Marathon Run#12 (9 miles)

My first big run!! I'll get right to the good news- did it outside (sweet weather- sunny and in the 60s) and my time was 1:38:27 (~11 minute pace). I started out with all my stuff- had the Ipod, one water bottle, the GPS, and my fanny pack. I felt like gadget man. Anyway, started the run messing with the GPS trying to get the virtual trainer to work and eventually gave up and just started with standard distance/pace/time. It took a few minutes for the GPS to pick up all the satellites. Worked fine after the GPS got the satellites. Ran into EC on the run, was so focused on the run didn't even see her until she grabbed my arm while passing me. Also, the path ran me right by National airport. It was awesome!! The planes were landing right over the trail so they flew over my head- maybe 200 ft tops. It was so cool. There were a bunch of people on the approach end of the runway watching the planes land. Overall, not too bad. I actually thought it would be worse. Icing the knees down right now.

One other thing, last night I had a strange sensation in my mouth. I finally realized what it was. My front teeth were finally touching!! I had never felt that before so it was cool. The braces are doing their thing. That's all...

Mountain Biking

Just got back from biking. Very cool. A good workout. Unfortunately, the trails were still a little muddy so we stopped earlier so we don't mess them up for other folks. Eric is going to send out an email to us for group rides when the trail gets better. This is the first good wx day in awhile, driving home there was a bunch of people parked at R island. Need to get some shopping done today and stop over at REI for some backpacks. I've been checking out that adventure racing page again and not sure yet about competing in that. I'm thinking I will...

Marathon Run #12 (3 miles)

Did three miles at the gym, ran 5.9 for the first two miles and 6.0 for the last mile. Total time- 31:15. Getting ready to go for dinner with MC. We're going to go try that Mexican restaurant down the street from me. I'm going to give her the bad news about BN's son. Sooooo sad, but Paul said he heard from BN this morning and it looks like he may be out of the woods.

No Running Today

Skipped the run tonight. I had a rough briefing for the Integrated Task- alot of questions on our approach to the analysis, especially from the MIT guy. Overall, it was good to get feedback and they all had good points. I also got some sad news, BN son tried to commit suicide. He's had it rough the last couple of years and I feel really bad for him. He's a good guy. Anyway, left FAA early and went home to take a nap. I'm feeling even worse now so I decided to skip the run tonight. The throat hurts more, hope this gets better. That's it for now..

Marathon Run #11 (4 miles)

Ran the 4 miles at the gym. Time 43:30- started with a pace of 5.7 and then moved up to 5.8 at 1.5 m and then set it to 5.9 for the last mile. This run felt hard but I think its because I still feel sick from whatever I had a couple of weeks ago. The throat still hurts when I swallow. I don't know how I'm going to run 9 miles on Sunday let alone 26 for the marathon....just need to keep pressing. Icing the knees down right now. Talk to ya..

Marathon Run #10 (3 miles)

As scheduled, I did another 3 miles. Didn't run outside as planned- weather was still a littly chilly and it was raining. Total time- 31:30. Turned up the pace to 5.9 towards the end and I could feel the knee tightening up but it stayed ok. Sitting here watching "24". Need to jump in the shower sometime tonight.

Chillin' with the Ipod

Thought I'd write a little something since I'm bored. Sitting in my recliner now listening to Ravel: Bolero and kinda watching "The Ring" on HBO. Just cleaned the kitchen, living room and my bathroom. That was way overdue- my place was getting to be a real mess till even I couldn't stand it! Work was not too bad. Got the initial outline done for the briefing on Thursday. Talked w/ UH and JM and it looks like we may be riffing some people. One person that's on the potential list is in my group. Sad. We'll see how it goes. Managed to stretch in the morning and evening. I decided not to go to the gym (cleaning was sorely needed) tonight so my body can just chill for a bit. The throat still hurts from when I was sick a few weeks ago. Very strange but it still hurts to swallow sometimes. Anyway, looking forward to my 3 miles tomorrow (Run #10).

Marathon Run #9 & Climbing

Ran 5 miles at the gym. I didn't run outside like I said I would in my blog below. I'm nervous about running the longer ones outside because I don't want to get stuck out somewhere if the knee goes. Anyway, I'm going to run outside for the short run during the week and we'll see about the nine miler next Sunday. Still, the five miles felt pretty good. I also checked the schedule and it looks like the Run Against Bush 10 miler is going to correspond to a 13 mile run in my schedule. Not sure yet what I'm going to do about that but not a big deal. Also, the schedule I'm running with is about a week too much with respect to the June marathon. I'll only have about two weeks after the big 20 mile run to taper down. That's all I gotta say about that. Got home and stretched but didn't get a chance to ice since I had to leacve again to go climbing.

