Well, it took a little while, but I finally did it! I finally ran 50 miles in one week. Now, to my ultra running friends out there who are brave enough to take on 50 mile races or two to three marathons a year, that really doesn't sound like a big deal, but to me, it is huge! To catch you all up on my "training" schedule, my week consists of running 6 days a week. On the week days, I mostly run during the time I have between dropping my kids off at Mother's Day Out and 10 AM, when I'm supposed to be at work. That allotted time could be anywhere between 30 and 45 minutes depending upon how efficiently I get a one and three year old fed, dressed and out the door. I then try to get in a longer run on Saturday mornings, and that distance is contingent entirely on how I feel. It could be an hour and a half or 45 minutes. The particular 50 mile week, I had a little extra time in the mornings on the weekdays and finished it off with a nice 14 miler on Saturday!
Why is it such a big deal to me? Well, there are some obvious time constraints during a normal week that do not allow for much more than 40 miles. I'm not complaining! That is plenty for someone with no goal other than to remain consistent, so hitting 50 was kind of cool! Remember that word "goal" because I am going to return to that subject shortly. Secondly, I've been trying to recall the last time I actually hit the 50 mile mark in one week, and quite frankly, I'm having a hard time recollecting! It is quite possible I hit the half century mark once or twice in 2007 while training for the Chicago Marathon. I hadn't given in to the GPS peer pressure in 2007 and was too lazy to keep a written log, so I have no evidence to back my story. So, that leads me to 1998, my last cross country season at UAB. My point, IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME!
Back to the "goal"! Apparently when you run 50 miles in one week, you are supposed to be training for something, as I have learned from many to whom I have mentioned my feat! The default answer has been "life", "I'm training to live", but in an attempt to come up with a better, more clever answer and after giving it more thought, I have come to the conclusion, at the moment, I am training for summer mowing season! I swear, last summer almost killed me! There were several occasions, after stints in 100 degree heat index days, I thought I was just going to pass out. I attribute those days to a lack of fitness! Well, not this year buddy!! I've already set an early PR on an 85 degree, June day of 1:22, and I plan to DESTROY that come August!
Seriously, the mentions of goals from my running compatriots have motivated me to actually take a look at the calendar and find a race on which to focus my efforts. It seems I've finally reached a point of consistency and have gained some confidence, so what the hell! I'm thinking either 10K or half marathon around August. All suggestions are welcome!
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
A Little Stroll UP Memory Lane...
August will make 20 years I have lived in Birmingham, and I am ashamed to say this past weekend was the first time I have participated "fully" in the Ellis Porch Statue 2 Statue 15K! I say "fully" because back in '96 or '97, there was a 3 person relay part of the event, and The Trak Shak had a team. I was the anchor leg! I've been doing some research to find out exactly which year that occurred for a couple of reasons. First, I guess I'd like to know the actual year. Second, I need to find out if there are any photos floating around out there. You see, we picked out some matching uniforms from Pearl Izumi and let's just say, they were GROOVY! They were a prime example of why you DO NOT catalog/internet shop! What I remember of them is a lot of colors, mesh, and shorts that could only be called, and I wish I had a better term, nuthuggers! What I'm getting at is, I need to know who has photos and consequently, which homes to break into to destroy evidence! For those of you who know the course, you know the last 5K is the one you want in a 3 person relay. I had a GREAT time! I'm not sure the same can be said for Bob, our second member of the relay!
Why did I decide to run the 2013 installment of the South's Toughest 15K? About 6 weeks ago, I decided to add at least one hill workout and one long run to my routine thinking Statue 2 Statue would be a perfect race to enter. The routine went well for a while. Three days during the week, I ran 5 to 6 miles easy before work, one morning I'd get up early and do a hill workout, and another day, I'd get up early and run a long and easy. Then, Scott and I got a late invitation to the Masters! A trip to Augusta, the week before Statue 2 Statue, resulted in two days of watching the most prestigious golf tournament on the planet, very little sleep, many adult beverages, and 5 days of no running. The week leading up to the race I took pretty easy, but none the less, the legs did not feel great.
