Saturday I was planning on running 18 but wound up running 20. As I was running I started thinking that it was not enough to run 18 now and 20 in two weeks. It felt good to make 20 but I am feeling the physical fatigue. I have read a lot of training programs and most say that it is best to not run more than 20 prior to the Marathon. I feel that I am in good shape and I’m on schedule or ahead for the NYC November 4 marathon.
It really is effecting other areas of my life. I can’t seem to get enough to eat and today I had to ask a client for juice because I was feeling faint.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Runners HIGH or Delirium
I’ve covered a lot of miles this week. Monday 10, Wednesday 4, Friday 6 and today my longest run ever 16 miles. I’ve been waiting for that mythical runners high and I’m starting to think this is a joke created my runners. There were a few times when I started to feel delirious, but the only high was when I finished.
My friends Mark and Kelly Renshaw suggested I add some Army Cadence marches to my Ipod. Just as was starting my last mile one started playing.
Issued me a grenade
Now I’m a one man raid
Gonna get me a bayonet
Gonna kill without regret
See the commie dressed in red
He’s got my bullet in his head.
Sound Off.
Yes those marines have a way with words, but the tempo really did get me going and the last mile was my fastest of the run.
With the increased mileage the chance of injury increases. Today I tripped and fell pretty hard. I was walking at the time and didn’t see the break in the side walk in front of Lenox and went down hard. Fortunately I only lost a little skin, but I see that I need to pay attention.
Only 67 days to go.
My friends Mark and Kelly Renshaw suggested I add some Army Cadence marches to my Ipod. Just as was starting my last mile one started playing.
Issued me a grenade
Now I’m a one man raid
Gonna get me a bayonet
Gonna kill without regret
See the commie dressed in red
He’s got my bullet in his head.
Sound Off.
Yes those marines have a way with words, but the tempo really did get me going and the last mile was my fastest of the run.
With the increased mileage the chance of injury increases. Today I tripped and fell pretty hard. I was walking at the time and didn’t see the break in the side walk in front of Lenox and went down hard. Fortunately I only lost a little skin, but I see that I need to pay attention.
Only 67 days to go.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
BIRD BY BIRD
Yesterday morning I ran 14 miles. I started before 6:30 AM to beat the heat. It was near 90 when I finished. It was a difficult run not so much physically as mentally challenging. There was a loud conversation going on that lasted for much of the two and a half hours it took to run. The conversation was all in my head. What I kept hearing was, “What were you thinking? Running a marathon cannot be good for your body. No one will care if you decide to drop out. It’s too hot in Atlanta to train for a marathon. “ And so on, and so on, and so on. “So say we all”
Fortunately there was another voice present. The part of me that knew this was a goal worth pursuing from the start. There are a lot of reasons for running a marathon including health benefits, feeling of accomplishment, a unique way to tour New York and others. But what I kept hearing during my run was I’m going to do it because I said I would. I’m going to do it because it is important for me to rise to a challenge. I’m going to do it because I can.
While I was running yesterday I thought about Ann Lamont’s book, “Bird by Bird”
She tells the story about her 10 year old brother who had to write a report on the birds of North America. After procrastinating for 3 months he was down to wire and had done nothing. Surrounded by books on the subject and at the point of tears he asked his Dad how he would ever write the report. His Dad sat down next to him and said, “Bird by bird buddy, just take it bird by bird.”
That is how I’m running and training for the New York Marathon. Bird by bird, one training day at time, one more hill, just one step at time. I’m doing because I said I was going to do it. It is important that I do what I say I’m going to do especially when it’s me I’m talking to.
Fortunately there was another voice present. The part of me that knew this was a goal worth pursuing from the start. There are a lot of reasons for running a marathon including health benefits, feeling of accomplishment, a unique way to tour New York and others. But what I kept hearing during my run was I’m going to do it because I said I would. I’m going to do it because it is important for me to rise to a challenge. I’m going to do it because I can.
