Marathon Prep – Week 2 in Review

Posted on July 12, 2011 by Robinson — Leave a comment

So, Yesterday was the “Rest Day” which makes today (drum roll please!) THE WEEK IN REVIEW!!!!!! According to Hal Higdon’s “Novice 1” plan this is what my week should have looked like:

2 Rest

3 m run

Rest

7 cross

And continuing my Short-standing tradition, it didn’t really look like that, but instead looked like this:

2 Rest

Weight Lifting

5.7 mile run

3.3 mile run

Lounge Around doing Nothing

Rest

9.3 (Boilermaker)

I ended up doing MORE miles during the week, but less days of running than the plan suggested. I’m not real pleased with that – I should have headed out on friday for at least a mile or three.

This is what week three is supposed to look like:

3 Rest

3 m run

4 m run

3 m run

Rest

5 cross

I was thinking I might try and make this the week that I actually do what I am supposed to. Though, as my wife or my mother could tell you – that has never been my forte. I will be running tonight however, as my body is QUITE sore from the Boilermaker – and if I don’t, I won’t feel much better tomorrow, plus – I really want to go!

Race planning currently – for 5Ks, the Kelly Lebarre 5k (Aug 8)at the Spiedie Fest (running with my 8 year old son), the Chris Thater (Aug 28) and the St. James 5k (Oct 23). For longer races – thinking of the Wyoming Valley Summer 10k (July 23)and the Turning Stone Half-Marathon (Aug 21).

Tagged with: Chris Thater, Kelly Lebarre 5k, St. James 5k, Turning Stone Half Marathon, Wyoming Valley Summer 10k
Posted in running

Race Report – Utica Boilermaker 15K – 2011

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Robinson — 4 Comments

You can see the port-a-pottie lines in the background!

What a fantastic day for a race! It was a gorgeous 58 degrees as the cannon went off! (I think it was still 58 degrees, 11 minutes later when I actually reached the start line as well!) Can I say that 11,000 runners make for a very large crowd (and VERY large lines at the port-a-potties?)

We showed up VERY early (I was not going to drive 2 hours just to get to “packet pickup” and drive home the day before – when I could show up 2 hours before the race and get it!), with one of my friends that was running riding along, and my wonderful wife there to root us on. As we arrived (getting a parking spot less than 1000 feet to the starting line,) I realized that I had forgotten my license, a requirement to pick up the race packet. As we got to the table,I was quite lucky – the packet pickup lady was not a stickler for the rules – so after much begging, pleading and groveling (or I MIGHT have just explained the situation and she was quite reasonable.) So luckily, I didn’t get up at 3AM just to watch other people run – That was a good start. Then I got to use a port-a-pottie that no one had used yet – they smell surprisingly “Fresh” when that is true. Definitely another new experience! Read more ›

Tagged with: 15k, boilermaker, Boilermaker 15k, free beer, Portable toilet, Road running, running, Utica Boilermaker, Vibram Five Fingers
Posted in Race Report, running, vibram five fingers

Utica Boilermaker 15K!

Posted on July 8, 2011 by Robinson — Leave a comment

So, two days from now I will be doing the climb that starts the Utica Boilermaker 15k! It seems that whatever nit-wit designed the course thought that the first four miles should be up hill. Can I tell you how not-amused I am by this? I mean SERIOUSLY!!!! Don’t they realize that there are those of us that spent more time thinking about training – then actually training? SHEESH!

Ok, so really – I’m not that worried about it. I expect to finish it really tired, and to really enjoy my free beer – but my bigger concern at this point – is where do I park? I managed to find one article on-line regarding parking, but mostly it seemed to be about the road closures – and assumes you know the area when it discusses parking. The actual boilermaker website has the helpful sentence of: Participants are encouraged to park at locations near the start line. umm.. Ya think? I had been planning on parking about 10 miles away and running to the starting line, but I guess I will take their advice and park close. (To any race planners out there, if you are hosting an event that might have out-of-town people coming in – PLEASE give addresses for some parking areas.. it’s a big help)

This will be the longest run I have done yet, and should give me an idea of what it is like to run within a huge crowd (though significantly smaller than the MCM’s 30,000.) With the help of my KT Tape (seriously, this stuff is a god-send) I am not worried about my calves – so all I should suffer from is severe muscle exertion and over use! WOOT!! Now if THAT isn’t a good time, what is?

Boilermaker 2010 - Picture Stolen from a Facebook Friend that was there last year. I think the girl in the red shorts in the bottom right corner just realized she needs to use the potty....

Some neat things – Time Warner Cable will air live coverage of the 2011 Boilermaker 15K starting a 7:30 am on July 10, 2011. Set your DVR’s! Time Warner Cable Sports Channel 23, 813 (HD), or 577 for on demand if you miss it. You can also sign up to receive updates via text message as to where your runner is.

