Judgment Day showing the scene in which T-1000* gets frozen by liquid nitrogen and its legs break off its body as it tries to keep moving. Maybe I just don't have the patience to spend more than 10 minutes searching, but with Google images and all the other resources, it shouldn't even take that long.

The point of this ramble, you ask me? Well that scene perfectly describes how I felt on the first half of my 6.43 mile run today. I took Tuesday's 2miler off, because I was still in pain. However, thanks to nature and those good ol' endorphins, the pain gradually became bearable and almost forgettable. More to report after Sunday!

I agree with Sixpack, didn't running used to be fun??? ;)

*The only reason I know the name of that damned robot is because of all the googling I had to do in the first place. No, I am not naturally that geeky.

Nike+ Video

Seriously funny Nike+ spoof video. Check it out: Nike+ Spoof.

Week 12 and General Update

Body For Life, Round 1 is over. It was 12 weeks, most of which were pretty close to the prescribed plan. Although in retrospect I have to say I could have done a few more workouts and probably would have seen better results. In the end, I've lost 15 pounds and am in great shape. Thanksgiving and that IT incident really through a wrench in the works, however.
Between visitors from out of town and parties and what not, I fell off the running wagon big time. Yes, I conquered the fire trails, but that was about it. As a result I WILL NOT BE RUNNING HOUSTON! I've had to think long and hard about that one, but it's the best decision. Forest will not be running -- he's in too much pain and decided to move the surgery forward. If I ran it I would probably injure myself--not something I want to do three times in a row. I want to come out of the next marathon healthy and ready to go. This means longer training. Instead of forcing a marathon to happen that would probably be a bad idea, I've decided to take a week or so and just run for fun--something I haven't done in a very long time. Then I will begin a slow training program to get ready for a marathon in June (perhaps one in Santa Cruz.)

That's the long and short of life for me right now. I'm exercising a lot and looking for the time to do a little more. Running is stable but uninspiring. I need to get the drive back. That is what I will work at doing over the next few weeks.

I Done Did Went and Broke Myself

Kids, what have I done? What did you let me do? What did you encourage me to do???? I am a complete physical wreck after today's 14 miler. To date, this is the furthest and longest I have ever run. I do admit, after 2 hours I did begin to wonder why exactly I was doing this to myself and how much more excruciating running for 3-4 hours could possibly be. It was then that I started to wonder if I was cut from the same cloth as you marathon alumni. Do I have the same steely determination and drive? I am beginning to question my ability and drive. Yikes!!! And all this because of a painfully difficult 14 mile run. Grrrr.

In all actuality, this run should have taken place last week, but a) I was flying home from Thanksgiving in New Jersey, b) I was preparing to leave on Tues. for a job interview and thought that hobbling around a campus from 8:45am-10:30pm might not make the best first impression I would like, c) those were my two main reasons. Since this week was suppose to be my "rest" week, I swapped weeks and made Thanksgiving week my extra-cushy rest week (perhaps a bit too cushy). I realize now, however, that I will be increasing my long runs every week until the last recovery week before the marathon. Ouch. I suppose that is the price we pay for turkey, pumpkin pie, and liquor.

In response to Deetschei's glorious achievement of the allusive 100 Mile Month, I have yet to reach this goal. If you count literally from say October 22 - November 22, the closest I have come has been just over 90 miles. I imagine that in the next few weeks, as my long run distances increase, I might just hit the Century Club - oh wait, doesn't that involve 100 shots of beer in 100 minutes? Well, I already belong to that club. This will be my second Century Club then.

Back to the 14 miler today. I was a bit disappointed that my time increased over the 12 miler I did two weeks ago, but it was 83 and humid today [don't even get me started] so I take some solace in that - my avg. was 9:43 (up 38 seconds from the 12 mi run). I am much faster when it is cold, really. But, at some point along the way, I decided that finishing the distance was my biggest goal, as the furthest I had run up to this point was 12 miles. So I consider this a minor victory today and am pleased that I didn't break down into a messy shamble on the side of the road and have to call Ben to come pick me up! Yay! Hooray for minor victories. Plus, I burned a whopping 1547 calories (according to this handy website: Map My Run that I stumbled across and am posting a link to via our website. For people without the Nike Plus, this is a handy alternative to route mapping and calculating your workout. I would hesitate to save your runs though, as that seems like an ingenious way to let perverts and rapists find out where you run!) On the downside of things (because you know that with me there always has to be a downside...), my calves are killing me and my knees aren't feeling the best. I won't go into great detail, but upon coming home my body wasn't sure which end it wanted to expel things from first. I am pretty sure that I might have been dehydrated, despite carrying 32 oz. (2 lbs) of liquids on my run. If only the public park's water fountain had actually been working. That was a dirty, dirty trick on the part of the city's Parks and Recreation crew. They are due a very nasty phone call tomorrow.

Sooo, despite my sudden lack of faith in my ability to actually finish a marathon after only running 14 miles, I think this week has been pretty good. Hopefully the temperature will cool down and next week's 16mi won't be quite as daunting.

Distance: 24.05
Time: 3:46:42
Avg. Pace: 9:25
Overall Impression: Clearly I am doing something wrong, as I only had one car honk at me today. Must investigate.

It's All About the Benjamins*

Saturday night Tessa and I went to a swanky wedding party in London for two friends of ours. One of them writes for a big tabloid here, so we were both optimistic that either Kate Moss or Martians would be there.

Instead, we found copious amounts of free wine.

The alcohol servers were proficient in what we like to call "Olive Garden" pours. This is where the wine clings to the rims of the glass, desperately waiting for something to break the surface tension so that it may spill over. Terms like "tenuous" and "meniscus" come into play. Needless to say, after drinking countless glasses, we both lost track of everything, missed our cab, had to find another cab, and stumbled to bed wearing socks on our ears and pancakes on our feet. And I had to run ten miles the next morning.

I didn't run. I stayed in bed until 2PM. I wanted to die. The whole shebang.

The real consequence, though, was that I had to push Sunday's run to Monday, which meant I had my first Monday-Friday running schedule since, possibly, forever. Five day running weeks are okay. Five-day-in-a-row weeks are a pain in the ass. After 10 miles on Monday, I had 4, then 3, then 6, then 3 again. After today's (Friday's) run, I actually did a little break dance to celebrate my ONE DAY OFF tomorrow. Which comes before another ten miles on Sunday. I believe this is what they call "the grind".

