So I finally made it outside for an early a.m. run again. It feels like it's been a long time since I've been out and about pre-sunrise. Nothing beats the serenity of dawn, crisp air, and quiet roads...until, of course, the school buses, crazy commuters, and domesticated wolves and rodents (= big and little dogs on leashes) join me for miles #5-7 of my 7 mile run.
With just over 2 weeks to go, I'm feeling pretty good about where I am today. I'm probably at a similar level as where I was this time last year, but I feel like I cheated the system this time around! Hopefully the 'been there, done that' factor pulls me through the event slightly faster this year.
I'm hoping to join a couple of neighbors for a 12-13 miler this weekend. They, too, will be out on the course 2 weeks from Monday, so will be fun to become a bit more social and relaxed before 'go' time.
Be well, Paul
Friday, March 30, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
running on a "dreadmill"
So I have now run on the treadmill twice this week -- in fact, my first 2 times since training for Boston this year...and now I remember why only twice...boring!
While the workout is good (really keeps me honest about pace, although I have my suspicions about the calibration of the treadmills in our office's gym facility!), there's nothing better that being outside and running with real air (yes, and the real cold/rain/snow/sand-on-the-street/mud/etc. that goes with it!).
As I wind down the distance aspect of training and try to get a few, shorter/'faster' runs in to build quickness, I will be shackled to the "dreadmill" for another couple of weeks...I hope it pays off, b/c the irony of it all is that it's been sunny and beautiful, spring weather just as I started to run inside!
While the workout is good (really keeps me honest about pace, although I have my suspicions about the calibration of the treadmills in our office's gym facility!), there's nothing better that being outside and running with real air (yes, and the real cold/rain/snow/sand-on-the-street/mud/etc. that goes with it!).
As I wind down the distance aspect of training and try to get a few, shorter/'faster' runs in to build quickness, I will be shackled to the "dreadmill" for another couple of weeks...I hope it pays off, b/c the irony of it all is that it's been sunny and beautiful, spring weather just as I started to run inside!
Monday, March 26, 2007
Running as a team sport
So my Saturday run of "22" miles turned out to be more like 17...taken down by a blister in Framingham on my return. Foot is now OK and won't pose a long-term problem; however, I've had a heart-to-heart talk with that pair of socks and they will NOT be joining me on Marathon Day!
I saw many of the other charity runners out on the course, taking their last 'long' runs in advance of the big day (3 weeks to go!). For serious runners, there is a 2-3 week 'taper' period when they ratchet down the distance training to allow their bodies to rest. I, of course, left from my house in Natick and ran in the opposite direction of most of the others (I was planning to run out to Hopkinton and back), so most of the time I was getting funny looks from the masses as if I missed a memo about which way I was 'supposed to' go! It is something amazing to be out on the Marathon course, seeing all these people working towards the same (yet, different for each individual) goal -- a connection to both the 'cause' and to the history of the race...I can't do it justice in words.
My training (and style) is much less strict --- I run in one of 2 modes: 'on' or 'off'. Had I put in more time and had the discipline, I would have done more work to improve my speed -- things like going to a track to work out, and adding some funny things called fartleks (it's a real word...look it up!) into my routine.
I have found that my energy and pace do pick up quite a bit when others are running (although I'm still a pretty anti-social runner b/c I have a hard time running and talking at the same time). BTW -thanks again to the folks at Apple for creating the iPod...not only can I ignore the person next to me on a plane if I so choose, but I can also now run several marathons without hauling my hundreds of cassettes with me in a clunky Walkman.
Anyway, one reason I think I like running is because it reminds me of baseball in some ways -- you have to play your best as a team, but then there are those moments (e.g., in the batter's box, or lining up under a fly ball) that you have to execute as an individual...do it, or don't do it, but it's all on your own shoulders at any given moment.
Although I felt like a maverick running against the tide of those hundreds of other runners, I was certainly reminded during that one, humbling phone call to my team (Lena and the kids) that distance running really is a team sport for me. Thanks again to them for allowing me to take all this time to train, and for their unwavering support as I disrupted their weekend chores and playtime to scramble the minivan for another 'rescue Dad' mission!