Tagged with: Boilermaker 15k, running, Utica Boilermaker
Posted in running

Can’t follow instructions…

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Robinson — Leave a comment

So… I am now starting to freak out. I am on to my second week of my 18 week “Marathon Training Schedule – Novice 1” program by Hal Higdon. Week 1 is:

Rest

3 m run

Rest

cross

As you can imagine, this was a nice easy week 1… And I blew it. Yup, that’s right – the very beginning of my training program and I’m already doing it wrong… mine looked more like this:

Watch kids swim practice

Run 3 m*

Think about eating cake.

3 m run

Play Video Games

Swim laps/play in water & 3.4 m run

Think about how I should do 6 miles.

Now if you look at those two grids… See how they are different? No, seriously – go back and look – I’ll wait here. Yup, although at first glance it looks like I did exactly what I was supposed to, the actual similarity is that they are both written in grid format. The contents? Waaaaaaaaaaay too different. I am thinking that I may need to do something about this if I plan on getting past mile 6 (or so) of the 26.2 miles that make up the Marine Corps Marathon.

Now, I realize that you, my wonderful reader – are in shock. While I give you a few moments to recover I will show you what week 2 is/was supposed to look like:

Rest

3 m run

Rest

cross

This (no doubt) has made you wonder what the week DOES/Will look like… so lets see:

Rest

weight lifting (orientation at YMCA)

5.7 miles

3 m run (will do tonight)

3 m run… maybe.

swim maybe? might lounge around instead

9 mile run

You can see how well the two grids match this time… They both have one row, and 7 squares… and have writing in them… It’s where the similarities seem to end. You would think I would be able to follow the plan for at least the first two weeks – apparently not!

Sunday is the Boilermaker up in Utica. I have wanted to run this race since Highschool, so I am really looking forward to it. Based on my stellar training recently, I have decided to take it slow and easy to make sure I can finish it. I briefly debated going for the record (42:54 in 1997 by Joseph Kimani) but decided not to show up the other runners that way – It strikes me as rather rude to show up, run it my first time, and make everyone else just feel silly. So, Keeping the big picture in mind – this year my goal is to give everyone a false sense of security when viewing me as competition – I am hoping to finish in the top 10,000 finishers, with a time of 1:30-1:40. I figure THAT should really make them rule me out when sizing up the field in 2012.

It should be fun – Here is what the starting line looked like last year:

Don't drop your soap!

Tagged with: boilermaker, hal higdon, Marathon Training
Posted in running

New “Work” Shoes!

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Robinson — Leave a comment

YAY!!!! A new pair of shoes for work!!

So this is a running blog right? You must be asking yourself – why is this idiot posting about his work shoes? Well, let me answer this brilliant question you have! My new work shoes?

My new "work" shoes!

Vibram Five Finger Treks!

I thought that I would try going full-time in VFF’s, as a Podiatry site mentioned that if you were after the “supposed” health benefits – wouldn’t you want to wear minimalist shoes all the time? This tied in with the fact that my every day dress-shoes caused me knee and hip pain made it sound like a really good idea. PLUS it should have the added benefit of decreasing any calf-pain while running since my calves will always be “Extended” by not being in any shoes with a raised heel. (see? it applies to running!) I am wearing them with the Injinji socks today (and I still find the socks to be annoying. Hopefully I will “get used” to them soon.)

On a running note, last night was a nice 4.5 mile run. I am looking forward to starting my 18-week marathon training plan next week!

Tagged with: minamilst shoes, Treks, Vibram Five Fingers, vibram fivefingers
Posted in barefoot running, running, running shoes, vibram five fingers

Post-Surgery Recovery update… And how it isn’t going to affect my running!

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Robinson — 1 Comment

So, as you probably recall, I had an inguinal hernia repair done on Jan. 6th. Well, it has never totally stopped hurting following the surgery – but was far better, with a much lower pain level. When I had stopped running to let my calf heal – it got progressively more painful. The pain went both up and down my side from the hernia making it painful to sit/walk/do anything. So, I finally called the Doctor and made an appointment. the interesting discovery was that once I started running again, the pain got less.

This is NOT my doctor.

Yesterday I went and saw Dr. Brennan, the doc that performed the surgery. I explained what was going on, and where it hurt and how it got better when I was running. He had me repeat it, as it was the opposite of what is “normal” for pain like that. He did reassure me (After checking) that I did NOT have a recurrence of my hernia. Some ideas he had were that he may have put a stitch to near to a nerve, or something along those lines.

