The holiday season was in full effect this week. Not to a be a grinch, but for training reasons I have been looking forward to the end of this year's festivities. A few pounds do seem to be trickling off my waistline even with all the 1000 calorie meals. I am down below the 180 lb mark for the first time since entering the professional world. Ideally I would like to maintain this weight; to lose more likely also means sacrificing muscle mass. At the same time, every pound that can be shed prior to running a marathon is said to make the trek much easier. Can I get to a healthy 170 lb over the next 4 months?
Before consuming 2 gigantic holiday dinners, I registered for two 10k's to offset the guilt. Race schedule now looks to be a good ramp up leading into the BSIM:
January 9: Lou Gehrig 10k in Roseville
February 14: Together With Love 10k in Pacific Grove
March 8: Bidwell Classic Half Marathon in Chico
April 25: Big Sur International Marathon
My routine didn't suffer too badly this week. I was able to get in 4 decent workouts and even ran barefoot for the first time. Barefooting around an all weather track was an interesting sensation, probably numbed a bit from the cool temperatures. The half mile felt natural, yet it will take some time to get over worrying about stepping on sharp objects.
-Dec 21: Ran 2 miles in VFF's on treadmill. Rowed 2000 meters, crunches, and sidebends.
-Dec 22: Rowed 3000 meters, rode stationary bike for 20 minutes, leg presses, and pullups.
-Dec 23: Ran 1/2 mile barefoot at Yuba College all-weather track, then ran 2.5 miles in shoes.
-Dec 26: Ran 4 mile loop around Marysville levees and Riverfront Park.
Week 5 - No Distractions
Sunday, December 20, 2009
This was the second week in a row in which I logged zero miles in my VFF's. A couple years ago, I suffered a severe sprain in my left ankle and some soreness there has returned. Just in case the new shoes were somewhat to blame, they were temporarily shelved. That doesn't seem to be the case. Next week I plan on putting in a few short runs with the VFF's and reincorporate them into the training regimen.
Having the Missus back from Monterey for the holidays has allowed more time for training and less time spent on the road. For the first time in over a month, I was able to get in 5 workouts in a single week. Another change of note is that I switched from coffee to green tea in the mornings. Monday through Wednesday was rough and it must have showed, but I do seem to have more consistent energy throughout the day now. Hopefully the change will last and more benefits will emerge within future weeks.
-Dec 14: Cold weather persists. Ran 2.5 miles on treadmill at moderate pace. Dumbell bench press, pullups, and lower back machine.
-Dec 15: Another 2.5 treadmill miles at a slightly faster pace. Added crunches and side-bends before finishing up for the day.
-Dec 16: Rowed 3000 meters, rode stationary bike for 20 minutes, and did some more crunches and side bends.
-Dec 17: Ran 2.5 more miles on the treadmill at a much quicker pace. Felt strong throughout. Also did three sets of low-weight/high-rep bench presses.
-Dec 19: Christmas shopping complete, ventured out to the Yuba College all-weather track for a timed 3 mile run to celebrate. 23 minutes, which sounds unimpressive, but the place was abandoned and I was running very relaxed.
Having the Missus back from Monterey for the holidays has allowed more time for training and less time spent on the road. For the first time in over a month, I was able to get in 5 workouts in a single week. Another change of note is that I switched from coffee to green tea in the mornings. Monday through Wednesday was rough and it must have showed, but I do seem to have more consistent energy throughout the day now. Hopefully the change will last and more benefits will emerge within future weeks.
-Dec 14: Cold weather persists. Ran 2.5 miles on treadmill at moderate pace. Dumbell bench press, pullups, and lower back machine.
-Dec 15: Another 2.5 treadmill miles at a slightly faster pace. Added crunches and side-bends before finishing up for the day.
-Dec 16: Rowed 3000 meters, rode stationary bike for 20 minutes, and did some more crunches and side bends.
-Dec 17: Ran 2.5 more miles on the treadmill at a much quicker pace. Felt strong throughout. Also did three sets of low-weight/high-rep bench presses.
-Dec 19: Christmas shopping complete, ventured out to the Yuba College all-weather track for a timed 3 mile run to celebrate. 23 minutes, which sounds unimpressive, but the place was abandoned and I was running very relaxed.
Week 4 - Wifey Reunion
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
I was only able to get 2 runs in this week due to all the driving/moving/cleaning involved with shifting the missus back home. Her semester at grad school is over and I have been looking forward to getting her all to myself for the winter. Needless to say, I had let things become a little cluttered around my apartment since I would spend every weekend with her in Monterey. My workouts suffered as I took time to civilize once again.
