Feeling More Focused

I struggled to find my focus early this year. I didn't have a specific goal in mind. I was still running because I Love it, but I wasn't 'training' and I wasn't running on any particular schedule. Over the past week, I've been getting back into more purposeful running and I'm starting to feel more focused again.

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Registering for the Hospital Hill Half was a big step because it gave me a specific race to think about.

I think it helped that I started blogging again. It gives me more direction to have things laid out in writing. And I think it helps with accountability.

I think it also helped to prepare some training schedules for friends during the past week or so. Even though I'm not the one running the races these schedules are for, working on them got me back in the training mindset.

After an afternoon of organizing the house to make it more baby-ready, I went for a Long Run that was a great way to unwind. But it was also the first Long Run I've done in a while that felt like a training run. I made more of an effort to push my pace a little and I caught myself thinking about my upcoming half marathon several times.

I ran 8 miles today and it was obvious I was a little rusty. I didn't really feel comfortable until about 4 miles into the run. After that, I settled down and everything felt smoother but my perceived effort is still off. I felt like I was moving at a really fast clip later in the run but my watch kept me grounded in reality. Which is fine... I can't instantly return to top shape... all in good time.

Sunday
Goal For The Day: Long Run.
Distance: 8.26 Miles.
Time: 57:18. 6:56 Avg. (6:54, 6:33, 6:47, 6:44, 6:51, 7:04, 6:53, 7:34, 1:55*).
Route: To Rte 66/1 Lap/Home.
Conditions: 58 degrees. 3:56PM.
Run Details On Garmin

Notes: The entire run to Rte 66 felt a little awkward. I'm happy with the pace, but I was constantly thinking about my stride and how my feet were landing. By the time I left the park to go home, I felt more settled and by miles 5 and 6, I thought I was really moving but my pace was actually slowing. The 7:04 definitely felt faster than that. I'm okay with the 7:34 since it includes the hill on Central and the Days Inn hill, but I would be thrilled if those hills didn't slow me down so much. Of course, the hill on Central is also responsible for the 6:33 I ran in Mile 2, so I guess it balances out.

Daily Miles: 8.26 Miles.
2012 Totals:
  Run - 280.54 Miles.
  Bike - 0.00 Miles.
  Swim - 6,550 meters.

Two Gomers: Season 5

I've talked about the Two Gomers several times and they're getting ready to start the fifth season of their podcast. This season's goal is to run the Red, White, and Boom Half Marathon in Minneapolis, Minnesota on the 4th of July.

I always look forward to the Gomers' podcast. They're entertaining and it has been fun to follow them as they progress as runners because it reminds me of my own journey and development. Recently, there has been a shift in that dynamic for me though. For four seasons, I've been very focused on these two guys (Anthony and Steven) and their development as relatively new runners. Listening to their experiences was like looking back on my own learning curve as a runner. Now, they're spending more time talking about some aspects of running that are foreign to me... running as a parent.

Anthony and his wife are the proud new parents of a baby girl! It has been fun to listen to him talk about how a baby has changed his life as a whole and how it is impacting his exercise and running routine. Steven has been a father for years and it has also been fun to learn from his experience and to hear him give advice to Anthony.

These guys started their running adventures together a few years ago. Their timeline as runners has always been the same. And as a runner, my timeline was much longer than theirs. But now, from the parenting perspective, everything is shifted. Steven is the seasoned pro. Anthony is getting his feet wet. And Liz and I are still waiting to get started.

Today I set up some schedules for the Gomers and their abbreviated preparations for the half marathon. That was my contribution as the more experienced runner. Now I'm looking forward to the next 10 weeks of podcasts and learning from them as the more experienced parents! I'm interested to see how well they are able to stick to whatever schedules they settle on. I know how difficult it is to train consistently without kids, so I'll be curious to see how much of an adjustment it is for Anthony and what kind of advice Steven has to offer.

If you get a chance to check them out from the beginning (Two Gomers Run A Half Marathon) or to start listening in now, I highly recommend the podcast. You can find them on iTunes (Two Gomers Run For Their Lives) or at their website http://www.twogomers.com/.

Saturday
Goal For The Day: Rest.
Distance: 0.00 Miles.

Notes: A day off today. I'm jumping back into full-time running but don't want to overdo it. Spent the day working on grown-up responsibilities... yard work, shopping, babysitting. Busy day!

Daily Miles: 0.00 Miles.
2012 Totals:
  Run - 272.28 Miles.
  Bike - 0.00 Miles.
  Swim - 6,550 meters.

Technical Difficulties

Well, that didn't go as planned.

I'm already not a fan of running early in the morning. But when the temperature is in the 40's at 7AM and in the 60's or 70's by the afternoon, I'm always tempted to put off my run until I get home from work. There was a little rain moving through this morning and the thought of warm, dry, running was too tempting so I waited until after work to go for a 4-mile run.