The reason I was so insistent on maintaining my mileage this week was pretty simple- If I didn't drop a run then November would become my first one-hundrend-mile month this year. And although three miles felt like thirty by the end of the week, I got there:



I checked my running log from last year, and I only hit the "centenary club" twice. I cracked ninety miles twice this spring, but just couldn't push myself over. I'm pretty pleased I squeezed it out.(I think Dr. P.P. might have joined me with an additional one hundred this month. (oder?))

There's not much else to report, other than this drunk runner is going dry for a little while. Saturday night put the smack down on me, and I need to detox before the annual "Christmas Family Drunkfest". Long story short: I'm into temperance for now, suffrage shall follow.

Here are the last five runs:



Overall Impression: So Glad to See Sixpack Healthy Again and So Glad to Rest Tomorrow (SGtSSHAaSGtRT)

(* I had to google the name "Benjamin" because I didn't think I knew how to spell it.)

Musing About the Nike Plus

Don just observed a little quirk about the Nike Plus that occurs to me relatively often: I run to a certain point on the horizon, say four miles away. Then I turn around, and at the end of my session have to run about 200 yards past my front door in order for the sensor to register another four miles. Going out is always a shorter distance than coming back. Trust me, I think about this a lot when I'm not more concerned with other pressing issues semi-related to the Spice Girls reunion.
My humanist-based attempt at reason is this: The thing assumes you run somewhat like a metronome over the course of the run. It allows for slight variations, but since it must use an equation to determine how far you go (variable distance =constant pace x constant time) things can screw up if you run with negative splits (which i usually do, and Don certainly did running up and then down a giant hill.) Ironically, if you speed up then you have to run further than you should to get to your goal because the little computer is trying so hard to maintain pace as a relative constant, that the variable distance gets compacted in order to maintain the same balance in the equation (i.e. the nike plus figures you ran for 40 minutes out to get to your halfway point of 4 miles, so it's not going to let you have 4 miles in 34 minutes...it compromises somewhere in between...say 3.9 miles.)

I must say that the difference is usually minimal for me . After ten miles on Monday, I had to run an additional .1 miles, for example. But the fire trails behind Berkeley are a bit...extreme...in many ways. The size of the discrepancy between the two split times usually determines how inaccurate the distance is. I think the Nike Plus still contains so many fantastic features, that you couldn't expect more of something at that price, without GPS or an accelerometer. Our challenges and the goal system alone have done so much to inspire me to keep logging miles.

Anyway, that's my hypothesis. If anyone reading this happens to be married to a chemical engineer or something, or has an otherwise basic grasp of things, then I would like to hear how misguided I really am and get to the root of the dilemma. Perhaps our legs are just longer when we run home.

Back on Track!

After a week of terrible disappointments--I wasn't feeling up to running until yesterday--I'm back on track. Today's run was somewhere in the area of 8 miles, yet my iPod only rated it as 7.3. It's a little goofy. Going uphill on the Berkeley fire trails I ran until it told me I was half way, then turned around and ran back downhill. For those, not in the know that's 4 miles uphill and 4 back down. However, my trusty iPod measured 4 miles up and 3.3 miles down. I was exhausted and decided that was close enough for Jazz!

I'm psyched to be back out running. The IT still seems a bit tenuous, but I'm stretching and hoping for the best.

My Life in the Suicide Ranks

Yesterday was one for the record books. It started with an attempt at a run around 3 p.m. It didn't go so well.

I left the house with big plans to run the 8 miles I was scheduled for. Everything went well until 1.25 miles in. I mean, I was a little sore from my leg workout the day before, but I didn't think it was going to kill me. Then it hit me. Something akin to having your hip joint stabbed with a dull knife and your lower leg put in a too-tight-tourniquet. It seemed pretty clearly IT Band, and it also seemed pretty clear pretty fast that I was not going to make it another 6.5 miles. I ended up turning around and walking home. Sucky, Sucky, Sucky.

At 5:30 -- still moping from my unsuccessful run -- we sat down to dinner. It was a nice light dinner of Cornish Hen and potato salad. You didn't think you could eat that on Body For Life, but you can!!!!!! It was all great having been prepared by my wonderful partner. Then things went sour. Something didn't go down right. I tend to eat a little fast, and I think it finally caught up with me. Suddenly, I could swallow no more. That was it. I was hoping it would pass through, so I sat at home pretty miserable for 2 hours. Imagine a world where you can't even swallow your own saliva.

At 7:30 it was finally decided (A beautifully germanic phrase) that the only thing that would cure me was a trip to the emergency room. Sparing you the gory details five hours later I woke up after being knocked out so they could shove a tube down my throat and push the obstruction into my stomach. Ugh! Add Cornish Hen to the list of foods this Drunkrunner will not be eating for some time.

It turns out that I wasn't exactly being a glutton. I've been diagnosed with a hardened stomach sphincter (or something to that effect), which means that this was probably going to happen sooner or later anyway. I have to go back to the doctor next week and see what I need to do from here. In the meantime, I'm enjoying my new found freedom of being able to swallow, and I'm eating soft foods!

This is all to say that I will not be lifting weights today, and that my run has been postponed for a second attempt on Thursday. Today I will stretch the IT and see what happens.

Peace out, and remember: Chew your food!

Electrolyte Madness

I'm writing this response to PP's concerns in the open forum in order to spread the word as far as possible.

1) GU. I love it! However I have found that I need the more mild flavors. My favorites are Espresso Love (mild coffee flavor) and Vanilla. The thought of Lemon Madness or whatever that flavor was turns my stomach as I sit here at my desk. This has been my experience with other products at races as well. Go for mild flavors. In the end you really don't want to taste much, and you definitely don't want an aftertaste.
2) Gatorade-esque products. My guess, PP, is that you poured gatorade straight from the bottle into your fuel belt. Bad idea. If you are going to use it out of the bottle mix it at 50% water, 50% gatorade. I have found it much more economical to use GU2O which I can mix myself. (It's a little tricky to mix, as it congeals quite quickly in the bottom of the bottle, but the shaking of running keeps it well mixed and works out any lumps before I reach the bottom of the bottle.) My favorite flavor is Raspberry! Awesome!!!! It ends up tasting a little watery, which isn't pleasant sitting in the living room, but is perfect for running. I think Deetschei's paté experiment and PP's recent Gatorade and GU experiments affirm that the body doesn't care much for intense flavors, textures, or richness during a run. If they could make these items a little less flavorful than baby food I think they would all be perfect.
3) Running vs. Stopping! With those handy squeeze bottles I don't stop for a second. I have no problems maintaining a decent pace and drinking on the fly. In the end you do gasp a little bit, but it's quite efficient. At least for me. Works just fine.