Coworker lunches and parties this time of year make keeping a consistent workout routine more difficult than usual. Missed my Tuesday lunch workout for this reason, but did run right after work to make up for the conflict. Was not able to do the same after a birthday luncheon on Weds. Will need to take these events into account and plan ahead for the rest of the holidays.
-Dec 7: Raining hard all day. Ran 2.5 miles on treadmill, followed by 20 minutes on stationary bike in gym.
-Dec 8: 2.5 more miles on the treadmill. Finished with crunches and sidebends.
Coworker lunches and parties this time of year make keeping a consistent workout routine more difficult than usual. Missed my Tuesday lunch workout for this reason, but did run right after work to make up for the conflict. Was not able to do the same after a birthday luncheon on Weds. Will need to take these events into account and plan ahead for the rest of the holidays.
-Dec 7: Raining hard all day. Ran 2.5 miles on treadmill, followed by 20 minutes on stationary bike in gym.
-Dec 8: 2.5 more miles on the treadmill. Finished with crunches and sidebends.
Week 3 - CIM Spectator
Monday, December 7, 2009
I only ran once in my VFF's this week. Concern with the soreness along the top of my foot led me to running in the old trainers again. A holiday party and corporate weekend meeting helped to counteract any gains that may have been achieved by training during the workweek.
In what was probably my best preparation for the BSIM, I witnessed a couple crazy acquaintances running the California International Marathon in Sacramento. Quico ran pretty consistent throughout the race and managed to take in a few calories here and there. Royce started off strong, but failed to eat a single thing during the 26.2 mile trek. Needless to say Quico caught up to Royce while he was cramping and coaxed him into finishing in just over the 4 hour mark. Seeing their pain and confusion at the finish line really hit home. Hopefully the message lasts to April 25 so I remember to keep my head on straight, run a smart race, and eat intermittently.
-Nov 30: Ran 2.5 miles on the treadmill in the VFF's before I felt a twinge picking up in my right arch. Finished with some crunches and side bends to try and build up core strength. Was nearly ran over later in the evening while walking about in the five-fingers. Note to self: no more evenings walking through this (explicit deleted) town alone. For multiple reasons.
-Dec 1: Put in 10 min on the rowing machine, 20 min on the upright bike, and 15 min on the reclined bike at the gym.
-Dec 2: Wore old trainers to the gym and ran another 2.5 miles. Worked lower and upper back, and did 3 sets of lunges.
-Dec 3: Cold weather kept me on the treadmill for another day. Ran a couple miles in my asics, and rode the upright bike for 20 min.
-Dec 6: Watched Quico and Royce complete the CIM. Even though they were barely coherent and freezing, pried their exhausted minds for helpful race advice.
In what was probably my best preparation for the BSIM, I witnessed a couple crazy acquaintances running the California International Marathon in Sacramento. Quico ran pretty consistent throughout the race and managed to take in a few calories here and there. Royce started off strong, but failed to eat a single thing during the 26.2 mile trek. Needless to say Quico caught up to Royce while he was cramping and coaxed him into finishing in just over the 4 hour mark. Seeing their pain and confusion at the finish line really hit home. Hopefully the message lasts to April 25 so I remember to keep my head on straight, run a smart race, and eat intermittently.
-Nov 30: Ran 2.5 miles on the treadmill in the VFF's before I felt a twinge picking up in my right arch. Finished with some crunches and side bends to try and build up core strength. Was nearly ran over later in the evening while walking about in the five-fingers. Note to self: no more evenings walking through this (explicit deleted) town alone. For multiple reasons.
-Dec 1: Put in 10 min on the rowing machine, 20 min on the upright bike, and 15 min on the reclined bike at the gym.
-Dec 2: Wore old trainers to the gym and ran another 2.5 miles. Worked lower and upper back, and did 3 sets of lunges.
-Dec 3: Cold weather kept me on the treadmill for another day. Ran a couple miles in my asics, and rode the upright bike for 20 min.
-Dec 6: Watched Quico and Royce complete the CIM. Even though they were barely coherent and freezing, pried their exhausted minds for helpful race advice.
Week 2 - Thanksgiving
Monday, November 30, 2009
Another week closer to running that first marathon. In case you were wondering, the holidays do not help with training for athletic events. My feet are adjusting slowly to life in the five fingers. Soreness still persists in the lower foot, calf, and now along the top part of my foot. These would be my extensor digitorum muscles? Guess my lazy toes are not used to functioning as individuals. Here's the rundown:
-Nov 23: Wore VFF's to gym and put in normal "push" routine. Mostly upper body and core work with some lunges thrown in. Ran for 5 mins on the treadmill.