So, it's Saturday morning April 20. I met Elena, the eventual ladies overall winner, at the store, and we jog up the hill to the start. I could tell in those 10 minutes, it was going to be a LONG day. I'm going to take this moment to mention the great job of the BTC and the race organizers for their recognition of and respect paid to the Boston bombings! Each participant was given a blue and yellow ribbon to wear, proceeds from each entry fee were donated to the American Red Cross, a blood drive was held at the finish, and just before the start, there was a moment of silence and a prayer for those affected by the tragedy. Many thanks to those in charge! OK, so I mentioned my legs felt less than stellar jogging up the hill to the start. The race started, and as a few have referenced in the passing days, I "sandbagged" the first 5K. The idea was to warm up and save some energy for that treacherous second 5K. The "sandbagging" was to no avail! My ever supportive family was at the end of the first 5K and it took all I had NOT to jump in the car with them and call it a day. I forged ahead, knowing the dreaded Stone River was to come.
Now, over the past few years, I've run up Stone River. I've ridden up Stone River. Hell, I've done hill workouts on my bike up Stone River! I know Stone River! Or so I thought! I guess I'll say, I was reintroduced to Stone River in 2013. The thing I've never done is run/race 5 miles before Stone River. I hit the bottom and thought this is where the hill workouts will pay off. Well, I made it to the top, but the best description I have of my ascent is taken from a friend's quote. I did the "Stone River Shuffle", which is a combination of shuffle/walk/cursing fit to the top! Along with not remembering the year of my last Statue 2 Statue participation, I also forgot the streets directly following Stone River. Brookwood to Overhill Road ain't no picnic!
After all of that, this is my learning experience! After all the climbing, you have to descend. I LEARNED I cannot run downhill, or at least, I cannot run downhill very fast! You see a big descent in front of you and the legs say, "GO!!", but the mind, my mind, was saying, "I think I'm going to face plant"! I guess my next training routine will involve relearning some leg speed! I crossed the finish line in 1:02:20. Good enough to win my age group and ecstatic to see my family at the finish! I'm very pleased with the age group finish, very pleased I ran the race, but a little disappointed to not break an hour. I guess there's always next year!!
All in all, I have to say this. The Statue 2 Statue 15K is a staple in the Birmingham race scene! It's unique qualities of a point to point race, a 15K, starting under Vulcan, which Wikipedia lists as the 8th tallest statue in the United States, and finishing near a replica of Lady Liberty makes it a MUST DO for all runners! Yes, it is a bit of a challenge, but is that not what we all as runners seek from time to time, a challenge! I hope to see you all there next year!
Why did I decide to run the 2013 installment of the South's Toughest 15K? About 6 weeks ago, I decided to add at least one hill workout and one long run to my routine thinking Statue 2 Statue would be a perfect race to enter. The routine went well for a while. Three days during the week, I ran 5 to 6 miles easy before work, one morning I'd get up early and do a hill workout, and another day, I'd get up early and run a long and easy. Then, Scott and I got a late invitation to the Masters! A trip to Augusta, the week before Statue 2 Statue, resulted in two days of watching the most prestigious golf tournament on the planet, very little sleep, many adult beverages, and 5 days of no running. The week leading up to the race I took pretty easy, but none the less, the legs did not feel great.
So, it's Saturday morning April 20. I met Elena, the eventual ladies overall winner, at the store, and we jog up the hill to the start. I could tell in those 10 minutes, it was going to be a LONG day. I'm going to take this moment to mention the great job of the BTC and the race organizers for their recognition of and respect paid to the Boston bombings! Each participant was given a blue and yellow ribbon to wear, proceeds from each entry fee were donated to the American Red Cross, a blood drive was held at the finish, and just before the start, there was a moment of silence and a prayer for those affected by the tragedy. Many thanks to those in charge! OK, so I mentioned my legs felt less than stellar jogging up the hill to the start. The race started, and as a few have referenced in the passing days, I "sandbagged" the first 5K. The idea was to warm up and save some energy for that treacherous second 5K. The "sandbagging" was to no avail! My ever supportive family was at the end of the first 5K and it took all I had NOT to jump in the car with them and call it a day. I forged ahead, knowing the dreaded Stone River was to come.
Now, over the past few years, I've run up Stone River. I've ridden up Stone River. Hell, I've done hill workouts on my bike up Stone River! I know Stone River! Or so I thought! I guess I'll say, I was reintroduced to Stone River in 2013. The thing I've never done is run/race 5 miles before Stone River. I hit the bottom and thought this is where the hill workouts will pay off. Well, I made it to the top, but the best description I have of my ascent is taken from a friend's quote. I did the "Stone River Shuffle", which is a combination of shuffle/walk/cursing fit to the top! Along with not remembering the year of my last Statue 2 Statue participation, I also forgot the streets directly following Stone River. Brookwood to Overhill Road ain't no picnic!
