Pool Swim with Zoomers

I was able to hit the gym last night to give another Christmas present a maiden voyage. I swam wearing Finis Zoomers. Wow what a great workout. I can see myself becoming a stronger swimmer wearing these during drills and training. I felt as if I had a boat pushing me in the water. The only thing is my gym does not have a very long pool so I was hitting the wall to turn faster and more often.

After Christmas

I was to do a 20 mile run yesterday morning with friends but it did not happen due to my son becoming sick. No big problem. I need to still do the training run and I will have to do it alone, which will be tough. I am hoping to get it in before the New Year so my long run schedule can get back on track.

I did however get for Christmas "The Stick" from my wife. Can't wait to use it post run to work the muscles from being sore.

Sunday's LSD report on 18 miles

I was hoping to be blogging more during the training instead of once a week. I am going to try and update the training at least every other day now.

Last Sunday's LSD run of 18 miles was tough. The first 12 were done with Jen and Gary at what I would call a pretty good pace. The weather was a little warmer and I think that is where I went partly wrong. The last 6 miles were tough with the last two being very hard. I hit the wall at 16 and hit it HARD. Energy was just gone. It started playing with my mind. I was starving for food. I thought I ate enough along the route and drank enough but did not. I need to increase my gels more often and drink more also. I need to remind myself that I will warm up after the first two miles and should have shed some clothes prior to almost overheating. Calves are feeling better, a speed workout on Thursday made them very tight.

Making changes to my plan of what I need to eat and drink will happen this week when we gather to run 14.

14 down

The 14 mile training run on Saturday started off at 37 degrees and never really went above that. I felt great after the run and am only a little sore in my left calf muscle . I have been working it out by massaging it but may have to sit in the hot tub at the gym to get it fully back to normal. Next up on my plate for next Saturdays long run is 18. The weather outlook seems to be rain in the forecast. The whole run I felt strong and worked on my hydration and supplements figuring out my plan for the upcoming races. Tonight is stretching and core work.

Cold weather running

2 mile run tonight in the cold 55 degree weather. Not looking forward to the colder weather moving in this weekend when I need to do a long run. It is suppose to get down to 37 degrees over night tomorrow night and Saturday morning my LSD run of 14 miles is on the books. I guess I will end up doing a mile warm up, take off a layer, run another 5 or so out and back to the car.  Then remove a another layer, possible replacing it will a dryer lighter layer to finish the run.  I really don't expect the sun to be out to do any type of warming.  Did I mention I really hate the cold.  When I run, I do a lot of thinking.  I was thinking tonight on the short 2 mile run about my running partners who are sick or injured and wish them all a speedy recovery, because dang long runs are even longer when I have to run by myself.  

Pool swim

I have missed swimming. I was able to get a 750 meter swim in last night. I worked on a few kicking drills and worked on my form. Not really going for speed. I had the pool all to myself. Feels good to be back in the water.

Training is back on after a few weeks off.

Feeling much better after getting sick over a week ago.  Sore throat the sinus trouble.  Training is back on.  Took a 3.1 mile training family fun run in on Thanksgiving morning.  A tradition over the past 3 years.  The over the counter medication I was on made me jittery and I had trouble sleeping.  That is all gone and I plan on a full schedule of running this week and weekend.  I want and try and get to the gym this week also to swim a few times.  

Signed up for PF Changs Half Marathon

With my "A" race being the Lost Dutchman I have chosen to run the half-marathon at the P.F. Chang's Rock n Roll here in Arizona. All signed up, now to just stay healthy through the holidays. I know I have lots of training for both races ahead of me, and am excited.

LSD 11 mile training run

The weather was a little colder and a few sprinkles came down during the 11 mile out and back trail run on the canal with Jen today. Everthing felt great. The pace was right on for me. I need to work on my nutrition a little more. I felt I could have ran the marathon today with as good as I felt. I know the hills on the course will be tough, but I know what I am up against, having run the course before. The running during the week is coming along also.

Open Water Swimming

Marathon training

This weekend was an 8 mile training LSD run. The weather was perfect. I was a little worried the night before the run. I have been having trouble with my left foot. The muscles in the arch are very tight and feel like I am walking on a ball. I was able to use my a heating pad to loosen the muscles up. Although they were still tight for the run, I used the heading pad a lot Saturday night and finally have my foot feeling back to normal. I was able to hit the gym last week and swim some laps. I really miss swimming. I am looking at going back this week to keep the cross training with the swimming.

Sunday LSD and walk with friends

Sunday morning started early with an 11 mile training run. The pace was pretty good while the weather was a little cold. The sun never came up until the last 3 miles or so. After the run the family met up with friends to participate in the Autism walk in Tempe. A 3.45 mile walk in the sun was fun with friends and walked along side Diamondbacks great Luis Gonzales. Hope to hit the gym this week a few times swim.

1/100th of an Ironman

I have been invited to compete again this year in the Ironman Charity Challenge at Tempe Town Lake Annual "Mayor versus the Media" event previews real Ironman Tempe, Arizona . Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman will challenge Valley media representatives to a mini-triathlon on Thursday, Nov. 19, in celebration of Ironman Arizona. The Ironman Charity Challenge involves a 24-yard swim in Tempe Town Lake, a 1.12-mile bike ride and .26-mile run. The winner gets $1,000 from Ironman to donate to their favorite charity.

I will be competing this year again for the Arizona Heart Foundation.

I hope to keep the title and the trophy after this years race. Keep tuned in.

Wednesday night training

I took a new route last night, running 4 miles.  The first 2 miles were good.  I think though I went out a little too fast for the final distance I was going.  I need to glance at my Garmin 205 Forerunner more often.  I have used the Virtual Partner feature on the unit and it works great.  I need to use the GPS for more than just my pace, distance and calorie count.   I hope to use more of the programs built in the unit soon. 

Thorlos Experia Socks

Core work

I took the past few nights off from running as I try to figure out a safer route to run when it is dark out. I have taken the time to do light weight and core workouts. I have been using an exercise ball and 5 pound weights. I know, not big, but I do pretty high reps.

Raising Money all just for training

Last November, 2008, I joined the Plus 3 Network earning money for causes.

www.plus3network.com

The network provides you with a willing Sponsor to support worthy Causes. For every activity you log with Plus 3, your Sponsor dedicates money to your chosen Cause. Sponsors and Causes also support Challenges to keep you motivated and active towards your fitness goals.
You can input your workouts by hand or by your Garmin. Using your Garmin helps raise money faster.
Just think about it, you are already out there training why not help a cause out at the same time.
Drop me your e-mail and I can send you an invite to get you started.

Friday night speed workout

Friday night I was able to get in a 4 mile speed workout in. I set out on my normal course. The first two miles felt great, it was when I got to mile three I could tell I was hurting a little. Saturday will be a recovery day to rest up for my 8 mile LSD run with friends Sunday morning.

Sunday's LSD

The long run on Sunday had me doing 8 miles. With the weather cooling off I was a little chilled to begin. After taking the last two long runs off I was just hoping to make it through. My left foot has started giving me problems near my toes. I might head to the foot doctor before too long if it doesn't start to feel better. Other than that the training has been going good.

Next race

I am looking at doing the Lost Dutchman Marathon. I have goal in mind for my finish time. I started training in early Sept. Had a few breaks in training due to family reasons, so I am hoping this weekend to get my long run of 8 miles in, running with friends.