Eyes bleary from pushing myself up Merriman. The air thick with humidity from last night's rain. The temperature rising to the 60s. I laid on my back after a set of 60 bicycle sit-ups and thought I saw fog rolling into the carport where I placed my workout mat.
I blinked to make sure it wasn't sweat getting into my eyes. Then I realized what I saw wasn't fog, but steam rising off my body. This is a common occurrence during the winter, but it's super badass when it happens in the middle of spring.
My weekly morning short runs have included sets of push-ups and sit-ups before and after the slog. This morning I found my stretchy bands and did a couple sets of curls. I've always been really good about working on my core as I get my marathon training started, but then I eventually forget about it. We'll see if I can break that pattern. After all, I've managed to get close to being a morning runner.
It seems most of my displeasure from running in the morning was from the jarring of my joints without warning (aka, a day's worth of moving around to warm up), but now I run much smoother after more than a year of focusing on better form.
With the weekend approaching, I'm looking forward to another long trail run, as I build up base mileage.
Showing posts with label I'm a bad-ass--get it?. Show all posts
Showing posts with label I'm a bad-ass--get it?. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Thursday, April 29, 2010
The Hills Are Alive with the Sound of Mis'ry
I'd hate to jinx myself, but my ankles are awesome. I was tearing down the Memorial Parkway hill at an 8:15 clip, spinning my feet, when my left foot landed on a rock or in a hole or something that caused it to roll and me to almost French kiss the glass strewn curb.
For a moment, I must have looked like one of those collapsing toy figurines, as I stumbled and recovered -- ungracefully but effectively -- and continued onward. There was a twinge in my ankle, but everything seemed fine after a few tentative steps. There is no hint of a strain or sprain today.
My only theory for why my ankles are super rad is running barefoot or in minimalist shoes. My feet and supporting muscles and ligaments have gotten stronger and more resilient, and I've started to figure out how to react when I land on things that hurt.
My 4.5-mile hill interval was completed at 9:09 mile pace, an improvement of 2:23 over last week's total time.
They're Cheats
You are letting the cheaters get away with it if you don't go change your vote to "Viper." I'm the only person who competed in the Last Mile Brewing Virtual Halfathon who wrote a race report that takes as long to read as running a half marathon. The other contenders? Look how short those performances are! That can't be legal. Do the right thing: Vote for Viper.
For a moment, I must have looked like one of those collapsing toy figurines, as I stumbled and recovered -- ungracefully but effectively -- and continued onward. There was a twinge in my ankle, but everything seemed fine after a few tentative steps. There is no hint of a strain or sprain today.
My only theory for why my ankles are super rad is running barefoot or in minimalist shoes. My feet and supporting muscles and ligaments have gotten stronger and more resilient, and I've started to figure out how to react when I land on things that hurt.
My 4.5-mile hill interval was completed at 9:09 mile pace, an improvement of 2:23 over last week's total time.
They're Cheats
You are letting the cheaters get away with it if you don't go change your vote to "Viper." I'm the only person who competed in the Last Mile Brewing Virtual Halfathon who wrote a race report that takes as long to read as running a half marathon. The other contenders? Look how short those performances are! That can't be legal. Do the right thing: Vote for Viper.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Retackling 1,000 Miles
Last year, one of my running goals was to run 1,000 miles, which I done did, logging my 1,000th mile on the final day of the year. You all remember when I freaked out about my mileage this time last year. December 2008 arrived when I still needed to run 116 miles to reach my goal.
Sorry, but this year's quest to top 1,000 miles won't be quite as dramatic. Here we are again on the first day of December, but this time I'm only 58 miles from my goal--exactly half as many miles as last year. All I need to do is run 14.5 miles per week. Hell, I don't even need to match November's output. Easy as eating pie! Who wants to see if this hubris bites me in the ass?