After all of that, this is my learning experience! After all the climbing, you have to descend. I LEARNED I cannot run downhill, or at least, I cannot run downhill very fast! You see a big descent in front of you and the legs say, "GO!!", but the mind, my mind, was saying, "I think I'm going to face plant"! I guess my next training routine will involve relearning some leg speed! I crossed the finish line in 1:02:20. Good enough to win my age group and ecstatic to see my family at the finish! I'm very pleased with the age group finish, very pleased I ran the race, but a little disappointed to not break an hour. I guess there's always next year!!
All in all, I have to say this. The Statue 2 Statue 15K is a staple in the Birmingham race scene! It's unique qualities of a point to point race, a 15K, starting under Vulcan, which Wikipedia lists as the 8th tallest statue in the United States, and finishing near a replica of Lady Liberty makes it a MUST DO for all runners! Yes, it is a bit of a challenge, but is that not what we all as runners seek from time to time, a challenge! I hope to see you all there next year!
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
4/15/2013
It was a normal Patriot's Day morning at the store. Get the Boston Marathon coverage on the TV, check the social network for all the chatter of local runners in Boston, and set the Athlete Tracker to "Alabama" to follow our friends' progress. I watched a little of the elite races, took a break, came back to the computer, and then the normal Boston Marathon morning changed. The first post on Facebook popped up about explosions at the Boston Marathon finish line. My first reaction was that it was a hoax, but it didn't take long to find out it was real! My second reaction, I've got a friend who is working at the race and is probably near the finish line, I need to make a phone call! In between unanswered phone calls to my friend, the store phone started to ring off the hook with concerns from the running community and the local media. After a couple of interviews with local TV and constant attention to social media to check on our local runners, a phone call went through, and Jaime answered. "I'm OK" he said. Then he described being across the street behind the VIP bleachers when the first explosion happened and the "carnage" he saw trying to leave the scene. He was OK, and as best I could tell from phone calls, emails and Facebook, everyone I know was OK as well. I went home, hugged the kids and Lena, and watched the news coverage of the bombings. That was my April 15, 2013.
I mentioned all of that because in life's experiences there is supposed to be something learned or gained. Right? I really felt that on the run this morning. It seemed every wave or pleasantry exchanged to a fellow runner on the road meant a lot more! I thought of that list of names of runners from Birmingham racing in the Boston Marathon and how I knew them from seeing them on the road, hanging out with them at the store or recommending their next shoe. Then, to go even deeper, I thought of the time when I really wasn't running and how those same people were always concerned, asking how I was, and wondering when I would hit the road again, because. I'm a runner!
What I have learned from April 15, 2013 is, if you have every excuse not to run or need motivation to hit the road, there are few communities stronger than the running community! If nothing more than to be a part of something that transcends all boundaries and strongly connects millions, start running!
I'll see you all on the road in the morning or at the next finish line!
I mentioned all of that because in life's experiences there is supposed to be something learned or gained. Right? I really felt that on the run this morning. It seemed every wave or pleasantry exchanged to a fellow runner on the road meant a lot more! I thought of that list of names of runners from Birmingham racing in the Boston Marathon and how I knew them from seeing them on the road, hanging out with them at the store or recommending their next shoe. Then, to go even deeper, I thought of the time when I really wasn't running and how those same people were always concerned, asking how I was, and wondering when I would hit the road again, because. I'm a runner!
What I have learned from April 15, 2013 is, if you have every excuse not to run or need motivation to hit the road, there are few communities stronger than the running community! If nothing more than to be a part of something that transcends all boundaries and strongly connects millions, start running!
I'll see you all on the road in the morning or at the next finish line!
Monday, February 18, 2013
What a weekend!!
I just finished working my 12th Mercedes Marathon Weekend, so allow me to just say, WHEEEW!!!! I'm still a little hazy as it normally takes me a day or 15 to recover, but I wanted to blog a little about what an amazing weekend we had. I obviously have the unique perspective of working for the race director, running with a lot of local participants, answering phone calls and emails from out of town participants AND running in the event, and every year I am impressed at how it can exceed expectations!
