Turn off your mind, relax, and float downstream aka Training 06/30 to 07/06

I am clearly getting into a rhythm as the training program progresses. I am feeling stronger and my recovery is much quicker. Had another good week. Jumped into a 5K on Saturday and ran well considering the heat and my lack of racing / speed training. I will do another 5K in two weeks and see if I can shave a few seconds off. The Buckeye Trail 50K is the next big race. I will go into that race relaxed, knowing that it is a tough run and anything can happen during those 31 miles. Mud, roots, horse tracks, creek crossings, bugs, stairs, heat, rain, and luck all play a part in this race. My goal is to run well and have fun along the way.

Monday, 6-30: 1 hour easy with XC team
Tuesday, 7-1: AM: 50 min easy. PM: Track - 20x400
Wednesday, 7-2: AM: D&N run. PM: Run with XC team.
Thursday, 7-3: 1 hour easy
Friday, 7-4: Off day. Timing 5K in Hudson.
Saturday, 7-5: Run - 1:30 easy.
Sunday, 7-6: Run - 3 hrs trails.

Read more...

Training 6/23 to 6/29

A good first week of training behind me. I got 84.75 miles in with two hard back to back days. I think the Tuesday night track work will really help with my leg speed. There is a small chance I will mix in a 5K race this Saturday. I would like to get a benchmark for my fitness. I will decide on Friday. Here is my schedule:

Monday, 6-23: 1 hour easy
Tuesday, 6-24: AM: 50 min easy. PM: Track - 16 x 400m w/ 200m recovery
Wednesday, 6-25: AM: Group run - 1hr 50min total with 1:10 @ marathon pace. PM: easy hour run.
Thursday, 6-26: Off. Weights.
Friday, 6-27: 1 hour easy.
Saturday, 6-28: 1hr 30min easy (maybe 5K race).
Sunday, 6-29: 2.5 hrs trails

Read more...

Chicago + Training 6/16 to 6/22

I took Logan to Boston in April for a vacation, so this time it was Maddie's turn. We spent a few days in Chicago. I am glad I took her there. It was the first real exposure to a large city for her. I think it was a hit as her saying for the first two days was "this is heaven". By the third day it was hell and we were ready to come home. Some of the highlights were:

* Shedd Aquarium

* American Girl Store

* Ed Debevec's Diner

* Spending hours at the hotel pool

Photos can be viewed in the photo album starting on Monday.

I also had a chance to run with Jason Ream and his Fleet Feet buddies. Good guys. We went 15 and I got a nice tour of the city. Hopefully we can rope Jason into taking our 12th Hood to Coast spot.

Training - This is the official first week of training for a Fall Marathon. I am feeling stronger than I ever have at the beginning of a session. A few key races along the way will make it fun.

• Monday, 6-16: 1 hr easy with the XC team.



• Tuesday, 6-17: AM: 50 min easy. PM: Track - 12x400



• Wednesday, 6-18: AM: 1:40 total starting out with Damon & Nilesh. Finish with XC team and hills. PM: 50 min easy.



• Thursday, 6-19: Rest day



• Friday, 6-20: 1 hour easy



• Saturday, 6-21: 1:30 fartlek on trails.



• Sunday, 6-22: 2 hrs trails

Read more...

Training 6/9 to 6/15

Final week of unstructured training. The Fall marathon plan begins on 6/16. Here is what I will probably do this week:

Mon 6/9 - AM: 7 miles PM: 4 miles
Tue 6/10 - 6 easy miles
Wed 6/11 - 9 miles w/ Damon & Nilesh, then 5 Mingo miles with the XC team
Thu 6/12 - Off day - travel with Maddie to Chicago
Fri 6/13 - 8 easy miles
Sat 6/14 - 8 miles with a few pickups
Sun 6/15 - 8 easy miles - return home to Akron

Read more...

Training 6/2 to 6/8

If I remember...I will post my weekly schedule on Monday mornings. If anyone is interested in running together, let me know.

Mon 6/2 - 9 trail miles with Vince
Tue 6/3 - 4 to 6 miles w/ VR Track Workout
Wed 6/4 - Early morning 9 miles with Damon and Nilesh
Thu 6/5 - Easy 5 miles
Fri 6/6 - 6 trail miles @ Mingo
Sat 6/7 - Timing Race for the Parks / Run 8 after
Sun 6/8 - Timing Irishfest 5K / Run 15 after

Read more...

Two weeks to go...

...until the Fall marathon plan starts. I am going to work with Pete again, but we have altered the plan a little. I think with school being out my running opportunities get better. I have selected a few races along the way.

Buckeye Trail 50K - I love this race but have yet to run it from start to finish. I will be living on the trails until mid-July

Hood to Coast - A trip with Nakel, Seymour, Leonard, Brawn, Casagranda, Dobos, Adams, Thor, and others should be a Summer highlight. We have already been warned to wear Nike shoes when we visit the Nike campus. Duh.

Erie Half Marathon - Could be a windy day on Lake Erie, but this is the best chance to PR. My duties around the Buckeye Half and the Akron Marathon forced me to look at Erie.

Columbus Marathon - The course has always been good to me...so it wins the Fall Marathon Lottery. I will be 45 years old at this race....so a PR would be sweet.

Read more...