Music on the run

Best artists to run to:

 

State Radio

Weezer

The Strokes

Cake

Eminem

Tom Petty

Red Hot Chili Peppers

311

Kings of Leon

Dispatch

Led Zeppelin

 

Any recommendations?

Sub 3

Hello Spring!  I can now say I’ve made it through my first New England winter, and what a way to celebrate other than getting in a 70 mile training week!  I know, who isn’t, right?  With temperatures in the 40s and 50s all week, it was easy to get 6 workouts in.  What I was most surprised (and excited) about was today’s long run on the course.  With close to 50 miles already logged for the week, I ran the first 23 miles of the marathon course in approximately 2 hours and 38 minutes (yes, approximately).  That’s a 6:52/mile pace, and more importantly, the pace I need to run a 3 hour marathon.  It is finally starting to appear as though some of this training in paying off.  

 

During the next three weeks, I’ll have to figure out what pace to run this thing.   Originally, I just wanted to be able to qualify for Boston again next year, but now I’m thinking that a shot at sub 3 is not unreasonable.  It also doesn’t help that my good friend and old running buddy Dan Simonds just ran his first sub 3 hour marathon last week in VA Beach.  You know what they say about peer pressure...

 

This week, I’ve got a few more runs from home, a track workout, and my final long run.  The long run will be about 18 or so miles, and not nearly as fast as this week.   All in all, another 70 mile week would be great.  Now let’s see if my legs agree.

Last Sunday, Lauren and I, along with our friends Erin and Brandon, participated in the Ras na hEireann 5k in Somerville.  The run was fun and easy, considering half of the course was on the same streets and paths that I run on most days.  It was a good run to loosen up the calf muscle and the first time I participated in a race that I chose not to “race,” but just enjoy the run and camaraderie of the other race participants.

 

During the week, I had the opportunity to enjoy the nice weather in Indiana, and also found a track to get in a couple of interval workouts.  I didn’t have a lot of extra time during my trip, so when I did get out for a run, I made sure to run hard.

 

On Saturday morning, Lauren and I went out to Holyoke, MA to partake in the St. Patrick’s Day Road Race 10k.  What a fun race!  I ran negative splits (my second 5k was quicker than the first one), mainly due to the fact that the first 5k was mostly uphill and the remaining 5k was downhill.   3,000 strong of my Irish brethren racing and partying also made for a great atmosphere.  It was a fun race, and I’m looking forward to running it again next year.

 

SO, only one more month to go.  Two weeks of running hard, and then two weeks of tapering.  For the past two years when training for Boston, I was always dealing with a nagging injury at this point of my training program.  This year, I’m not dealing with any major injuries and I’ve run the course a few times.  Overall, my weekly mileage totals are not as high as I’d like them, but I’m feeling strong and my confidence is starting to pick up as well.  I’m looking forward to next month’s training schedule, and staying injury free.

There’s no place like Mishawaka

This week's been an interesting running week so far.  I'm trying to keep my mileage up during the week, and prior to my long run this weekend.  However, my calf muscle is being a little stubborn.  I tweaked my right calf halfway through my tempo run on Monday night.  I believe it was from a combination of running on concrete (again) and running in older shoes.  As far as the concrete is concerned, I had no choice this time.  Not only are the sidewalks made of concrete, but the roads were as well (opposed to the much softer asphalt).  The only chance I had to avoid these hard pavements is to run on the strip of grass on the sidewalk.  However, it appeared every dog in Indiana walked down this sidewalk and so I decided to take my chances with choice A.

After the run, I spent probably too much time trying to stretch out and rub down the muscle, and I woke up the next morning with more soreness (insert joke here).  Took the day off on Tuesday and felt good enough to give it a go on Wednesday.  After finding out they lock the gates to the track at the middle school I was planning on running at, I wound up having to do it again.  I ran through the streets of Mishawaka, Indiana, and I came back with the same injury, this time only worse.  So much for running through the pain.  So, I took today off and I plan on doing the same tomorrow.  

Also now that the springtime is arriving, here's a little hint. Anyone planning on going for a run for the first time since the fall should make sure their shoes are in good running shape.  If you've had your running shoes for longer than six months, they are still good to loaf around in, but are past time prime for running in them.  The shelf life of a running shoes is anywhere from 200 - 300 miles, depending upon your weight.  So, if you're like me, and run with a few extra pounds on,  make sure you're running in good shoes.  Without them, you'll be prone to calf injuries and/or shin splints, either of which are not fun.

It’s not always the thought that counts...

I’m beginning to learn that sometimes it’s not always the thought that counts, especially when you’re trying to train for a marathon and keep a blog.  I had the best intentions of getting out there and knocking out another 50 miles this week, but it just wasn’t in the cards.  I battled through a cold at the beginning of the week, and life got a little busy at the end of the week, but I did manage to get a couple of runs in AND I also got a chance to hang out at the Respite Center (as you hopefully just read).  

 

Thursday was my first day of running this week and it was fun.  I went up to the MIT indoor track to meet with the Cambridge Running Club.  Our track workout was a little different than the usual track workout that most people think of.  Instead of doing intervals based on distance, we did intervals based on time, and replaced the interval jogging breaks with running drills.  10 minutes at 10k pace followed by 5 minutes of running drills (walking on the top of your toes, on your heels, and then on the side of your feet).  Then 4 minutes at our 5k pace, or in this case an all-out sprint.  Afterwards, we did some ab exercises.  After 4X1 minute intervals with 30 seconds rest, we concluded our workout with a mile at marathon pace.  Overall, I can say the workout was fun and a good change of pace, but probably not the best workout to perform while training for a marathon.  BUT, it sure beat not running at all.

 

Last night, for my second and final run of the week, I did a 9 mile tempo run that I knocked out in 1 hour and 3 minutes.  It’s a fantastic feeling to push yourself when you have fresh legs.  I hope to feel this good at the beginning of the marathon.  Now, my goal is to run myself into the ground for the next 5 weeks.  Afterwards, I’ll have two weeks to recover by significantly reducing my miles, and then I should be ready to go come April 20th.  As I’ve said once or twice before, “here’s to hoping.”

My Visit to the Respite Center

I had the opportunity to sneak out of work for lunch on Wednesday and I went down to the Respite Center.  I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was excited to see first hand where the proceeds of our donations are going to.  As I was greeted into the house, there were over 40 people in the main room, just hanging out and having a good time.  I was shocked to see so many people there.  After speaking with Brandon, the scholarship coordinator, I went on a walk-about (for all of you Lost-ies out there) through the facility.  We walked into the kitchen, and there were at least another 20 people there.  There were 7 or so employees coordinating lunch, and the rest of the people staying at the center were chowing down or helping clean-up.

After meeting with a few more employees, we went upstairs to the pre-kindergarten day-care, but couldn’t stay too long because it was nap time.  Finally, we went downstairs and had the opportunity to observe exercise time in the big room and then a homemade music video in the Media room.  The video was unbelievable and everyone was having a blast.  The picture below was taken during the middle of exercise class, however, as you can see, no one had a problem taking a second to pose for the camera!

I’m glad I had the opportunity to get out and visit the center.  Now I’m even more motivated to achieve my goal.  I’m looking forward to visiting again soon and seeing everybody on race day.