I also finally did the yellow V2 route!! I asked Eliza to come over and show me how she did it. Once she showed me I took a couple more attempts and made it. I was there for about 45 minutes before I finally got it.

Prevention Works

Just got back from PW and I thought it went pretty well. I worked the computer and input the info. (i.e., how many needles were exchanged). One guy rolled up his pants and showed us his abscessess. Sad. I was suprised at how friendly/happy some of the people were. Addicted to drugs and they're joking around like it's all good. Billie is pretty cool and I'm glad I'm working with her.

Marathon Run #8- At the gym, ran 3 miles. I took a nap when I got home from work today and was trying to rationalize not going running. Finally motivated myself to get up and get the run done. I'm glad I did. Sunday is 5 miles which I'm going to do outside for the first time since I hurt the knee. Nervous.

Marathon Run #7- At the gym, ran 4 miles (consistent with training schedule). Icing the knees down right now. Looked at the training schedule and it looks pretty tough. I'll take it one day at a time. So far so good with respect to the bum knee, if it doesn't give up I should be golden. I also passed my test to go to green level last night. That was sweet. Turning felt real natural and made climbing alot easier. That's all for now.

Marathon Run #6- Did 3 m (consistent with training plan) at the gym. Did get some bummer news that Celi and Ronnie are not going to run in June. We're going to train for the marathon in October. I, however, have not decided to drop out just yet. I'm going to keep training and maybe do two marathons this year!! I know this is probably unrealistic but what do I have to lose? That's it.

Marathon Run#5- Supposed to do 3m and I did 3 m. So far so good, the new leg stretch seems to be doing the trick. I'm runing a 12:00 pace right now and hope to get that down with time. I don't want to push too hard right now but I feel OK about this. Excellent!!

Marathon Training Run #4
OK- finally some good news. I ran three miles yesterday at the gym. The knee did not give out this time but its definitely hanging around like some tiger waiting to pounce. I think that leg stretch that I finally started doing is making a difference. I'm going to try again today and hope the knee keeps cooperating. I was happy that it went good.

Went to Loma's last night. Not bad food. Talked about the FedEx commercial- "we're doomed". Also may start playing some racquetball which is cool.

Some good news from last night's climbing. I got the orange underhang route for the first time and I did it on last nights' first attempt! Very pleased. I also got an onsite w/ the green (V1?) last night!! My next attempt will be on the yellow V2.

Marathon Training Run #3
Not a good run...not good at all. As before, plan was to run 3 miles. I got about .75 m done before the knee gave out. I'm so sad about this. I'm already behind in my training and can't afford to lose another week but I think that's what I'm going to need to do. Anyway, got a bag of ice on the knee right now.

The backpacking class yesterday was pretty helpful. I found out that there are two bear types of bear attacks: defensive (bear is making noise, charging) and offensive (bear is watching you). If it's defensive chances are the bear is just scared and is bluffing- stand your ground. If it's offensive, you might be in trouble because the bear is sizing you up for lunch. Also, if worse comes to worse, and it's a grizzly "playing dead" is a good tactic but if it's a black bear- fight back!!! I also found out that it's best to fight back with mountain lions and make yourself appear bigger- raise sticks above your head. In general, don't bother running from bears or mountain lions because then you start looking like prey and they'll chase after you (and they will catch you). We learned alot of stuff about shoes, tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, food, etc. The last session is today from 11:30 - 5:30. I'll probably leave earlier 'cause I need to go climbing @ 6. Talk to ya.

Marathon Training Run#2
The plan was to run three miles today. Did the running at Gold's and the knee gave out at about 1.7 miles. So pissed!!! I ended up just walking the rest of the way. My pace was about 12 minutes up until the injury; ended up running a fifteen minute pace after the injury. Anyway, now I'm icing it down and am bummed. I thought I might be Ok if I just run inside but noooo- so now I think I'm in trouble.

The week was pretty brutal overall- I was sick for the most part and my voice gave out on Friday. I did sign up for the backpacking class this weekend so I'm looking forward to that. EC emailed me and it sounds like MC is having a tough time at work- feel bad but not sure what I can do. I did email grace and trishar05 for icouldbe to see if I could help anymore. Also, confirmed attendance at prevention works next Tuesday.

Long time no talk. Looking at my last post it's been a week since I've blogged....seems longer. Anyway, I got my taxes done on Saturday and got 6K back. Sweet!!! That will go a long way to paying off my credit cards. I also did some running yesterday at Gold's. It was my first official run in preparation for the marathon (at least according to the training schedule). Knee feels a little tender this morning but OK. Also did some climbing on Sunday and am anxiously waiting for the primaries tonight. I really hope Clark pulls it off.