Here is November's statistical rundown:
Sorry, but this year's quest to top 1,000 miles won't be quite as dramatic. Here we are again on the first day of December, but this time I'm only 58 miles from my goal--exactly half as many miles as last year. All I need to do is run 14.5 miles per week. Hell, I don't even need to match November's output. Easy as eating pie! Who wants to see if this hubris bites me in the ass?
Here is November's statistical rundown:
- Total Miles: 72 miles (15 runs)
- Highest Weekly: 21 miles
- Average Weekly: 18 miles
- Average Pace: 9:34.25 per mile
- Longest/Fastest Run: 8 miles, 8:20 pace
- The Monthly Dif: +22 miles (50 miles in October)
Monday, August 31, 2009
Ruling All Sorts of Your Face
I was worried that my mistakenly too fast eight-mile race pace tempo on Saturday would hurt my 16-miler on Sunday. Nope, just back to back negative splits that totally kicked your teeth in.
I didn't mean to run so fast on Saturday. I was aiming to negative split the second half after running at 9:10 mile pace during the first four miles. After the first mile, I promised myself I would practice not starting too fast. I eased up a bit, but my second mile was still too fast. In fact, the only mile that was at pace was the third mile, which is almost all uphill and steeply so for the final half of that mile.
I knew I would have to kill it on the way back to negative split. In doing so, I logged what may have been my fastest mile on Sand Run at 7:53. I finished the second half of the run two minutes faster than the first.
[Drunkard's note: I am purposefully ignoring the potential problem of not being able to recognize my proper pace.]
Despite my legs feeling pretty good on Sunday, I was worried that those too fast miles the day before would catch up to me in short order. I decided to take it easy for the first 10 miles and attempt a negative split by pretending the final six miles were the final 10-K of the marathon.
I was loping along at about 10-10:30 per mile before picking up the pace. I eased my pace to 9:44 for the 10th mile and then ratcheted down to 9:15 and stuck between that and 8:58 until the last mile when I decided to flame out at 8:30. My second half split was more than six minutes faster than the first half.
This is my last buildup week before Akron. My mileage will peak at 43 miles with Sunday's 20-miler. Next week is the Buckeye Half Marathon, and after that I just need to stay healthy until Sept. 26. The days are just packed.
I didn't mean to run so fast on Saturday. I was aiming to negative split the second half after running at 9:10 mile pace during the first four miles. After the first mile, I promised myself I would practice not starting too fast. I eased up a bit, but my second mile was still too fast. In fact, the only mile that was at pace was the third mile, which is almost all uphill and steeply so for the final half of that mile.
I knew I would have to kill it on the way back to negative split. In doing so, I logged what may have been my fastest mile on Sand Run at 7:53. I finished the second half of the run two minutes faster than the first.
[Drunkard's note: I am purposefully ignoring the potential problem of not being able to recognize my proper pace.]
Despite my legs feeling pretty good on Sunday, I was worried that those too fast miles the day before would catch up to me in short order. I decided to take it easy for the first 10 miles and attempt a negative split by pretending the final six miles were the final 10-K of the marathon.
I was loping along at about 10-10:30 per mile before picking up the pace. I eased my pace to 9:44 for the 10th mile and then ratcheted down to 9:15 and stuck between that and 8:58 until the last mile when I decided to flame out at 8:30. My second half split was more than six minutes faster than the first half.
This is my last buildup week before Akron. My mileage will peak at 43 miles with Sunday's 20-miler. Next week is the Buckeye Half Marathon, and after that I just need to stay healthy until Sept. 26. The days are just packed.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Race Report: Drunken Monkey Prevails
The old master has fallen. As you will see, this drunken monkey ain't nothing to fuck with. My style is awesome (put your headphones on, language NSFW):
Meditation Before Battle
Saturday, May 23 -- Final Tune Up (-37:30:00): One final track session before the dawning of the Very Funny-Viper Challenge. Same routine as before. The statistical rundown:
Sunday, May 24 -- Party Time (-16:00:00): Annual Memorial Day party brings more beer. Pre-race dinner is appetizers, hot dogs on the grill, potato salad, broccoli salad, ginger snaps and birthday cake. Running out of Labatt's leads to poor choice of Bud Lite as a one beer substitute. Johnnie Walker to the rescue. Also, there are shots to celebrate that birthday. What is 153? Not good.
