No, not confounded by A cold, thankfully. I’ve been very lucky thus far this Fall and Winter in that I have not been sick yet. I’ve taken special care to wash my hands several times a day and have been vigilant about staying hydrated and getting enough carbs, protein and anything else that could stoke the nuclear reactor inside me that fuels my immune system. Usually I get sick during the changing of the seasons (November and March are my prime cold months) so it’s critical this year that I avoid sickness during March.
No, this week I have been confounded by cold air. We’ve had below average temperatures here in Baltimore since about Tuesday. Granted, these are not temperatures like you find in the Midwest or near the Canadian border, but still, it’s not comfortable to run at 6 AM when it’s 20 degrees. I had to run inside on Monday due to the cold and wind, but I was lucky in that I was able to get out on Wednesday morning due to unexpectedly warmer weather (when I say warm, I mean 37). However, I was just too lazy yesterday morning to get out. Even if I had the will, it was down in the low 20’s with a windchill in the low teens. The same thing was true this morning as well. I’m happy that it’ll be warming up to seasonal temperatures starting tomorrow and going through next week. If nothing else, it’s supposed to be cloudier tomorrow, which will help keep the air warmer than it would be on a clear day.
I am determined to get my mileage in this week, so I am going to make myself go to the gym tonight, once again. I will definitely do three miles and may just keep going to get the 5 miles I have scheduled for today. If I only do 3 miles tonight, I can just add two miles to my run tomorrow without any problem.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Weekend Rehash
After a lovely and relaxing holiday weekend, I’m back in the office trying to do as little work as possible. While I keep my productivity at a relatively high level, I have come to the realization that much of one’s early career is spent doing just enough work to get noticed every once in a while, while also avoiding the propensity to do a lot more work for the same amount of praise. I know that’s a cynical way to look at it, and I don’t lack a work ethic, but really, so long as I do my job and do it well, I’ll be OK. I don’t need to reinvent the wheel here, and doing just a litte bit extra carries a good amount of upside to be rewarding. However, one’s early career operates on the Law of Diminishing Returns, which basically states that for every unit of supply provided beyond a certain point, the resulting unit of demand (and profit) is a little less. Thus, you must find the right area where the work you do results in the greatest gain, professionally speaking, as possible. Anything beyond that, and you’re wasting your time. This is where I am right now; trying to find that right balance at all times. Maybe it’s the cold greyness of January that produces this feeling and when March rolls around I’ll feel better about spending 10-12 hours at the office every day. Probably not, though.
Anyway, it was a good weekend, running-wise. It was freezing here all week, which seriously challenged my running schedule, but I made it. Sunday was forecast to be REALLY cold and windy so I moved my long run up to Saturday. Saturday turned out to be a nice day for running: partly cloudy and about 40 with only a slight breeze. I did 8 miles at a decent clip for a long run and I wasn’t horribly sore afterwards as I was following my 7 miler back before Christmas. After that run, I could barely walk. But on Saturday, I was sore, but not crippled, and felt fine after watching a movie on the couch. In fact, I felt just as good as I do after a 5 miler, which is a good sign for me because that means a.) I ran within my limits for those 8 miles and b.) my body was able to handle the mileage easily. My only problem was that I ate too little afterwards and ended up having a headache and stomach ache until dinner that night.
After the run I only ate some yogurt, pasta and pastries (maybe something else, I can’t remember). Not enough to make up for a 1,000 calorie run. That night Annie and I went out to dinner and I housed a cup of clam chowder, a French Dip sandwich, fries and a piece of lemon coconut cake. I could have eaten more, but didn’t want to push it.
I took Sunday off (windchills were around 15 on Sunday afternoon!) and then ran yesterday. However, it was not as warm as forecasted so I bit the bullet and went to the gym. Compared to running outside, the treadmill is a poor substitute. Plus there’s something about the treadmill that makes my lower leg muscles burn for about 2 miles, which makes the entire experience more unpleasant. I have no idea why that happens. So, I did my 5 miles despite the pain, which faded as I ran, and came home.
After re-tooling my training program and inserting the gap runs on most Saturdays, I found that I still had trouble meeting my mileage requirements later on in the program. So, I decided to take some days off work to allow me to get those longer runs in and not worry so much. It works out well because I have 5 PTO days from 2007 that I carried over into this first quarter, and they have to be used by March 31st in order for them to count. Otherwise I’d start eating into my 2008 PTO allowance. I’ve chosen 4 days, mostly Fridays, to take off where I can get a nice 7 miler in later in the morning and then enjoy some time off in the afternoon. The 5th day is the Friday before the National Half Marathon, which will allow me and Annie to go down to Washington on Friday and enjoy the expo, etc, and not worry about beating Friday traffic or any of that.
