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.
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