Not since 2004 have I heard and felt such a buzz surrounding this event! It seemed all with who I spoke were running the 5K, had a kid in the Kid's Marathon, knew someone participating on Sunday or were in fact running the half or full marathon! I credit first Valerie, my boss and race director, her assistant race directors, Kim and Jill, the staff at Birmingham Events, and the FOV's (inside joke) for their dedication to producing a PREMIER event weekend! Second, the Service Guild and Bell Center for Early Intervention, for supporting such a worthy cause! Last, and most certainly not least, Birmingham's running community for showing their support for a local event through volunteering and participating! TO ALL, THANK YOU!!
Now, on to the running! The weekend started the same. Wednesday night, load pretty much the entire store on to a truck. Thursday, put everything in it's place at Boutwell. Friday, let's get this show started! The doors opened to the expo at noon, and my intentions of running on Sunday started at a definitely. Then, 21 cases of beer were delivered added to 7 hours of standing in front of a register and a visit to the new pub at the Westin, the intentions dwindled to a definitely maybe. By Saturday night, after 10 hours of standing in front of a register, breaking down equipment, a visit to the shop, and some of the same shenanigans as on Friday, intentions were at a "we'll see".
Two thoughts made me head to the start line on Sunday. One, I told our Mizuno rep I'd run with him. Most importantly though, I told Max I'd get him another finisher's medal!! As I told some one on the phone today, there is no good advice to give someone who's been standing literally dehydrating themselves for three days. What I'm getting at, there was no race plan! I just wanted to make it to the finish! At the start, conditions were absolutely perfect! The gun went off and we headed out. The pace started nice and easy and we gradually picked it up, respecting the hills of course. I won't bore you with the details of a nice, easy long run, but the highlights were at miles 4 and 9.5 when I thought the left hammy was going to take me out, but she held on for a 1:34! Oh, and Max got his medal!!
I'll leave you with a photo! Something I think everyone should see! Below is your race director, taking care of the last marathon finisher! You'll notice in the background, few people around, so it'll give you an idea of when he finished. His name is Ray and he's been a great customer of ours for years! He came strolling around the last bend when the folks working the finish line noticed him and escorted him into Boutwell. Val put a finisher's medal around his neck, sat him down and chatted with him for about a half an hour to make sure he was OK! One of my favorite moments of the 2013 Mercedes Benz Marathon Weekend and something I won't soon forget!
Not since 2004 have I heard and felt such a buzz surrounding this event! It seemed all with who I spoke were running the 5K, had a kid in the Kid's Marathon, knew someone participating on Sunday or were in fact running the half or full marathon! I credit first Valerie, my boss and race director, her assistant race directors, Kim and Jill, the staff at Birmingham Events, and the FOV's (inside joke) for their dedication to producing a PREMIER event weekend! Second, the Service Guild and Bell Center for Early Intervention, for supporting such a worthy cause! Last, and most certainly not least, Birmingham's running community for showing their support for a local event through volunteering and participating! TO ALL, THANK YOU!!
Now, on to the running! The weekend started the same. Wednesday night, load pretty much the entire store on to a truck. Thursday, put everything in it's place at Boutwell. Friday, let's get this show started! The doors opened to the expo at noon, and my intentions of running on Sunday started at a definitely. Then, 21 cases of beer were delivered added to 7 hours of standing in front of a register and a visit to the new pub at the Westin, the intentions dwindled to a definitely maybe. By Saturday night, after 10 hours of standing in front of a register, breaking down equipment, a visit to the shop, and some of the same shenanigans as on Friday, intentions were at a "we'll see".
Two thoughts made me head to the start line on Sunday. One, I told our Mizuno rep I'd run with him. Most importantly though, I told Max I'd get him another finisher's medal!! As I told some one on the phone today, there is no good advice to give someone who's been standing literally dehydrating themselves for three days. What I'm getting at, there was no race plan! I just wanted to make it to the finish! At the start, conditions were absolutely perfect! The gun went off and we headed out. The pace started nice and easy and we gradually picked it up, respecting the hills of course. I won't bore you with the details of a nice, easy long run, but the highlights were at miles 4 and 9.5 when I thought the left hammy was going to take me out, but she held on for a 1:34! Oh, and Max got his medal!!
