Going to Ragnar

Today I head to Tennessee for the Chattanooga to Nashville.  I get to meet my team of super heroes this evening. We are the Mighty Power Strangers. It is exciting. Racing in the streets.

Did I mention cold?  Cold temperatures are expected up in those mountains. This means you got to pack more running clothes to layer up with. Everything in my suit case is something that I can run in.  Three pairs of shoes, two in the suite case and wearing one. We start Friday morning at 7:30am and should finish about 1:30pm Saturday afternoon. My three legs are about every ten hours.  My last one is about 8am on Saturday and it is really going to be cold then.  That is also the leg that I will question my sanity. Cold, tired, and mentally whacky; sounds like it could be the basis for a PR

.

Looking forward to meeting this group of strangers.  I am runner 7 and in van #2. All new team mates except for one member who will be in van one. Meeting and running with strangers brings an extra air of mystery and excitement. You spend a lot of time with your van mates, cheering them along and sharing tales. You can bond into a strong and a fun team.

Follow the fun on Twitter at #powerstrangers and #ragnartn.

Talk to you on the other side.

What do you think?

Zippy

Ragnar Week

The excitement builds! It’s Ragnar week. Just a few days left.

I am going to Tennessee for the Chattanooga to Nashville relay with beautiful scenery and some challenging legs to run.

Run/fun/team mates/vans/road kill/tagging/hundreds of runners/decorating/cheering/parking lots and schools/run/coffee/Digital Running/Christmas tree lights/sleeping bags/cow bells/maps/head lamps and tail lights/slap/suite cases/trash bags/masks & costumes/honey buckets/slap bracelet/team mom/bonding/snacks/sweat/power gel/crazy team names/run times/water/gps/run/sleep not

The excitement builds.

Runner number 7 (of 12). 3 legs. 19 miles.

The Might Power Strangers.

What do you think?

Zippy

Run Like Hell 5K

This weekend was the annual Run Like Hell 5K with a start and finish at the historic Oakview Cemetery in the city limits of Atlanta. It is a fun race with many costumed runners of all ages and abilities. This one always sales out and it was a crowd, I would guess, of close to 1,500.  Besides the multiple runner awards there is also a costume award. The little kids have a race within the cemetery and it is a blast to see all the costumed ghouls, ninjas, and super heroes racing along.

Race morning was cool and rainy which is also kind of suiting for a cemetery.  The majority of the course is along Grant Park and the residential streets around the park.  This translates into a very hilly course that is a run out and back. It is a challenge with all those hills and the crowd.  The cool weather helped but the drizzly rain did not.

Post-race festivities were fun and there were quite a few characters shaking their bones to the music. As mentioned there are many awards given out.  My time was 24:13 and I took my age group.

What do you think?

Zippy

Ragnar Ready

It is now time to get ready for my next Ragnar Race.  It is a 200 mile relay with a team of 12 runners, each completing 3 legs. Maybe you know this already.  If you do then let the fun memories fill your head.  If not, open a new tab and Google Ragnar. It is a race and a blast.

   

Part of my training includes training runs separated by short intervals.  I do this by doing a morning run, an evening run, and the next day doing an afternoon run.  These are various lengths based on how much time I have to run.  This helps me to get ready for the turnaround of the legs that I need to run for the race.  I try to work these in in the weeks before the race. This time I have had to substitute an upper body work out at the gym for one of the events in the sequence (also quite exhausting).  All Ragnarians say you can train for the turnaround but not for the lack of sleep.

This one is the Tennessee Ragnar from Chattanooga to Nashville.  Tennessee is a beautiful state and weather wise it is such a good time of year to run in Tennessee. It is my 5^th Ragnar. I find marathons to be a bit boring (sorry marathoners, I still respect you) but a Ragnar is definitely not boring.  There is plenty of running; I usually log around 20 miles, and also plenty of time to socialize.  There are many things going on along with the running that add to the experience; such as road kills, van decorating, and mixing with runners from all over the country.

All of my Ragnar races have been run with strangers.  That is teams of strangers that have come together with the Digital Running Club (open another tab right now and Google Digital Running).  They take care of all the organization and planning and it takes a lot of planning and organization to make your team be ready and enjoy the race.  Because of their great planning and execution all you have to do is get yourself to the race and run and enjoy. It is fun to come together with the new teammates and over the course of 200 miles you form a great bond. Everyone is there to support each other and cheer you on.  With each race I run into some team members that I have run with in other races along with the new faces.

