Take it and run Thursday

Today's theme over at Runner's Lounge is:

Finish this thought 'As you start your marathon (half-marathon) training, don't forget...'

So here's my advice. This is more for a marathon than a half.

Don't forget:

1. To not injure yourself. An injury will cost you the chance of starting the race. The goal is to get to the start line. Once there, if you followed the training, you'll finish.
2. Be flexible. If you don't allow yourself to mess with your training schedule a little (not a lot), you are not going to be mentally prepared for the race. Life comes up. You have to be willing to spend time not training. I speak from experience here. I have a hard time not going 100% full-tilt, to the detriment of my family and friends.
3. Enjoy the training. Especially the long runs. There is something magical about the longer runs. It's just you and the trail. It's incredible.
4. Do not run in the middle of the day. As the days get hotter, be sure to get your run in the morning or the evening.
   
5. The end goal. Race day is like nothing you've ever experienced. Enjoy it. If you're like me, you'll get hooked and want to do it again.

That's about it. Have fun running :)

In terms of my training, I swam again today. I swam 500 yards straight and then I lost count of the laps, so I just started swimming for time. I swam a 15 minute stretch and then another 10 minute stretch. With my cooldown, I swam about 2000 yards.

Tomorrow, I 'll be swimming again and then Steph and I head out on vacation. So no posts next week. See you when we return.

Woot!!

Rest

Well, I decided to take a little rest this week. After the grueling race on Saturday, I decided that my legs need some rest. So, I ran on Tuesday and then decided I wouldn't run again until Saturday. My legs are still sore and my left heel is a little sore as well.

So, all I've done this week is swim. And, let me tell you, I am swimming well. I did 3 x 400 yard repeats today. I could have done more too. Woot!!!

Check out the TRI outfit below.....I wore it at the race Saturday....try to ignore the chest hair . Steph says I look like I belong in Starsky and Hutch. I say I need a gold chain.


Woot!!!

Swim caps are the shiznit!!

I bought my first swim cap last week and finally got a chance to use it today. Wow. What a difference it makes. I didn't think it would be that big of a deal, but it really helps. Not only does it keep me more aerodynamic through the water, but since it covers my ears, I don't get any water in them (not really anyway). I felt like I actually swam better today because of the cap.

All I did was swim today. I did 3 x 300 yards and then a few 100 yard repeats. I was very pleased to do the 300 yards repeats. I can swim 300 yards in about 6:30. I know, I know. Not fast. But, at least I can swim it.

I didn't do any biking or running today as my legs are very sore. I don't really know why, but they hurt like hell. I did finish Saturday's half 10 seconds faster than I finished the Cinci Half. And, I walked about a half mile on Saturday during the race. I guess I was pushing it pretty hard and my legs are telling me about it :)

Tomorrow I intend to work out some of the lactic acid. I have a day of biking 20 and running 5.

Woot!

2008 Decker's Creek Half-Mary Race Report

Man, what a hot @$!$$%^% race!!!!!!!!

Yesterday, Steph and I got up bright and early to get to the start line for the 2008 Decker's Creek Half Marathon. The plan was to show up at a local park and then take a bus to the start line as the beginning is in Masontown (a town 13.1 miles away from the finish line). So we got to the park around 7:45am or so. The race started at 9am.

So, if you have been living under a rock, the weather here on the east coast has been unbearably hot. The race started in 80 degree temps. It ended in the 90s. Ugh!!! I don't think either Steph or I were ready for that kind of heat.

Nonetheless, we performed great.

I finished under 2 hours again (1:58 something) and Steph finished in 2:13. I placed 128 out of 304 and Steph placed 192. I would have finished about 6-8 minutes faster, but I had to take a potty break and I had to walk about a half mile because of the heat. Steph had to walk as well. I'll update this post with the official times once they are published.

Some things that stand out:

1. The course was along a rail-trail so it was flat (actually it had an elevation loss of about 800 feet).
2. The course was pretty much through the forest for about 10 miles. I was pretty disappointed in the lack of scenery. The shade was nice however.
3. Running along a rail-trail is kind of tough in the beginning as there isn't a lot of room to pass.
4. I began to feel a little nauseous during the race and I think it was because I was drinking too much. The water/powerade was sloshing around in my stomach.
5. Me and 3 or 4 other runners ran together for practically the whole race which was great as we helped pace one another.
6. Towards the end, our local Southern States store hung two hoses up on the course so we could run through a shower of water. What a relief!!
7. The post-race goodies were great!! Steph won a first-aid kit and the food was excellent.
   

All in all, I'm glad I finished in the time I did. But, I wasn't very happy with the time of the race. It should have started at like 6 or 7 instead of 9am. I'm surprised they didn't have more dehydration problems with the participants. Steph and I did hear that one ambulance left with someone.

Anyway, next week is more biking, running, and swimming. The following week Steph and I head to the Outer Banks for vacation. Although there won't be much vacationing from my training. My TRI in August is coming up and the Marine Corps Marathon will be here before I know it :)

Woot!!

UPDATE: Official time for me was 1:58:22. Steph's was 2:13:48.

First day of Marathon training

Today was my first day of marathon training. I ran 3 miles. My mileage this week will be around 24 miles as Steph and I have a half-mary on Saturday. Also, I'll be in Orlando for most of this week so things will be a little screwy. After this week, my weekly mileage will slowly increase until October. I'm following Hal Higdon's Intermediate plan which will have me running 5 times a week. I'll also do 3 or 4 long runs of 20 miles or greater.

I have to say that I'm pretty excited about training for another marathon. This year will be a tad different as I'll also be training for my first tri as well (which will be in August).

Here's to a successful training regimen :)