Archive for July, 2010

• A Few Numbers…

  Date: 2010.07.30 | Category: Saturdays, training | Response: 4

  One interesting tidbit about me is that I like numbers. Whenever I see a number while driving around I like to add them up as quickly as I can. I multiply them, sort them and try to come up with patterns within the number sequence. There are times when I try to break them down into binary and I try to teach my wife how to as well. When I sing songs I usually count numbers as the words to the beat rather than the actual words. This drives my wife crazy and yes, it is a bit geeky, I know.

  To go along with this newly found insight of me, my faithful followers as well as the new ones stopping by, here are a few more numbers to consider. I have been thinking about them this past week and thought I would share.

  10k = 6.2 Miles – I participated in my first, the Deseret News 10k on Saturday July 24th. Total time to finish 55:49.5 = 8:59/M Pace.

  
  

  Finally completed my 18 mile run. Total time to finish 04:01:33.5 = 13:38/M Pace. The first 9 I did in 1:47:57 = 12:28/M Pace.
  1 huge blister after my 18 mile run in new shoes, but 0 foot pain. Thank you new shoes.
  Sold out crowd at the Rio Tinto Stadium Saturday night for the Real Salt Lake vs. Chivas USA soccer game = 19,624 fans, of which I stood in front of, on the field, to receive honors for the “Heroes Among Us” award.

  [jwplayer config="Posts" mediaid="230"]

  Thank you RSL and American Express for the recognition and support.
  
  2,800 = Number of Utah children in foster care.
  $1,000 = Bare minimum goal I have set to raise funds for those children from now until my marathon. If I can get 10 people to donate 5 dollars a day from now until my marathon that would be $1060. Using the widget to the right make a donation today!

  Thanks!

• One Month To Go…

  Date: 2010.07.21 | Category: training | Response: 3

  Yes, you read that right. I only have one month to go until the big day. 26.2 miles of running, up hill and down in and around the beautiful town of Park City.

  One month to go, what does that mean? It means really long distance running. Sore feet, knees and blisters. It means, more hill running. It means figuring out how to manage hydration. It means discovering what is good to eat and easy to carry while running.  It means trying to stay focused and getting the word out about my site to raise awareness and financial contributions for the Utah Foster System to help support the children.

  So lets see… from that list, what do I need to do?

  • Hill running – going well and in progress.
  • Hydration – tried a CamelBak, suffered my first mental defeat some time ago. Changed to circling around the neighborhood, using the house as a refill/hydration checkpoint. I am discovering that is becoming a challenge. Next up, water bottle belt and running far, far away from the house.
  • Long distance – Well last weekend I was set for an 18 miler – it turned into 12 miles.  Tried a new path to meet up with the family, only to get lost trying to find them at a new neighborhood splash park.  Gave up due to the heat and found myself at the wrong splash park.  This weekend I am preparing for the 18 miles that I owe myself.  Added onto that is the Deseret News 10k.
  • Blisters – just living with them – trying out some new wicking socks during the week and they seem to be helping.
  • Sore feet and knees -  I finally broke down, and rightly so, I am a proud owner of a new pair of shoes.  Gotta love the Wasatch Running Center.  I have been training in the same pair of shoes that I got from them back in 2005 when I ran my first 5k.  After talking with them I probably should have thrown those out years ago.  I have learned my lesson.  Breaking in my new pair of shoes is going well.  I am also doing some treadmill training again to give my feet a break from the asphalt and pavement for a bit.
  • Eating on the run – I got some recommendations to try the Clif Bar Shot Bloks.  I picked up several flavors, I’ll keep you posted on the outcome shortly.
  • Raising Awareness – Next major event is this Saturday before the Real Salt Lake soccer game.  I will be receiving the “Heroes Among Us” award – presented by Real Salt Lake and American Express.  Would love to see you come out and support me, enjoy a good game of soccer and fireworks afterward.