Sunday, May 24 -- A Frisky Mr. Sandman (-8:00:00): To bed finally, but rest is not good quality. Should be a fun race day.
Putting on the Foil
Monday, May 25 -- Arise, Chicken (-1:45:00): Alarm goes off. Feeling somewhat unwell. Send the Martini a text, "I has risen." He responds, "Arise, Chicken. Chicken, arise." He will pick up at 6:45 a.m. because he still needs to register. Feeling heavy. No breakfast. Only a sports drink for hydration and calories. This will be my first sock-less race.
Monday, May 25 -- Warming up (-1:00:00): We pick up our bibs and mill around for a few minutes. Martini has Courvoisier in a flask and hands it to me for a snort. This is hair of a dog that did not bite me.
Monday, May 25 -- More warming up (-0:30:00): Martini and I head out for a short warm up jog. Ten minutes at most, probably less knowing us. We jiggle our limbs and bounce up and down to keep loose.
Monday, May 25 -- Still more warming up (-0:15:00): Martini lies in the grass. I leave for light pole intervals to shock the system. Four strides of two light poles at speed with one light pole rest, out and back. People are starting to congregate at the start line. We grab one last swallow of water because we are already feeling dehydrated.
End Battle
Monday, May 25 -- The race, finally (0:00:00): My race strategy for 5-Ks is to start fast and rely on my kick to finish hard, hoping the middle mile doesn't suck. This is a clock-timed race. No chip. We line up toward the front, about five people deep.
Monday, May 25 -- A second faster (0:07:30): The jockeying for position at the start. A long uphill stretch. A quick dose of water. I'm OK with my first mile. This is three seconds faster than my PR pace. But more importantly, this is one second faster than Mike's first mile.
Monday, May 25 -- I see the beast (0:14:40): I have never beaten Martini in a race. Approaching the turnaround, he passes within closing distance. I use the downhill to fly for a 7:10 second mile.
Monday, May 25 -- Over the hill (0:21:53): There are no hills on the track. Past the second mile marker and around a neighborhood block, it is all uphill to the third mile. I'm getting passed and I'm not liking it. But I like the 7:13 mile. Just a tenth of a mile to go.
Monday, May 25 -- Log jam (0:22:26): My legs are starting to feel dead. The crowd picks me up. I hear my cheering section. My 10-month old, lucky PR charm is working. I bolt into the worst finish line log jam I've ever seen. I stop my watch, thinking I achieved at least two of my top three race goals and pretty confident about nailing the third. Smells like victory.
Monday, May 25 -- Losing seconds (0:22:29): They corralled us like doomed cattle into the chute. I tore off my tag and handed it to the collector, who strung it on the cord. Checking the official results later in the day, I lose three seconds from my watch time, which is a first. Usually, I gain time. C'est la vie. I'll gladly take a 59-second PR and a crushing victory over Mike's 24:46. His PR is next.
Death Knell
Martini finished less than 30 seconds ahead of me. Our closest margin yet. We celebrate at the pub with a beer and a shot of Jameson before parting ways.
Mike, the Master, has been vanquished. The Very Funny-Viper Challenge was a blast. It gave us both some motivation to get our asses into shape and fine tune our smack talk in the process. However, in a challenge, there always has to be a loser. And that loser is Mike. Good race, Mike. Cheers.
