Getting short...

It feels like the time until the RiverBank run is getting really short. It's not, we still have 103 days, but like I said, it feels short. I took some time off to go out West, which was a little hiccup in my training plans. Don't get me wrong, snowboarding in Steamboat with a couple of Ski Patrollers is a good workout. I am up to 8 miles now...which I think I'm ok with. The trick is going to be having a good week and capping it off with 9 or 10 miles next Sunday.

I was thinking quite a bit today about motivational phrases, words, songs, etc. I was thinking about this while running. One of the "modes" I like to get into while running is a distracted mode. This is when I'm thinking about things other than running. My pace is solid, and my mind just drifts off and I usually snap back to reality a mile or two later. It would be great to turn that on and off as needed. Back to the words and phrases...

I find myself saying "dig" to myself quite a bit while climbing hills. Another one is "distance not pace".

Anyway...time to get back to work.

- Scott

Mentor Training

Tomorrow morning I'll join in on my second mentor run. Last week I ran 3 miles with the group, and although pace isn't supposed to matter, there is a natural competitiveness that pushes me. I ended up getting in a quick workout. I'm looking forward to our 4 miles tomorrow.

I'll see where this group ends up. Every bit of support for the 5/3 will be appreciated.

- Scott

gmaps-pedometer

This one will go down in the "why didn't I try that before" category. I have been running with the Nike+ Sport Kit since July, but had never tried the gmaps pedometer before. Tonight, after grinding thru a 4 mile night run in the cold rain, I synced my run and started browsing Google for other Grand Rapids RiverBank runners. I happened upon Scott Zanskas blog where he talks about using gmaps to double-check his Nike+. I entered my typical route, and whatdoyaknow? Pure amazement.

Here's my running route from tonight. http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=636375

Only about 120 days until the big run.

Oh yeah...tonight was the 5/3 KickOff at Craig's Cruisers. I was amazed that getting there at 10 after 5 made me a "late comer". I signed up officially for the race and also joined (officially) the Grand Rapids Running Club.

Beth and I have also signed up for Gazelle's Fun and Fitness program. This is essentially a package of 3 races for a discount amount. There's supposed to be a shirt as well, but they seemed to have ran out of them forever ago.

Things seem to be going well. I'm stretching better than I probably ever have. The "slow and steady" approach appears to be paying off. I listened to my body this week. I only took one day off, but I also ran nice and easy when I thought it was appropriate. This weekend should bring a couple of tougher runs...primarily the 7-miler on Sunday. Saturday's 4-miler with the Mentor program should help me push my pace. Yeah yeah yeah...I know the pace doesn't really matter at this point.

enuf...

On Track...

The running has been going well. I've managed to start getting my miles up, last week's big run was 6 miles. Today is an off day, although I might talk myself into a night run. I've jumped in with the Grand Rapids Running Club's Mentor program. I'm running each Saturday, although I'm not following their program. I'm kind of blending the 5/3 program with the mentor program. I'm currently saving my bigger runs for the weekend. This Sat/Sun should be 4 and 7 miles. Sunday is my big day.

Now if I could just get some weight to come off. I hope that I'm gaining muscle, which should be adding weight and retaining some water. I've actually gained about 5 pounds since beginning a couple of weeks ago. I've tightened up the nutrition, so we'll see what happens. I should be improving my cardio either way.

I'm heading to the 'boat next Thursday, so we'll see if the running helps with the breathing.

- Scott

Missing running???

Recovery day...off day...rest day...

Whatever you call it...it feels strange after running for 4 days straight and still having energy to do more. I actually considered running late at night, but we're in the middle of a heavy downpour that has been going for hours. I've done my fair share of running in the rain...but I couldn't bring myself to get soaked tonight. The key now is to run Friday and Saturday.

- Scott

I feel pretty good...

I'm officially going to pat myself on the back. Beginning Friday, 12/29, I officially went back to running. I'm planning to run the 5/3 25K in May, so it's time to get busy. I've now ran 5 of the last 6 days. Today I did some interval work and my lungs were burning.

Before anyone reads this and decides to lecture me about beginners taking on too much too fast, let me explain my current state of fitness.

Starting in the Fall, I traditionally switch to a hardcore leg and core routine. This is in preparation for skiing/snowboarding. This year was no exception. By October I was doing some heavy leg presses and hitting my abs pretty hard. This always pays off when I head to Steamboat in early December. My December Steamboat trip went well, now I'm prepping for a return to the 'Boat on the 18th of January. The running should help with the cardio aspect, which never hurts at altitude.

Here's my dilemma, I've now ran 4 days straight and I plan to run a longer run on Saturday (today is Wed). I want an off day, which I think I'll take tomorrow and then run a steady 5k on Friday. I've been running a 5k as my standard route and comfortably finishing these, with more consistency each day. The "expert" training recommendation for Saturday is 7 miles. The "beginner" training recommendation for Saturday is 3 miles. I think I'm going to work on a middle distance...maybe 5 miles?

I need to work out my individual plan and figure out my taper for the May 12th run.

- Scott

It's been awhile. I'm sure that's a recurring theme in these blogs...but so be it. Since my last post in October, I've been out to Steamboat...I attempted to ski in Tahoe (not enough snow)...xmas has came and went and I've gotten myself back into running. As you can see...I've been busy.

I'm planning to run the 5/3 Riverbank Run in Grand Rapids, MI in May. This is the biggest run I've ever attempted. This is a 25K, which should be enough to scare the crap out of me. I've heard many people who have said they train for it and then end up running the 5K instead because they're not ready. They usually say that it was worth it because it got them in shape. I'm thinking differently. I want to get a regular routine going. I'm not trying to "become a runner", I'm not big on defining oneself as a "runner" or as a "Republican" or whatever. Titles suck. Anyway...I'm just trying to get back to the shape I used to be in. I think I'm in decent shape now...I've been running about 5.3K as a regular workout...but I would like to lose my extra weight. Dropping another 25 - 30 lbs would help me with Snowboarding, not to mention golf. The idea of sticking around to see my grandchildren someday is a good goal as well.

I've also decided I'd like to work on my Astronomy knowledge. I started doing some reading in the summer, which lead me to get some decent binoculars for xmas as well as a Celestron SkyScout (very cool by the way). While reading a column in an astronomy magazine (sorry can't remember which mag, or which writer) the author answered a question about which telescope a beginner should buy. His answer was that a beginner should first learn the constellations before dropping the cash on a telescope. I followed this advice, although a couple of nights in the backyard playing with the skyscout have me craving a nice scope. It will have to wait.

GTD has been tough to stick with. The ideas are great...and I've definitely put much of it in practice, but the end of year demands on my time have driven my email box back up into the hundreds.

I'm heading back to Steamboat on the 18th for a long weekend with the "Walloon guys". This gives me just a couple weeks to get my running routine truly established. The kids are great...growing like crazy. This is enough for now, I'll try to post again later.

- Scott