Distance PR

This week was capped by our 15.29 (distance PR) run this morning. We had planned to run two 7.5 mile loops with a pit stop at the house to use the bathroom and replenish our water. That was a smart idea since I had to use the bathroom badly at about mile 5!

We decided on the fly to get some street running in too as we usually just run our long runs on the desert roads/trails. Unfortunately, what I knew but didn't think would really bother us was that it is mostly uphill and at mile 11 it became apparent that the increasing grade was going to kick both our butts. From there on it was a struggle, but neither of us ever thought of stopping, no way!

I have a goal for my first marathon to finish at 4:59:59 or better, however after taking 3:09 to run 15.29 which is a 12:22 mile that goal might be more like a dream. To break 5 hours one needs to run at a 11:25 per mile pace. I'm in trouble...

Week 11 schedule is 4,8,4 and 16 for a total of 32. However, since we are running a 5k Turkey Waddle race on Thursday, Thanksgiving morning we have decided to alter the week. We will instead run 5, 3, 8 and 16.

Enjoying the ride...

Here Comes Test Number One

Were are now ready to enter uncharted territory. Susie ran 4, 7 and 3 on Tue, Wed and Thur. I ran 4, 3 and 7 on Tue, Wed and today Friday. This leaves us with THE 15 miler to run on Sunday, 1.9 miles further than we've ever run before.

I circled this day on the training program the day I printed it, here we are.

Our plan is to do a 7 1/2 mile loop in the desert and end up back at the house where we can do a 2-3 minute pit stop. Then get back out in the desert for 7 1/2 more miles.

I've been running, stretching and sitting in the pool after any run over 6 miles. This morning I spent 20 minutes in a 59 degree pool and after the first couple of minutes it's not too bad. Reading Vince Flynn's 'Consent To Kill' while I suffer severe shrinkage. I do think it helps! Susie won't get near it.

Hit a new low with my weight today and that concerns me, 168.

Went to Costco for food and as boys do, when leaving I pushed the cart hard and jumped on to ride that puppy! Lower left abdomen let me know it didn't like it, great...

1/2 Way Through Training

It doesn't seem possible but Susie and I are half way through our 18 week training program leading up to our first marathon on January 17, 2010. The good news is that we haven't been short even one mile yet! The bad news is that neither of us at this point think we can complete 26.2 miles.

We are following Hal Higdon's Novice program and in it he says to 'follow it faithfully' and for the most part we are. Due to work and life I am running the midweek longer run on Fridays instead of Wednesdays. Susie is having to run some of her miles on the dreadmill, she works much harder than me.

Our bodies are holding up well at this point and that in itself is all we can ask for. My weight is in the high 160s low 170s and seems stable.

This week three PRs should be set, for Susie a weekly distance and one run distance PRs and for me a one run distance PR. We are scheduled for 3, 7, 4 and 15. Neither of us have run more than 13.1, should be a great week!

Weeks 5 and 6

Week 5 was a good week with the right knee improved. We were scheduled for 21 and ended the week with 21.82.

Just finished week 6 this morning and it was a good 'cut back' week. Scheduled for 18 total, 3,5,3 and 7. We finished with 19.46.

I told Susie that actual training starts this week as we now have no more single digit long runs until the week before the marathon when we are in 'taper mode'. The miles really pick up from here as this week we are scheduled for 24: 3,6,3 and 12. I've been running the middle long run (6 this week) on Fridays due to work/life. So in reality this week will be 3,3,6 and 12.

Weight seems stable in low 170's...

Shut up and run...

Week Four done!

Our first month of training for PF Chang's Marathon has come to a conclusion. We were scheduled to run 3,4,3 and 9 for a total of 19. We ended the week with 19.45 in the books. Today's 9 miler went as scheduled until the last mile where my right knee started to tighten up. Susie's right shin is bothering her a little now too.

This is my nightmare that we are unable to complete the training as we have scheduled. Hopefully we will wake up tomorrow and have no lasting effects from today's run.

Week 5 calls for 3,5,3 and 10 for a total of 21 miles.

Sunday morning weight 171.5

Week Three...

Cut back week per Higdon's plan, called for 15 total miles. 3,4,3 and 5. We ran the 4 miler first due to forecast of wind. I HATE wind. Then this morning we ran 7 so we ended up with 18.1 total for the week. Today's 7.38 miles felt harder to us than the 10 miler we ran last weekend.

Weather is starting to turn very nice, just in time for the plan calls for increasing mileage. Still unsure how we will get the midweek run in when it hits 6 and more miles.

This week's schedule: 3,4,3 and 9 for a total of 19.

Glad to have a day off tomorrow, between the Friday run, Saturday tennis and Sunday long run, my legs are talking back!

Week Two Fini

Week two is finished. We were to run 3,3,3 and 7 for 16, however we ran 10 this morning and ended up with 20 for the week.

I came within a foot of stepping on a rattle snake today, dang things scare the you know what out of me. The only downside to running in the desert. No injuries to report just the usual almost 50 years old aches and pains.

Still having trouble getting enough calories to maintain my weight. Don't want to hit the 160's!

Week One In The Books

Our 18 week journey to the PF Chang's Marathon is underway. This week we were to run 15 miles in total, but we ended up with a total of 17.4. We were suppose to run 6 miles today, but we both felt good and ended up with 8.08.

Very proud of my wife as she never had to stop and walk with exception of our scheduled walk breaks.

Week 2 is scheduled for 16 total, 3,3,3 and 7.

So far so good!

Week 1...

First things first, ran a 5k with my buddy Pat on Sunday 9/13/9. Had a good time, still have yet to break 30 minutes in a 5k, but it's coming.

Susie and I have started our PF Chang Marathon training this week! We've run our first two three milers and so far all systems go. This week should only total 15 miles so it should be simple. However, when you're 49 the body can sometimes say 'screw you' and go on strike. Hoping that doesn't happen!

Still thinking about switching our Wednesday miles for Friday miles due to the length. The problem with that is the tennis on Saturday morning will keep me from any rest between the two longest runs of the week.

This weeks schedule: 3,3,3,6

A Week and a Day

A week and a day until my wife Susie and I embark on an 18 week training program that culminates on Jan 17, 2010 with the running (surviving) of the PF Chang's Marathon.

We are going to use Hal Higdon's 18 week Novice I program. At first look it seems very doable, but now that we are getting down to starting things don't seem so easy. It's the middle week run that scares me most. Going to be running at night during the week and while running 3-4 miles isn't bad 7-10 on a work night gives me pause.

To top it off, I strained my right calf muscle doing speedwork last Wednesday, wonderful!

Tick tock, getting ready to rock...

Running...

I like running...