Adios, Buddy.

Jack the Cat

Take care, Buddy. You'll be missed.

Training....Modified Somewhat

Well, training is in its official 4th week and things are going well. My lower legs get a bit achy, but that goes away after some rest, and if it happens while running, I'm able (so far) to run through it. I suppose this is due in part to the fact that I'm running on a much more consistent basis than I had been up to the beginning of training. It may also have something to do with the fact that I've modified the training program somewhat (mostly in the long run area). For instance, here's a comparison of the 2 plans:

Training Program My Program

Long Runs:

Week 1:4 miles 6 miles
Week 2:4 miles 6 miles
Week 3:5 miles 7 miles
Week 4:5 miles 7 miles
Week 5:6 miles 8 miles
Week 6:5k race (??) 8 miles
Week 7:7 miles 9 miles
Week 8:8 miles 10 miles
Week 9:10 race 11 miles
Week 10: 9 miles 12 miles
Week 11: 10 miles 10 miles
Week 12: 1/2 marathon 1/2 marathon

As you can see, my "program" puts more emphasis on the distance of the long run. Am I (will I be) pushing too hard?? Probably. We'll see as things progress how I feel. Overall I feel really good right now, with the exception of some aches and pains.

Speaking of long runs, I realized something on my 7 miler last Sunday. 13.1 miles is REALLY freakin' far. I realized on Sunday that I had run slightly over half of what I'll be running in a couple months, and I was a bit daunted, I have to tell you.

On the positive side of the run on Sunday, it was nice and I got to run outside for the first time in a long time (adios treadmill). I whipped out the old Garmin virtual training partner, and set him for an 11min/mile pace for the 7 miles. That, btw, is the pace I'd LIKE to run for the 1/2. According to Garmin I finished the 7 miles in 1:12:33 (a 10:21/mile pace) and beat up on the old training partner, beating him by .41 miles. Poor guy, must have been an off day. Eat my dust, sucka!! Anyway, my quads felt it a bit, but overall I felt really pretty good.

I'll try to post more often in the coming weeks to let you all know how the training's going. Thanks to everyone (you know who you are) for all your support.

What I'm Reading: Speaks the Nightbird (STILL). Almost done and it's really good.
The Courage to Start by John Bingham. A good book about running.

What I've Just Finished Watching: Damages, Season 1. FANTASTIC SHOW. If you haven't already, you should check it out.

Later.