I saw many of the other charity runners out on the course, taking their last 'long' runs in advance of the big day (3 weeks to go!). For serious runners, there is a 2-3 week 'taper' period when they ratchet down the distance training to allow their bodies to rest. I, of course, left from my house in Natick and ran in the opposite direction of most of the others (I was planning to run out to Hopkinton and back), so most of the time I was getting funny looks from the masses as if I missed a memo about which way I was 'supposed to' go! It is something amazing to be out on the Marathon course, seeing all these people working towards the same (yet, different for each individual) goal -- a connection to both the 'cause' and to the history of the race...I can't do it justice in words.
My training (and style) is much less strict --- I run in one of 2 modes: 'on' or 'off'. Had I put in more time and had the discipline, I would have done more work to improve my speed -- things like going to a track to work out, and adding some funny things called fartleks (it's a real word...look it up!) into my routine.
I have found that my energy and pace do pick up quite a bit when others are running (although I'm still a pretty anti-social runner b/c I have a hard time running and talking at the same time). BTW -thanks again to the folks at Apple for creating the iPod...not only can I ignore the person next to me on a plane if I so choose, but I can also now run several marathons without hauling my hundreds of cassettes with me in a clunky Walkman.
Anyway, one reason I think I like running is because it reminds me of baseball in some ways -- you have to play your best as a team, but then there are those moments (e.g., in the batter's box, or lining up under a fly ball) that you have to execute as an individual...do it, or don't do it, but it's all on your own shoulders at any given moment.
Although I felt like a maverick running against the tide of those hundreds of other runners, I was certainly reminded during that one, humbling phone call to my team (Lena and the kids) that distance running really is a team sport for me. Thanks again to them for allowing me to take all this time to train, and for their unwavering support as I disrupted their weekend chores and playtime to scramble the minivan for another 'rescue Dad' mission!
Friday, March 23, 2007
24, 10.16, and 20618
Wow. I'm sorry I didn't log stuff sooner. You could have really heard some interesting stories (griping) about the sub-zero runs and my general 'malaiziness' this winter! Anyway, feeling more energized these days, and hope you're enjoying the periodic updates.
So, a quick look at the calendar, clock, and BAA.org website tells me:
24 days to go...I'm starting to get excited about the Marathon and hope many of you locals can sneak away from work for a bit to watch the race. I was energized by all the friends and family lining the route last year...someone to potentially see every 5-7 miles or so -- I'll post my ETA for specific route locations in a couple of weeks, once I gauge my likely pace and timing of crossing the Start Line.
10.16 refers to my run mileage today (up over the top of Heartbreak and a bit farther, since I 'didn't get around to' my 8-miler yesterday -- I slack off, but then I feel guilty). It was a great spring day for a run, though the clouds looked more threatening by the end of my run. Given my "summit" of Heartbreak Hill today, I'll likely replace the charity 21-miler tomorrow with an 'out and back' from my house to the Start Line (~22 miles, but no big hill at the end). Saturday marks 'moving furniture out' day, as we are about to undergo some major renovation at the house. I wonder how stable my legs will feel hauling our sofas, side table and other furniture out after running 22 miles in the a.m. ...hmmm...can't wait to read Sunday's log, myself! Thanks to Gary O. for taking time out on his birthday to help me move that furniture (if not join me for the run).
Finally, I found out yesterday that my official 'bib' number for the race will be: 20618 (a demotion from last year's 19348, but once again, I'm just happy to have been nominated). For those of you tracking my progress on race day, take note.
In the meantime, have a great weekend. Paul
So, a quick look at the calendar, clock, and BAA.org website tells me:
24 days to go...I'm starting to get excited about the Marathon and hope many of you locals can sneak away from work for a bit to watch the race. I was energized by all the friends and family lining the route last year...someone to potentially see every 5-7 miles or so -- I'll post my ETA for specific route locations in a couple of weeks, once I gauge my likely pace and timing of crossing the Start Line.
10.16 refers to my run mileage today (up over the top of Heartbreak and a bit farther, since I 'didn't get around to' my 8-miler yesterday -- I slack off, but then I feel guilty). It was a great spring day for a run, though the clouds looked more threatening by the end of my run. Given my "summit" of Heartbreak Hill today, I'll likely replace the charity 21-miler tomorrow with an 'out and back' from my house to the Start Line (~22 miles, but no big hill at the end). Saturday marks 'moving furniture out' day, as we are about to undergo some major renovation at the house. I wonder how stable my legs will feel hauling our sofas, side table and other furniture out after running 22 miles in the a.m. ...hmmm...can't wait to read Sunday's log, myself! Thanks to Gary O. for taking time out on his birthday to help me move that furniture (if not join me for the run).