Meditation Before Battle
Saturday, May 23 -- Final Tune Up (-37:30:00): One final track session before the dawning of the Very Funny-Viper Challenge. Same routine as before. The statistical rundown:
- Intervals:
4 x 400 meters - Goal pace: 6:55-7:20 per mile
- Lap 1: 1:41.64 (6:46 per mile)
- Lap 2: 1:43 (6:54 per mile)
- Lap 3: 1:41.95 (6:46 per mile)
- Lap 4: 1:39.89 (6:38 per mile)
- Average pace: 6:46 per mile
- Total distance: 3.7 miles
Sunday, May 24 -- Party Time (-16:00:00): Annual Memorial Day party brings more beer. Pre-race dinner is appetizers, hot dogs on the grill, potato salad, broccoli salad, ginger snaps and birthday cake. Running out of Labatt's leads to poor choice of Bud Lite as a one beer substitute. Johnnie Walker to the rescue. Also, there are shots to celebrate that birthday. What is 153? Not good.
Sunday, May 24 -- A Frisky Mr. Sandman (-8:00:00): To bed finally, but rest is not good quality. Should be a fun race day.
Putting on the Foil
Monday, May 25 -- Arise, Chicken (-1:45:00): Alarm goes off. Feeling somewhat unwell. Send the Martini a text, "I has risen." He responds, "Arise, Chicken. Chicken, arise." He will pick up at 6:45 a.m. because he still needs to register. Feeling heavy. No breakfast. Only a sports drink for hydration and calories. This will be my first sock-less race.
Monday, May 25 -- Warming up (-1:00:00): We pick up our bibs and mill around for a few minutes. Martini has Courvoisier in a flask and hands it to me for a snort. This is hair of a dog that did not bite me.
Monday, May 25 -- More warming up (-0:30:00): Martini and I head out for a short warm up jog. Ten minutes at most, probably less knowing us. We jiggle our limbs and bounce up and down to keep loose.
Monday, May 25 -- Still more warming up (-0:15:00): Martini lies in the grass. I leave for light pole intervals to shock the system. Four strides of two light poles at speed with one light pole rest, out and back. People are starting to congregate at the start line. We grab one last swallow of water because we are already feeling dehydrated.
End Battle
Monday, May 25 -- The race, finally (0:00:00): My race strategy for 5-Ks is to start fast and rely on my kick to finish hard, hoping the middle mile doesn't suck. This is a clock-timed race. No chip. We line up toward the front, about five people deep.
Monday, May 25 -- A second faster (0:07:30): The jockeying for position at the start. A long uphill stretch. A quick dose of water. I'm OK with my first mile. This is three seconds faster than my PR pace. But more importantly, this is one second faster than Mike's first mile.
Monday, May 25 -- I see the beast (0:14:40): I have never beaten Martini in a race. Approaching the turnaround, he passes within closing distance. I use the downhill to fly for a 7:10 second mile.
Monday, May 25 -- Over the hill (0:21:53): There are no hills on the track. Past the second mile marker and around a neighborhood block, it is all uphill to the third mile. I'm getting passed and I'm not liking it. But I like the 7:13 mile. Just a tenth of a mile to go.
Monday, May 25 -- Log jam (0:22:26): My legs are starting to feel dead. The crowd picks me up. I hear my cheering section. My 10-month old, lucky PR charm is working. I bolt into the worst finish line log jam I've ever seen. I stop my watch, thinking I achieved at least two of my top three race goals and pretty confident about nailing the third. Smells like victory.
Monday, May 25 -- Losing seconds (0:22:29): They corralled us like doomed cattle into the chute. I tore off my tag and handed it to the collector, who strung it on the cord. Checking the official results later in the day, I lose three seconds from my watch time, which is a first. Usually, I gain time. C'est la vie. I'll gladly take a 59-second PR and a crushing victory over Mike's 24:46. His PR is next.
Death Knell
Martini finished less than 30 seconds ahead of me. Our closest margin yet. We celebrate at the pub with a beer and a shot of Jameson before parting ways.