Food, Part II

I meant to add something in my post about Sunday's post-race meal, but forgot. Since the Germans never made good with the Indians and would probably steal their corn to this very day, they don't celebrate Thanksgiving here in Germany. But since I am spoiled by my wonderful wife, I get to insist that we observe it. We are actually celebrating twice this year, and the first round was on Sunday. The whole nine miles I was counting the calories I was burning for lunch in advance! And I gorged myself in a way that no-one else at the table could understand. They just thought we were having a nice lunch. They didn't realize the rules state you had to have six portions of it.

As I was running it occurred to me that the average American consumes about 2100 calories in the Thanksgiving meal alone, which is more calories than some llamas take down in a month. The cool thing is, the three of us burn through that many extra calories every week! It pays off to be a drunk runner!!!

Trying out Gu and Fuel Belt

I learned several very important things about myself and running on my 12 mile run today.

1. I have not suddenly become a morning runner. There is a whole new schedule you have to develop in order to be a morning runner that requires waking up early enough to eat, consume some liquids, void that food and liquid, and hit the road before it gets too warm. I am NOT that person. I am the person who didn't run the evening before because she was celebrating the Dynamo's back-to-back MLS championship!!!! and had to push her long run to the following morning. I am the person who gets up, gets dressed, pees, takes a sip of water, and then proceeds to try and run 12 miles. Hmmm, what was missing there, besides Zwiebelmettwurst? OH, that is right, breakfast!!!! No fuel in the tank = no vroom vroom.
2. Lemon Supreme Gu shots activate my gag reflex and make me want to SPEW Lemon Supreme Gu all over someone's driveway of sidewalk. BLECH BLECH BLECH. Help! Anyone have a better flavor they can recommend? Although, it wasn't so much the flavor as the consistency. Gu is a very apt name for their product, or perhaps it should be called BLECH BLECH BLECH, I WANNA PUKE. Doesn't have quite the same ring, does it? Obviously this was my first time to actually use an energy supplement while running. I recently bought a Fuel Belt - which I will talk about in a minute - and decided to try Gu while I was at it. I think I should have gone with the Clif Shot - Margarita did sound tastier... I realized that I definitely need the liquids to help wash that stuff down and to get the taste out of my mouth. Did I mention, BLECH? So, calling all Drunkrunners, give me your tried and true alternatives to energy supplements. What flavors and what brands? I would have almost rather eaten a big ol' brick Clif bar and have that thudding around in my stomach!
3. TMI: Either I am one mucousy mother f*cker or Gatorade + Gu = very very evil! I would have brought water, but I know that I need the electrolytes in a sports drink. At least I am a very conscientious spitter and always try to aim for either grass or the road but never anyones driveway or the sidewalk. I think that balances out the vulgar activity, right? Besides, spitting makes you look really tough (and nasty) which helps keep the crazys away.

On that note, I finished my 5th week of training. I am really keen on this Fuel Belt. I thought I would HATE it and that it would be very awkward, but I quickly became accustomed to it. It didn't bounce or slide, which meant I practically forgot it was there. Of course, I was only carrying 16 fl. oz. I am sure all of that will change when I carry the full 48 oz., but for now I am really satisfied with the purchase. How can you go wrong with a fuel belt called the "Terminator." In fact, after stopping off at home around mile 9.5 (when Pooperella reared her ugly head), I finished up the run without the belt and it actually felt "weird." So thanks Sixpack for the recommendation. I like it. Quick question: what is the consensus on running while drinking vs. stopping and drinking?

Other than that, this week has been pretty uneventful. My times are still coming down, which is nice, but like Deetschei, the fatigue is starting to set in. My calves, no matter how much I stretch, have stopped loosening up while running... Hmmm. Probably not a good thing. I think this next week will be spent focusing on maintaining my current speed and maybe even slowing down a bit to avoid aggravating the problems.

Miles: 20.3
Time: 3:04:28
Avg Pace: 8:57

He Runs, He Blogs, He Conquers

Last week was the fifth week of my fifteen week training plan for the big half-marathon in the desert. After five weeks of running, the schedule always becomes an incomprehensible jumble of miles and minutes to me. Each run sort of melts into the next while anxiety about increasing distances on the weekend lingers in the back of my head.

The thing is, I’m officially not at the beginning, which means I am beginning to forget what life was like before I had to magically add hours into my day so I could log those “4.5 miles at 8:54 pace with six minutes total uphill time” at all costs. (Because if I don’t run then the terrorists win). However, I’m also pretty far from the race itself, so I can’t actually visualize an end to the madness, either. If I could plot my training plan onto a map of America, with the first week located in Boston and the fifteenth in San Francisco, I would now be firmly entrenched in Ohio.

Last week was more or less a recovery week, so there weren’t a lot of notable runs, except for maybe Sunday. We spent the weekend in Germany with Tessa’s family, which meant two things:

I ran 9 miles along the Rhine (again!) and

I experimented with more spreadable meats directly before embarking.

Running: Luckily for everyone who is tired of hearing how much I love running there, I didn’t run in Cologne itself. Tessa’s grandmother lives about ten miles south of town, and although I debated running directly to the city center, I didn’t want to negotiate the tram system back home in near zero weather with soaking-wet clothing. Instead, I ran through old asparagus fields until I hit the river, then aimed myself vaguely towards Amsterdam and ran until the little voice in my headphones told me to turn around. Around then a really big wind picked up that almost froze my face off, but I found shelter behind a row of trees that were both big and strong like German women. I made it home without any major problems, but the whole run was marked by that other reminder that training has already lasted over a month: fatigue. The wind didn’t help matters, but even if the day had been completely devoid of weather I would have had a hard time lifting my big, leaden legs. I generally seem to skip most of the aches and pains, and I’m really thankful for that. Instead it’s just the whole “moving the feet” thing that is somehow beyond me.