Finally, I found out yesterday that my official 'bib' number for the race will be: 20618 (a demotion from last year's 19348, but once again, I'm just happy to have been nominated). For those of you tracking my progress on race day, take note.
In the meantime, have a great weekend. Paul
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Formal Apology to Jimmy Buffett and his Parrotheads
To any and all Jimmy Buffett fans, I have been ridiculed for mis-spelling his name (hey, I'm running for a food bank, any wonder I called him Jimmy 'Buffet'??).
In any case: Jimmy, Parrotheads.. consider this my formal, public apology.
In any case: Jimmy, Parrotheads.. consider this my formal, public apology.
Twenty-five days and counting! :-0
It’s Thursday, March 22nd and as of 10:30ish a.m. today, there are exactly 25 days left until I “toe the line” (well, more like get herded like on of the 10,000 foot-shuffling masses across the modest start-line) in Hopkinton, MA. I will be in the "2nd wave" of 10,000 -- the 1st wave leaves at 10 a.m. this year, rather than noon. Another slight change in format from last year.
It's getting perilously close to 'go' time -- one last charity team 'practice' run this Saturday (21-miler from the start line in Hopkinton to the top of "Heartbreak Hill" in Brookline).
The few times I've run the hills in Newton this year have been much smoother than last year; but, working only a couple of miles from the 3-tiered “hill” makes it much more manageable as “miles #2-4” as opposed to “miles #19-21” of the run.
Today I will aim for a modest 8 miler, tackling some, but not all, of Heartbreak.
Have a great day! Paul
It's getting perilously close to 'go' time -- one last charity team 'practice' run this Saturday (21-miler from the start line in Hopkinton to the top of "Heartbreak Hill" in Brookline).
The few times I've run the hills in Newton this year have been much smoother than last year; but, working only a couple of miles from the 3-tiered “hill” makes it much more manageable as “miles #2-4” as opposed to “miles #19-21” of the run.
Today I will aim for a modest 8 miler, tackling some, but not all, of Heartbreak.
Have a great day! Paul
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Forty-One Days To Go!
So, as the weather finally 'warms' up to the low 30s today, I have been staring out into the dark window since about 3:30 a.m. Recovering from 4 days of flu has been a hassle, but knowing that both of my children have been battling the same flu (one with fever for 7 days, the other down for 5 days this week)reminds me how little I have to complain about.
It was only 1 week ago that I joined hundreds of other charity-sponsoring marathoners for a "16 miler" (actually a 17.1 mile!) run from Natick, MA into downtown Boston... I haven't run a step since, and am a bit concerned about getting my stamina back with only about 8 weeks to go.
Overall, I've not been training as diligently as I had by this time last year; but, in my defense, I was out there almost every day the week before last -- braving wind chills of 7 below zero and wearing a ski mask and hood to keep my head warm and my line of sight clear! Those were some brutal runs...ranging from the 3-mile "get-out-and-move" run to the several 7-mile loops and even a 16.7 miler two weeks ago today.
I often think about the homeless on the brutally cold mornings -- running last year's Marathon in support of the Pine Street Inn (http://www.pinestreetinn.org/) still humbles and motivates me. I remain grateful to those many of you who supported me last year, as I encourage you to keep up the effort, either for Pine Street Inn or for your local homeless agnecy.
thanks for checking in! Paul
It was only 1 week ago that I joined hundreds of other charity-sponsoring marathoners for a "16 miler" (actually a 17.1 mile!) run from Natick, MA into downtown Boston... I haven't run a step since, and am a bit concerned about getting my stamina back with only about 8 weeks to go.
Overall, I've not been training as diligently as I had by this time last year; but, in my defense, I was out there almost every day the week before last -- braving wind chills of 7 below zero and wearing a ski mask and hood to keep my head warm and my line of sight clear! Those were some brutal runs...ranging from the 3-mile "get-out-and-move" run to the several 7-mile loops and even a 16.7 miler two weeks ago today.
I often think about the homeless on the brutally cold mornings -- running last year's Marathon in support of the Pine Street Inn (http://www.pinestreetinn.org/) still humbles and motivates me. I remain grateful to those many of you who supported me last year, as I encourage you to keep up the effort, either for Pine Street Inn or for your local homeless agnecy.
thanks for checking in! Paul
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