-Nov 24: Worked out at gym, "pull" routine, in my old Asics during lunch. After work, drove down to Yuba College track. Used camcorder to record myself running a half mile in normal running shoes versus a half mile in the VFF's. Only noticed a subtle difference in stride length when playing back in half speed. I should note that my running technique has already begun to change due to basically running barefoot for the last 2 weeks.
-Nov 25: Soreness forced me to wear my Asics to the gym. Ran 20 minutes on treadmill and followed up with 16 minutes of interval training on the elliptical machine.
-Nov 29: After stuffing way too much stuffing, ran a mile with the wifey at the Monterey High School track in the VFF's. She didn't laugh at the sight.
-Nov 23: Wore VFF's to gym and put in normal "push" routine. Mostly upper body and core work with some lunges thrown in. Ran for 5 mins on the treadmill.
-Nov 24: Worked out at gym, "pull" routine, in my old Asics during lunch. After work, drove down to Yuba College track. Used camcorder to record myself running a half mile in normal running shoes versus a half mile in the VFF's. Only noticed a subtle difference in stride length when playing back in half speed. I should note that my running technique has already begun to change due to basically running barefoot for the last 2 weeks.
-Nov 25: Soreness forced me to wear my Asics to the gym. Ran 20 minutes on treadmill and followed up with 16 minutes of interval training on the elliptical machine.
-Nov 29: After stuffing way too much stuffing, ran a mile with the wifey at the Monterey High School track in the VFF's. She didn't laugh at the sight.
Week 1 - VFF Crazyness
Friday, November 20, 2009
Running a marathon has been rattling around in the back of my head since I was 19 and running cross-country for the local junior college. Twelve years later and about 15 lb heavier (Monday), I finally worked up the machismo enough to register for the Big Sur International Marathon (BSIM). Granted, there was plenty of recent motivation that led to this decision. Last weekend a few friends ran in the Big Sur Half Marathon. Thousands of hyped up fit-farts were there in full effect. I have been logging a few 5k races recently, but witnessing the excitement of the 13-milers got my adrenaline pumping. When I mentioned the idea to an old buddy, and fellow x-country runner, he attested to already planning on running in the BSIM this year. He then went on to tell me that Oprah Winfrey ran a marathon in less than 4 hr 30 min. This was the kicker. If a yo-yo dieting talk show host can pull this off, then certainly any rugged stallion such as myself can do it. The BSIM is highly acclaimed: consistently ranked in the top 3 marathons in the country. Scenic but difficult, I am sure it will prove memorable if I survive. Three people bit the dust at this year's Detroit marathon.
Nov 14: Ran 7:30/mi pace in the Run Forrest Run 5k.
Nov 15: Offered moral support to friends running the Big Sur Half Marathon.
Nov 16: Keith - Bib # 2492, Jose - Bib #2504. It's On!
Nov 17: Drove an hour to Chico to buy a pair of Vibram Five Fingers (VFF's) that I've been reading so much about. After wearing them around the house, it was evident that I needed a size larger.
Nov 18, 5:30 PM: Exchanged sz 43's for sz 44's at Mountain Sports, Chico.
5:35 PM: Ran effortlessly through Bidwell Park for a mile in the new kicks.
Nov 19: Wore new monkey shoes to office. Mixed reception, some laughter, but curiosity seemed to be the overwhelming response. Muscles on feet mildly sore.
Nov 20: Calves SORE, feet loving life in the wool toe socks that I bought to wear with the VFF's. Despite the sore muscles, logged 2 more miles in the frog feet. Going to let the legs recover for a couple days now.
Nov 14: Ran 7:30/mi pace in the Run Forrest Run 5k.
Nov 15: Offered moral support to friends running the Big Sur Half Marathon.
Nov 16: Keith - Bib # 2492, Jose - Bib #2504. It's On!
Nov 17: Drove an hour to Chico to buy a pair of Vibram Five Fingers (VFF's) that I've been reading so much about. After wearing them around the house, it was evident that I needed a size larger.
Nov 18, 5:30 PM: Exchanged sz 43's for sz 44's at Mountain Sports, Chico.
5:35 PM: Ran effortlessly through Bidwell Park for a mile in the new kicks.
Nov 19: Wore new monkey shoes to office. Mixed reception, some laughter, but curiosity seemed to be the overwhelming response. Muscles on feet mildly sore.
Nov 20: Calves SORE, feet loving life in the wool toe socks that I bought to wear with the VFF's. Despite the sore muscles, logged 2 more miles in the frog feet. Going to let the legs recover for a couple days now.
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