Food: I learned a valuable lesson from eating duck paté last week: One should not toy around with eating spreadable liver before running. That is why I switched to a chemically-treated raw pork spread on Sunday morning. I always have a hard time explaining to people who don’t eat a lot of German food what Zwiebelmettwurst is, and generally when they see it they shy away because it looks like raw ground beef.



But if you have ever had it, then you are nodding your head right now in tacit agreement with me that it rocks, and that it is completely incapable of ever doing any harm to anyone, anywhere. You simply spread it onto a roll, sprinkle some pepper on it, and then eat your way into oblivion while forgetting all your cares. I think America may have banned it because it brings such joy in a package that’s not easily taxed without angering the futures markets, which is why we don’t see it at Safeway. Anyway, I hereby state clearly that it did not interfere with my run in any fashion. I was on the road less than ten minutes after eating, and I was never hit with the bowling ball in the stomach. I can honestly say that when I write my dietary book on “those other running foods”, I’m putting Zwiebelwurst on the cover.

Last Weeks Runs:



I should have clocked around twenty miles or so, with the long one being nine. Next week I run about 25. I should be comfortably running thirty miles a week by the end of training, which is where I want to be when I begin training for the London Marathon...Only problem is, I'm not entirely positive I'm getting in. Which means I need to talk to Tessa about a possible Plan B (Paris, anyone?)

PS: I just noticed that my run tracker is in German...I have no idea why...sorry guys!

Sluggish

I've been terrible the past few weeks, and I'm starting to feel bad about it. Someone cheer me up!

Two weeks in a row I did my Tuesday speed work, but then got sucked into the vortex of free time that is a long weekend. Although I had 4 days to get it done in, I never managed to get out for my long run. My bed was just too comfy in the mornings and it just wasn't worth getting up.

This puts me a little bit behind schedule for the marathon, but no so much that I'll die. I've got to get my ass in gear this week though. NO EXCUSES! I wish some or all of you were here to kick me in the ass!

The Skinny on Weightlifting

As promised, I'm finally sitting down to write up a little note about weightlifting and its great benefits toward running. It has now been 9 1/2 weeks (yes, pun intended) and we have been on Body for Life every day! The program calls for 6 days of eating well. Actually better than well. It's a diet that consists primarily of protein and carbs, with hardly any fat. Calorie intake for the day is generally in the area of 1500 calories. With those calories one must workout 6 days a week. 3 days of weight training, 3 days of cardio.
A two week schedule of weight training functions like so:
Monday - Upper Body
Wednesday - Lower Body
Friday - Upper Body
Monday Lower Body
Wednesday - Upper Body
Friday - Lower Body
Thus, in a two week period you work each half three times. The exercises are pretty intense there's an example here: BFL Exercise Plan.
The beauty of the plan though is that you often have long stretches of time when you are not working a set of muscles, i.e. the Wednesday workout is not repeated again until Monday, and the Friday workout doesn't get repeated until Wednesday. This allows for long recovery times and lessens fatigue. Granted adding the lower body week to an already packed marathon training schedule is tiring to say the least, but the following week allows for considerable recovery.
Over the past ten weeks I've stayed mostly to the running plan, and have skipped a few of the workouts. However, my legs are much stronger. Yesterday's speed work was downright easy to accomplish. Nothing like the days of Drunkrunners almost hurling on the track. It was great! I couldn't believe it went so well. I had no problems at all maintaining the speeds I was supposed to be doing.
My recovery times also seem to be much shorter! I can't recommend enough the exercise program. I wish I had begun lifting sooner.

On the vain side: I've lost 14 pounds. Steve has lost 30! And we have a few weeks left of round one. After 10 weeks we both feel much better. We're also quite sure we will not be giving up on the program when it is over. I will more than likely continue for at least one more round, then re-evaluate as to how to bring life back into a more normal mode. The weightlifting is here to stay though. My joints aren't aching like they used to, which means it's probably helping me in that area as well.

Conclusion: Get thee to a Gym!!!!

Just putting in the miles

This week has been rather boring in terms of great running stories to share. I certainly have no forays in paté and although I might look like a pasty dumpling, I am not going to share that :)

So, I ended up still adding miles to supplement my training schedule, but I am still keeping myself to running 3 days a week. I don't know how accurate my times are, because I have a sneaking suspicion that Google maps is exaggerating my distances - the times just seem to fast for what I feel I am/should be running. I might have to borrow Ginifer's fancy-schmancy GPS running watch to get a more accurate reading.

Since I don't have a cool interactive chart, you are just going to have to settle with the ol' stats:

Distance: 20.6 mi
Time: 3:07:19
Avg. Pace: 9:05
Overall Impression: Sometimes it is nice to have someone breathing and sweating hard next to you!

In terms of stats, I believe I was only chased by one dog this week. That is pretty good! Given that the previous week I was chased by approximately 3! I didn't take my own pooch along this week, because apparently the 11 miles last week caused his back paws to split (I have no conclusive evidence that the 11 mi. caused it, because frankly I rarely spend a great deal of time looking at his paws. Anywho, he is getting a rest). So he spent the week, chugging sangria and licking his balls. Lazy dog!

Oh, Ginifer recently mentioned the Oklahoma City marathon (end of April) as another possible running opportunity. (Being from the state whose license plate sums up the experience of living there: "Oklahoma is OK." Mind you, it isn't "great" or "fantastic" or "amazing." It is just "ok.") We discussed running the half-marathon, but I would like to point out that Oklahoma City is just as flat as Houston. I don't think it is a qualifier for Boston, but I can promise you that there would be lots of barbecue and beer (sadly mostly fake 3.2 Oklahoma beer). The only downside to this race is the potential "stickiness" factor. Late April isn't too bad, but it might already be warm and humid.... Just tuck that away in the back of your minds for now.

fuel for the run

I want to mention today's breakfast of toast completely saturated in duck paté as a part of my sporadic series of entries dedicated to unsuitable foods for running.

I must admit, I initially felt good about the choice because it seemed to check every box I had: Was it starchy? (yes). Was it ducky? (yes). Unless I missed something, it seemed like the ideal meal immediately before anything. Wash it down with a pot of tea, and you have whatever comes after the superlative.

