You may not have noticed, but my Nike+ Profile hasn't been updated since 1/3/08. And it's not because I haven't been running. It's because my wife got me a new toy for Christmas, the Garmin Forerunner 305. The past month and a half I have had lots of fun learning how much information this thing captures and recently learned how to use Motion Based, Garmin's web-based application that provides in-depth analysis of your workouts, online mapping and route sharing that will take your training to the next level. I can also create these cool Viewports and post my results to a website like this one below. It is information based on a training run from this past weekend, in preparation for the LA Marathon.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Monday, January 7, 2008
2008 OC Marathon
Well, I completed my second marathon on Sunday. It was the Avia OC Marathon presented by Nutrilite. My goal was to finish the race in 5:20, 40 minutes less then the Rock n Roll Marathon I did back in June. However, it was a more challenging course with a number of gradual up hill portions on the course. In fact, I hit "the wall" much earlier in the race this time. The increased inclines compounded with my self doubt and minor cramping in my legs contributed to my early race challenges during miles 14 through 18.
I hadn't experienced any cramping since I ran the OC Half Marathon last January. Since then I had changed my hydration habits and haven't experienced cramping since. In fact, recently I have ran in a couple half marathons plus all my long training runs leading up to this race and felt really good. So, I wasn't expecting any problems for this race. However, the weather conditions were pretty cool, it had rained the night before and it was threatening to rain (80% chance) during the race. Damn the elements.
The OC Marathon was a much different experience then in San Diego. The Rock n Roll Marathon was only offering the full marathon, so everybody in the event was running at a marathon pace. The OC Marathon was also offering a half as well as the full, so it was a mixed crowd for the first 8.5 miles. Once I hit mile 10, it was a much more lonely course. Lots more time to yourself, which means a lot more time to think. Another factor that may have contributed to the earlier wall.
All that being said, I am glad to say that I finished the marathon in 6:03:47. Very close to my finishing time in San Diego on a much more challenging course. Next is the LA Marathon, where I hope to accomplish my 5:20:00 goal, but who knows what elements will be thrown at me then.
I hadn't experienced any cramping since I ran the OC Half Marathon last January. Since then I had changed my hydration habits and haven't experienced cramping since. In fact, recently I have ran in a couple half marathons plus all my long training runs leading up to this race and felt really good. So, I wasn't expecting any problems for this race. However, the weather conditions were pretty cool, it had rained the night before and it was threatening to rain (80% chance) during the race. Damn the elements.
The OC Marathon was a much different experience then in San Diego. The Rock n Roll Marathon was only offering the full marathon, so everybody in the event was running at a marathon pace. The OC Marathon was also offering a half as well as the full, so it was a mixed crowd for the first 8.5 miles. Once I hit mile 10, it was a much more lonely course. Lots more time to yourself, which means a lot more time to think. Another factor that may have contributed to the earlier wall.
All that being said, I am glad to say that I finished the marathon in 6:03:47. Very close to my finishing time in San Diego on a much more challenging course. Next is the LA Marathon, where I hope to accomplish my 5:20:00 goal, but who knows what elements will be thrown at me then.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
500 Miles
I have ran over 500 miles with my Nike+ and I have a nifty certificate to prove it. I started using the Nike+ on 4/26/07 and hit the 500 milestone during my long run on 12/23/07 preparing for the OC Marathon. Not bad for Phat Guy!
http://nikeplus.nike.com/nikeplus/v1/html/milestones/print_certif.html?id=279668302®ion=us&language=en&locale=en_us&dateFormat=MM/DD/YY
http://nikeplus.nike.com
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Interesting Article
I AM NOT A JOGGER
I may waddle when I run, but I’m running all the same
By John Bingham
•I AM A RUNNER because my runs have names. I do tempo runs and threshold runs and fartlek runs. I do long, slow runs and track workouts. My runs are defined, even if my abs are not.
•I AM A RUNNER because my shoes are training equipment, not a fashion statement. The best shoe for me is the one that makes me a better runner. I choose the shoe that goes with my running mechanics, not my running outfit.