Mike, the Master, has been vanquished. The Very Funny-Viper Challenge was a blast. It gave us both some motivation to get our asses into shape and fine tune our smack talk in the process. However, in a challenge, there always has to be a loser. And that loser is Mike. Good race, Mike. Cheers.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
I Understand Your Impatience
This week I got an e-mail from a race director. I knew it was from a race director because the e-mail address had "racedirector" in it. I know you all know how much of a bad ass I am, but I didn't realize my reputation had spread to organizers of the U.S.A. Masters Indoor Track & Field Championships.
The e-mail I received (mistakes included, names omitted) follows:
One hint: If you want to attract a venerable runner such as I to your event, then you'd better consider adding a Beer Mile or a Rum Relay. Or at least provide proper hydration stations.
The e-mail I received (mistakes included, names omitted) follows:
Here is an invitation for all athletes 30 & over to enter USA Masters Indoor Track & Field ChampionshipsNow, I understand why this race would want me to compete. And obviously, I would totally destroy those old farts listed above. However, there's just one problem: I am not 30 and won't be until June. Maybe next year.
Thank you,
XXX XXXXX XXXX
For more information, call XXX XXXXX XXXX (###-###-####) or write XXX.XXXX@XXX.net.
POTOMAC VALLEY TRACK CLUB (www.pvtc.org) invites all athletes 30 & over nationwide to participate in the 2009 USA Masters Indoor Track & Field Championships, to be held for the first time ever in the Washington DC area, Friday-Sunday, March 20-22, on the world-class indoor track at Prince George's Sports & Learning Complex in Landover, Maryland.
Numerous American and world age-group records have been set at this meet in the past, which was held 11 of the past 13 years at Boston's Reggie Lewis Center. Athlete compete side-by-side with the nation's and best in their age groups.
Already registered are two-time Sullivan Award finalist Philippa Raschker, 62, of Marietta GA; five-time Olympic trials qualifier (800 meters) Alisa Harvey, 41, of Manassas VA; 1976 Olympic high-jumper Jim Barrineau, 53, of Burke VA; 20-time world age-group champion Larry Colbert, 71, of Bowie MD; US M50-54 high jump record holder Bruce McBarnette, 51, of Sterling VA; Kathryn Martin, 57, of Northport NY, Bengay’s Outstanding Masters Athlete; USATF 2008 age group masters track & field athletes of the year Christel Donley, 74, of Colorado Springs CO, and Oneithea Lewis, 48, of Oakland Gardens NY; and USA Olympian John Tuttle, 50, of Villa Rica GA.
The meet also includes top competitors from Bermuda, Brazil, Great Britain, Mexico, and Canada, including 1988 Olympian Renee Belanger, 46 (6th at 800 Meters in Seoul), and Earl Fee, 80, who has set records in every age group he has entered and has announced his plan to assault the world 800 meter record in his new M80 division.
Events include 60 meters, 60m hurdles, 200 meters, 400 meters, 800 meters, one-mile, 3000 meters, 3000m racewalk, long jump, high jump, triple jump, pole vault, shotput, weight throw, and superweight throw.
All athletes 30 & over are invited to enter by mailing the entry form at www.pvtc.org/2009entry.doc or www.pvtc.org/2009entry.pdf or entering on-line at http://www.usatf.org/events/2009/USAMastersIndoorTFChampionships/entry.
For full information about the meet, please see www.pvtc.org/09_nationals.html
Thank you
XXX XXXXX XXXX, secretary
Potomac Valley Track Club
One hint: If you want to attract a venerable runner such as I to your event, then you'd better consider adding a Beer Mile or a Rum Relay. Or at least provide proper hydration stations.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Returning to Form
While some people call me a wuss for sitting out the last couple weeks because of the weather, I am not the one who is now laid up with sickness and not running this week. I tallied another three miles last night at a semi-difficult pace to shake off the humiliation of Tuesday's last place effort. My pace was a minute and 10 seconds faster this go around.
It has been good to get back to consistent running. In the last four days my mileage has more than doubled for the month. The streets are mostly clear, and the snow on the sidewalks is now more manageable for running.