You must give it a try no matter what your level of running is.  These teams (they are from Digital Running but all have a unique and clever name) are not concerned about your time or winning the race.  The completion is left to each individual runner and what they want to accomplish.  I really think that is really one of those (cliché alert) that everyone that participates is a winner.  You gotta do one of these.

This team is called The Power Strangers. So, you have 12 individual runners, from all over the country, going through their own training and preparations for this right now.  Very exciting!

I will keep you posted with my postings.

What do you think?

Zippy

Race: Allstate 13.1 half

It starts so very early on race day.  This autumn Sunday began with the alarm going off at 4:45AM.  I needed to crawl out and eat my pre-race Simple Square bar by 5AM so that I had two hours before the start time of 7AM. Got dressed quickly and quietly trying not to disturb my wife and the dogs. Then out into the cool morning air and away in my truck.

First stop was the nearby McDonalds for a cup of black coffee to drink on the way.  The race was in Brookhaven and only about a 15 minute drive at that time of day.  Once I got there I hit bad traffic trying to get into the shopping center where the start and finish lines are.  Every year it is more crowded (my 3^rd year) and this time it was a little scary. I get anxious before start time and that is why I like to get there early. Maybe I did not leave early enough this time. My parking spot was on the next to the top floor of the parking building.

While getting myself together and stretching I had some conversations with the other racers that were doing the same kind of things as me.  We all have our pre-race routines and procedures. So, then it was time for the trip to the porta-johns with about 20 minutes before start time. Whoa, the lines were incredible and would take up my entire pre-race time. But, on the way in I had spotted 3 johns that were in place on the main road in so I decided to take a chance on them. Second in line when I got to them, so now I am feeling lucky for this race. After taking care of business I had plenty of time for a warm up run.

At the starting area they have corals for the under 1:48:00 run time.  I am not in a coral, but in the throng. There are pace groups and I did not sign up for a group.  That seems like too much pressure or on the other hand an excuse. I find a spot with the 1:50:00 group and get ready to go.

This is a really hilly race run primarily through neighborhoods.  There are plenty of distractions to look at along the way and I need them. Hills are supposed to have an upside and a down side.  These hills only seemed to have the upside. They are tough.  There are a lot of runners out on this course and over 13 miles you get to see a lot of running styles and abilities. There was much enthusiasm out there, at least over the first nine or ten.  That’s when your mind questions your sanity for about a mile before you realize that there is not much farther to go and you can and will make it.

   

The last bit to the finish line is a downhill and I kicked it with all I had left.  I read a long time ago that if you kick it in it makes it easier the next time.  So, I leave it all out there.  My miles were all run at a pretty consistent pace and my time was 1:47:29.

What do you think?

Zippy

Prep for a Half

This week I prep for running the Allstate Insurance 13.1 race early on a Sunday morning.  Training for this actually began 2 ½ months ago when I started getting in long runs on the weekends.  Most often these would be squeezed in on Sunday.  It is better if I don’t wait till the last day of my running week to finish off my 30 because it puts extra pressure on me to get it done. But, that is how it seemed to work out.  Maybe, on the other hand, it ensured that I would get a long one in.

Starting early to get those long runs in are very important to getting myself ready for a half marathon.  By long I am talking about 10+ miles. That pretty much stretches me out and gets my brain wrapped around the distance. If my brain knows I can do it then I should be good.  I worry more about it giving up more than my body.  Sure, I could have an injury.  Pull a hammy.  But as you get into mile 9 or 10 it is your brain that could cause you trouble.  Questioning your reasons for being out there, your abilities, your pace, your pace; all are what our brains will challenge us with.

These long runs also help to pick out what shoes work the best for these long runs.  Because I keep a few pair going at the same time, all usually with different feels and support, I want to get out the pair that will make me feel good start to finish.  Cushioning is important when I am racing more than 9 miles.  I can also see what running socks and clothes work for these runs.  Not to forget my hydration system which I have already blogged about.  No need for me to carry water for shorter runs, but certainly important for the long run.

For the week heading directly into a half, I have to scale down my mileage to some 3 milers and one 6 miler.  At race time I want to be at 16 to 20 miles of my 30.  That week I will also only work out at the gym once and I try to do it mid-week.  This makes me feel good and my legs fresh for race day.

The night before I usually don’t sleep great and have to get up so early anyway.  I try to get some extra snoozing in the night before the night before. Since I am usually operating in sleep deprivation mode, this is really important. Then a good light dinner the night before with something easy to digest and that will provide energy.  I like having a protein shake. (I will speak about my strange eating habits soon.)

What do you think?

