After 4 tries, I'm in the New York Marathon!
I've never been to New York City, and I look forward to seeing it up close in November.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Friday, September 23, 2011
Two weeks to the race
Race weekend is exactly two weeks away. I have one last 18 mile run this weekend, then I'm cutting back my mileage to rest up for the marathon. I've run 4 18 mile runs and 3 20 mile runs in preparation for this race, which is a far cry from the 1 of each that I ran to get ready for my other 4 marathons. I've seen some speed and stamina gains, but after 9 months of solid training in 2011, I'm ready to run this race and then get ready for ski season!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
20 Miles
I'm 10 weeks out from race day and I've already finished my 20 mile run. In past races this run marked the end of my distance training and the beginning of my taper. I've got at least 7 more weeks of base building and speedwork before I will start thinking about cutting back.
I will run a few more 20 mile runs - I will appreciate the extra conditioning on race day. Ideally, I'd like to breeze to the 22 mile mark and power through the final 4.2... if I can keep my pace on track, avoid injury and adapt to the weather conditions (hoping for a seasonal cooler autumn day, not the furnace-like weather last year), I'm confident I'll hit my goal time.
I will run a few more 20 mile runs - I will appreciate the extra conditioning on race day. Ideally, I'd like to breeze to the 22 mile mark and power through the final 4.2... if I can keep my pace on track, avoid injury and adapt to the weather conditions (hoping for a seasonal cooler autumn day, not the furnace-like weather last year), I'm confident I'll hit my goal time.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Back on track!
It has been a few months since my last post, but I've been as busy as ever preparing for my next big race, the Chicago Marathon. After the Colorado Marathon I took a couple of weeks off, ran the Bolder Boulder and then joined a coaching program to get me ready for the next marathon. My goal for Chicago is to break the 4 hour mark. It's going to take some work, but I've got a good coach who has me working on a few things that I hope will get me over the hump.
I'm working with Coach Brian Glotzbach at Personal Best Marathon Coaching (www.personalbestmarathoncoaching.com). I'm running 40+ mile weeks already, and I'll break the 50 mile mark next week. I've been doing track workouts to help build speed and stamina, tempo runs on the road, and long runs (18+ miles) to help me stay strong during the actual race.
In addition to the Bolder Boulder, I ran the Slacker 1/2 Marathon on June 24. This was my sixth half marathon, and I was able to break the 2 hour mark for the first time with a PR of 1:59. I'm running the Georgetown-Idaho Springs Half on August 13, so we'll see how all of this training is paying off.
I'm working with Coach Brian Glotzbach at Personal Best Marathon Coaching (www.personalbestmarathoncoaching.com). I'm running 40+ mile weeks already, and I'll break the 50 mile mark next week. I've been doing track workouts to help build speed and stamina, tempo runs on the road, and long runs (18+ miles) to help me stay strong during the actual race.
In addition to the Bolder Boulder, I ran the Slacker 1/2 Marathon on June 24. This was my sixth half marathon, and I was able to break the 2 hour mark for the first time with a PR of 1:59. I'm running the Georgetown-Idaho Springs Half on August 13, so we'll see how all of this training is paying off.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Reflections on what could have been...
I finished the Colorado Marathon - my fourth marathon - on Sunday morning. It's an awesome race through the Poudre Canyon, finishing in downtown Fort Collins. We have lots of races to choose from, but this one is unique - and as one person described it, "pure Colorado".
After 20 great miles well ahead of PR pace, I had trouble sustaining my speed due to leg muscle pain. I've been nursing a nagging lower leg injury for the past 2 months and 20 miles of work unraveled my best attempt at covering it up. What could have been a record day - well beyond my expectations - turned out to be a mild disappointment. Finishing a marathon is a great accomplishment, but feeling like you ran it well is an achievement. I left Fort Collins feeling like I accomplished something, but I'm not going to put it on my list of great achievements - yet.
It's been tough to summarize my feelings about this race - the end result could have been great - but to have a goal so close slip away is a tough pill to swallow. It's not like you can go out and do better next weekend. My next shot is October 9 in Chicago - a familiar track that, on the right day, is ripe for the pickin'. Much like the team that comes out on the losing end of a game 7 in the final series, it's a long off-season. So near, yet so far. In most cases, that team comes back inspired, with a chip on it's shoulder. In a few days that will be me... for now, I'm enjoying some well-deserved rest and relaxation.