Unfortunately, that morning rain was a result of the cold front that passed through town. It was actually 55 degrees at 7AM and only 50 degrees by 6PM when I went for my run. Even though it was colder, I could live with a 5-degree loss if it meant a stress-relieving end-of-the-work-week run.

Then, about a mile and a half into the run, I paused my Garmin while I waited at an intersection and it wouldn't start up again. It was completely frozen. It wouldn't restart. It wouldn't change modes. I couldn't even turn it off. I finished the run and I just ran this exact route a little over a week ago, so I know the distance but I don't have any time or pace info.

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After a little searching on the Garmin website, I was able to turn my watch off and it seems to be working fine. But my relaxing run turned into a colder-than-planned, frozen-watch, no-tracking-data run. They were minor setbacks but not they definitely changed the feel of today's run.

We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Friday
Goal For The Day: Middle Distance.
Distance: 3.91 Miles.
Time: ?
Route: Old Town Eureka Loop w/ Cul-de-Sac Extension.
Conditions: 50 degrees. 6:03PM.
Run Details On Garmin

Notes: I had limited data on my watch from before it froze. The map of my run makes it look like I literally flew home after 1.58 miles. The info I have: 1.58 Miles in 11:06. First mile was in 7:06 with an Avg pace of 7:03 for 1.58 Miles.

Daily Miles: 3.91 Miles.
2012 Totals:
  Run - 272.28 Miles.
  Bike - 0.00 Miles.
  Swim - 6,550 Miles.

Sympathizing With Sisyphus

Sisyphus was a king in Greek mythology whose punishment was to push a boulder up a hill only to watch it roll back down and repeat that process for eternity.

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I didn't have a boulder to push, but today I made a visit to the Never Ending Hill Of Doom and felt Sisyphus' pain.

Just getting to the Never Ending Hill Of Doom involves over two miles of hilly running. Then I planned to run up the Hill itself twice before heading home. But some days, things just don't feel quite right and I never got past that 'morning run' awkward feeling on today's run.

I'm sure a lot of it was mental... I already had it in my head that today was going to be tough, so it was. I definitely wasn't attacking the hill, and passively lifting your feet and 'catching a hill' as it comes at you always makes it harder. Halfway up the Hill, I decided that one time up was enough for today. I could run it twice next week. By the time I neared the top, I was only running by the loosest definition of the word. It was actually one of those jogs that is so slow you could easily walk as fast (or faster).

When I topped the Hill, I was tired, panting, and ready to run home. But for some reason, I made a quick decision, turned around, and ran back down the Hill. I had plenty of time on the jog back to the bottom to second-guess my decision to run the Hill twice. But every step I took on the way down was another step I would have to take back up, so it wasn't long before I figured I might as well run the whole thing and go home feeling good about sticking to my original plan.

Surprisingly, the second time up the Hill wasn't any worse than the first but it wasn't any better either. I ran/jogged to the top and then shuffled my way down the other side. By that point, I really needed to get home so I could get ready for work so I took a little shortcut on the way back.

Today was one of those runs that you only feel good about in retrospect. I felt awkward and less than my best the entire run. I felt weak and out of shape on the Hill. But I feel good about how much this morning's run will help me on the hills in Kansas City in June.

Thursday
Goal For The Day: Hill Work.
Distance: 4.03 Miles.
Time: 31:31. 7:49 Avg. (7:12, 7:06, 8:38, 8:19, 0:13).
Route: 2 x Never Ending Hill Of Doom.
Conditions: 55 degrees. 7:30AM.
Run Details On Garmin

Notes: I'm sure some of the hills in K.C. will be longer than this, but I doubt they will be steeper. Hopefully, a few weeks of this will let me cruise over the hills in the half marathon like they aren't there.

Daily Miles: 4.03 Miles.
2012 Totals:
  Run - 268.37 Miles.
  Bike - 0.00 Miles.
  Swim - 6,550 Miles.

100 Days To Go

I Love the Olympic Games!!!

In 100 days, on July 27th, the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Olympic Games will be held in London. Coincidentally, our little bundle of joy should be arriving somewhere around that time as well! It's hard to believe we're about 100 days away from the birth of our first child. Crazy!

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I always look forward to watching the Olympics but the summer Olympics are especially exciting. Track and Field... the Marathon... I Love the summer sports. And if our little guy times things right, I could be home on Paternity leave with a DVR full of Olympic goodness!

I'm curious to see how having a newborn around affects my training. I'm sure I'll talk about it a lot as we get closer to the big day and in the weeks and months that follow. For now, we're getting into the preparations and that includes making a little extra money whenever possible.

I'm teaching two classes a local community college and Wednesday is my busiest day of the week. I get to work at 9AM and don't leave class until after 9:30PM. So instead of running this morning, I stayed curled up in bed for an extra hour and conserved energy for the day ahead. Maybe next week I'll suck it up and get out the door early.

Maybe.

Wednesday

Goal For The Day: Rest.

Distance: 0.00 Miles.

2012 Totals:

  Run - 264.34 Miles.

  Bike - 0.00 Miles.

  Swim - 6,550 meters.