I'll leave you with a photo! Something I think everyone should see! Below is your race director, taking care of the last marathon finisher! You'll notice in the background, few people around, so it'll give you an idea of when he finished. His name is Ray and he's been a great customer of ours for years! He came strolling around the last bend when the folks working the finish line noticed him and escorted him into Boutwell. Val put a finisher's medal around his neck, sat him down and chatted with him for about a half an hour to make sure he was OK! One of my favorite moments of the 2013 Mercedes Benz Marathon Weekend and something I won't soon forget!
Sunday, November 4, 2012
38
Yeah, Yeah! You haven't heard from me in a while. You're probably getting tired of me saying it, so from now on, no more apologies for my sporadic and "lack of" blogging! Let's just call me a slacker and get it over with! I do, however, have two pretty pitiful excuses this time. The first, I've been trying to catch up on a year and half's worth of Fringe episodes! Almost there! It's getting harder to stay up late! Secondly, I had full intentions of sharing a training plan for the Vulcan Run, and my training was going well for a change, so I didn't want to jinx it! I guess along with calling me a slacker, you can throw in superstitious! How about a retrospective view.
Evidently, I've been talking about trying to race Vulcan again for quite a few years now, because upon mentioning it one more time to my wife I got one of those "Just Do It, Please" comments. I think I really needed that for some motivation. So, using some of the momentum from some successful training and racing in the Dixie 200 Relay, I gradually upped my mileage to around 45 to 50 miles a week, AND I even threw in one hill workout and a track workout! I know two workouts doesn't sound like much, but you gotta start some where! RIGHT!?
The week of Vulcan arrived and after a few "What time are you shooting for?" questions from co-workers and friends came, I realized I really didn't have a clue how fast I could run. At first, in trying to come up with a time goal, I thought back to Dixie 200 and running the last 3 mile leg in just over 5:50 pace. I knew I was in better shape than back then, so was 5:50 pace for 6.2 with folks to race against really out of reach? Then, I thought about the two workouts. The hill workout was all effort based, so that really didn't help, but the track workout was a 12 x 400 interval workout in which I ran all under 6:00 pace and the last few in 5:20 pace. All the thinking got too specific for me, so I decided, kind of last minute, to just say, "I want to beat my age!" I just turned 38 in October. I like that number, and it sounded doable. Besides, if I ran a couple of minutes faster than 38:00, I'd be REALLY, REALLY happy!
Race day hits! Knowing the course, I really wanted to be conservative early and feel comfortable through the first two miles. The gun goes off, and honestly, a half a mile into the race I realized I really have forgotten how to follow a plan and just run my own race. I let the excitement of being out there again, and maybe some overconfidence get the best of me. Mile 1 split - 5:29!! OOPS!! That is officially the fastest mile I've run in 10 years! Probably not the best idea to do that in the first mile of a 10K. Well, the plan was out the door, and I paid for it. I struggled mightily up Highland and suffered from mile 3 to the finish! Finish time - 37:39.
At first, after the race, I was hanging my head a little, and was pretty disappointed. Then, my perfectly, supportive wife reminded me, Vulcan 2012 was my first solid effort to race a 10K in, well, I can't really remember how many years! So, here's me accentuating the positives! I did beat my age, placed 3rd in my age group, AND, for you Nike + users out there, I set some records since using my Nike + Sportwatch, fastest 1K, fastest mile, and fastest 10K. Most importantly, I got out there! Lining up on that starting line, making myself suffer a little to try to hang in and race, and crossing that finish line has left a little fire to get out there and try again! Oh, and how can I forget! I got a sweet Top 200 tee for my son!
I did learn one very important lesson! I really need to re-learn how to race! If I learned anything "back in the day", you have to have a plan, you have to set a realistic goal, and you have to run your own race! I'm going to try to put those all together and have some more successful outcomes in the future!
Oh, I almost forgot! In sticking to the theme of the title. I did finish in 37th place, just under 38!! Coincidence, I think not!
Evidently, I've been talking about trying to race Vulcan again for quite a few years now, because upon mentioning it one more time to my wife I got one of those "Just Do It, Please" comments. I think I really needed that for some motivation. So, using some of the momentum from some successful training and racing in the Dixie 200 Relay, I gradually upped my mileage to around 45 to 50 miles a week, AND I even threw in one hill workout and a track workout! I know two workouts doesn't sound like much, but you gotta start some where! RIGHT!?
