Day # 115: Day Off - Recounting the Miles
This being the final week before the marathon, I thought it would be interesting to recount the training that has led me up to this week, in preparation of running the Philadelphia Marathon. Looking back on my first day of running in July, it was awfully hard to imagine that I would find myself in this physical condition 4 months later. You see, I remember working out at the gym in the summer of '04 weighing in the ballpark of 185lbs. Sure, I'll admit I lost some muscle along the way, but as of last week I weighed in at 165, a full 20lbs lighter than a year ago, and in much better aerobic shape. In looking at my miles by month, I found the breakdown quite interesting.
July - 42
August - 86
September - 92
October - 98
November - 45 (targeting 50)
In total, I have run 363 total miles. To put this into perspective, the driving distance from Boston to Philadelphia is 311 miles.
Also, throughout my training this year, I have had the amazing opportunities to run in 7 different states - Massachusetts, New Jersey, Virginia, Maine, Oregon, California, & Minnesota. I have competed in 2 10k Road Races and a half marathon as well.
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Day # 113: Day Off
After three consecutive days of training during the first of two "taper weeks", I am taking today off. Yesterday afternoon I started feeling a bit of pain in my right knee that is still present today. Definitely a good idea to give it some rest. Tomorrow I plan to run 3 SLOW miles at 9:30-9:45 pace, then this weekend run 7-8 miles at a SLOW 9:45 pace. All of next week is about carbing up, drinking water, consuming potassium, and preparing myself mentally and physically.
After three consecutive days of training during the first of two "taper weeks", I am taking today off. Yesterday afternoon I started feeling a bit of pain in my right knee that is still present today. Definitely a good idea to give it some rest. Tomorrow I plan to run 3 SLOW miles at 9:30-9:45 pace, then this weekend run 7-8 miles at a SLOW 9:45 pace. All of next week is about carbing up, drinking water, consuming potassium, and preparing myself mentally and physically.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Day # 112: 6 Trail Miles in Great Brook State Park - Carlisle, Ma
With temps in the low 30's this morning and after feeling exhausted last night, I had a feeling motivation would be an issue when my alarm went off early this morning. Sure enough it was. At 6am, I shut it off and reset it for 7am, intentionally missing a morning run opportunity. However, on my way to work I decided to go for a lunch-time run if I could find a good park nearby. With the help of google, I found Great Brook Farm State Park only a 10 minute drive from the office. I arrived there just before noon, changed and started my mid-day run. With a temperature in the low 40's, the weather was perfect (ok maybe a little cold). I ran through several trails in the expansive state park before finally asking a lady on the trails how to get back to my original starting point. You'd be amazed at how confusing the trail system was. Luckily she pointed me in the right direction and I made if back to my car completing the 6 mile run in 54:58.
With temps in the low 30's this morning and after feeling exhausted last night, I had a feeling motivation would be an issue when my alarm went off early this morning. Sure enough it was. At 6am, I shut it off and reset it for 7am, intentionally missing a morning run opportunity. However, on my way to work I decided to go for a lunch-time run if I could find a good park nearby. With the help of google, I found Great Brook Farm State Park only a 10 minute drive from the office. I arrived there just before noon, changed and started my mid-day run. With a temperature in the low 40's, the weather was perfect (ok maybe a little cold). I ran through several trails in the expansive state park before finally asking a lady on the trails how to get back to my original starting point. You'd be amazed at how confusing the trail system was. Luckily she pointed me in the right direction and I made if back to my car completing the 6 mile run in 54:58.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Day # 111: 4 Early Morning Miles around Fresh Pond in Cambridge
According to weather.com, the temperature today is supposed to hit 60, with the next 9 days after in the 41-54 degree range. With that said, I took advantage of one the last warm days of the year to get in an early morning run at Fresh Pond in Cambridge. If you've read earlier entries, you will recall that the loop around fresh pond is exactly 2.5 miles. Having to run 4 miles today according to the Higdon program, I ran the first 2.5 mile loop in 22:38, and then reversed direction and ran a 3/4 mile out and back loop to give me the 1.5 miles split in 12:21. I therefore finished the 4 mile run in 34:59.
12 More Days!
According to weather.com, the temperature today is supposed to hit 60, with the next 9 days after in the 41-54 degree range. With that said, I took advantage of one the last warm days of the year to get in an early morning run at Fresh Pond in Cambridge. If you've read earlier entries, you will recall that the loop around fresh pond is exactly 2.5 miles. Having to run 4 miles today according to the Higdon program, I ran the first 2.5 mile loop in 22:38, and then reversed direction and ran a 3/4 mile out and back loop to give me the 1.5 miles split in 12:21. I therefore finished the 4 mile run in 34:59.
12 More Days!
Monday, November 07, 2005
Day # 110: 4 Treadmill Miles at the Ritz-Carlton Boston Gym
Running in style today! My dad gave me a couple of guest passes to the Ritz-Carlton gym last week for my casual use. With the 20-30 mile winds whipping around Boston tonight, I took advantage of one of the passes tonight after I got home from work. The Ritz-Carlton gym is a 100,000 sq. foot facility with a basketball court, junior olympic pool, squash courts, steam room, sauna, etc. etc. Tonight I started with a 15 minute ride on the upright bike, finishing after biking 5.13 miles. Then, I walked over to the treadmill and proceeded to run 4.10 miles in 35 minutes. Don't be alarmed, the slow pace was planned tonight as I continue my tapering with less than 2 weeks to go. After running I worked on my shoulders a bit before retiring to the steam room for an awesome 10 minute relaxation period.
Running in style today! My dad gave me a couple of guest passes to the Ritz-Carlton gym last week for my casual use. With the 20-30 mile winds whipping around Boston tonight, I took advantage of one of the passes tonight after I got home from work. The Ritz-Carlton gym is a 100,000 sq. foot facility with a basketball court, junior olympic pool, squash courts, steam room, sauna, etc. etc. Tonight I started with a 15 minute ride on the upright bike, finishing after biking 5.13 miles. Then, I walked over to the treadmill and proceeded to run 4.10 miles in 35 minutes. Don't be alarmed, the slow pace was planned tonight as I continue my tapering with less than 2 weeks to go. After running I worked on my shoulders a bit before retiring to the steam room for an awesome 10 minute relaxation period.
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