This week my mileage should total 26 miles. I’ve already gotten 5 of them in, with another 5 tomorrow and Thursday, followed by 3 on Saturday and 8 on Sunday. This week is going to be cold again, but the weekend should warm up, thankfully.
And finally, I read John L. Parker, Jr.’s Again to Carthage over the weekend. I will have to write a full review of the book, but suffice to say that this is a must read for any serious runner. It’s an engrossing mesh of the physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional existences that a runner experiences. The fact that Cassidy is an elite runner sharpens those existences considerably. It makes you want to go out and run a marathon, basically.
Anyway, it was a good weekend, running-wise. It was freezing here all week, which seriously challenged my running schedule, but I made it. Sunday was forecast to be REALLY cold and windy so I moved my long run up to Saturday. Saturday turned out to be a nice day for running: partly cloudy and about 40 with only a slight breeze. I did 8 miles at a decent clip for a long run and I wasn’t horribly sore afterwards as I was following my 7 miler back before Christmas. After that run, I could barely walk. But on Saturday, I was sore, but not crippled, and felt fine after watching a movie on the couch. In fact, I felt just as good as I do after a 5 miler, which is a good sign for me because that means a.) I ran within my limits for those 8 miles and b.) my body was able to handle the mileage easily. My only problem was that I ate too little afterwards and ended up having a headache and stomach ache until dinner that night.
After the run I only ate some yogurt, pasta and pastries (maybe something else, I can’t remember). Not enough to make up for a 1,000 calorie run. That night Annie and I went out to dinner and I housed a cup of clam chowder, a French Dip sandwich, fries and a piece of lemon coconut cake. I could have eaten more, but didn’t want to push it.
I took Sunday off (windchills were around 15 on Sunday afternoon!) and then ran yesterday. However, it was not as warm as forecasted so I bit the bullet and went to the gym. Compared to running outside, the treadmill is a poor substitute. Plus there’s something about the treadmill that makes my lower leg muscles burn for about 2 miles, which makes the entire experience more unpleasant. I have no idea why that happens. So, I did my 5 miles despite the pain, which faded as I ran, and came home.
After re-tooling my training program and inserting the gap runs on most Saturdays, I found that I still had trouble meeting my mileage requirements later on in the program. So, I decided to take some days off work to allow me to get those longer runs in and not worry so much. It works out well because I have 5 PTO days from 2007 that I carried over into this first quarter, and they have to be used by March 31st in order for them to count. Otherwise I’d start eating into my 2008 PTO allowance. I’ve chosen 4 days, mostly Fridays, to take off where I can get a nice 7 miler in later in the morning and then enjoy some time off in the afternoon. The 5th day is the Friday before the National Half Marathon, which will allow me and Annie to go down to Washington on Friday and enjoy the expo, etc, and not worry about beating Friday traffic or any of that.
This week my mileage should total 26 miles. I’ve already gotten 5 of them in, with another 5 tomorrow and Thursday, followed by 3 on Saturday and 8 on Sunday. This week is going to be cold again, but the weekend should warm up, thankfully.
And finally, I read John L. Parker, Jr.’s Again to Carthage over the weekend. I will have to write a full review of the book, but suffice to say that this is a must read for any serious runner. It’s an engrossing mesh of the physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional existences that a runner experiences. The fact that Cassidy is an elite runner sharpens those existences considerably. It makes you want to go out and run a marathon, basically.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Getting Back to Business
Despite taking running gear with me and even looking at the Google maps of the area, I was unable to run while away at our Engaged Encounter retreat over the weekend. Breakfast was at 8 and presentations began at 8:40, so basically I would have had to wake up at the same time I do during the week to run around 5:45, which I was not about to do. Moreover, for anyone who hasn’t had the pleasure of going to an Engaged Encounter weekend, it’s exhausting. You’re doing presentations and sharing and all that jazz all day from morning till night and it’s freaking exhausting. Annie and I were ready to be done with the thing after about noontime on Saturday.
Anyway, as a result of this, I missed some running, again, and had to restart my program, again. I retooled the entire program to take these delays into account and will still get two 13 milers in before the half marathon. After some careful thought, I am going to also try expanding my running from 4 days a week to 5 days to better handle the higher mileage later in the program and to keep me from having to wake up at 5 AM or earlier to get the longer distances in before 7 AM. My basic idea is to run three 5 milers during the week, per usual, but to then run a “gap” run on Saturdays, and my usual long run on Sunday. The gap run would be something around 2-4 miles that would top up my mileage for the week without demanding longer workweek morning runs and by extension an earlier wake-up time. Plus I don’t really want to waste a perfectly good Saturday morning not running when I have more time, generally speaking, than I do on any given workday.