The week of Vulcan arrived and after a few "What time are you shooting for?" questions from co-workers and friends came, I realized I really didn't have a clue how fast I could run. At first, in trying to come up with a time goal, I thought back to Dixie 200 and running the last 3 mile leg in just over 5:50 pace. I knew I was in better shape than back then, so was 5:50 pace for 6.2 with folks to race against really out of reach? Then, I thought about the two workouts. The hill workout was all effort based, so that really didn't help, but the track workout was a 12 x 400 interval workout in which I ran all under 6:00 pace and the last few in 5:20 pace. All the thinking got too specific for me, so I decided, kind of last minute, to just say, "I want to beat my age!" I just turned 38 in October. I like that number, and it sounded doable. Besides, if I ran a couple of minutes faster than 38:00, I'd be REALLY, REALLY happy!
Race day hits! Knowing the course, I really wanted to be conservative early and feel comfortable through the first two miles. The gun goes off, and honestly, a half a mile into the race I realized I really have forgotten how to follow a plan and just run my own race. I let the excitement of being out there again, and maybe some overconfidence get the best of me. Mile 1 split - 5:29!! OOPS!! That is officially the fastest mile I've run in 10 years! Probably not the best idea to do that in the first mile of a 10K. Well, the plan was out the door, and I paid for it. I struggled mightily up Highland and suffered from mile 3 to the finish! Finish time - 37:39.
At first, after the race, I was hanging my head a little, and was pretty disappointed. Then, my perfectly, supportive wife reminded me, Vulcan 2012 was my first solid effort to race a 10K in, well, I can't really remember how many years! So, here's me accentuating the positives! I did beat my age, placed 3rd in my age group, AND, for you Nike + users out there, I set some records since using my Nike + Sportwatch, fastest 1K, fastest mile, and fastest 10K. Most importantly, I got out there! Lining up on that starting line, making myself suffer a little to try to hang in and race, and crossing that finish line has left a little fire to get out there and try again! Oh, and how can I forget! I got a sweet Top 200 tee for my son!
I did learn one very important lesson! I really need to re-learn how to race! If I learned anything "back in the day", you have to have a plan, you have to set a realistic goal, and you have to run your own race! I'm going to try to put those all together and have some more successful outcomes in the future!
Oh, I almost forgot! In sticking to the theme of the title. I did finish in 37th place, just under 38!! Coincidence, I think not!
Friday, August 31, 2012
Don't knock it til you try it!
I have run a total of 6 times in the past 7 weeks on a treadmill! That is exactly twice the number of times I have run on a treadmill in my whole life, and the first 3 times were for the "sake of science". (I'll explain. The exercise physiology program at UAB asked the cross country team to come out to do some VO2 Max testing a few of times while I was there.) So, why have I doubled my treadmill running in the past few weeks? First, I went on a run with Mr. Stand one hot, sticky morning and, for lack of a better way to put it, thought I was going to die! Seriously, I saw blue dots, got real dizzy, felt chills, and had a nagging headache the rest of the day! The next day, I thought it would be nice to run in a "controlled environment". Second, I have had several customers come in recently who have told me they run on the treadmill exclusively, and when they ask questions about it, I honestly have very few to no answers! I thought that wasn't very cool, so I decided to give it a go, and you know, I'm not going to "knock it" as much as I thought I was going to!
My two biggest "knocks" about running on a treadmill have been it's much easier than running on the road and it's boring. So, I tried a couple of things to help. First, I wore a heart rate monitor. To me, the only true test of effort is heart rate, and I have the hardest time controlling it. I started easy and gradually increased the pace to reach about 75% of my max heart rate. My goal was to reach a comfortable working effort to insure I wasn't over doing it OR just going through the motions. The first positive of the treadmill, with no inclines and a constant pace made it very easy to keep my heart rate consistent. It's the perfect solution to those of us who have a hard time keeping those easy, recovery runs, EASY!
The second issue I've had with treadmills, is that they are sinfully boring! There are no "sites to behold", curbs to jump, cars to dodge, or owls to escape!! In fact, there's way too much to stare at to remind you of EXACTLY how long you've been there! First, right in front of you, there's this control panel that reminds you of the elapsed time or the time remaining in your workout! Second, that same control panel allows you to watch TV! Now, this may be the "running purist" in me typing, but you should NOT be able to watch TV while you are running! I know you "treadmillers" are going to disagree and probably say that's the very reason you run inside, but frankly it's just wrong! Why? Everybody on this planet knows damn well most programs are either a half hour or an hour long. When those credits roll, I'm thinking, "I've only been here for 30 minutes!", and quite honestly, there aren't enough shows on a limited cable selection to hold my attention for an hour. SOLUTION: a towel! I throw the towel over the dreaded control panel, and it's me and my watch, just like the road (HA!)!
