The alarm went off, as usual, at 6 am. Typically, I'm already awake. Often, I'm already up. Today it woke me. It happens. I wasn't alarmed. I normally don't feel like heading right out the door. I like to take some time to wake up. Today, my usual routine didn't take me to my that feeling of 'alright I'm ready, let's go' that I am accustomed to. Nevertheless, I headed out the...
PersistenceI woke up this morning feeling less than stellar. I had my mini breakfast and checked my e-mail all the usual stuff hoping to perk up. I had a full bottle of tea for the caffeine. Nothing. Still felt low energy. Maybe it was time for a day off. I'm an advocate of listening to the body. Still, I am reluctant to do nothing. My next thought was I'll just warm up and stretch. Nothing seemed...
SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2010Milestones & Heavy BreathingI don't usually run 2 days in a row. Being on the road presents its challenges. Unable ride my bike I decided to go for a short run just to satisfy my need to exercise. While deciding, I added up my mileage since I've been out of town and realized that I was very close to 100 miles for the last 15 days. That was the clincher.I was...
Another training day, another 13.5 mile training run. Sound boring? Sound like a lot of time alone with your thoughts? Sound like a lot of time to be breathing hard? Sound like a lot of pounding the pavement that might cause injury? Sound like a lot of time in pain or suffering? Well, maybe.Boring doesn't happen to me because I've learned to relax and let my mind wander. It's almost like daydreaming. On long runs I...
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2010Routine FridayI had a nice discussion about exercise & fitness that included a discussion about workout times with the head football coach of a large California High School today. He likes to do his workout later in the day. I like to do mine early in the morning. The key question was why. The answer was in two parts. 1st, there are fewer (rarely any) interruptions early in the morning. 2nd,...
I had a nice 13.5 mile training run this morning. I was surprised at how strong my finish was, considering the mileage I've run in the last 12 days. However, my son-in-law invited me to play golf. Since I love to play golf it was impossible to resist. Why I decided to carry by clubs instead of renting a pull cart, I can't answer. Senior moment, I suppose. Anyway, my legs have come through once...
Nicely recovered, nice workout, nice dayI was pleased to find no ill effects from my long, hard run yesterday. It's a good indicator of my conditioning. Nicely recovered, I had a nice resistance workout this morning while watching Roger Federer advance and then seeing the US World Cup team squeeze out an exciting victory. A great way to start the day, especially considering the nice 2nd breakfast I made for myself! I like...
TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2010The Best Laid Plans: Marathon Training - Building EnduranceThe best laid plans indeed. I mapped out my planned run for this morning on 'Map My Run' http://beta.mapmyrun.com planning on adding one mile to what I've been running for a 13 mile run. I've been running an out and back route and planned on going a bit farther out then turning onto a side street and running through a neighborhood that was shown on...
Back To NormalThe pain in my neck is no longer a pain in the neck. So, I had a nice workout this morning. I don't have my weights with me but I did pretty much everything else. Push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, leg-up / reverse crunches, all my stretches all accomplished without pain. I'm really glad I took Friday off because I'm really glad to be pain free again. It's impossible to describe how good these workouts...
Being on the road continues to present challenges. Today, for me, it was a lesson about the importance of attitude and the importance learning to cope with adversity.My usual routine is to run 3 days a week, do my resistance training 3 days a week and ride my bike for a couple of hours on the odd day, usually Sunday. I had a great week running this week. Resistance training has been less than...
SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 2010Breakthrough DayYesterday was a golfing day. I sort of rested. I mean, I walked 18 fairly hilly holes but not much else. That's pretty light for me. Sleepovers that spilled into my workout space and early golf led me to conclude it was time for a rest day of sorts. I had a lot of fun golfing with my son-in-law and my accountant. I could tell I hadn't played for...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mehmet-oz/the-best-fathers-day-gift_b_617909.html...
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 2010Marathon Training - Building MileageIt has been nice & cool every morning this week for my runs. It's a good thing, too, because I could feel the extra miles today. I can still feel it. It's a necessary part of training. I know I have to build my mileage. My body has to get accustomed to longer runs and get tougher. More important than that, for me, is the mental toughness. I...
Marathon Training - The Quest BeginsToday begins training in earnest for the fall marathon. I had a nice workout yesterday. It was abbreviated so I could golf (badly). Still, it felt good. My first full training run since last week's race was my 11.5 miler this morning.Of course, considering my race results in the KBVCM last week, I'm at a good starting point. However, today marks the beginning of training for the marathon because...
Better!!!!Nice workout yesterday. Still a bit sore but better. Left the lower body alone but worked the upper body as well as I could without stressing the injury.Went to the golf course for the tournament this morning with some trepidation about taking a full swing. It took me 3 holes to get over it. Finished the day feeling pretty good. Two chip-in birdies helped. Looks like we're going to get rained out tomorrow but...
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2010Thankful For The RainAnd The Memorial golf tournament. Here not there (rain). It's hard enough being stuck in the house and nearly immobile when it's raining. If it had been sunny and warm I might've gone crazy (I don't have far to go as it is). Fortunately, it was raining here and The Memorial Tournament was on TV. Whew. I'm just a tad less sore this morning. I'm not sure...
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 2010Ouch! Injured.I woke up this morning after a good night's sleep. I really felt much better than expected. Oh sure, my feet are still blistered and quite sore. They really didn't want to run. My body, though was further along my recovery than I expected and was telling me that 6 miles would be nice. So my plan was to compromise and run 4 miles. The weather was so very nice but...
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 2010Key Bank Vermont City Marathon - Thank YouOkay, I am nearly recovered and my brain is beginning to function again. So, before I forget:Thank you to everyone involved in making the Key Bank Vermont City Marathon the great event that it is.To all the volunteers who selflessly give their time and effort I am grateful. To my fellow runners: you inspire me. The world would be a far better place if everyone...