Zippy

The Beltline 8K Race

OK, I’m late for my review of the race.  Work can be inhibitive to my life as a runner and blogger. But, rest assured, I still remember the race.

It was a cool morning and really nice outside.  Another cool thing was that the start line was close to home so no need to drive.  Instead I decided to use a run to the starting line as my pre-race warm up.  It was nice but turned out to be 2 ¼ miles and farther than I thought.  Along the way I had to keep slowing myself down and reminding myself that I was simply warming up for a run to come. This resulted in another change in my routine that I had not considered.  When I arrived at the starting area I went through my pre-race stretches. Usually I stretch and then do the warm-up run.

The word I used and heard used after the race was “hilly.”  And it certainly was.  Hilly. Up and down and up and up.  This part of Atlanta, around Grant Park, is very hilly. The race, while called a beltline race, was actually around neighborhoods and parks that will become, or be near, the beltline.  It was scenic running through those neighborhoods.  There was plenty to gaze at along the way and up the hills. We went through or by three parks, one of which was a big surprise.  It was where I used to play and practice baseball and football as a kid in elementary school.  It was also the park I would go to and run around to get myself in shape when I started high school. It was really cool to go by and see.

The last 2 miles were all up hill, but the final .2 was a downhill strip.  I flew down that last bit and passed two along the way.  I finished first in my age group and afterwards one of the volunteers at the awards tent said he remembered me and I was flying.  That was nice to hear.

It was a good race and I enjoyed it.  You should give it a try next time.  Two negatives: it started at least 15 minutes late (OK 3 things: terrible rendition of national anthem) and the music at the post-race activities was incredibly loud so that you could not talk without yelling. 

What do you think?

Zippy

Tomorrow is RaceDay

Yes, tomorrow is race day.  It is a 9AM start for a Beltline 8K.  The 8K is a distance that does not happen too often.  Another unusual component is that the course is close to home.  I have run 2 races that go through the neighborhood in the last couple of years and it is fun. Lining up with your neighbors and neighborhood kids.  Running the familiar streets and seeing all those runners you see along the streets and passing by our house.  This kind of thing is great for the neighborhood.  There will be a cheering station for our particular neighborhood along the route.

This is the first running of this race and it is part of what is now a four race series along different parts of the Beltline.  I try to do them and always enjoy them, but sometimes there are scheduling conflicts. They did start off unorganized and with always late starts but are coming around with experience.

As I prepare for this race I must also look to next Sunday.  That is the date for a half marathon race that I will run.  I have done it a few times and know it is challenging.  I am looking forward to it but must manipulate my 30 for this week and next week to be prepared for it.  This week my 30 is a 25.

I will blog further on my training schedule and preparation for the half over the next two weeks.  Right now I am trying to decide if I should set my goal for an 8 minute or an 8 1/2 minute pace.  Crunching that around in my runner's brain.

I will let you know about the 8K.

What do you think?
Zippy

Harbin Park 10K trail race

Yesterday was the Xterra Harbin Park 10K trail race. For me, it started with a 45 minute drive early morning drive to a rural park.  About 7:11am I topped a hill, cruising down a country highway (as country as can be in metro-Atlanta) and Jimi Hendrix came on the satellite radio as I was suddenly looking at the vast horizon of a burning red sky. Morning was breaking and it was quite a beautiful site. It slowly slid into a variety of red hues with some purple thrown in.  What a way to start the day.

Arrived at this great park in good time to get a good parking spot, pick up my race bib, stretch, and get my warm up run in.  Today I get to use my Asics trail shoes.  It really is a beautiful day, mild weather but humid because in a little while, on my way home, it will begin to rain and rain all day.

The race is a sell out as they always seem to be.  500 runners on the trail.  It is a good trail about 4’ wide and nicely groomed.  There are plenty of brownish leaves to hide the rocks and roots along the way. There are also plenty of rocks and roots.  At several spots along the course there are also beds of sand which I hate to run in.  Only once did I trip on a root.  I caught myself before my face hit the ground, thank goodness. Going up one of the steep hills, and there were a lot of them, it was so slippery with small and medium rocks that it felt like my legs were acting like wagon wheels; going round and round in big circular arks just like in the cartoons.

I came in second place in my age group.  The first place guy was 8.5 seconds in front of me.  I did not see him until I had passed the 5.5 mile mark.  This means that he had to start ahead of me.  With these trail runs I like to start a little farther back than usual because it gets pretty hairy when everyone gets compressed onto the trail.

