Monday, November 10, 2008

Not Since Tuesday

Clearly, we have not taken the 1,000-miles-in-2008 goal very seriously around Team HQ. Or perhaps Nitmos's slothful influence has permeated our ranks. Either way, I haven't felt much like running.

My weekly mileage has plummeted like JFK Jr. these past few weeks, nosediving from 21, to 10, and finally to only three miles last week. Meanwhile, the beer intervals have picked up steadily with the arrival of Christmas Ale and Black Chocolate Stout. The only marathon on my mind has been of watching consecutive episodes of Three Sheets.

This morning's slugometer reading showed the result of all my not running with a higher numeral in the tens place. It's just winter weight, I know, but my first thought was I must run today.

Therefore, I unveil the Viper's Winter Cool Down Running Plan. The 1,000-mile goal remains, but it may be more difficult now because of my recent slacking.

My attempt to stick with three days and 21 miles per week has failed. I just don't have the desire to run double-digit miles right now. But still, if I am to reach my goal, I must run 174 miles before January 1, 2009. That's 87 miles per month. That's 23.2 miles per week. That's 3.3 miles per day.

The distance is not so daunting when it's broken down into daily miles. This reality recalls the streaking idea I had last month. Although I'm not sure I'm willing to run every day, consecutive days -- and certainly more than three days per week -- will be necessary.

So here goes The Plan:
  • Monday: 3 miles
  • Tuesday: 4 miles fast (track or fartlek)
  • Wednesday: 3 miles
  • Thursday: 4-6 miles tempo
  • Friday: Happy Hour!
  • Saturday: 3 miles
  • Sunday: 4-10 miles LSD
This plan charts me for 21-29 miles per week, putting me on a reasonable pace to break 1,000 miles this year, but with plenty of scheduling wiggle room.

10 comments:

Sun Runner said...

Re: 1,000 miles: You'll get there. I just know you will.

Speaking of beer. I had a very successful shopping trip yesterday. Waiting (teasing) me in storage are: Stone Brewing Anniversary Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout, Allagash Curieux, Lagunitas Lucky 13, and some kind of combination mead and barleywine that I can't remember the name of but has a Thor's hammer on the label. I passed on a bottle of Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence; was I a fool? Or was I an even greater fool for not buying the De Molen Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout even though it was $21.99 for one bottle?

Now get going on topping 1,000 miles for the year. And hey, I wasn't the one who scheduled a Turkey Trot on November 9. Blame the race sponsor.

Razz said...

JFK, Jr. Too soon!

Marcy said...

I don't blame you. I've been struggling to do double digits miles also. I just tell myself that I deserve the break :P

Brooke said...

Hmmm....maybe I'll have to offer you incentive (read: bribe your friendship). If you do indeed meet your goal and send me your address I can send some Abita beer..they have Pecan Ale out now, and Christmas coming soon, and if it's after Christmas (depending on how long it takes you to finish) they will have Mardi Gras Bock...and if you don't make the goal I'll send it to your nemesis instead...

Anonymous said...

I have the same 1000 mile goal and think I may be cutting it close.

I like Brooke's idea. Maybe a little persuasion in the form of beer? I'm sure I could find something local or (this being a major metropolitan area), I could find something that's just hard to get...

Glaven Q. Heisenberg said...

Seems to me you can have your beer and drink it too ... AND run. Just avoid the Nitmosian Syncopation technique. I seem to remember your writing the only way you could run after a weekend night of ... well, being you was to time your footfalls to the rhythmic pounding in your head. That's a pretty steady (i.e., nonsyncopated) beat, if you can time footfalls to it. So just drink Christmas ales to your heart's content, then remember NOT to syncopate, and you'll reach your 1000 mile goal.

If you don't, though, don't blame the beer. That's the coward's way out.

Ms. V. said...

Was this just some weak attempt to get all the women readers on this blog to send you beer?

If so, it's working.

Okay, I'll send you some almonds from the farms, and you can brew them into something. Or something.

This is the Viper 1000 mile challenge. You can get us all to sign up.

*cough*

Yeah, go ahead and take a break (there, there Viper).

C said...

What the hell is wrong with everybody? Send you beer?! Unless it's laced with iocane powder, I don't see the point.

I know the perfect way to motivate you.

YOU CAN'T DO IT.

There, now prove me wrong.

nwgdc said...

I like the idea of Bribery. Are you a fan of Nut Browns? The Calumet County Brewery has a fantastic Nut Brown...one that puts Leinenkugel's Fireside Nut Brown to shame.

You hit 1,005, and I'm sending you some. (Why that extra 5 miles? I want the opportunity to read about you huffing and puffing on New Year's Eve afternoon.

tfh said...

I don't know, I think I'd rather do three seven mile runs a week than run six days in a row. And only one day a week for happy hour? How about one 20 miler a week and six happy hours?