Perhaps I should have been wary when the act of bending over to tie my shoes caused a fantastic symphony of burping. I was a little surprised when walking down the stairs to the front door caused me to cramp. But being the optimist that I am, I decided I could handle it. I was flying down the street to the best of my ability when, as I was trying to dodge puddles and remind myself from which direction the cars were coming, it hit me. The bowling ball in the gut. The Homer-Simpson-cannonball -shot-from-close-range. I knew it would get better if I could work myself into a rhythm, so I kept running. Which is when it started getting unbearably warm.

I'm not sure how the weather is in the Bay Area right now, and I'm completely clueless what Texan weather is like. I imagine its like regular weather but with a side of hot sauce. Right now in London, we seem to get every season in a day (But only if the year had three seasons and summer got left out). You have to layer your running gear, but do so with the knowledge that you will undress as you progress. You can't put on too much, because it becomes a big heated burden and a hassle to take off. But shorts and a running shirt won't cut it either, unless you're okay with otter-pop-knees. Soooooo, today was a classic day in which it started semi-wintery and ended up really warm. By the time I hit the turning point in Greenwich, I had to stop at a bus station and strip down to my shorts so I could rearrange my jacket and ditch my blue-sleeved lycra superhero top. There I was: cramping, topless and bloated from paté. Everybody was walking to the restaurant for their Sunday dim sum, and I stood there doing my own enticing pasty dumpling impression. London must love having me in town.

Anyway, the run home got better. As usual, the cramping ran itself out and I managed to find the right combination of clothing. I think I finished right at 9 minute miles. Like I said earlier, I'm in a recovery week so my "big run" was only five miles. It felt like having a birthday all over again, and I'm already looking forward to Tuesday's run, knowing I won't have dead legs.

On a non-related note; I'm not sure if anyone else is interested, but I would love to hear more about Sixpack's weightlifting regimen. I have always been terrified to lift with my legs because I feel like I only have so much strength to spend over the course of a week. But, if it's working for the boy, then I would definitely be up for trying something new.

Training for another Half-Marathon

I realized last night while reading a post on Don's Facebook page that I had promised to blog something.  Two weeks ago.  And promptly didn't. Oh christ, I can't believe how bad it's become (forgive me Sixpack for I have sinned).  Basically, I've been trying to churn out words every day for something entirely different than running related prose, and the result is a complete evaporation of mental capacity by 5 PM.  And my prime blogging period has always been between 5:15-5:17:30 PM GMT.  

You can see the bind that left me in.

Although I haven't posted, there is actually quite a bit happening on the running front.  I have not joined a running group yet, but I did submit a ballot entry for the London Marathon.   The date is in early April, and in the interest of establishing a base for it I am (again) training for a half-marathon.  I will be running the "P.F. Chang's Rock & Roll Half Marathon in Phoenix Arizona" because it fulfilled my only race requirement, which was to run in a race whose title is so long that it uses up every letter of the alphabet, twice.  Call it the ("The Quick Brown Fox Jumps Over The Lazy Dog" x 2)  principle. 

My training is going pretty well.  I used the Smart Coach to finagle a plan that starts at 21 miles a week and steadily increases to around 30 or so by late December.  I am currently in a "recovery" week, which means that my run on Sunday is only 5 miles (Kaching!), but I ruined the spirit of the week by pushing off my 9 mile run from last week to Monday morning.  It's not that I didn't want to run on Sunday, it's just that I was debilitated from drinking too much tequila Saturday night.

Running in London is eclectic.  At times the sidewalks are very small, and the buses are very large and constantly attempting to knock off your elbows.  Sometimes, like yesterday for instance, you find yourself wondering if you can get ebola from street water while rolling on the ground because you tripped while trying to avoid people walking with ginormous umbrellas.  Other times though, you find yourself in beautiful parks, like here in Greenwich:

These pictures aren't the best, but I'm only "borrowing" them anyway...


Basically, all my runs thus far end up in Greenwich.  The park is 2.5 miles from our apartment, and I've found a few additional miles within the park itself.  It exhausts itself after about 9  though, unless I want to start running in circles...which I generally don't enjoy.  Eventually I will need a new plan, but until then all roads lead to Greenwich, which is way okay with me.

So, here are my last 5 runs:

As you can see, I'm GETTING SLOWER :) 

It's funny, but I think the cooler weather is somehow freezing my muscles, which is making it harder to move.  My biggest challenge is finding ways to run in daylight.  The sun sets at 4:30 PM...and it doesn't rise until around 7:30...which means we must have found the only south London apartment north of the Arctic Circle.   Oh well, I'll just have to buy some bright clothes.  And watch out for Polar Bears.

Overall Impression:  I Like the Consistency, and I'll Get Fast Later (I.L.t.C.a.I.G.F.L.)

Good News / Good News / Bad News / Good News

Good News / Good News / Bad News / Good News

The good news: I was running today. Doing the 6 miles prescribed by my program, and although it was difficult I’m finding the speed workouts to go quite nicely. Not too fast for these old bones of mine. Even better is the fact that the leg pain is slowly backing up the leg. That is to say the original progression went from lower back to gluteus maximus, to thigh, to knee to shin to foot. It’s headed its way back up the leg and now only presents itself in the gluteus maximus occasionally, which has given me cause for celebration. It may be working itself out. WOOHOO!!!!!!

The good news: I’m right on track for training and although I would like to have run a 20 miler before the marathon—the plan has me running one 18 mile run—I’m willing to accept that in exchange for the trip to Houston and the chance to chase Haterella across the finish line. I’m feeling so good about the race that today I was musing about the next marathon I was going to run. I looked at the race calendar in my head and thought I would run the San Francisco Marathon! I was pretty excited about the idea, because I would have another 6 months to train for it after Houston. And then....

The bad news: I’m going to be in Beijing at the time of the marathon. That’s right. I’ll be stuck in Beijing NOT having the time of my life at the Olympics. No, I will be working hard and won’t ever see the sun, let alone the gymnasts. It’s not going to be pretty. :-)

The good news: I can still train for something before I leave, I just have to figure out what. I’ll look at the official calendars since the one in my head only has races I’ve either wanted to run or have already run.

Looking down the road to marathon number 3 I think I’ve actually learned a few things.

