Someone told me that Runners need to do more than just run.

Posted on July 28, 2011 by Robinson — 1 Comment

I look more like this, than like a "Real" weight lifter. SCRAWNY RUNNERS UNITE!

So, last night I had a 5 mile run lined up – per Hal Higdon’s plan. This is how the evening played out. (Did you notice the clever attempt at foreshadowing, reading you – the reader – to wonder if I did actually end up doing the 5 mile run? I’ve been working on my writing skills…)

I brought my kids over to the YMCA for the “how to not need a life guard to save you” class, and decided it was time to start adding weights into my routine. I had planned on doing this a couple of weeks ago, and thought about it for months before that – but I move slowly. I needed the proper timing (yeah! That’s it!), and last night was it. I decided on a nice chest/shoulders/triceps work out. “Back in the day” I used to enjoy lifting – and wasn’t to surprised to find out I still do. I did find out that compared to running, it is boring without a workout partner. (Wonder if lifting could be husband-wife “Bonding time”) Despite that, it was a fair (but not crippling) workout – I can move my arms/chest/shoulders today, but they are definitely sore. Read more ›

Free stuff! Its a Contest! Win a free Road ID!

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Robinson — 12 Comments

So, today is contest day!

I think the Road ID is one of the coolest accessories that anyone that runs, bikes, rides motorcycles, hikes or does anything else that gets them out of the house could have! They are also great for kids as it ensures your contact information is always with them! It is important to note that RoadID is not supplying the prize, I am paying for it out of pocket. As such, delivery will be made via electronic giftcard for the amount of the RoadID that the winner selects. This will allow you to order exactly what you want if you win! Also, this is my first attempt at a contest – so we will see how it goes 😉 Also keep in mind, at this point my reader-base is low – so you have great odds of winning! Read more ›

Tagged with: contest, free, road id, roadid
Posted in Contest

Week in Review! Week 4!

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Robinson — Leave a comment

So! Here we are at week number 4’s completion – lets see how I did!

Rest

3 m run

4 m run

3 m run

Rest

cross

This was what the week was supposed to look like, lets see what it did:

Rest

3 m run

4 m run

Serve beer!

Rest

8.8 m

Sit around in pain

On thursday, my work-place did its “Third Annual Savor the Summer” – a wine/beer/food tasting that is one of our fundraisers. While a few hours standing doesn’t seem like much – This combined with standing all day Saturday and Sunday of the previous week (in my VFFs of course!) has really stressed out my left Achilles Tendon. It didn’t occur to me to use the KT tape until yesterday, and it is now showing a remarkable improvement. It was very noticeable while running Saturday, and even more so – on Sunday after running.

I did miss one short run, but made my long run, so I am not to upset with the week. Although, it makes the fourth week in a row that I have not followed my training plan!

If you haven’t read it yet, I suggest my write up on the 9 mile run on saturday as interesting reading! Bridge Jumpers, video shoots and wildlife!

Posted in Week in REVIEW!

Saturday’s 9 Mile run.

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Robinson — Leave a comment

I have ended up behind on my posting as I was focused on Assassin’s Creed II, which I just picked up for the PS3. (Incidentally, it is much more fun than the first one – just as a side note.) So today – You are all fortunate enough to get a double-dose of me! We have my run report for Saturday, followed by the “Week in REVIEW!!!” So, first – Saturday’s run.

I was on-deck for a 9 mile run according to the Training Plan. It was brutally hot, but I found the idea of running on the treadmill for an hour and a half to sound like a punishment for criminals – so I chose to head outside. I filled up my trusty water bottle – and headed out!

The first obvious statement – is that it was hot. My trusty water bottle became warm in no time – yet still remained the greatest thing in the world. The run itself was mildly painful (my Achilles tendon has been bothering me, and being a regular Einstein – I didn’t think of using my KT tape until monday morning), but VERY interesting. I ran by the Binghamton court-house, and saw a bunch of people holding up protest signs – something I did NOT expect to see, especially on a Saturday! (Plus, protesters are usually in front of the federal court house.) I turned around, pulled out my cell phone and snapped a picture.

This picture was much more interesting 30 seconds before, when they all had their signs up still and weren't yelling at me!

Tagged with: Binghamton New York, Bridge Jumping, hal higdon, MapMyRun, Marathon Training
Posted in running

Working on Speed – Without moving forward!

Posted on July 21, 2011 by Robinson — 2 Comments

This week's Temperatures.. And that 97, is before humidity is taken into account. Heat index for today is 101-108!

Since the thermometer’s mercury is rising – I decided to stay inside yesterday and use the treadmill. I suppose it was easier to breathe, but it was STILL hot. Oh.. And BORING. (<– Notice the capital letters? it was THAT boring) It seems my intense dislike of treadmills has not changed at all. Some gyms I have belonged to in the past, have had a television in front of the treadmill (you use a radio for the sound.) Read more ›

Tagged with: running, Treadmill, YMCA
Posted in running, vibram five fingers

Is it getting hot in here?

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Robinson — Leave a comment

I'm sure I looked something like this. (Picture from the Boilermaker)

So, “the plan” had a 3 mile run scheduled for yesterday. Brought my kids to the “what to do if you are on the Titanic” class, and headed out to run.