My inventional spirit has lead me to a more running friendly idea of a treadmill. Obviously, the control panel needs to disappear! Have an open front with the pace and incline controls on the side rails. There are an abundance gadgets today to help you see your pace, heart rate, calories burned, and elapsed time, and if you need help with a training program, surf the web, email danny@rununiversity.com, runingwithal@yahoo.com or purchase an app on your smart phone. Finally, add one of those fancy bladeless fans about 4 feet wide and 7 feet tall to the front! Then you can feel an actual breeze, instead of getting puffed in the face by a vent!
My two biggest "knocks" about running on a treadmill have been it's much easier than running on the road and it's boring. So, I tried a couple of things to help. First, I wore a heart rate monitor. To me, the only true test of effort is heart rate, and I have the hardest time controlling it. I started easy and gradually increased the pace to reach about 75% of my max heart rate. My goal was to reach a comfortable working effort to insure I wasn't over doing it OR just going through the motions. The first positive of the treadmill, with no inclines and a constant pace made it very easy to keep my heart rate consistent. It's the perfect solution to those of us who have a hard time keeping those easy, recovery runs, EASY!
The second issue I've had with treadmills, is that they are sinfully boring! There are no "sites to behold", curbs to jump, cars to dodge, or owls to escape!! In fact, there's way too much to stare at to remind you of EXACTLY how long you've been there! First, right in front of you, there's this control panel that reminds you of the elapsed time or the time remaining in your workout! Second, that same control panel allows you to watch TV! Now, this may be the "running purist" in me typing, but you should NOT be able to watch TV while you are running! I know you "treadmillers" are going to disagree and probably say that's the very reason you run inside, but frankly it's just wrong! Why? Everybody on this planet knows damn well most programs are either a half hour or an hour long. When those credits roll, I'm thinking, "I've only been here for 30 minutes!", and quite honestly, there aren't enough shows on a limited cable selection to hold my attention for an hour. SOLUTION: a towel! I throw the towel over the dreaded control panel, and it's me and my watch, just like the road (HA!)!
My inventional spirit has lead me to a more running friendly idea of a treadmill. Obviously, the control panel needs to disappear! Have an open front with the pace and incline controls on the side rails. There are an abundance gadgets today to help you see your pace, heart rate, calories burned, and elapsed time, and if you need help with a training program, surf the web, email danny@rununiversity.com, runingwithal@yahoo.com or purchase an app on your smart phone. Finally, add one of those fancy bladeless fans about 4 feet wide and 7 feet tall to the front! Then you can feel an actual breeze, instead of getting puffed in the face by a vent!
Monday, August 13, 2012
Let me tell you about my morning!
After a few weeks of running as time has allotted, I decided this past Sunday to try to step it up. I felt like it was time to get in a little longer workout. The trick, I really haven't felt like running up to an hour, not just mentally, but physically, the legs just don't feel up to the task. The solution, get up at 4 AM, a challenge in itself, and run a little before a tough spin class. I chose this morning to start this new routine because, well, it was a new week, AND I read about the Persiad meteor shower. A little personal note, I have a thing for celestial events. Now, I was fully aware the article I read mentioned the best time to see the event was the morning before, but I was thinking meteor showers have to be pretty big, so MAYBE I'll see some of the tail end!
The alarm goes off at 4, I roll out of bed and head to the gym. A few core exercises inside, and then I take off down the safe streets of Vestavia, "armed" (that word will seem funny in a sec) only with my Nebo 250 flashlight. As one who advises folks on how to run on a daily basis, I certainly don't recommend looking up regularly, in the dark while trudging along at 4:30 AM, but I was really hoping to see a "shooting star" or two! A couple of miles into what was supposed to be an easy jog, I SEE A SHOOTING STAR! I'm all giddy! Then, ANOTHER! My stargazing has paid off!!
