Week 14 … free falling

Week Total: 30km

March 31, 2007 [8am]
20km … excellent run. You know the kind of run where you feel like you are floating over the ground? It was kind of like that. I started off tired (we have been walking 3 -5 hrs a day here ) and not sure how would do, but once I found my pace it was excellent. The route I had started thinking it was 5 miles turned out to be 10 (which worked out well as I thought I had to run it twice when it was 5) and there was a lot of activity going on – lots of rowers, other runners, etc.

I didn’t have any of that heavy foot that I sometimes get where I feel like I am pounding the pavement .. and at the end of the trail I ran the Rocky steps (ok they are the ones for the Art Museum but they were made famous in the Rocky movie) two at a time all the way to the top – felt really good!

Now I need to prepare myself this week for our 32km long run – which is rumored to be happening on Good Friday instead of Sunday!

March 30, 2007 [7:30am]
10km in Philly!
After being totally shagged from the flight down here and a good nights kip, I got up this morning and headed out … tall buildings do not make my Garmin happy! But after running for a bit, I did find an excellent trail that took my down by the river. On my way back I found the entrance to the trail and it turns out to be a 5mile trail … so on Sunday, I will run it twice, that with the distance to and from the trail – it should be close on the 22.5 I need. Feels good to be out in the no-snow-no-cold-wind running. I did where my winter running gear (minus the under layer) thank god I brought it or I would have froze this morning!

This week started out with a snow storm that has gotten in the way of my run ( add to the fact that Maria is out of town this week … making my early morning run – unpossible! ). I emailed my running group and asked if anyone else was feeling drained, and they responded with all kinds of encouraging words. BUT what turned it around for me was moving the lumber that was delivered today. By the time I had it all in the house, I had a good sweat going and felt good to have done it. So while I did not get a run in, I felt like I did something.

Week 13

Week Total: 18.7km

March 26, 2007 [4pm]
Worst.Run.Ever
I got little to no sleep Saturday night, so I did not run Sunday morning. Instead I went out in the afternoon with Lisa and we ran a pathetic 5km. My legs were like blocks of wood the entire time, everything from the knees down felt tight – and we did 10/1’s!!

Lisa is recovering from an injury, what’s my excuse?

I now know it is true, it only takes one bad run to take away your condidence.
Worst.Run.Ever

March 23, 2007 [6am]
After missing our Wednesday night run, cause we had a pot luck at my place (which was a blast!!) – I decided I better get back on the road this morning…. only problem is the wind was enough to knock you down! When I was running into it, I was almost on a 45 degree angle leaning into it – and when it was at my back, I felt like if I just jumped a little it could carry me down the road. So I ended up just doing 5kms this morning, but that’s better than nothing at all, isn’t it?

March 20, 2007 [6am]
Craig, Paul and I headed out for a 9.7km run … having run 32km a couple days before – I felt like I was running on two sticks of wood instead of legs …. so after about 4km I announced that I was going to cut my run short (first time ever) … but once I reached the top of the hill, I decided to keep going. So in the end, I did a little less than the lads but not much. It was a great morning to be out – I have grown found of these early morning runs!

Quote of the day from Paul: “It’s not what’s in your legs, it’s what’s in your heart.”

Week 12 …. 4 months!

Week Total: 51.7km

March 17, 2007 [7:20am]
Craig and I ran our long run on our own this weekend … due to a schedule conflict. We ran 32kms in 3hrs 34mins!!
We had the wind on our back for the first 16km and in our face on the way back … -12 with the wind chill but all in all it was a great run. You know what they say … if you can do 32, you can do 42!

March 14, 2007 [6:30pm]
Craig and I ran with the MTG tonight. I was feeling kind of low, not eaten right today … tired. So although the group ran 16km, Barb and I did 10km. I felt good for doing it … every time you head out, it helps you feel a little stronger!

March 13, 2007 [6am]
Craig, Lisa and I went out in the chilly morning for a great run even if it was by far the most slippery morning yet. We ran 9.7km in 55mins. I finished with a great tempo run … not sure how long I could sustain that but it get’s a little better each time.

This is week 12 … 4 months of training! When we started, we could hardly run 1km … we are now doing 30km long runs … I weighed 236lbs, now I am 215lbs … there have been a lot of changes! With 11 weeks til the Marathon, I am sure there will be more changes coming!

Running form!

This is a photo I found online that I think shows the best form a runner can have. I strive toward this!!

Week 11

Week total: 54km

March 11, 2007 [8am]
Craig and I ran with the MTG … it was a good day – a bit windy but not too cold. It did not take long for us to realize that we were over dressed! I ran 28km in 3hr 5min (25 mins faster than two weeks ago). I ran at my Marathon pace (6 – 6:30 mins per km). So on average, I ran 30km in 3 hrs … which is excellent! It means I should be able to run the Marathon in about 4hr30mins! If I can run 30kms in 3hrs (approx) then I can push out another 12km. This weekend was a great confidence booster! Now of course there is the heat factor … but hopefully running in Florida for two weeks will help with that!

March 09, 2007 [6am]
See … it’s a good thing I do nothing more than look out my window at 5:30am … all I really look for is wind or rain. Had I checked the weather BEFORE running this morning, I would have seen that it was -23 with the wind chill! -20 freaking 3!!!

Craig and I – fools that we are – were out in it. We did 8km in 45mins … I spent the whole time trying to catch up to Craig (who was running like a bear was chasing him). I always feel better after I run, even in -23.

March 8, 2007 [6am]
Lisa and I were supposed to run last night with the MTG – but the -19 and high winds made us think that this morning would be a better time! So this this morning we ran 6km at a good pace. Lisa’s leg is still bothering her – but she seemed to do fine!

March 6, 2007 [5:45am]
Paul and I were on the road at 5:45am. We did 10km in 55mins. It was an excellent run, only a little wind, and not too cold. As we came down Stavanger, passing Golf Course Rd. (yes, that is it’s name) I saw three runners we often see … they were a fair ways down the road – so I waved and said to Paul, just watch, they’ll pass us. He was having none of that – so we kicked it into a tempo run …. and I mean tempo … sure enough I could hear their voices getting closer (too busy breathing hard to look back) and as we entered Larner at a full out run, they passed by and waved! But hey, excellent way to end a run!

I AM …

After my run last night, I was sitting with my wife – doing our taxes (oh the joy!) – and I still had on my running gear, sans the outside wear. All of a sudden she looked at me and said “You’re a runner now.”

She’s right, I am a runner.