This weekend, however, will be the exception for several reasons. One, I don’t need a gap run to reach my mileage goal. I have an 8-mile long run scheduled for Sunday so that will make 23 miles total. Secondly, Sunday is supposed to be both bitterly cold and very windy. With a high of 27 and a 20 mph wind, the wind chill will be somewhere around 15 or lower, I would think. That’s just too freaking cold to be running outdoors. So, I am moving my long run up to Saturday and taking Sunday off so I don’t get frostbite.
Anyway, as a result of this, I missed some running, again, and had to restart my program, again. I retooled the entire program to take these delays into account and will still get two 13 milers in before the half marathon. After some careful thought, I am going to also try expanding my running from 4 days a week to 5 days to better handle the higher mileage later in the program and to keep me from having to wake up at 5 AM or earlier to get the longer distances in before 7 AM. My basic idea is to run three 5 milers during the week, per usual, but to then run a “gap” run on Saturdays, and my usual long run on Sunday. The gap run would be something around 2-4 miles that would top up my mileage for the week without demanding longer workweek morning runs and by extension an earlier wake-up time. Plus I don’t really want to waste a perfectly good Saturday morning not running when I have more time, generally speaking, than I do on any given workday.
This weekend, however, will be the exception for several reasons. One, I don’t need a gap run to reach my mileage goal. I have an 8-mile long run scheduled for Sunday so that will make 23 miles total. Secondly, Sunday is supposed to be both bitterly cold and very windy. With a high of 27 and a 20 mph wind, the wind chill will be somewhere around 15 or lower, I would think. That’s just too freaking cold to be running outdoors. So, I am moving my long run up to Saturday and taking Sunday off so I don’t get frostbite.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Time Flies By
Man, almost a week has gone by since I last posted. It feels like a lot less time has passed, but I think that’s more because work has been crazy this week. And next week will be more of the same, I think.
I’ve managed to get half of my running in for the week and I anticipate being able to get the rest in this weekend, even while away. Annie and I are going to our mandated Engaged Encounter this weekend, which neither of us are looking forward to. But we have to go in order to get married in the Catholic Church so we’ll suck it up and do it. We register tonight after 7:30 and the retreat lasts through Sunday around 4:30. While we’re away, I am fairly sure I’ll have time to get a 5 miler in tomorrow and 7 miles in on Sunday morning to fill out the week’s mileage. Before I leave the office here in a bit, I need to map my courses so I know where I’m going!
The runs this week weren’t especially eventful. Wednesday’s run was tough because I was still getting my legs used to running regularly again and there was a 12 mph headwind and 20 mph gusts, which seriously eroded my energy and times. But it was very warm earlier in the week, so it was still about 60 at 6 AM when I went out.
This morning was cooler out, which made the run feel better. It was lightly raining as well, but that was no big deal. I didn’t look at my pace quite so much this time around and while I was about 10 seconds slower on average, the run felt much better.
Other than that, not much to report. I need to register for the National Half Marathon soon so I don’t get shut out of it, but the price is already at its max, so there’s no need to rush on that account since I forgot about it before the holidays. I finished reading “Striding Through History” by Benjamin Cheaver (Cheever?) this week. I have to say that the final few chapters are much stronger than the first 80% of the book. I was always waiting for this “memoir” to actually recount more personal stories about running, but for the most part, the author touched on stories but then went off on whatever topic the chapter was about, which is to say he wasn’t really writing a memoir. Nonetheless, the final chapters were better but it’s a book I don’t need to read again. I got it as a gift, so I am hesitant to sell it on Amazon Marketplace, but I might nonetheless.
My next running book is “Again to Carthage” by John L. Parker, Jr. It’s the most talked-about running book since Parker’s first novel, which is out of print now. It was on back order when my mom bought it for one of my Christmas presents, but I read an excerpt from it in Runner’s World back in October. I’m really looking forward to it, although am debating whether I want to take it this weekend or not.
One final note: the movie, The Spirit of the Marathon” is being released in limited theatres on January 24th, and I REALLY want to go see it. It’s being shown at a couple theatres around Baltimore and I think I am going to drive out and see it. I think it’d be awesome to go to a movie about running with an entire theatre of runners. In fact, I may buy my ticket right now, it makes me so excited to think about it.
I’ve managed to get half of my running in for the week and I anticipate being able to get the rest in this weekend, even while away. Annie and I are going to our mandated Engaged Encounter this weekend, which neither of us are looking forward to. But we have to go in order to get married in the Catholic Church so we’ll suck it up and do it. We register tonight after 7:30 and the retreat lasts through Sunday around 4:30. While we’re away, I am fairly sure I’ll have time to get a 5 miler in tomorrow and 7 miles in on Sunday morning to fill out the week’s mileage. Before I leave the office here in a bit, I need to map my courses so I know where I’m going!