A few more strides after the second star, I look up, and SWOOSH! This, what I will describe as massive, owl flies just over my head! I spotlight it with the Nebo, and watch this brown and white striped creature fly up to the limb of a tree. Now, you have to know some of the past stories I've heard in order to properly understand my reaction. First, most Birmingham runners have heard the stories of the "Jemison Trail" owl, and have seen the sign warning of a nesting owl and their aggressive nature. However, only a select few have heard the story of former The Trak Shak employee Cris Picard running down Jemison Trail and suddenly feeling a bump and a scratching sensation on his head! (I don't want to cause a huge owl attack scare. Cris was fine! He just dropped a 4:30 mile to get out of the woods!) Secondly, it's dark, I'm alone (you all can sigh now), and honestly, I just don't want an owl to land on my head!
OK, I'm standing in the middle of the road spotlighting this owl in a tree! I think to myself, "He's happy up there. Surely he'll stay." I proceed along with the run, looking up of course, AGAIN, a little closer this time, SWOOSH! I spotlight him, and see him rest on another limb. Full blown panic hits this time! How do I know it was full blown panic? Well, I have told many customers about the Nebo 250 flashlight and it's self defense properties, but never thought of actually having to USE it! That thought actually entered my mind!
I'm at a crossroad (no pun). I take a left on a cross street thinking maybe, just MAYBE the nest is on that street, and if I head in a different direction, I'm no threat. WRONG!! Once again, here he comes, only this time I have the light on him as I look over my right shoulder. Over my head he goes and up to another limb. THAT'S IT! I do what any owl fearing runner would do! I RUN!! It's only a mile back to the gym. I figure I can out last him to the finish line!
I make it back to the gym unscathed, but certainly not unscarred! I head up stairs to tell the story to a few of my fellow spin-mates. After about 20 minutes on the bike, taking the occasional look out the window of course, I finally calm down, and as only a runner could, I think to myself, "That had to be a looking over my shoulder, mile PR!!!"
STAY SAFE MY FRIENDS!
The alarm goes off at 4, I roll out of bed and head to the gym. A few core exercises inside, and then I take off down the safe streets of Vestavia, "armed" (that word will seem funny in a sec) only with my Nebo 250 flashlight. As one who advises folks on how to run on a daily basis, I certainly don't recommend looking up regularly, in the dark while trudging along at 4:30 AM, but I was really hoping to see a "shooting star" or two! A couple of miles into what was supposed to be an easy jog, I SEE A SHOOTING STAR! I'm all giddy! Then, ANOTHER! My stargazing has paid off!!
A few more strides after the second star, I look up, and SWOOSH! This, what I will describe as massive, owl flies just over my head! I spotlight it with the Nebo, and watch this brown and white striped creature fly up to the limb of a tree. Now, you have to know some of the past stories I've heard in order to properly understand my reaction. First, most Birmingham runners have heard the stories of the "Jemison Trail" owl, and have seen the sign warning of a nesting owl and their aggressive nature. However, only a select few have heard the story of former The Trak Shak employee Cris Picard running down Jemison Trail and suddenly feeling a bump and a scratching sensation on his head! (I don't want to cause a huge owl attack scare. Cris was fine! He just dropped a 4:30 mile to get out of the woods!) Secondly, it's dark, I'm alone (you all can sigh now), and honestly, I just don't want an owl to land on my head!
OK, I'm standing in the middle of the road spotlighting this owl in a tree! I think to myself, "He's happy up there. Surely he'll stay." I proceed along with the run, looking up of course, AGAIN, a little closer this time, SWOOSH! I spotlight him, and see him rest on another limb. Full blown panic hits this time! How do I know it was full blown panic? Well, I have told many customers about the Nebo 250 flashlight and it's self defense properties, but never thought of actually having to USE it! That thought actually entered my mind!
I'm at a crossroad (no pun). I take a left on a cross street thinking maybe, just MAYBE the nest is on that street, and if I head in a different direction, I'm no threat. WRONG!! Once again, here he comes, only this time I have the light on him as I look over my right shoulder. Over my head he goes and up to another limb. THAT'S IT! I do what any owl fearing runner would do! I RUN!! It's only a mile back to the gym. I figure I can out last him to the finish line!
I make it back to the gym unscathed, but certainly not unscarred! I head up stairs to tell the story to a few of my fellow spin-mates. After about 20 minutes on the bike, taking the occasional look out the window of course, I finally calm down, and as only a runner could, I think to myself, "That had to be a looking over my shoulder, mile PR!!!"
STAY SAFE MY FRIENDS!
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