The temperatures have climbed above zero. And today the temperature is not only going to be positive, but -- my goodness! -- above freezing, well, almost. Close enough. You'd better believe I'm going to be out there again this evening.
It has been good to get back to consistent running. In the last four days my mileage has more than doubled for the month. The streets are mostly clear, and the snow on the sidewalks is now more manageable for running.
The temperatures have climbed above zero. And today the temperature is not only going to be positive, but -- my goodness! -- above freezing, well, almost. Close enough. You'd better believe I'm going to be out there again this evening.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Next Up: Sawing Logs, Pulling Dogsled
After that Russky delivered a knock-out blow last weekend, I decided to get all Rocky IV on running's ass.
The snow is high-ankle deep and more is falling as the Royal We speak. I had to bound through unplowed portions of my West Akron neighborhood as if it were tundra. My knees churned up near my chest as my lungs burned. I weaved into the street at times as it offered more solid footing. I set personal long-jump records as I hurdled over mountains of icy slush left over from plow trucks. Three miles never felt so long.
Running Like a Dodo
As I was trudging through the snow last night, I realized I had better forward propulsion and balance when I swung my arms in a more outward, akimbo position than with my elbows tucked in toward my ribcage. I caught my shadow in the light of a streetlamp, and I looked like some poor flightless bird, flapping my useless wings as I bounced along.
I call this new running style the Dodo Trot -- because A) I'm sure I looked as stupid as I felt, and B) I hope it becomes extinct very soon.
Yakking Away
I wore my YakTrax for the second time since receiving them as a gift. Again, my traction was solid on unsolid ground. But I have a question for fellow users. The packaging says not for use on concrete or roads clear of snow. Therefore, I stuck to the sidewalks where it was too full of snow. What I'm wondering is do you think I'd royally destroy the YakTrax if my run was up to 50 percent on more or less clear roads?
As for Yesterday
I have no idea why yesterday's post didn't show up for some of you when it was posted. It just goes to show that you should check Team BHI every couple of minutes for updates.
You're going down Ivan, you terrible bastard!
The snow is high-ankle deep and more is falling as the Royal We speak. I had to bound through unplowed portions of my West Akron neighborhood as if it were tundra. My knees churned up near my chest as my lungs burned. I weaved into the street at times as it offered more solid footing. I set personal long-jump records as I hurdled over mountains of icy slush left over from plow trucks. Three miles never felt so long.
Running Like a Dodo
As I was trudging through the snow last night, I realized I had better forward propulsion and balance when I swung my arms in a more outward, akimbo position than with my elbows tucked in toward my ribcage. I caught my shadow in the light of a streetlamp, and I looked like some poor flightless bird, flapping my useless wings as I bounced along.
I call this new running style the Dodo Trot -- because A) I'm sure I looked as stupid as I felt, and B) I hope it becomes extinct very soon.
Yakking Away
I wore my YakTrax for the second time since receiving them as a gift. Again, my traction was solid on unsolid ground. But I have a question for fellow users. The packaging says not for use on concrete or roads clear of snow. Therefore, I stuck to the sidewalks where it was too full of snow. What I'm wondering is do you think I'd royally destroy the YakTrax if my run was up to 50 percent on more or less clear roads?
As for Yesterday
I have no idea why yesterday's post didn't show up for some of you when it was posted. It just goes to show that you should check Team BHI every couple of minutes for updates.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
Flashback Friday: 2008 Training Revisited
It is the last month of year, so perhaps a little reflection is in order. This year, I raced at four major distances (5-K, 10-K, half and full marathon) and set PRs for every one of them.
This success is partly the result of my continuing bad-assery. But it is also a result of my bad-ass training, which I, in my continuing bad-assery, devised on the basis of all the bad-ass knowledge I've accrued through my bad-ass running career.
Although I ran 10 races this year (so far), I only had two training plans. The first was to prepare for the Cleveland Half Marathon. The second plan got me ready for the the Kent United Way 10-K (and a make-up attempt to break 50 minutes), the Buckeye Half Marathon, the Akron Marathon and Towpath Marathon.