A Return To Top Notch Tuesdays

I added an 'Upcoming Races' page to my blog. There are always a ton of races I want to run but I usually only get around to a handful either because of scheduling issues or cost. I hope keeping a list of races I really don't want to miss will help me remember to register early. I also hope it will give me some long-term motivation to get out and train hard.

So far, the only race I'm registered for is the Hospital Hill Half Marathon in Kansas City, MO. It's coming up on June 3rd so it's sneaking up on me quickly.

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I'm not following any strict training schedule for Hospital Hill since there's only about a month-and-a-half until the race. Mostly, I'm using this race to get my base mileage built back up so I can smoothly transition into my summer plans (that I'll talk about later).

The Hospital Hill Half is a very well-known race with 38 years of history behind it and it's obviously going to be hilly. So today, I started running hills. I plan to do at least two hill-based workouts a week leading up to the race. Tuesdays will become 'Top Notch Tuesdays' again. Thursdays, I plan to run The Never Ending Hill Of Doom.

Today was my usual warm-up run leading right into 4 sprints up Top Notch and then a cool-down run home. It was a chilly morning considering the unusually warm weather we've been having. Top Notch is a tough hill but 4 times up it isn't the hardest workout ever. I just want to ease my way into this. I have such a short time before the race, I probably won't take a long time to taper... it will mostly be build-up until the few days before race day.

Tuesday
Goal For The Day: Hill Repeats.
Distance: 2.95 Miles.
Time: 25:45. 8:43 Avg. (8:24, 8:48, 8:32*).
Route: 4 x Top Notch.
Conditions: 45 degrees. 7:15AM.
Run Details On Garmin

Notes: Running up Top Notch would be easier if people didn't park across the sidewalk. That side-step into the street near the top always makes the last 20 meters feel harder. Not a bad start, but I'll need to push myself more on the uphills.

Daily Miles: 2.95 Miles.
2012 Totals:
  Run - 264.34 Miles.
  Bike - 0.00 Miles.
  Swim - 6,550 meters.

Let's Try This Again

Today was the running of the 2012 Boston Marathon. Technically, I qualified for this year's race in New York last November. But, while I ran faster than the qualifying time, the race was already sold out and with the new tiered entry system, my time wouldn't have been fast enough to make the cut anyway.  I still choose to look at it as though I qualified though... no matter how little it mattered when it came to actually running in Boston.

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Since New York, I've continued to run regularly, but I've been lacking... direction. I developed some potential goals for myself but one by one, they each fell by the wayside. I thought about trying to run 2,012 miles in 2012... I almost immediately fell way off pace and it's not likely to happen. I thought about running the Kentucky Derby Marathon in April... I missed the early registration deadline and eventually decided not to run it this year. I thought about running a 'virtual track season' (a friend of mine that coaches track was giving me daily workouts) to make an attempt at a sub-five-minute mile... that lasted about a week before we both realized our busy schedules weren't working with that plan.

I also haven't written in this blog at all in 2012. I have about a dozen mostly-written entries that I never posted (and probably never will at this point). I'm not sure if my lack of blogging influenced my difficulty sticking with a goal, or if my lack of a clear goal influenced my lack of blogging, but I decided it's been long enough! Time to get back in the saddle.

I'm afraid if I make too many of my posts too long, I'll get intimidated by the time demand and want to quit writing again, or I'll write everything interesting I have to say in one or two posts and then later updates will be boring. So for today, I wanted to explain my absence and get back into the swing of this. I'll be updating my page with some new info as I go along and I'll map out my newly formed goals in later posts. I'll also stick with a brief update of my daily training unless I feel there's something worth writing more about.

So today was our weekly trip to the Rec Center for a run and a swim. I was at work a little late, so instead of running around Fenton, I went straight to the treadmill and got in 3 miles before Liz showed up and we went down to the pool. We swam 4 x 200 meters in the pool and finished just before the water aerobics class would have kicked us out. The run on the treadmill was relatively short, but felt great with consistently faster splits every half-mile. The swim felt a little tough after that, but nothing too out of the ordinary.

Tomorrow is back to running hills on Top Notch.

Monday
Goal For The Day: Run & Swim
Run Distance: 3.00 Miles
Time: 20:23. 6:47 Avg. (7:23, 6:51, 6:23).
Route: Fenton Rec Center Treadmill.
Conditions: Right by a fan!!! Nice!

Swim Distance: 800 meters. (4 x 200m).
Location: Fenton Rec Center Indoor Pool.

Notes: The run felt good. I dropped 15 seconds off of the pace every half-mile (7:30, 7:13, 6:58, 6:44, 6:31, 6:15). Having the fan blowing on me made a huge difference. The swim was good. I almost skipped it in favor of running outside in the amazing weather, but I look forward to my weekly swim with Liz!

Daily Miles: 3.00 Mile Run. 800 meter Swim.
2012 Totals:
  Run - 261.39 Miles.
  Bike - 0.00 Miles.
  Swim - 6,550 meters.