1) Never train too quickly for a race. The faster you do it the harder your body rejects.
2) I’m not a world-class athlete. It’s true. I love running, but I’m never going to be the guy way out in front. This doesn’t change the beauty of crossing the finish line in any way. It just means I cross it much later than the guy that takes home the cash.
3) Injuries need to be taken seriously. The more you ignore them the more they come back to haunt you.
4) Weightlifting is worth much more than I had previously given it credit. Over the past 7 weeks my times have gotten consistently faster, and my recovery is almost down to nothing. Sunday I ran 9 miles, Monday I did a leg workout at the gym, Tuesday (today) I’ll be running 7 miles and don’t expect much trouble with it. Not bad. Two months a go I couldn’t run three miles very easily.
5) I am a runner. When I don’t run I feel bad. I may skip a run, but that just increases my resolve for the next run. It’s that simple. Like Deetschei I’m looking to figure out how to keep doing this for years and years to come. Imagine running a marathon on your 50th or even 70th birthday. Did I hear Boston?
6) Which reminds me, this all started with a challenge to qualify for Boston. Will we ever do it? I’m not sure. I’m sure trying. With any luck I’ll survive Houston without an injury and be able to train for another marathon right away. Perhaps even in May. Consistency and lack of injury is clearly going to be the key.

I’m through being intro/retrospective.

Stats:

Weekly miles: 16 and rising
Average pace: ~10:00
Overall Impression: Sometimes Its Nice Having Someone Breathing Heavy Next To You! (SINHSBHNTY!)

Happy Birthday Deetschei and Some Running Stuff!!!!

Yesterday was Deetschei's birthday. Knowing what a slack-ass friend I totally am, I am sure he will forgive me for failing to call - I ran 9 miles for you instead (and the card really is in the mail). Anywho, in celebrating Deetschei's birthday, I am reminded that had it not been for his initiative, we wouldn't be the blogging drunkrunners that we are today. So raise your glasses and give three cheers to the ringleader of this disorderly bunch and hope that he returns to blog once more with his fellow drunkrunners!

In other more drunkrunner-like news, I successfully finished another week of training, bringing my two week total miles to 44.1. Woohoo. That is more than I have run in probably the last couple months. Well, almost.

The week went well, although the shins are up to their usual antics; however, after about half a mile into my runs, I am fine and the pain gradually migrates to the back of my mind. I even added an extra 3 mile run into the mix, mostly because the dog needed exercise. Speaking of the pooch, he is becoming quite the drunkrunner mascot: he accompanied me for a total of 11 miles this week. Although, I think the 5 miler was pushing it, but only because we had to loop by the house a couple of times and he kept wanting to turn into the driveway. He displayed his confusion and mild disdain by looking up at me and nipping at the leash. Well, at least he knows where he lives!

The 9 miler started out tedious and kind of boring - it wasn't like I had oxygen to spare for a little chit-chat, but sometimes it is nice just to have someone else breathing hard next to you. But around mile 6, things got easier and I just slipped into the mindless running mode. I got a late start, what with the whole fall backward time business, and ended up finishing in the dark - I think I have mentioned before that people in this town seem to think that street lights are an extravagance... I swear, if I twist an ankle...

All in all, a good 2nd week. My times are coming down (I curse that merciless speedwork) and the longer distances aren't as bad as I make them out to be in my mind the entire week leading up to them!

Week's Stats:
Distance: 20 miles
Time: 3:05:25
Avg. Pace: 9.16
Overall Impression: Too tired to have one :(

Death at Olympic Trials

On this tragic day, I think I speak for all of the Drunkrunners when I offer a word of condolence to the family of Ryan Shay, who passed away today during the Olympic marathon trials. Yahoo! Artickle

Nothing else can be said at times like these.

Happy Birthday Forest!!!

To one and all it is Forest's birthday today!!! He is turning, if memory serves me correctly, 38!!!

It was probably Forest who first encouraged me to run. I remember the glorious day in the mid-eighties when I realized I could run faster than he could! It was brilliant! Of course, it was tempered with the fact that I would eventually have to stop running, and he could just wait until then to beat me up, but for one glorious moment I lived that famous scene in Chariots of Fire. I WAS running. Running was me!

So for his inspiration a take my hat off to Forest on this, his birthday!

Twice in One Week???? What a Schock!

I'm back. You couldn't get rid of me that quickly. Bwa ha ha haaaaa.

Just thought I would round out my last posting by filling you in on the rest of runs for the week. Ginifer came over and we did a challenging 3.5 miler. I have NO idea why we were totally gassed, but we were. I like to chalk it up to over training, but maybe that is just the cowards way out. The slower pace worked out well for me though, because I was sore from the 5 mi. the day before and had to run the 8 mi. the next day. So, I enjoyed plodding along.

I had some doubts as to whether I would a) actually run the 8 mi. and b) if I would actually finish the 8 mi. on Sunday. But, I am happy to report that I finished in one piece, my legs are still attached although my legs are rebelling and might secede to Mexico. I started out too fast, as always, but over the course of the run, I managed to slow the pace down so that I could maintain it. Not including stop lights, I only stopped about twice briefly. I still kept my avg. pace under the training plan by almost 2 mins., so I really do need to play with the numbers like Don mentioned. Starting this week, I think I am going to keep my running days down to what is prescribed on the plan, so that I can continue to walk instead of limp!

Final Report:
Miles: 24.1
Time: 3:53:07
Avg. Pace: 9:40
Observations: Looks like there is going to be a battle at the Alamo, if my legs don't start cooperating!

I Have Not Forsaken Thee, Oh Sixpack Chopra and Fellow Drunk Runners

I have been conspicuously absent from the land o' DrunkRunner blogging for some time. This absence has been due to some personal health issues that kept me off the road until recently. However, I am happy to report that I strapped the ol' shoes back on and am turning up the heat in order to make it to the finish line of the Houston marathon. It will be a struggle, especially since I only have approx. 12 weeks until the race. But I am trying to put in the miles as quickly and safely as possible. If all else fails, I will still be satisfied to do a half-marathon this year, but I am trying for the whole kit-n-caboodle.

