30 May 2010

A solid workout...


Well after all of yesterday’s happenings, I was eager to get my run in this morning. I got up at 5:15ish, and got dressed. I was really pumped for the run, I really like progression runs and with this being a cutback week, I haven’t had any challenges. Well, apparently I was too excited; first I forgot my HRM, then I forgot my water bottle, then I forgot sunglasses, then I realized I didn’t have the right workout programmed in my Garmin (twice). But I eventually got out the door a little before 6:00; ugh!

Run started out really well, slow. I started about 10:00’s and inched down to 9:20’s (my moderate pace) by four miles in. Then I had five, seven minute runs, progressing from 9:20 down to 8:25. The first one was really fast, the second one was spot on, but seems slow, because the first one was so fast; oops!

Tomorrow starts a whole new segment of training. I begin my Speed and Stamina phase. The workouts will get harder and more intense, but the payoff comes quicker as well. As I was looking through my old Garmin files last night, my running was much faster last summer. I think it was because I was running too fast; but the faster paces, did feel easy. I’m sure could run those paces now, but I’d probably be injured before I was able to enjoy the run.


A note about goals: I have not yet decided what goals to shoot for in my Fall Marathon. One of the crappy things about being out here is that I don’t have access to many races and I don’t have training partners. But, what I do have is a great coach and a great training plan. My goals will be redefined (as will my PR’s) over the next couple months as my training progresses.

"It's at the borders of pain and suffering that the men are separated from the boys."
~Emil Zatopek

29 May 2010

A trip down memory lane...

I felt like crap as I got up to do mi 10 mi Progression run this morning, so I decided to postpone it. I figured I’d put in about 5 easy TM miles later, as the heat wouldn’t allow me to get any good distance running in, while outside.

So instead I spent the morning (and about $15) looking up old articles from my HS days. I was beginning to think that the times I ran were fiction! There was another runner on our team, Nick Setta, who generally out shined everyone else (think Pre). Nick was a very personable guy and actually gave me the nickname I still carry today. But, with him around, the news coverage for us was slim, unless he pointed them our way. Anyway, I was able to dig up some “Top Times” and results. My first outdoor 100m was run in 11.1 FAT, I would never run so slow again until the State Meet. Not bad. I was undefeated in weekly meets, and never finished outside the Top 5 in Invitationals (often Top 3; but never number 1, I don’t think). I had PR of 10.7 for 100m and 22.7 for 200m. I was pretty fast, but I was unfocused and woefully under-trained. I got started late, and had to play catch up to formal sprinting.

So now that I have embarked on this distance running journey, I wonder again what is in store for me. Will I ever be able to accomplish even close to what I accomplished as a sprinter? I don’t expect to finish on the podium in any marathon, but will I run under 3:30? BQ at 3:10? Get to start my Marathon PR with a 2? Or, will I be another Marathon bust? Will I run 4:30, 4:00.01? Yes to me that is a bust. To many people maybe not, but I have higher goals and aspirations…

I guess it all starts with the 5 easy TM miles this afternoon. Good, constant and hard training. Consistency and staying injury-free are the keys to success here…


"The essential thing in life is not so much conquering as fighting well." -Baron De Coubertin

28 May 2010

It all starts here...



So I embarked on the road often travel, but seldom conquered recently. I decided a few things: a) I can be an asset to someone else; b) I'm faster than I seem to portray; and as such... c) I am going to run a Marathon and raise money for a very worthy charity.

I will be racing in the Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival on 16Oct10. My race will benefit the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

About SOWF:
The Special Operations Warrior Foundation mission is devoted to providing a college education to every child who has lost a parent while serving in Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps Special Operations during an operational or training mission. The forces covered by the Foundation are some 50,000 military special operations and support personnel stationed in units throughout the United States and overseas bases.

The Warrior Foundation is currently committed to providing scholarship grants, not loans, to more than 760 children. These children survive over 600 Special Operations personnel who gave their lives in patriotic service to their country, including those who died fighting our nation's war against terrorism as part of "Operation Enduring Freedom" in Afghanistan and the Philippines as well as "Operation Iraqi Freedom." To date, 143 children of fallen special operations warriors have graduated from college.

The Special Operations Warrior Foundation also provides immediate financial assistance to special operations personnel severely wounded in the global war on terror. Once notified of a special operations soldier, airman, sailor or Marine hospitalized with a severe injury, the Special Operations Warrior Foundation immediately sends funds to the service member (or his/her designated recipient) so the family and loved ones can immediately travel to be bedside.

To date, the Special Operations Warrior Foundation has provided over $700,000 to wounded special operations personnel.

About me:
I separated from the US Navy with an Honorable Discharge after 10 years of active service. I have served on many fronts and in many capacities. I have spent time Europe, South America and the Middle East. Some of the best years of my life were the years I spent in the company of Soldier, Sailors, Airmen and Marines. Especially those service members that comprise the US Special Operations Community. I have never met a higher caliber person, than a Special Operator! I have served in various support roles to the Special Operations Community, and I continue to be impressed with how we take care of our own.

"In the 30 years I've been a runner I've run more than 150,000 miles. Still, some of the hardest steps I take are those first few getting out the door for daily runs."

Bill Rodgers' Lifetime Running Plan