While I was running yesterday I thought about Ann Lamont’s book, “Bird by Bird”
She tells the story about her 10 year old brother who had to write a report on the birds of North America. After procrastinating for 3 months he was down to wire and had done nothing. Surrounded by books on the subject and at the point of tears he asked his Dad how he would ever write the report. His Dad sat down next to him and said, “Bird by bird buddy, just take it bird by bird.”
That is how I’m running and training for the New York Marathon. Bird by bird, one training day at time, one more hill, just one step at time. I’m doing because I said I was going to do it. It is important that I do what I say I’m going to do especially when it’s me I’m talking to.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Hot'lanta
The heat is unbearable. I'm starting to think, "What was I thinking" when I decided to train for a marathon in November. Fortunately Pam from the Atlanta TFK came over and ran with me yesterday. We ran 7 miles and when we finished at 8:30am it was already 90. It helps to have someone to run with. Hopefully the heat will break soon.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
THE HARDEST STEP IS THE ONE OUT THE DOOR
This is true for running, updating this blog and most things. A couple of people have asked me why I haven’t posted anything lately. It is easy to say I’ve just been too busy, but everybody has time for everything that is important. It just hasn’t been a priority. Fortunately I’m still finding time to run. I ran 9 miles this morning. My goal was 8, but I made a wrong turn somewhere so I got a bonus mile.
I’m still looking for donations for the Team for Kids. My goal is $2500 and I’ve collected just over $1500. As it gets closer I’ll step up my efforts and even sell Krispy-Kremes if I have to.
Since my last post I met the other Atlanta members of the Team for Kids. There are five of us from Atlanta on the team, Robbie, Wayne, Terri and Pam. Robbie, Wayne and Terri have run several marathons. This is the first for Pam and me. I also joined Team Spirit Runners with Pam. It’s a local group that runs together a couple of times a week. I don’t mind running alone, but on the longer runs it helps to have a group and to have water on the course.
As I pushed myself out the door this morning I started thinking about intention. Every outer manifestation in life is the reflection of an inner intention. Intention affects every aspect of life. Every thought or action starts with an intention. Intention is not just a wish to have something be different it is the use of will to make a change. Intentions set into motion processes that affect every aspect of your world. Muddy intentions produce a muddy life. I set my intention to run the NYC Marathon and this drives my continuing program. Where problems arise is when there are conflicting intentions. Last night I had friends over for dinner and my intention was to relax and enjoy my friends. Red wine, filet mignon and ice cream were prominent. While this was very enjoyable I need to keep in mind that this combination does not help to run 9 miles on a Sunday morning.
A good lesson for me in all areas is to think about what my intention is before committing to something and checking that it is not in conflict with previous intentions or at least make sure it is worth the cost.
Things that matter most must never be at the mercy of things that matter least.- Goethe
I’m still looking for donations for the Team for Kids. My goal is $2500 and I’ve collected just over $1500. As it gets closer I’ll step up my efforts and even sell Krispy-Kremes if I have to.
Since my last post I met the other Atlanta members of the Team for Kids. There are five of us from Atlanta on the team, Robbie, Wayne, Terri and Pam. Robbie, Wayne and Terri have run several marathons. This is the first for Pam and me. I also joined Team Spirit Runners with Pam. It’s a local group that runs together a couple of times a week. I don’t mind running alone, but on the longer runs it helps to have a group and to have water on the course.
As I pushed myself out the door this morning I started thinking about intention. Every outer manifestation in life is the reflection of an inner intention. Intention affects every aspect of life. Every thought or action starts with an intention. Intention is not just a wish to have something be different it is the use of will to make a change. Intentions set into motion processes that affect every aspect of your world. Muddy intentions produce a muddy life. I set my intention to run the NYC Marathon and this drives my continuing program. Where problems arise is when there are conflicting intentions. Last night I had friends over for dinner and my intention was to relax and enjoy my friends. Red wine, filet mignon and ice cream were prominent. While this was very enjoyable I need to keep in mind that this combination does not help to run 9 miles on a Sunday morning.