•I AM A RUNNER because I don’t have running outfits. I have technical shirts and shorts and socks. I have apparel that enhances the experience of running by allowing me to run comfortably. I can say “Coolmax” and “Gore-Tex” in the same sentence and know which does what.
•I AM A RUNNER because I know what effort feels like, and I embrace it. I know when I’m pushing the limits of my comfort and why I’m doing it. I know that heavy breathing and an accelerated heart rate – things I once avoided – are necessary if I want to be a better runner.
•I AM A RUNNER because I value and respect my body. It will whisper to me when I’ve done too much. And if I choose to listen to that whisper, my body won’t have to scream in pain later on.
•I AM A RUNNER because I am willing to lay it all on the line. I know that every finish line has the potential to lift my spirits to new highs or devastate me, yet I line up anyway.
•I AM A RUNNER because I know that despite my best effort, I will always want more from myself. I will always want to know my limits so that I can exceed them.
•I AM A RUNNER because I run. Not because I run fast. Not because I run far.
•I AM A RUNNER because I say I am. And no one can tell me I’m not.
I may waddle when I run, but I’m running all the same
By John Bingham
•I AM A RUNNER because my runs have names. I do tempo runs and threshold runs and fartlek runs. I do long, slow runs and track workouts. My runs are defined, even if my abs are not.
•I AM A RUNNER because my shoes are training equipment, not a fashion statement. The best shoe for me is the one that makes me a better runner. I choose the shoe that goes with my running mechanics, not my running outfit.
•I AM A RUNNER because I don’t have running outfits. I have technical shirts and shorts and socks. I have apparel that enhances the experience of running by allowing me to run comfortably. I can say “Coolmax” and “Gore-Tex” in the same sentence and know which does what.
•I AM A RUNNER because I know what effort feels like, and I embrace it. I know when I’m pushing the limits of my comfort and why I’m doing it. I know that heavy breathing and an accelerated heart rate – things I once avoided – are necessary if I want to be a better runner.
•I AM A RUNNER because I value and respect my body. It will whisper to me when I’ve done too much. And if I choose to listen to that whisper, my body won’t have to scream in pain later on.
•I AM A RUNNER because I am willing to lay it all on the line. I know that every finish line has the potential to lift my spirits to new highs or devastate me, yet I line up anyway.
•I AM A RUNNER because I know that despite my best effort, I will always want more from myself. I will always want to know my limits so that I can exceed them.
•I AM A RUNNER because I run. Not because I run fast. Not because I run far.
•I AM A RUNNER because I say I am. And no one can tell me I’m not.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
RNR Marathon - San Diego
YES, I DID!! I finished my first marathon! That right, 26.2 miles in a time of 6:02:10. Boy, it was a great weekend!
As many of you may know, it was Jenn's birthday the day of the marathon. So, I felt the need to make it up to her and planned an entire "childless" weekend in San Diego. We stayed at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in downtown San Diego and according to the front desk, it was the best room in the hotel (corner room with a view to die for).
On Friday, we visited the Expo at the convention center and later that night we had a great dinner at the Blue Point restaurant with a late evening stroll through the Gas Lamp District. Saturday morning, we enjoyed a quiet breakfast at the hotel buffet. A very nice buffet might I add ($50 value included in the cost of our room - Thanks AAA!). After Jenn finished eating, she ran off to a spa appointment that I had scheduled as a gift for her birthday. After I was finished eating and reading the paper, I went back to our room to relaxed and enjoyed the view. Later that afternoon, my best friend Jesse came down to speed the evening with us. We had a "not so good" pasta dinner at a local restaurant near the hotel. We should have gone to Little Italy. After dinner, Jenn and Jess had some very expensive ice cream. Jess had us rolling in laughter from some of the comments he was making to the kids behind the counter.
Later, Jess got a phone call from a friend who happen to be celebrating his birthday as well that weekend. He had rented a limo and was cruising around downtown. I told Jess and Jenn to go ahead and have fun, since all I wanted to do at this point was head back to the hotel and try and get some sleep. 4am was going to be here before I knew it.
