Race Change

Work can be a pain in the ass sometimes. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy working where I do and the people there are very nice, but someone has gotten very sick and won’t be able to go in tomorrow. So, guess who is picking up the slack? Yours truly. So, this means that the Run for Dave that I had been looking forward to is now undoable. I simply cannot make the drive there, race, and get back in time to be at work by one in the afternoon (it would be an hour plus drive for me) while maintaining my sanity.

However, all is not lost. There is an equally great race on Sunday that I have chosen to participate in: The Baldi River Run (5 miles) in Haverhill, MA. Boston’s Run to Remember came to mind, but unfortunately, I will end up working late, and I am not sure that I would be able to wake up in time to get to South Boston early enough to register and still put together a good race. The 10 AM start in Haverhill will be much better for me, as it is the same distance and I will be able to snag a couple more hours of sleep.

So in conclusion, I will run the Baldi River Run on Sunday, and not the Run for Dave on Saturday. Oh well, at least I’m still racing this weekend.

Training Log – May 22, 2008

SCHEDULE: Warmup, Run, and Stretch

RUN:
      Length: 3.26 miles
      Time: 24:37
      Pace: 7:32 per mile
      Calories Burned: 499

CONDITIONS: Partly sunny, mild, light breeze

NOTES: A quick run to prepare for the Run for Dave. On the whole, the run was a good one, as my pace was steady and I felt good all around as I was running today. This new dynamic stretching warmup routine is definitely a keeper – I once again felt loose going into my run, as opposed to the first half mile feeling like molasses. I didn’t ever really go all out today, I was just trying to take it easy, but still maintain a solid overall pace.

Another thing that I am very happy with is what appears to be increased flexibility. My muscles have some serious issues with tightness, so this has always been a primary concern of mine. The comprehensive stretching that I now do immediately after my runs seems to be helping out a lot.

One minor concern: there seems to be a little stiffness/soreness in my groin area. This has been nagging me a bit the past couple days. It isn’t anything serious at the moment, but it is nagging and takes a good deal of time to loosen up and get comfortable.

Only one more day until Saturday – in case you haven’t guessed, I LOVE race day!

Training Log – May 21, 2008

SCHEDULE: Warmup, Run, and Stretch

RUN:
      Length: 8.53 miles
       Time:  1:09:02
       Pace: 8:04 per mile
       Calories Burned: 1,294

CONDITIONS: Mild, sunny

NOTES: To start, I thought that I would begin adding a more extensive warm-up into my routine. Prior to today, I would simply begin running at an easy pace and let that loosen my muscles up. Today, I did some dynamic stretching exercises, focusing on quads, hips, hamstrings, etc. This got my legs a little loose and my heart rate up before I started down my driveway. Without question, this is something that I will continue to do. My run simply felt better – my legs didn’t cramp, and that first half-mile was much more enjoyable since I was already warmed up.

As for the run itself, it was definitely a good one. This is my longest run since I started keeping track, and I can say that it went very well. Other than the fairly big climb at the end of the course, I never really slowed down significantly or felt and aches or burning sensations in my legs. Sure they began to get tired after mile four, but it wasn’t painful or distracting. My breathing was better, I had no cramps (one at the very end coming up the hill, but that’s it) and my back never acted up. In short, all of the problems I had yesterday weren’t an issue today. Some of that may have had to do with flatter course that I ran today, but I think that I also chose a better pace and regulated my breathing much better today as well. The one annoying portion of the course was the busy intersections that I had to cross. This was a good route, but I may make some adjustments to try and cut one or more of them out next time around.

A shorter prep run tomorrow and I’ll be ready for the Run for Dave!

Training Log – May 20, 2008

SCHEDULE: Long run and Stretch

RUN:
      Length: 5.67 miles
      Time: 46:49
      Pace: 8:15 per mile
      Calories Burned: 878

CONDITIONS: Cool, sunny, light breeze

NOTES: Overall, a very average run today. There was good, and there was bad as well and when the two cancel each other out, you get an average run. First the bad: My back hurt today. That is never good, obviously because you never want to be hurting, but also it means that I need to be very careful, because my back has caused me to be sidelined for weeks at a time in cases where I didn’t address the problem appropriately. I did some intensive stretching immediately following my run, but it still bothered me a bit at work. It never hurt to the point that I was concerned I might seriously injure myself while running, but it was more of a nagging nuisance that wouldn’t go away. Other bad parts included a slower pace than I was hoping for (the back had something to do with that) and my breathing seemed to be rather poor today. Personally, I think that this is the next big thing I need to tackle: my breathing while running. Just as an example, during the Parker Road Race this past weekend, my breathing style changed at least three or four times. I need to establish the in through the nose, out through the mouth routine that many athletes have down pat.

But it wasn’t all bad. Unlike last Tuesday, I never stopped running. Sure, there were a couple cramps, some tightness and burning and pain, but I pushed through it. On the climbs, my pace slowed down to that of a snail occassionally, but I never stopped and walked. I came close on one or two occassions, but it never happened. I ran/jogged the entire route, and this is definitely a good thing. I can safely say, however, that hills are something that I need to work on, particularly steeper ones. I find the gradual climbs to be OK, but steep hills like the ones I ran on today give me some serious trouble. Something to work on in the future.

So, to recap, despite the fact I wasn’t breathing efficiently, my back was acting up a bit, I was running a very hilly course that was giving me fits, and I was exceptionaly tired, I never stopped running. You can bet the farm that I wanted to (very badly at one point), but I didn’t. Something to build on. Another long run tomorrow (on a flatter course) and a shorter tune up run on Thursday will have me ready for this Saturday and the Run for Dave.