It was hot. Now I know there are people in Texas and Arizona where it is hotter than here. I live in upstate NY. Now, when people think of upstate NY two things come to mind – Wine and Snow. Now you don’t go running in Wine – which means the Snow must be the word people think of related to weather here. It was 92 degrees. NINETY TWO!!! Plus humidity! In Upstate NY!!!!! Read more ›

Tagged with: running, Upstate New York
Posted in running

Marine Corps Marathon Prep – Week 3 in REVIEW!!!!!!!!

Posted on July 19, 2011 by Robinson — Leave a comment

So, yesterday was the official “Rest Day” that starts the new week – that makes today the WEEK IN REVIEW!!!! According to Hal Higdon’s “Novice 1” plan – this is what last week should have looked like:

3 Rest

3 m run

4 m run

3 m run

Rest

5 cross

As you know, I started off the week quite well – and did a great job following the training plan. I must unfortunately report – that this did not remain the case. Indeed, the third week (out of three) of my training plan makes the third week I did not follow it.

3 Rest

3 m run

4 m run

4.3 m run

Rest

Sell Wine

As you may notice, my “long run” of 5 miles never happened. The Fingerlakes Wine Festival was at Watkins Glen International this weekend. It’s where 40,000 people show up to experience as many tastings of fine wines (and some not-so-fine ones to be honest) as they can manage before falling over!

: The booth for Magpie Farms Winery – the Makers of Legendary Magpie Mead!

Tagged with: Finger Lakes Wine Festival, hal higdon, Magpie Mead, Watkins Glen International, Wine
Posted in running, Week in REVIEW!

A pleasant 3…err… 4 mile run

Posted on July 15, 2011 by Robinson — 1 Comment

So, last night was scheduled for a nice 3 mile run, with an intent to take it slow.. So my dear reader – do you think I pulled it off? Did my “plan-following” succeed this time? Yes!!!! I am 4 for 4 this week! (Hey, resting on a rest day counts!) I even went a bit farther – doing 4.29 miles!

Yesterday was a stressful day in general – so I needed a run. I waited until after the kid’s “Dad! I fell out of the boat” classes and headed out from home rather than running from the YMCA (I have yet to find any nice running routes near the YMCA that don’t involve more traffic that I like to go by). In Binghamton NY, we don’t have much – but we are fortunate to have a great walking bridge. It was a car-bridge originally, so it is black top up the middle with wooden walkways on either side of the structure. I love the “thump thump” of running across the wood planks, and I really enjoy the view up and down the river.

Washington St. Walking bridge in Binghamton NY

Tagged with: Binghamton, Hanukkah House, Road running, running, Temple Concord, Walking Bridge
Posted in running

Running the plan while not becoming a road-pancake!

Posted on July 14, 2011 by Robinson — 2 Comments

So, the big question on everyone’s mind – is obviously – “So, did the Once and Future Runner manage to follow the training plan yesterday?” To which the answer is – YES! After dropping my kids off at the anti-drowning class (also known as swim lessons), I headed out of the door of the YMCA to do some pounding of the pavement. If I head out the door and to the left, there is a portion of “17c” that splits and then comes back together. This struck me as not being to long of a loop, and that I could go run that loop and be back in no time.

Run this loop - and cars can pretend to be trying to hit you too!

Tagged with: Road running, running, Vibram Five Fingers
Posted in running

Running Errands and… Well.. Running.

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Robinson — Leave a comment

With my kids learning to not drown every evening at 4:50, it gives me 50 minutes to go exercise. I can lift weights, I can run.. or I can go run errands after convincing my wife to pick the kids up. In terms of my Marine Corps Marathon training, the first two choices seem to do much more for me than the last one, however in day to day life – the last is more productive. Well, last night turned into an errand-running night – But WAIT! Before you think to your self – “Well, he blew the training plan for week 3 also – and on the first day of running!” I have to say this. NO I DIDNT!!!! After running errands (which seemed an awful lot like running in circles), I went home and ran my 3 miles per my Hal Higdon training plan.

The run felt quite good. I was inspired by my negative splits at the boilermaker – and decided to not just go run my normal 9:30-10 minute mile, but pick up the speed a little. My splits were:

8:40, 8:47 and 7:53 with an average speed of 7.1. It wasn’t as fast as I might have liked, but considering my body was still hurting from the boilermaker – I have no complaints. Tonight however, I have a four mile run listed on the plan – and THAT one will be taken at a nice easy pace.

I might be doing wine tastings this weekend at the Finger Lakes Wine Festival for Magpie Farms Winery, makers of LEgendary Magpie Mead – which may interfere with my running (and proper hydration) for my long run on Sunday, but planning is on hold – so I am no longer sure I will be there. (If you go, we are not in one of the main 3 tents – but in the one that is off to the side come by and see us!)

If I don’t have the privilege of passing out samplings of the nectar of the gods, I am thinking of doing the Forest Frolic 15K Trail Run in Virgil NY. I really liked the distance of the Boilermaker, and thought this could be fun to drag my buddy Dustin along on – and just run it (not for time) as I haven’t done a trail run before, and they look fun to me. As an added bonus I have wanted to see how my VFF’s (bikilas) perform on trails.

Tagged with: Finger Lakes Wine Festival, Forest Frolic 15K, Magpie Mead, running
Posted in running, vibram five fingers

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3

Rest

3 m run

4 m run

3 m run

Rest

5

cross

3

Rest

3 m run

4 m run

4.3 m run

Rest

Sell Wine

Sell Wine

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