For the last several weeks I have been averaging about 10 miles a week. Not impressive, but running is running. This week I starting training seriously with a training plan I put together at runnersworld.com. It needs some tweaking, because right now it has my pace at a painfully slow 11:55 for my 8 mile run tomorrow. I need to fiddle with the numbers a bit, because it still has me running in the 11s even right before the marathon. Is this standard? I know that race day adrenaline kicks in and people run faster than their training pace, but really?

So far I have run a couple or 3.5 milers and yesterday was a 5 mile tempo run. I managed to keep my average pace more than a minute under the 10.17 pace set by the training plan. Like I said, I need to tweak the numbers. Today Ginifer and I are going to run a nice 4 miler and then tomorrow I am set for my longest run (an 8 miler) since about May. I might be overdoing it the first week, because I have been adding extra miles to the plan, but I need to get my lungs and legs back in this game! It is the long runs that I find mentally daunting, simply because it has been so long since I did one. But I just need to put together a kick-ass running mix, eat my carbs the night before and load up on water (Note: I did not say cut out the alcohol!)

Stats for the week so far:
Miles: 12.1
Time: 1:53:15
Avg. Pace: 9:21
Observations: Dear Running, I have missed you greatly these last few months. I hope you aren't angry that I abandoned you briefly. Can we still be friends? Sincerely, Dr. Pavement Pounder

Houston, We have a Bigger Problem!

I went to the Houston Marathon website today to register for the race, and they are Sold Out!!!! I don't even know what to say, except: AAAAAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! (a la Lucy from Peanuts).

What do we do? Another race later? Huh? HELP!!!!

I've checked a little further since my outburst this afternoon, and there is an option to transfer bids at the Houston Marathon! We are still in the game. Roughly 1700 people end up transferring bids, which means there are usually plenty to go around! Here's hoping it works! I've already put in a posting to transfer a bib. If you need one, you should put in your posting as well.

Houston We Have a Problem!

It seems the Houston Marathon is falling apart and I need some help!! I'm determined to run this marathon, and to beat my personal record! As it looks with Forest out of the running (pun intended) and Dr. PP (Dr. PeePee?) seemingly lagging in the polls, we clearly need a boost here.
I'll be running the Houston Marathon, but it is going to be a stretch. Mind you the race is in 13 weeks or so, and I just had a 12 mile week. Unbelievable, but it can be done! I don't know what kind of support we need, but we need something. Forest, would you still consider being Snack Bitch? Or even walking it? Deetschei, any chance of a flight across the pond? How about you Tequila? Where have all my Drunkrunner friends gone?

I've had a decent week this week. I posted about my Tuesday run, so I'll skip to yesterday and today. I ran a 6 miler yesterday. Average pace just under 11 minutes, which is right on track for my training schedule. The first mile was 9:30. That was a mistake, but it was Golden Gate Park and it was all downhill. I ran with the gay boys, as I do, and it was an amusing run. I left with the gang at 9 a.m. and I was clearly the last place finisher coming in. Except they only have a 5 mile course, so as I was coming in last, I still had another mile to run. As I crossed the 5 mile mark it was clear they hadn't yet had the end of the run powwow, so I headed off hopeful I might make it to the powwow. However, by the time I was finished with my run they were all gone!! That's right, they left without me. I guess they couldn't wait for me to finish my snail's pace run.
The great news is that I ran 6 miles and I'm psyched. Lance Armstrong also spoke to me again, and I was very excited by that. Weigh in today at was 189.5 pounds. That's 10 pounds less than last month and the first time I've been under 190 in a couple years. I was a vegetarian the last time I was under 190.
So, things are moving on and I'm doing great. 2 more runs scheduled for this week and I'm feeling more confident about the race every day.

Peace.

The Backman woes continue.

So I have been doing real well with my training, My times are in the 9:30's even on my 7 miler which is a full minute better than most of my paces last year. But I regret to inform that I will be unable to do the Houston marathon with ya'll. I just got back from an Orthopedic surgeon visit for my shoulder which has been giving me trouble for about 31/2 years now, normally a cortisone shot kills the pain. The first lasted 11 months, 2ND one 9 months, third 3 months and this last one 4 DAYS. I have to set up some time to get some bone shaved and a tendon repaired and possibly more if I tore a whole in my rotator cuff. The surgeon wanted me to have an MRI done, I asked if that would stop me from having surgery (knowing it wouldn't) and of course he said no, it was just so he knew what he was looking at. I told him I didn't want the out of pocket expense for a third MRI this year. I told him if he found more than what the x-ray showed while he had me open then well he should just fix it. I'll be asleep so I won't complain and you can tell me all about as a bed side story when I wake up. He laughed and said that's a bit old fashioned, but he liked my attitude. So I'll be down from running for a month or so depending on what they find in their, but I'll be off work for about 3months. So maybe I could be the nutrition packet bitch and cheer leader. I was really looking forward to this marathon. Well maybe next time.

Five Miles to the Top of the World

Today's prescription was for a five mile run. I was a bit hesitant, but decided to plow ahead. The schedule called for a one-mile warm-up, a 3-mile run at 9:23, and a one-mile cooldown. I really wasn't so sure about that pace, because it was a full 1:30 faster than anything I had run recently. It's at moments like this that I thank god for the treadmill. There's certainly something to be said for a machine that you just strap yourself to and it forces you to run the pace, no matter what.
I was able to complete the run with little difficulty. There were a few moments of stress in the middle where I was breathing heavy and praying for the finish line, but I got through them and continued on.

All in all a great run, and my longest yet. I'd also like to note that I was forced to run this one without an iPod, which means when I kick y'alls asses in the challenge, you will know that there were extra miles that didn't even get recorded.

Overall:

Distance: 5 miles
Time: 50:08
Pace: 10:01
Impression: Next Time I'm Running My Marathon On A Treadmill! (NTIRMMOAT!)