This was a well-run (pun) race and the organization was good.  Dirty Spokes, Xterra do a good job.  I had a good time and would do it again.  Maybe I will next year.

What do you think?

Zippy

Happy Trails

This weekend is a 10K trail race. This is my first trail run of the year, only because I have not been able to schedule one. They are fun, but you can add another mile to the race because you are running side to side along the trail so much.  This requires concentration which is a challenge for a runner whose mind wanders (me).  It is a great challenge and such a change from my normal runs.

During my first trail race I wiped out.  Trip, tuck, and roll.  It happened so quickly.  I hit the ground and fortunately bounced right back up and kept on going. This one was not nearly as bad and painful as the trip and fall on a concrete sidewalk and I have had many of those. It made me concentrate much more.  They have been many more trips along the way. It is a challenge.

The race on Saturday means that I am in a race prep week. It affects my 30. Going into the race I want to be setting at about 17 miles.  That seems to put me in a good place for a good fast race pace.  Keeping up with that and then planning how to reach my 30 after race day is constantly churning in my brain. On Sunday I should be left with an 8 miler and that sounds very good to me for a Sunday afternoon run.

How about the day before a race run?   I used to like to do a 1 or 2 miler just to check everything out. Make sure that everything is working and I can breathe in a rhythm.  Now, older and stiffer, I prefer a series of stretching to loosen myself up and save my knees a little on the day before. Then post-race I like to take a walk later in the day with my wife.  That seems to help my recovery, along with my compression leggings.

What do you think?

Zippy

Mountains, Bears, and Bugs

This weekend I ran in mountains of Tennessee.  The mountains there are like mountain hills, or at least that is one of the things I thought to call them when I was running up and down.   They are steep in both directions and instead of being long and winding they are quick and abrupt. You are going straight up and then right back down at the same kind of steep angle. Much has been written about running uphill and downhill and the rigors. How tough it is on you, and it is tough to be sure.  I will only say that afterwards I really felt it in my butt.  OK, I will say one more thing; I was taught that when running uphill to use your arms like you are pulling your billfold out of your back pockets.  OK, just one more; also taught that going uphill is a good place to pass people if you have trained for it.

Along the way, in this very rural area you have plenty of time for your mind to wander.  Being a city boy, my mind sometimes goes off on what is lurking in those woods.  This means big scary things like bears.  Big scary bears.  Along the side of the road I did see several samples of bear poop.  How do I know?  Because we have seen bears up in this area and so we Googled what to look for as far as bear poop.  The big berries are a definite clue.

As I was coming downhill at a pretty good pace, starting around a curve, and just about to start another uphill climb it hit me.  Distracted by watching a lizard with a really pretty blue tail run across the road in front of me I had no idea of what was coming.  It just suddenly hit the back of my throat.  Bam! A bug.  Darn! I gagged, and spit and gagged, and spit.  It really threw off my rhythm, so important to this hill running thing.  It took a while to settle down and get back into a rhythm.  Hope I got some protein out of it.

The mountain running was good training.  It certainly works some muscles and resolve.  These type of training runs will help prepare me for my next Ragnar race coming up in late October in Tennessee.  More on Ragnars to come.

What do you think?

Zippy

Hydration Contemplation (with images)

I am sweater.  Not the wool or cashmere type, but with soaked yucky type.  No post run hugs for me.  And I run in the hot and humid south where for months it feels like you run in a sweater of the wool or cashmere type.  Therefore, hydration is very important to me and us all out there pounding our feet in the heat.

 

My most tragic story about water concerns a marathon.  I admit I was struggling in hotter than normal April heat in southern Tennessee at the Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon.  Up around mile 17 my goal became to just make it between one water stations.  This gave me “baby steps” goals (from the “What about Bob” movie) to get me through to the end. Pulling into the mile 20 they told me they had run out of water.  Run out of water. This was an extremely tough mental blow.  Regroup, re-evaluate, some regret, and then resolve. I finished  and knew that I should plan to be self-sufficient.

Water stops in races have been problematic for me at times.  I have had many collisions and near collisions with runners that get their wonderful cup of water and stop to drink. I can understand their plight, and their need for that drink.  I have had that need before and have looked forward to that next water stop (I always try to thank those wonderful volunteers).  But, stopping in front of a mass of runners is not a good thing.  So, now I don’t use the water stations and I think an added bonus is that it actually cuts a few seconds off my time.

I had been running with a plastic bottle of water.  The sloshing of the water in the bottle worries me as I run so I would squeeze the bottle until the remaining water was at the top of the bottle before I put the top back on.  In this way the bottle would scrunch down to nothing by the end of the run. This was not the most effective way to hydrate with having to remove the top, squeeze the bottle, and then put the top back on. It also went against my desire for a low carbon footprint and reducing my contributions to landfills.