Granted there have been one or two cockamamie plans for my quest to break 1,000 miles--the current way being four miles a day--but I don't count those because the running involved isn't actually training.
I reviewed the first plan (not to be confused with the FIRST plan) this year and deemed it a success, give or take a few items. The second plan was a direct derivation of the first--only longer. The biggest difference between the two was the addition of consistent track work with Yasso 800s.
The training plan fit my lifestyle well, with three days of running and moderate cross training on the off days. However, the best way to judge the plan is by the race results. My training plan carried me to four PRs, one of which was my 1:49:09 half marathon finish to achieve one of four goals this year.
As for the other three goals, I came within 49 seconds of achieving a sub-50-minute 10-K, I made progress on breaking four hours in the marathon, and if I get my (bad) ass in gear I can reach 1,000 miles for the year.
Overall, my training plan helped me achieve new benchmarks, but came up short of perfect. It needs a few tweaks for next year, but I think the remaining goals are within reach. Grade: B
Mile Tracker 1,000: 108 miles to go.
Back Talk
Wherein something something I know you don't read this shit.
Ohio native has a question about breasts: "How do you figure excuses are like nipples?"
Answer: I figure everyone has at least two.
Glaven has an idea about the thick, disturbing discharge coming from my nose: " My money is on brain-matter. To me 'thick' and 'disturbing' immediately trigger the word-association 'Viper's brain.' The fact that it's coming out your nose just confirms it."
Answer: Do you write for Grey's Anatomy? If you saw the episode last night, then you know what I'm talking about. If you didn't, well, chalk it up to your vast ignorance.
All right, teammates, Happy Hour is nearly upon us. Enjoy the weekend. Run well and drink well.
This success is partly the result of my continuing bad-assery. But it is also a result of my bad-ass training, which I, in my continuing bad-assery, devised on the basis of all the bad-ass knowledge I've accrued through my bad-ass running career.
Although I ran 10 races this year (so far), I only had two training plans. The first was to prepare for the Cleveland Half Marathon. The second plan got me ready for the the Kent United Way 10-K (and a make-up attempt to break 50 minutes), the Buckeye Half Marathon, the Akron Marathon and Towpath Marathon.
Granted there have been one or two cockamamie plans for my quest to break 1,000 miles--the current way being four miles a day--but I don't count those because the running involved isn't actually training.
I reviewed the first plan (not to be confused with the FIRST plan) this year and deemed it a success, give or take a few items. The second plan was a direct derivation of the first--only longer. The biggest difference between the two was the addition of consistent track work with Yasso 800s.
The training plan fit my lifestyle well, with three days of running and moderate cross training on the off days. However, the best way to judge the plan is by the race results. My training plan carried me to four PRs, one of which was my 1:49:09 half marathon finish to achieve one of four goals this year.
As for the other three goals, I came within 49 seconds of achieving a sub-50-minute 10-K, I made progress on breaking four hours in the marathon, and if I get my (bad) ass in gear I can reach 1,000 miles for the year.
Overall, my training plan helped me achieve new benchmarks, but came up short of perfect. It needs a few tweaks for next year, but I think the remaining goals are within reach. Grade: B
Mile Tracker 1,000: 108 miles to go.
Back Talk
Wherein something something I know you don't read this shit.
Ohio native has a question about breasts: "How do you figure excuses are like nipples?"
Answer: I figure everyone has at least two.
Glaven has an idea about the thick, disturbing discharge coming from my nose: " My money is on brain-matter. To me 'thick' and 'disturbing' immediately trigger the word-association 'Viper's brain.' The fact that it's coming out your nose just confirms it."
Answer: Do you write for Grey's Anatomy? If you saw the episode last night, then you know what I'm talking about. If you didn't, well, chalk it up to your vast ignorance.
All right, teammates, Happy Hour is nearly upon us. Enjoy the weekend. Run well and drink well.
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