Body For Life Week 3

Since my life is presently wrapped up in my body (existentially, I guess it always has been, but sometimes we forget that) I'm reporting on all aspects of life this week. The marathon training started 4 weeks ago, and the Body for Life started 3 weeks ago. In the past three weeks I have lost 9 pounds, and dropped my body fat percentage to 20%--Next week's goal is to get that down to 19%. I'm feeling really, really great!
The workouts on the program are tough. I'm always exhausted afterwards, but feel stronger every day. I know that I have put on muscle, which is something that I probably haven't done since I was a bartender with too much free time about 6 years ago. I hope you want to hear all of this, because I'm now beginning to understand the passionate devotion to Body-For-Life that everyone you have ever known on it exhibited. The amount of energy you have, and the control you start to feel over your own body, and more importantly your life, just seems to grow every day.
The running is also going well. As you know I'm scheduled to run 3 times a week. I only ran twice last week, but I allowed that. I had two wisdom teeth pulled on Saturday, and aside from enjoying another round of vicodin, I've not really been in shape to run. I'm concerned the pounding and the breathing are maybe not the best things for a pulled tooth. So, that cancelled the 5-mile run I was supposed to do this weekend. The first two runs of the week went really well though!! Clocking in at 3- and 4-miles, I was feeling great. Both runs involved some pretty intense hills, but were conquered in average times of under 11 minutes, which has me very excited.
As you can tell, things are looking good!!! My back issues are minimizing and my inversion table should be here any day now. Nothing but positive mojo to report!!!!!!

Your Positive Polly,

Sixpack Chopra

Starting to Hear Voices

On Saturday, I went for a 4-mile run and at the end of it, Paula Radcliffe (I wish I could write that in her cute little accent) congratulated my on my longest run. I was so proud, but then began to wonder if I wasn't just starting to hear voices.
The run went well. I went with the gay boys in Golden Gate Park. I took last place, but I was just fine with that. This was my first 4-mile run in a long time, so just finishing made me very happy. It was a beautiful day (we've been seeing a lot of them lately) so I really couldn't complain.
I ran another 3-miles today on the Berkeley Firetrails. Well, I ran very little on the Firetrails, because by the time Jenn and I (don't ask) had reached the Firetrails, we had already covered almost half of the run. It was a great run, although I thought my heart was going to explode before I got to the halfway point. 1.5 miles uphill at this point was very, very difficult, but that 1.5 miles downhill? They were fucking amazing!
My leg is still not 100%. In fact, I've ordered an inversion table and it should be here this week, and I look forward to seeing if that helps me get rid of this. Relieving the tension and pressure on my spine should help relieve the pinched nerve. At the very least, I hope it helps me maintain my training.

Peace out y'all.

Lance Armstrong Spoke to Me!

Well, it's week two of BFL, and week 3 of marathon training. So, after getting home from my painting class at midnight, I set my alarm for 7:30 a.m. and got up to do today's 3 mile run. I was a little worried, as the symptoms of my pinched nerve may have moved to the other cheek. I woke up this morning with the dull ache of a pinced sciatic nerve in my left glute.
Not to be deterred, I bounced out of bed, put on my shoes, and headed out the door. Then I had to come back in, because I had completely forgotten shorts and a shirt. It's a liberal city, but there are limits. I decided to go again to Kezar stadium for two reasons.

1) It's flat, and I'm still trying to gain some speed.
2) It's measured so I could check the calibration of my Nike+.

It was a great run. It's a beautiful day here. 76 degrees is the predicted high, and the sun is ashining! The track was beautiful, and not too crowded. The first mile went well, and before I knew it I was 1/2 way done. Then I noticed something! I was actually speeding up a little bit. According to my stopwatch I did the final mile in 10 minutes. Even Lance came on to tell me that I had run a new personal record for the mile!!!
I realized that this was a new personal record with the new chip, but considering my recent start from scratch I was totally psyched to hear him! My chip tells me my pace was 10:29! That's a 45 second improvement on my pace, since tuesday!!!!!!!
Now, an issue. The chip measured 3 miles at the same point the track measured almost 3.25 miles. I clearly need to calibrate the chip to get better accuracy. This improved accuracy would also improve my pace. According to my stopwatch my pace was just a hair over 10:00/mile. Woo Hoo!!!!
So, that's my excitement for the week. I need to stretch when I get home, because I'm still having those butt pains, but I've dealt with these for years. Especially when I was a bartender. I know how to get rid of them.

Stats:
Run: 3 miles
Pace: 10:00
Overall Impression: I'm the Man, Man! And Get the F*%$, Outta My Way!! (ITMM!AGTFOMW!)

Words to live by!!

As Ben Franklin said, "In WINE there is WISDOM, in BEER there is FREEDOM, in water there is bacteria."In a number of carefully controlled trials, scientists have demonstrated that if we drink 1 liter of watereach day, at the end of the year we would haveabsorbed more than 1 kilo of Escherichia coli, (E.coli) - bacteria found in feces.In other words, we are consuming 1 kilo of POOP.
However, we do NOT run that risk when drinking wine and beer (or tequila, rum, whiskey or other liquor)because alcohol has to go through a purification process of boiling, filtering and/or fermenting.
Remember:
Water = Poop

Wine = Health!

Therefore, it's better to drink wine and talk stupid,than to drink water and be full of crap.

There is no need to thank me for this valuableinformation; I'm doing it as a public service.

New Nike+ Chip

I've had to replace my old chip. I think it just decided to stop working because I shoved it in a drawer for 2 months. In fact, it probably still works, but my 2 hours of attempts to fix it, means a trip to the apple store, which I seem to be doing far too often anyway. Instead, I just bought a new one, and it is primed and ready to go for tomorrow!!!!!!

I'll be running 3 times this week, so look for my times and my distances right here. It presently has my last run as 7/3/07, because I didn't run with a chip for the last two weeks. I'll just hand those runs over to the gods, without recording them!

The 100 Mile Challenge

I've set up a Nike+ 100-mile challenge for the first to 100 miles. It's a motivator for those that are looking for the inspiration to get back on the road, and for those on the "Road to Houston."

If you would like to be added, I can do that!

A Weekly Update

Body: I'm doing great. Lost 5 pounds in the first week, and I can already see my waist getting slimmer. I'm still sore from that evil workout on Wednesday, but I'm getting better.

Running: I biked on Tuesday. With a dentist's appointment in Berkeley. I biked to the BART station, to the dentist, and to campus. A total of about 7 miles all told. So I didn't run. Thursday I ran the 3 miles previously mentioned. Yesterday, I decided I was still too sore and that another 3 miles would risk injury, so I took the day off.

Tomorrow is another day and weightlifting begins again in earnest. I'll be upping some running miles, and hoping that the lack of miles this week doesn't hurt me too much.

Thats all from my corner.