Sunday, even though it was my Jenn's birthday, this was the day I had been looking forward to since I began running back in August 2006. MY FIRST MARATHON! Let me see if I can paint the picture for you.
It is 6AM, I have been up for a
couple of hours and Jenn just dropped me off at the start of the race. Over 21,o00 people getting ready to endure the 26.2 mile experience. It's about 60 degrees and and I have lots of adrenaline running through my body. I would be lying if I told you I wasn't nervous, but at the same time I was very excited!
And were off! With so many participants, it took about ten minutes to actually cross the start line. The first 6 miles included a scenic route through downtown San Diego which looped past our hotel. I got to see Jenn and Jess, which is always an emotional lift to see friends and family along the route. The next 7 miles headed out of downtown towards the half way point. At this time I was feeling really good, in fact, I was feeling really good the entire run until I got to 19 mile maker. From miles 19 to 22, I felt like I hit "The Wall". I had to alternate walking and running the next four miles, which really slowed my pace down. It must have been a mental thing. My longest single training run over the last few months was 18 miles.
When I got to the 22 mile marker, I told myself that we (me, myself and I) only had four miles to go, which is one loop around Mile Square Park. A loop that we had ran many times during my training days. Then, there it was, the finish line. As I crosses the finish, I spotted Jen in the crowd and raised my fist in victory. I had completed my goal (6 months sooner then I originally anticipated)! 26.2 miles! Damn, what a feeling.
As many of you may know, it was Jenn's birthday the day of the marathon. So, I felt the need to make it up to her and planned an entire "childless" weekend in San Diego. We stayed at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in downtown San Diego and according to the front desk, it was the best room in the hotel (corner room with a view to die for).On Friday, we visited the Expo at the convention center and later that night we had a great dinner at the Blue Point restaurant with a late evening stroll through the Gas Lamp District. Saturday morning, we enjoyed a quiet breakfast at the hotel buffet. A very nice buffet might I add ($50 value included in the cost of our room - Thanks AAA!). After Jenn finished eating, she ran off to a spa appointment that I had scheduled as a gift for her birthday. After I was finished eating and reading the paper, I went back to our room to relaxed and enjoyed the view. Later that afternoon, my best friend Jesse came down to speed the evening with us. We had a "not so good" pasta dinner at a local restaurant near the hotel. We should have gone to Little Italy. After dinner, Jenn and Jess had some very expensive ice cream. Jess had us rolling in laughter from some of the comments he was making to the kids behind the counter.
Later, Jess got a phone call from a friend who happen to be celebrating his birthday as well that weekend. He had rented a limo and was cruising around downtown. I told Jess and Jenn to go ahead and have fun, since all I wanted to do at this point was head back to the hotel and try and get some sleep. 4am was going to be here before I knew it.
Sunday, even though it was my Jenn's birthday, this was the day I had been looking forward to since I began running back in August 2006. MY FIRST MARATHON! Let me see if I can paint the picture for you.
It is 6AM, I have been up for a
couple of hours and Jenn just dropped me off at the start of the race. Over 21,o00 people getting ready to endure the 26.2 mile experience. It's about 60 degrees and and I have lots of adrenaline running through my body. I would be lying if I told you I wasn't nervous, but at the same time I was very excited!And were off! With so many participants, it took about ten minutes to actually cross the start line. The first 6 miles included a scenic route through downtown San Diego which looped past our hotel. I got to see Jenn and Jess, which is always an emotional lift to see friends and family along the route. The next 7 miles headed out of downtown towards the half way point. At this time I was feeling really good, in fact, I was feeling really good the entire run until I got to 19 mile maker. From miles 19 to 22, I felt like I hit "The Wall". I had to alternate walking and running the next four miles, which really slowed my pace down. It must have been a mental thing. My longest single training run over the last few months was 18 miles.
When I got to the 22 mile marker, I told myself that we (me, myself and I) only had four miles to go, which is one loop around Mile Square Park. A loop that we had ran many times during my training days. Then, there it was, the finish line. As I crosses the finish, I spotted Jen in the crowd and raised my fist in victory. I had completed my goal (6 months sooner then I originally anticipated)! 26.2 miles! Damn, what a feeling.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Out of Touch
First, I want to apologize for being out of touch since my last post almost two months ago. I have been very busy working, traveling, and training. I know it isn't a good enough excuse, but its the truth.