In “Trail Runner “ magazine I saw the Ultra Aspire water bottle and ordered one on them.  It works very nicely and can carry enough water for those long runs on hot days.  It has a pouch built into the hand strap where you can store a key, dollar, or energy gel.  The strap is adjustable and really quite comfortable.  It is a little heavy when full and it does slosh.

Next, from the same magazine, I saw the Solomon system.  It fits quite perfectly into the palm of your hand and is strapped down so you do not have to hold on to it, the strap does this for you. The strap, on the upward side of it, is made of absorbent material so you can use it to wipe sweat. I have one for my right and left hand because they do not hold as much water. These water bottles (flasks) do not slosh. They were more expensive, but are my favorites.

What do you think?

Zippy

SOCKS -yes socks

Socks are a simple thing, but they are important to us runners.  I had gotten to the point where I had a bunch of socks that didn't match.  These were my every day running socks.  Well, I have found a good use for these lone soldiers that refused to run away even though their partner did. You can take one of these lone socks with you when you run and use it as a sweat wipe.  They are absorbent, can fit over your hand if you wish, and if you lose it, it is OK.

Anyway back to what I was saying about socks.  The old mix is out and I have replaced them with all new socks.  I ordered Puma’s runner socks from Amazon.  Anything for runners seems to have a high price tag these days.  They make cool stuff for us and sell it to us at a premium.  These socks were the most cost effective and came in a pack of 6 pairs. So, I ordered 4 packs.  Now when my running socks come out of the laundry I can throw them into my runner sock cube and pairs don’t matter because they all match.  Great plan, huh.

 

These seem to be good enough and not at a silly price.  I did 12.5 miles today in a pair of them and they were fine.  Check them out on Amazon; they come in white and black.

I do have some special ones that I like to race in.  My favorites are the EURO socks.  They seem to be comfortable and keep away blisters.  Because I just race in them and do not run my training runs in them I do not need as many of them.  They run (get it run) about $10.  That is crazy.

What do you think?

Zippy

Pre-Race Routine

So, pre-race routines are critical to all of us; right? It gets us ready to run, stretches us, calms us, and gives us a game face. I certainly have my routine and it is mine. Oh, I tweak it and evolve it, but it is necessary for my race. When I am in those pre-race minutes on the anxious side of the starting line; it is the execution of my routine that makes me feel ready to run the best race I can for that particular race.  Although I might not be 100%; my routine is. That makes me somewhat calmer knowing that I have prepared as I always want to do. Then I tell myself that I will run the race and accept my time and place.  Whomever will pass and beat me will deserve it.  I am ready to run.

This pre-race routine is reserved for only pre-race. It is sacred to my competitive spirit and recorded performance compared to other prepared runners; the ones that are looking around to see who is in their age group. Those runners that are in competition with themselves as well as the other runners in the pack.  Those of my kind and mind set.

The night before I have a light, early dinner normally carb enhanced.  This is a long time tradition that comes from those pre-race spaghetti dinners that seem to have faded in glory due to more efficient ways to get those carbs. Dinner is nothing heavy or spicy that must be carried around with me the next day.  No reminders.

Once, the night before a race, my wife and I went out for some pizza.  It was some killer pizza and I thought what the hell.  You know, just another race.  Well, during the race I did decide it mattered and the pizza, with that tomato sauce kept reminding me about my dinner choice.  At least I seem to learn from some of my mistakes.

Race day morning I get up early, back timed from the race start time. A big factor in the wake up time is how long it will take me to drive to the race.  A 7:30 start time would usually mean a 5:00 get my butt out of bed alarm.  Get dressed in clothes laid out the night before and grab the bag of clothes and accessories also packed the night before. Grab my energy snack and get out the door and into my truck (I always drive my truck to races).

In route, I stop just down the road at a McDonald’s for a small cup of black coffee.  I can sip the coffee and eat my energy bar on the way because I need to eat my snack two hours before the race start.  The energy bars is now an almond butter bar, with other healthy goodies, that my wife makes and stores in the freezer.

I like to get arrive at the race site early and get a good parking spot. Then I can veg out for a while. Finally, I get out and stretch slowly.  This is followed by a warm up run of a half to one mile. Then I am ready to go to the start line and hopefully have a conversation or two while awaiting the “go.”

