Finally Back in Business

About a month ago I was absolutely hammered by work obligations and I let the stress get to me.  Instead of sticking with my running as an outlet, I was just so worn out I opted for sleep instead instead of my morning run.  Predictably the stress mounted, and without my running as a release it all caught up to me and I had a bit of a mini meltdown.  So, that lesson has been. learned and I'm getting back to a normal training routine.  Feeling much better, but I am amazed and chagrined at how much fitness I have lost.  I have also packed on a few pounds and definitely have my work cut out for me in my quest.
I've also taken some time to reflect on what I want to achieve and where I want to focus my efforts.  There has been way too many distractions in my every day life and it is time to really focus my efforts.

Training Week of November 15th to 21st

A pretty light training week for me:  just 55 miles.  I did squeeze in an 11 mile bike ride on a flooded, windy day, so that should count for something.  Have a short work week, so next week should  see real mileage.

Brooks Addiction GTS 11 Review

My daughter, Emma, trying em on

Ok, I like me some running shoes but I'm not too technical about their specific make up.  I am smart enough to differentiate betweeen good and bad, great and horrible.  At any rate here our my thoughts on the Adrenaline gts 11s:  They are pretty mind-blowingly great.  I've put about seventy miles on them and they are extremly responsive, extra cushy, supportive that got me adding some miles at the ends of runs because I was feeling so good.  The inner is also extremely soft and my foot feels great inside.  I am a forefoot/midfoot striker and the trainsition is quite smooth.  I may have put off getting a new pair of running shoes for too long (for finincial reasons) and my right knee and left foot were starting ti act up a bit.  After two runs on these and all pain has disappeared.  They seem like they will last longer than the 10s, but wull keep posted on their wear and tear.  Overall, these are just a great running shoe and it has just enough stubility and cushioning for me to run high mileage weeks without excessive concern about injury (hope those words don't come back to haunt me!).  If you're in the market definitely give them a try.  My daughter seems to like them.  She thinks they'll help her fly in her fairy suit!

2010 Harrisburg Marathon and Relay

This morning I ran the relay with Hannah, Tracey, and Pam. It was a beautiful fall morning and I couldn't have asked for a better race. Tracey ran the first leg and then I ran the second. I ran 9 miles in 1:15:31, which is a pretty zippy pace for me. I started off over the walking bridge from City Island and then heading down to the lower river path on Front Street. Things were going pretty well until I went to the upper level path and then my stomach started to feel a little queasy. I had to cut back the pace a little and soldier on for a few miles until it subsided. I was feeling pretty good by the time I hit Industrial Road and picked up the pace substantially. As I rounded the corner by the Farm Show entrance towards Hacc I was plowing along at a pretty good pace...a little too much because by the time I hit the relay chute and tagged Pam my stomach was pretty upset with me again. I didn't really care by then, though and was just happy to have contributed. Pam and then Hannah finished up the race and everyone did a great job. The relay team finished with a time of 3:44. Looking forward to doing the full again next year.

New Brooks

So I went into the Inside Track today and thought of going with the Asics GT 2160 based on the good review in Runners World. I tried them on but they just didn't feel right compared to the trusted Brooks. The Adrenaline GTS 11 just came out and so I went with them. Here they are beside the old pair of Adrenaline GTS 10s, which are only two months old. Running highish miles a week keeps me sane, but it sure isn't great on the pocketbook.
I'll be testing the 11s out tomorrow for the relay and after a few runs I'll write up a little review. Speaking of the relay, I met my team today and I am really looking forward to the run tomorrow. I have never done a relay, so it will be an experience. I always like meeting fellow runners and sharing training and race stories. The weather is to be in the 60s and sunny. Really can't ask for a better day. Time to get the packet together and rest up.

Ugh

This has been a horrible training week. The demands of work just got to be overwhelming and I haven't been getting out there near as much as I need to. I guess there are going to be times like this. Tomorrow is I'm running the Harrisburg Marathon in a relay team and I am really looking forward to that. Then it is back to high mileage.

Dark and Early

I'll be starting work early for the next few weeks, so I'll be getting up at 4 am to squeeze in these morning ten milers. I suppose this counts for some dedication, right?

Exercise and the Common Cold

Ok, so I'm getting over a cold. But, hey, I don't get sick that often. Here's a great piece on how regular exercise can help prevent getting the common cold: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=131094125

Here We Go

I guess now is as good as anytime to get this started. At the moment I have a raspy cough and may be taking the day off running and get some much needed rest. It has been a goal of mine for a few years now to run an ultra, however things always seem to get in the way (New job, surgeries, and this past year a nasty mountain bike crash induced injury). This time I have given myself 10 months to prepare and train. If all goes well I will have a 50 miler and a 100 miler to my name by fall of next year. This blog will chronicle the process, along with the highs and lows which will undoubtedly go along with the training. Here we go.