Over the past two months, I have been flying back and forth to Michigan for business. I am involved in a global project that is consuming a majority of my time these days. Even though I have been traveling, I have been keeping up with my training routine.
Amongst the many trips to Michigan, I was able to escape with my family to Oregon and Washington for my sister-in-laws wedding. My girls were flower girls in the wedding. They really enjoy being involved. It was a great trip and we had a great time being together as a family. The wedding was in Stevenson, Washington at the Skamania Lodge. They had some walking trails there, so I kept up with my training by doing a 10 mile trail run. It was different and not on my normal training plan, but it was great to add some variety and I had fun doing it.
Well, let me catch you up to date. I was unable to participate in the La Jolla Half Marathon as scheduled. I learned my lesson for not signing up for an event in time. I was going to treat it as a training run anyway, so it wasn't a big deal. Since then I have been focused on the Rock 'n Roll Marathon coming up next weekend in San Diego. This is going to be my first full marathon. The training has been pretty intense. It amazes me that my weekly long runs have been longer than any distance that I have completed in any competition. In fact, last weekend I completed 18 miles which was my longest non-stop run to date. I have done a couple 20+ mile weekends, but never completed in a single non-stop run of this distance. Since then, I have tapered down and will be running minimal miles this week leading up to Sunday.
Sunday is also my wife's birthday. We will be spending the entire weekend (without the kids) in San Diego. We are planning to celebrate her birthday Friday night and I have schedule a spa appointment for her on Saturday morning.
Wish me luck and I will report my results upon completion. I promise.
Over the past two months, I have been flying back and forth to Michigan for business. I am involved in a global project that is consuming a majority of my time these days. Even though I have been traveling, I have been keeping up with my training routine.
Amongst the many trips to Michigan, I was able to escape with my family to Oregon and Washington for my sister-in-laws wedding. My girls were flower girls in the wedding. They really enjoy being involved. It was a great trip and we had a great time being together as a family. The wedding was in Stevenson, Washington at the Skamania Lodge. They had some walking trails there, so I kept up with my training by doing a 10 mile trail run. It was different and not on my normal training plan, but it was great to add some variety and I had fun doing it.
Well, let me catch you up to date. I was unable to participate in the La Jolla Half Marathon as scheduled. I learned my lesson for not signing up for an event in time. I was going to treat it as a training run anyway, so it wasn't a big deal. Since then I have been focused on the Rock 'n Roll Marathon coming up next weekend in San Diego. This is going to be my first full marathon. The training has been pretty intense. It amazes me that my weekly long runs have been longer than any distance that I have completed in any competition. In fact, last weekend I completed 18 miles which was my longest non-stop run to date. I have done a couple 20+ mile weekends, but never completed in a single non-stop run of this distance. Since then, I have tapered down and will be running minimal miles this week leading up to Sunday.
Sunday is also my wife's birthday. We will be spending the entire weekend (without the kids) in San Diego. We are planning to celebrate her birthday Friday night and I have schedule a spa appointment for her on Saturday morning.
Wish me luck and I will report my results upon completion. I promise.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Carlsbad 5000
Can you say Personal Record! Yes, Carlsbad was very generous to me. My race time was 27:46, a sub 9 minute pace (8:57 to be exact). It was fun to participate in the 5K, not only because I have been so focused on endurance and distance running in preparation for my first marathon, but because my 7 year old daughter Emily walked in her first 5K. My wife (Jenn), her best friend (Kody) and husband (Brian), and myself walked with Emily. After
running in my race with Brian, we joined the girls for their walk. By the time we caught up with the girls they had passed the first mile marker. Jenn mentioned she was getting worried about Emily, but when I arrived she got another boost of energy. As she continued to walk, running at times, she goofed around like any normal 7 year old. As you can see in the picture, Emily was very excited to cross the finish line. Mom and dad were really proud.
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