  Seems like a lot to do, but I am focused after struggling a bit since Ragnar. For some strange reason after completing that race, it’s been difficult trying to stay focused on the marathon and training. I have been running, but haven’t really been in it. I think today’s 5 mile treadmill run with new shoes has put the motivation back into me. Good thing, because did you hear, I only have one month to go?!

• 7 Miles Per Hour…

  Date: 2010.07.13 | Category: Saturdays | Response: 0

  No real big accomplishments this week regarding distance or some great tasting food.  Never mind – this is a big accomplishment, I am still sticking with the training.  Training equals marathon, training equals good for me.  Hill training however, is beating me up.

  This week was a 12 mile run.  Which I turned into a 12 mile hill run.  OK, maybe not exactly 12 miles up a hill, but a loop up a hill and down a couple of times that ended up being 12 miles.  Where I live, the main loop around the neighborhood consists of a pretty steep hill to climb and then a relatively gradual decent down on the other side.  This was the pathway I had chosen to face.

  First loop around full of energy, no music this time back to the basics, overcast clouds and a positive attitude.  Finished the first 6 relatively quickly.  Stopped off at the house for a quick energy boost (peanut butter) and cold drink of water. Second loop around energy lower, still no music, overcast clouds gone, heat setting in fast, attitude decreasing.  Hill much harder, but still made it to the top without stopping.

  On the way up the second time, I passed a man going in the opposite direction.  I gave my usual friendly wave and morning greeting.  Which was returned in the same manner and, “This way is easier” was added.  We had a good laugh about it and I agreed.  It looked like he had just set out and he was going down so of course it was easier, but I got the last laugh.  I passed him on my way down as he was going up on the other side and said, “look who’s got it easier now?”  All he could say was, “It is hot!”  Again I chuckled and agreed.

  Along this route I discovered a new game I could play while running.  No, not air guitar and air drumming.  It was see how fast you could go, within reason of course.  I came across one of those radar speed limit signs that post the maximum speed limit and then so kindly provides you an indication as to how fast you are going via radar right below the posted limit.  I find these to be quite enjoyable while driving in the car, but running gave me even a little bit more enjoyment.

  Having encountered this the first loop around, it gave me motivation to finish the second loop just to see how fast I was going.  The first loop around I posted a mighty 7 miles per hour, second time around I was either way too fast or way too slow for it to clock me.  Next time I will try to break the sound barrier and post up 8 miles per hour.  12 miles complete, next up 18.  Yikes!

• For Coach Bill…

  Date: 2010.07.06 | Category: Saturdays | Response: 2

  My last post was all about the delicious food my wife and I shared as part of the final celebration for our 10th anniversary.  It turns out that having skipped my 15 mile run to partake in the bounty of food, that my new found coach did not like it too much.   However, Coach Bill is wise in his words.  So as you said, I am back on or off the wagon, either way I did not skip my long run this week.

  Yes Coach Bill, that is right.  I did Go Run.  I ran 16 miles in 3:24:00:48, breaks down to 12.75 minutes per mile.  Not too shabby, considering this was my longest run yet.

  It started out on the same pathway of 10 miles, that is now easy.  This time however I ventured out on my long run with music.  I thought to myself that I may need a little company to keep me going.  Turns out it was a good decision, a little too good.  I found myself running to the beat and it was a nice distraction to keep me going.  However, if you recall the Friends episode way back when, The One where Phoebe runs, well if anyone could have seen me running they would have had a good laugh or thought I had some strange disease.  Running with Metallica equals air drumming, air guitar and lip syncing.  Yes, that is right,  I rock!

  The final four miles of my run was a hill climb around the neighborhood, this was by design and it was rough.  The Park City Marathon, you know the one I am training for, to run with my Uncle who is running his 100th, has a bit of an elevation climb.

  

  Park City Marathon Elevation

  I need to add a bit more hill running to my training plans.  I was going to run the hill portion of my 16 miles at first when I was fresh, but decided otherwise and made it my last 4 miles.  Yikes!  Metallica was no help either.

  After a long 16 mile run, Coach Bill, you were right.  Food does taste better and no I did not feel bad about the amount I ate, I was starving.