Pre-race for this one was all messed up.  Do you remember the 30?  Well, on Sunday (the race was on Monday –Labor Day) I found myself needing 6 miles to reach my 30.  Bad weather and work had put me in a bad situation and the hours of rain on Sunday would not let me out on the road until about 5pm; not leaving much recovery time before a 7:30am race time. A compromise was in order; so I did 4.5 miles settling on 28.5 instead of the 30 that I was desperately wanting.  This I knew would still cost me something in the race.

Next, I slept late.  Tough week at work with a crazy scheduled that changed every day and I just could not get up when I needed to.  Not 5am, but 6am. I dressed quickly and grabbed my snack which I had to eat immediately right out of the freezer. Stopped and got the much needed coffee and sipped at it as I drove, but my intake was minimal. At the race site my stretches were cut short to accommodate a necessary warm up run of about ¾ mile.

Waiting at the starting line I did not have that comfort. I had not done all I should have done.  I was going to run and run the best race I could that morning and take my results and settle with that.  It turned out OK.  I ran a good race and my time was acceptable.  But, what if?

What do you think?

Zippy

Summer Soaker 10K

Today is Labor Day and I ran the Summer Sizzler 10K. It was a well organized event and a fast paced run down Peachtree Street.  Running down Peachtree always seems like a treat to me. The slight rolling hills made it a fast course. Plenty of water stations, however I try to avoid these and will speak about that soon.

On the way to the race, oh so early this morning, there were some sprinkles of rain and huge flashes of lightning.  But, during my warm up stretches and run it remained dry.  Then in those 10 minutes when you are on the anxious side of the starting line it began to sprinkle.  When the start was issued it was raining and it rained the whole race.  Not fierce, but some big drops, and a steady plopping rain.  By the fifth mile there were puddles to avoid along the asphalt.  My wet running clothes added at least five pounds to my weight.

The end of the race was not to my liking with too many corners to turn.  Right at the end there were three corners.  I like to turn a corner and see the finish line so I know where I am going and can leave what I have left on the course.  That last bit is a great place to pass others, too.  But, today by the time you turned that last corner there was little room to make that last move and have your final kick. Still, it was a good race and my pace was 7:33.

So the posted results showed me as 2^nd in my age group, defeated by about 30 seconds.  That is a good measure of defeat.  The awards had me listed as 3^rd place because they are based on the gun time. So the 2^nd place award winner was slower than me (5^th in our age division) but because he started ahead of me he was placed ahead of me.  I usually try to place myself about 1/3 of the way back in the starting group.  There are always plenty of slower runners at the front of the pack that you have to maneuver around and I must have had to maneuver around the 2^nd place award winner.  I did not stick around for awards, but still something is not mathematically or logically right with this plan.  If you are timed by a chip, that is what should determine all of your placings.  Not one for the race and one for the awards.

The after race expo was stocked with goodies and vendors; however with the rain coming down I took off.

My pre-race routine was scattered for this one and I will address that next.  Stay tuned.

What do you think?

Zippy

No Fun Fun Run

Well, I was afraid of this.  We spoke of this.  Heat starting on the rise and humidity back in full force. The summers are suppose to be hot and humid. You get used to it and you keep on running.  I did that.

But then Mother Nature decided to have some fun.  It got cooler and started to rain and rain and rain. With that the humidity increased to an unbearable level.  It really makes it tough to run.  The coolness of the air feels good for about the first mile and a half but then the humidity starts to get you.  What should be fun turns into a grind.  I love to run, I was "Born To Run."  It seems cruel that Mother N would take it away from me and make me just grit it out and make it through a run.  No fun, right?

Oh, there with be some small stretches where I can feel light and free, a runner out on the town.  Then that blanket wraps around me and tries to smother me. At the end of the run, when generally that is when I can smile, I am so spent that it does not seem I can recover for the rest of my evening (or day) but once again just keep moving.

Now that the heat is rising to meet the humidity.  Now I must readjust to the heat. It is tough.  I must be tough and endure.  I want to run.  I need to run.  I push myself out there, but I should not have to push so hard.  But I do. Sometimes it just is not fun.  Missing those runs is not fun either.

Keep going out there, right?  Look around at the scenery, let my mind wonder, keep the feet moving, and endure.

What do you think?
Zippy

Shoe Day

Today   was a great day because it was shoe day.  I love shoe day.  Even though  it means I will shell out some money and probably too much.  It is really the only shopping I like to do.

Usually I buy my shoes online, but I do periodically go to my local running store to buy shoes or apparel.  It is important to me to support the local running stores because they do much more than just sell me shoes.  They provide services such as group runs and race sign ups. They are also a great source of information and I try to take advantage of shoe day to tap into that information.