A good lesson for me in all areas is to think about what my intention is before committing to something and checking that it is not in conflict with previous intentions or at least make sure it is worth the cost.
Things that matter most must never be at the mercy of things that matter least.- Goethe
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Me & Running
Me and running don't always see eye to eye. Some days it hurts more than others. But it doesn't mean I don't do it. I deal with it and I keep running because not everything that is good for you always feels good to you. Every day is the day.-- Lance Armstrong
Today was that kind of day. I ran 7 miles this morning at the river. I wanted to run on the soft, flat surface because my knees were feeling stiff. I was ready to stop after the first 3 mile lap but I kept going because I know that I'll never make my goal if I start slacking off now. I also know that I do things based on my commitment not based on how I'm feeling at the moment. The truth is that on a day like today, GA asphalt hot, I prefer to stay inside and do nothing. I'm not really a morning person but the heat motivates me to get up and get out before the temp starts to rise.
Running at the river is a great way to start the day.
Today was that kind of day. I ran 7 miles this morning at the river. I wanted to run on the soft, flat surface because my knees were feeling stiff. I was ready to stop after the first 3 mile lap but I kept going because I know that I'll never make my goal if I start slacking off now. I also know that I do things based on my commitment not based on how I'm feeling at the moment. The truth is that on a day like today, GA asphalt hot, I prefer to stay inside and do nothing. I'm not really a morning person but the heat motivates me to get up and get out before the temp starts to rise.
Running at the river is a great way to start the day.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
NYC Marathon Training Begins
It’s official I’m running the New York Marathon November 3, 2007. Why is this significant? Why do you care? Why am I going to hurt myself for five hours? It’s all for the kids, actually for the fat kids. I was always a fat kid and let me tell you it was not a lot of fun. I’m running this race so I wont be fat and to help raise money to prevent childhood obesity.
I picked the NYC marathon because it is exactly one week before my 52nd birthday and I heard that if you are going to suffer for 26.2 miles there is no place like NYC. If I can make there I can make it anywhere, right? I’m running as a member of the NYRRF Team for Kids to fund running-based fitness and character-building programs in NYC, around the country and in South Africa.
Last year at 51 I decided I was tired of being 30 pounds over the lifetime recommend poundage for a 5’7” man. I was tired of not being able to walk the boys without heavy breathing and tired of not being able to breathe heavy for things that really mattered and I just wanted to see my feet and everything between my feet and belly button again.
After joining Weight Watchers and losing 15 pounds I decided maybe it wouldn't hurt so much to run. After 10 years of sitting on my butt I started running in January. In March I ran the ING Georgia half marathon in 2:28:58. I've now lost over 30 pounds and I'm smaller than I was in JR-High.
Now I’m headed for NYC. My training started in earnest two weeks ago when I ran the Garden of the Gods 10-mile run in Colorado. I was worried that I would have trouble running 10 miles at 6500 feet above sea level. It was great and I finished in 1:50, which was an excellent time for me. My theory is that Colorado at 6500 feet has more oxygen than Atlanta at 1200 feet because the air is so polluted here.
Last year at 51 I decided I was tired of being 30 pounds over the lifetime recommend poundage for a 5’7” man. I was tired of not being able to walk the boys without heavy breathing and tired of not being able to breathe heavy for things that really mattered and I just wanted to see my feet and everything between my feet and belly button again.
After joining Weight Watchers and losing 15 pounds I decided maybe it wouldn't hurt so much to run. After 10 years of sitting on my butt I started running in January. In March I ran the ING Georgia half marathon in 2:28:58. I've now lost over 30 pounds and I'm smaller than I was in JR-High.
Now I’m headed for NYC. My training started in earnest two weeks ago when I ran the Garden of the Gods 10-mile run in Colorado. I was worried that I would have trouble running 10 miles at 6500 feet above sea level. It was great and I finished in 1:50, which was an excellent time for me. My theory is that Colorado at 6500 feet has more oxygen than Atlanta at 1200 feet because the air is so polluted here.
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