The Doctor also said as far as options to see what is going on, that MRIs and other “looking” types of medical tools aren’t very good at finding hernias, or issues. The real focus (in his eyes) were that I needed to ask myself – is this affecting my quality of life enough that I would want him to cut me open again, and see what was going on. (no.) He did not seem worried however, and saw no reason I shouldn’t keep running. This was a good thing, as the likelihood of my stopping was quite low regardless.

So, after the quickest doctor’s visit of my life – I was out the door. On the way home I got a call – they decided to do an ultrasound next week, just to “make sure.”

I know this entry isn’t directly running-related, but as it affects MY running – I thought it worth posting!

Tagged with: Inguinal hernia, running after a hernia
Posted in running

Product Review: Injinji Performance Toe Sock

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

Good Morning out there! Today is an interesting post – but then aren’t all product reviews interesting? I love to try new things! Today you get to hear about my first run in my Injinji Performance Mini-crew Toe Socks!

One of the things I have been asked over and over in wearing my Vibram Five Fingers, is “Doesn’t having things between your toes drive you nuts?” Well, with the VFFs alone? No. The Injinji socks are a bit thicker than the VFFs and I DEFINITELY feel them compared to just the VFFs. This was to be expected, though it annoyed me as I walked around in them. I was not going to let this get me down, as running in something is very different from just wearing them. The VFFs were very noticeable when I first started wearing them, but now I don’t notice them. Read more ›

Tagged with: injinji, Running Socks, toe socks, Vibram Five Fingers
Posted in Product Review, running, vibram five fingers

2011 YMCA Corporate Challenge Race Report

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Robinson — Leave a comment

So, most “race reports” I have seen on people’s blogs are marathons or triathlons. unfortunately, I am not up to those esteemed races as this point in life! BUT I did do a 5k, followed by a 1 mile leg of a relay. Lets see how those went.

I can not possibly say enough good things about KT Tape!

It really started out at lunch time – when I stopped by home to grab my KT Tape. Since my lovely wife was there, and she pre-taped my formerly injured calf for me. Now fast forward to after work, I picked up my kids and headed over to the college that it was being held at. I was a bit nervous about it as I haven’t been running for the last 4 weeks due to injury, but Bryce and Elspeth (my son and daughter) did a fantastic job of keeping me from getting nervous!

Quick Run!

Posted on June 16, 2011 by Robinson — Leave a comment

As I am doing my first race today, last night was just a quick easy two miles. The problem is the QUICK part. I ran it one mile an hour faster than I normally go running. Today, my two miles has made me a little bit sore, but my left calf is tight. It’s amazing how poor I am at doing the “Right thing” when I try to prepare for things properly! I suppose the problem is that it was the perfect weather to run.. It was warm, but not HOT. It was a little humid, but not anything abnormal.

Tonight? It’s the “YMCA Corporate Challenge” over at Broome. I am doing the 5k race, and then will be doing the “Team Relay” that is a mile for each person. I have had several people ask me how quickly I plan on doing the 5k – and I have no idea. Last year I ran around 25 minutes, but that was pre-surgery and pre numerous injuries. I will let you know how it feels!

Posted in running

Rest Days…errr.. Cross Training.

Posted on June 14, 2011 by Robinson — Leave a comment

Good Morning! I have been thinking about rest days. As runners, we hate them and often skip them if we can. I posted on Facebook once that I had run two days, and that I felt guilty taking a rest day. One of my running facebook-friends quickly responded with “Studies have shown that if you are running it right, you can go six days a week.” <– I think that sums up most runner’s mentality perfect. We run because we love running, and want to do as much of it as we can.

The counter to my running-friend’s comment however, is the comments from physical therapists and sports doctors on how we are over-training. I was reading a sport’s podiatrist’s website that was discussing the foot-issues they have seen whose primary problem is that they don’t believe in rest days! On Active.com, there is an article on how to improve your running – #4 is “Take a Break” . My largest “injury-free” period this year has been when I was running two days, and resting for one. The marathon training program I am going to be using has 2 rest days a week (still higher than that 6 days straight).

So, with all this “Resting” in the plan, how can I as a runner keep from going crazy? CROSSTRAINING!!!! I don’t have a bicycle at this point, so that form of cross training is out. I do like to lift on my non-running days. IT gives me the sense of having done something, while still giving my legs a chance to recuperate from whatever cruelty I have inflicted on them. It also has the added benefit of being #8 on Active.com’s list – giving me the idea that I am even doing something right!

Posted in running

2

Rest

3 m run

3 m run

3 m run

Rest

7

cross

2

Rest

Weight Lifting

5.7 mile run

3.3 mile run

Lounge Around doing Nothing

Rest

9.3 (Boilermaker)

3

Rest

3 m run

4 m run

3 m run

Rest

5

cross

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