Two years ago finishing was an achievement. It's easy to lose perspective of our accomplishments, and my thoughts and feelings over the past two days are proof of that. Truth be told, I had a great race on a perfect day, got to run with a good friend for 20 miles, and did something 99.9% of people will never do. And after 4 races, it's more of a routine than a "bucket list" item. That qualifies for membership in a small club of crazy folks - a group that I'll continue to chase on race day, and if you aren't careful, pass on mile 21 next time. Watch out.
After 20 great miles well ahead of PR pace, I had trouble sustaining my speed due to leg muscle pain. I've been nursing a nagging lower leg injury for the past 2 months and 20 miles of work unraveled my best attempt at covering it up. What could have been a record day - well beyond my expectations - turned out to be a mild disappointment. Finishing a marathon is a great accomplishment, but feeling like you ran it well is an achievement. I left Fort Collins feeling like I accomplished something, but I'm not going to put it on my list of great achievements - yet.
It's been tough to summarize my feelings about this race - the end result could have been great - but to have a goal so close slip away is a tough pill to swallow. It's not like you can go out and do better next weekend. My next shot is October 9 in Chicago - a familiar track that, on the right day, is ripe for the pickin'. Much like the team that comes out on the losing end of a game 7 in the final series, it's a long off-season. So near, yet so far. In most cases, that team comes back inspired, with a chip on it's shoulder. In a few days that will be me... for now, I'm enjoying some well-deserved rest and relaxation.
Two years ago finishing was an achievement. It's easy to lose perspective of our accomplishments, and my thoughts and feelings over the past two days are proof of that. Truth be told, I had a great race on a perfect day, got to run with a good friend for 20 miles, and did something 99.9% of people will never do. And after 4 races, it's more of a routine than a "bucket list" item. That qualifies for membership in a small club of crazy folks - a group that I'll continue to chase on race day, and if you aren't careful, pass on mile 21 next time. Watch out.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
It's Peak Week!
As I write this, I'm 23 days away from the Colorado Marathon. This is my last "big" running week, I'll log about 42 miles, which includes a 21 mile run that I will run before work on Friday.
Believe it or not, this is my favorite time of the 4 month traning program. Hitting new goals every week gives you a great sense of accomplishment, and the heavy mileage actually makes you feel good (albeit tired). That said, I'm looking forward to my 3 week taper.
My preparation for the Colorado Marathon has been challenging - I've spent almost every weekend in the mountains this winter, so I've had to fit my long runs in before or after my trips. If I get adventurous I'll run up in the mountains, but the elevation change (up to 9000') gets tough, especially when it's cold outside. Most of my runs have been at night or early morning, in the dark, almost always in the cold. I've got good use out of my running jacket and running light. I'm looking forward to the nicer weather for the next race series. No more frozen water bottles!!
After the Colorado Marathon, I'm going to run the Bolder Boulder (10k) on Memorial Day. After a few weeks of rest, I'm going to start working on some speedwork goals over the summer. I'd like to work some cross-training into my schedule to give my legs a rest and help keep me balanced.
Believe it or not, this is my favorite time of the 4 month traning program. Hitting new goals every week gives you a great sense of accomplishment, and the heavy mileage actually makes you feel good (albeit tired). That said, I'm looking forward to my 3 week taper.
My preparation for the Colorado Marathon has been challenging - I've spent almost every weekend in the mountains this winter, so I've had to fit my long runs in before or after my trips. If I get adventurous I'll run up in the mountains, but the elevation change (up to 9000') gets tough, especially when it's cold outside. Most of my runs have been at night or early morning, in the dark, almost always in the cold. I've got good use out of my running jacket and running light. I'm looking forward to the nicer weather for the next race series. No more frozen water bottles!!
After the Colorado Marathon, I'm going to run the Bolder Boulder (10k) on Memorial Day. After a few weeks of rest, I'm going to start working on some speedwork goals over the summer. I'd like to work some cross-training into my schedule to give my legs a rest and help keep me balanced.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Headed back to Chicago!
It's been a while, but not to worry... I'm plowing (literally, it's been cold and snowy!) through another training schedule en route to marathon #4 - the Colorado Marathon on May 1. I've got some news for the fall as well - I'm all signed up for Chicago. After considering several other events for the fall I was drawn back to Chicago, hoping for cooler temps and a better finishing time. More info and details on the way...
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)