So, I was put an a machine that measured, by heat signature, how my feet touched the ground while standing still.  Next, I was put on a treadmill and we made a video recording while I ran.  It showed my foot strike from the back at ground level.  This was very cool to see because try  and try again I cannot bend over backwards to see that while I run. But I must say that when I run on the treadmill, which I find extremely boring, I know that I have a different stride that when I do my normal running outside.  That said, it is still cool to do and go through the motions with my running annalist.

Then I got to try on five different pairs of shoes, one at a time, and go outside for a test run.  Now that is fun, to test the shoes out one after another.  You really get a feel for the shoe and what the manufacturer is trying to do.  The differences in some is very subtle like the level of cushion between the New Balance 840 and the Brooks Ghost.  During just a regular run cycle, wearing one model a day, I would not be able to tell that while quite similar, the Ghost has a little more cushion in the forefoot. For me, that kind of thing is fun to discover and only done with this kind of test.  I even put one of the Brooks on and one of the New Balance on and ran that way.  Cool huh! Never would I do that at home (unless by accident and then it would probably be my work shoes that I would only discover it after I got to work).

During the shoe day road tests I had a great opportunity to talk about shoe technology and ask questions.  A lot goes into the design and build of shoes and I expect that with the costs of shoes. I want to see a progression of design and feel.  There are some great looking and feeling shoes out and I can't help but get a little excited about them. Of course, I see some that seem pretty silly and some ugly ones too.

For a runner, shoe day is a fun day full of thrills and information.  But it comes at a cost.

What do you think?
Zippy

Weather or Not?

Mother Nature! Damn!

Here in the South the weather in August is in the upper 90s and when you go outside Mother Nature wraps a warm and wet blanket around you called humidity. It makes running tough; it makes breathing tough. A key to running in this weather is getting yourself used to it and keeping at it (duh! Guess I just described running).

Most runners seem to get up early to run and get it in before the worst heat and humidity sets in.  I cannot get up early and run except on race day.  I have tried. This schedule will work for about three days and that is all I can stand.  I must train myself to tough it out in the middle of the day, before the 4pm peak of the day, or in the evening. Usually in the evening; however I prefer late morning.  Sometimes those runs are very forced and not so much fun.  Actually, while doing a lot of the runs in the heat and humidity I tell myself that I am not having fun.  It is OK after the run has finished and I can take a cool shower.

Well guess what? The past few days here, in mid-August, the weather has been in the middle 60s and rainy. No way, oh yea!  This is a double edge sword.  The first run in this was great.  I was light and fast. Since then I have been drenched in rain (better than sweat?). So, I do not like to run in the rain because of blisters, glasses getting speckled, and electronic gadgets getting wet. 

It also comes down to the runner’s brain thing again. I am accustomed to the August heat and what I do to prepare.  To keep myself prepared.  But now what do I wear, when do I hit the road, what technical devices can I use?  Can those cars out there see me? Will I wilt when the weather goes back to South Summer Sweltering? I worry. I keep running.

What do you think?

Zippy

Shoes and shoes

This is my stash of current running shoes.  I keep them in a bathroom cabinet.  My favorite shoes now are Brooks and Asics.  In this bundle are two racers, Asics and Puma.  Not shown would be my Asics trail shoes.

Art or worn out shoes!

These are kept at work for running breaks during the day.  The Reeboks are comfortable but a big disappointment for mileage.

What do you think?
Zippy

30

30 is embedded into my brain. A couple of years ago I forgot all about our wedding anniversary.  That date is a simple set of numbers and very important to me.  However, I bet I did not forget 30 that week. No. No. No.  30 is a part of my runner’s brain. I can go to bed with it, wake with it, and even dream of it.  My whole week revolves around it. 30.

That is my mileage goal if you have not already guessed.  If I run 5 on Monday, that leaves me with 25.  Only 3 on Tuesday, well got to make it up with only 5 more days to go (my running week is Monday through Sunday). Constantly trying to calculate and gauge my busy life and work schedule to get to 30. Long runs, short runs, some days with 2 runs, and at least 1 day off.  Need 30.

Sometimes at the beginning of the week I can clearly see the plan.  30 in sight; no problem.  Sometimes it works out, sometimes not so easy. Sometimes at the beginning of the week, usually while I am running, I look ahead and try to plan and just do not see how the hell I can do it.  Where is my 30.  How to sneak it in?

I try to always be ready with clothes, shoes, and gear at home and at work.  Planning my 2 hour pre-run fast.  Gadgets all charged.  Ready. Need my 30.

Oh the joy of that Sunday when I have worked hard to log 21 and I break away in the late afternoon and get 9. That means 30. Got 30.  Wow, now that really feels good. Accomplishment.

But my brain is constantly crunching that number 30. Some days I just cannot get away to run or cannot make the 6 that I need to keep me on pace to 30. Must recalculate and reschedule my week.  Runner’s brain working for 30.

Every week it starts over even if I only got 25 the past week.  Reset and plan for 30. That week with 25 or maybe even 20?  Well, I can justify, not 30, but must be short for a reason.  Don’t string two non 30 weeks together.  My brain would not like that. Need 30.

A runner’s brain must just work that way.  Set a goal and reach that goal. OK, next goal. Next 30.

Does your brain work that way?

What do you think?

Zippy

Hooked on GPS

It must have been eleven years ago when I bought my first GPS watch. It was a Garmin 301 Forerunner.  It was love at first run and immediately became an essential part of my training runs. Now this thing was about as big as a Texas belt buckle and almost as heavy, but I did not care and could only see the beauty of it's stylish lines. I would power it up, take it outside and leave it to sync to the satellites while I got dressed for my run.  I had plenty of time, yes plenty.

But how it tracked those miles and my pace.  It was a wonder.  This miracle device showed me that I sometimes, way to often, gave myself credit for more mileage than I was actually running. This was not good when training for a half or full marathon and those long runs mean so much. So, I could overlook the 15+ minutes to lock up and the short battery life. (Oh the pain I suffered when it would die during a run and I was out there on my own.) This thing still works, it is in the bottom of running junk trunk, but it still operates.

After a lot of research and taking with fellow runners I got the Garmin 205 next. Much much faster lock up time.  It tracks well, no trouble with big rainstorms or the sweat of southern humid hell runs. (a foreboding of future troubles). I am using this now one and like it.

One of my logistic challenges is that I need two sets of running aparati (aparatasis) because I sometimes run at work and also run at home.  It is a drag to carry my stuff back and forth; so that is my justification for 2.

So, after research, looking at runners wrists, and talking with runners I bought a Motorola MOTOACTV.  Now this is a thing of beauty. Smallish, light weight, and just extremely cool.  I got the Bluetooth headsets to use with it because it is a Bluetooth enabled MP3 player as well (I said it was cool). I really loved this thing, until.  After getting caught is a pitiful little rain in the last mile of a 9 miler it died on me. I could (can not) believe it. Oh the pain of my loss.  Do I get another one? This one lasted about a year. Amazon had it, but it showed as discontinued by the manufacturer.  A bad sign.

So, back to Garmin.  I got the 310 and it works great.  Two weeks and already race, rain, and sweat tested. This model locks up fast and claims 20 hours on a charge. She is kind of a big girl, but I am sure she will be as faithful as her sisters. It gives me mileage, pace, total time, and a breakdown of my pace per mile.

Garmin 301 eleven years, 205 two and a half years, 310 two weeks, and the Motorola about a year.

What do you think?
Zippy

Off and running

The daughter of a cousin of the neighbor of the race director sings The Star Spangled Banner in a wobbly voice that she thinks sounds like what she heard before the baseball game the other night.
Then... ready ...set ...Go (its the start of my runners blog).

This morning at 8am I ran a 5K in Piedmont Park.  The park is a pretty large park, of rolling hills, located in Mid-town.  It is a nice park, the architect was Frederick Law Olmsted, also the architect of Central Park in NYC. (read The White City)
The race was entirely in the park and the fee, are you ready, $5.  No timing chips, park facility restroom (real restrooms), and no frills.  There was water and decent snacks afterwards. Nice to run a cheap race with a nice course these days. Very very humid morning.
My time was good, but are we ever really satisfied?  A more efficient stride, a little more effort, more kick at the end, less doubt in the middle? I can be OK with my time, but if only faster.
Issues going into this race were multiple. New GPS watch (topic for more discussions), new MP3 player, (topic for more discussions), and out of my pre-race food (topic for more discussions).
There was one guy in front of me going into mile 2 and I needed to play it safe and pass him or road kill in Ragnar terms. Steady and persistent, I passed him and kept in front although I felt him on my shoulder at about the 2.5 mark. Good song came on and I was motivated. Other than that, no particular tales to tale, but they will come.

I hope we can also soon talk about the critical importance of the number 30.

So, stay with me.

What do you think?
Zippy