The runs this week weren’t especially eventful. Wednesday’s run was tough because I was still getting my legs used to running regularly again and there was a 12 mph headwind and 20 mph gusts, which seriously eroded my energy and times. But it was very warm earlier in the week, so it was still about 60 at 6 AM when I went out.
This morning was cooler out, which made the run feel better. It was lightly raining as well, but that was no big deal. I didn’t look at my pace quite so much this time around and while I was about 10 seconds slower on average, the run felt much better.
Other than that, not much to report. I need to register for the National Half Marathon soon so I don’t get shut out of it, but the price is already at its max, so there’s no need to rush on that account since I forgot about it before the holidays. I finished reading “Striding Through History” by Benjamin Cheaver (Cheever?) this week. I have to say that the final few chapters are much stronger than the first 80% of the book. I was always waiting for this “memoir” to actually recount more personal stories about running, but for the most part, the author touched on stories but then went off on whatever topic the chapter was about, which is to say he wasn’t really writing a memoir. Nonetheless, the final chapters were better but it’s a book I don’t need to read again. I got it as a gift, so I am hesitant to sell it on Amazon Marketplace, but I might nonetheless.
My next running book is “Again to Carthage” by John L. Parker, Jr. It’s the most talked-about running book since Parker’s first novel, which is out of print now. It was on back order when my mom bought it for one of my Christmas presents, but I read an excerpt from it in Runner’s World back in October. I’m really looking forward to it, although am debating whether I want to take it this weekend or not.
One final note: the movie, The Spirit of the Marathon” is being released in limited theatres on January 24th, and I REALLY want to go see it. It’s being shown at a couple theatres around Baltimore and I think I am going to drive out and see it. I think it’d be awesome to go to a movie about running with an entire theatre of runners. In fact, I may buy my ticket right now, it makes me so excited to think about it.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
2008 Resolutions
Having spent the past week reading a variety of running blogs, I've noticed that some of them have already posted their New Years resolutions for the coming year. Some of them even did this back in 2007, which shows how much thought they've put into their resolutions. So I guess I will do the same thing, if for no other reason than to be able to look back on them come December 31, 2008 to see how I made out. Without further ado, I present my New Years resolutions for 2008 (both running-related and otherwise):
1. Run at least one half marathon
2. Run my first full marathon (tentatively Baltimore in October)
3. Improve to a sub-8:30/mile pace
4. Successfully apply to either law or business school
5. To that end, score a 165+ on the LSAT or 700+ on the GMAT.
6. Reduce my consumer debt by at least 50%
7. Adopt a dog (leaning towards getting a Greyhound right now)
8. Successfully help plan our wedding
There you have it, folks. With any luck, December 31, 2008 will see all of these resolutions fulfilled. I still have yet to really decide what to do about law/business school due to the sheer enormity of the cost but I have some time yet to mull it over.
Closer to running, I finally got out the door today and got a tough 6 miles in this morning. I had thought that I lost some fitness over the holidays, but when I actually got out this morning, I found out just how much I had lost. I was breathing hard after just 3.5 miles and had to stop and walk around 4.5 miles before continuing. My legs are a bit sore, but should be OK to go again tomorrow morning for another 6 miles to get reacquainted with my training schedule. I had 9 miles scheduled initially, but I think that even if I made it all 9 miles, I'd run the risk of injuring myself. So, I adjusted my training program and still have plenty of time (84 days) to get up to the half marathon distance mark.
Here are the stats for today's run:
Time: 10:00 AM
Distance: 6 miles
Weather: Partly cloudy, high 20's, low 30's
Mile 1: 9:24
Mile 2: 9:21
Mile 3: 9:26
Mile 4: 9:45
Mile 5: 9:53
Mile 6: 9:34
Total time: 57:27
Average pace: 9:34/mile
Calories: 898
1. Run at least one half marathon
2. Run my first full marathon (tentatively Baltimore in October)
3. Improve to a sub-8:30/mile pace
4. Successfully apply to either law or business school
5. To that end, score a 165+ on the LSAT or 700+ on the GMAT.
6. Reduce my consumer debt by at least 50%
7. Adopt a dog (leaning towards getting a Greyhound right now)
8. Successfully help plan our wedding
There you have it, folks. With any luck, December 31, 2008 will see all of these resolutions fulfilled. I still have yet to really decide what to do about law/business school due to the sheer enormity of the cost but I have some time yet to mull it over.
Closer to running, I finally got out the door today and got a tough 6 miles in this morning. I had thought that I lost some fitness over the holidays, but when I actually got out this morning, I found out just how much I had lost. I was breathing hard after just 3.5 miles and had to stop and walk around 4.5 miles before continuing. My legs are a bit sore, but should be OK to go again tomorrow morning for another 6 miles to get reacquainted with my training schedule. I had 9 miles scheduled initially, but I think that even if I made it all 9 miles, I'd run the risk of injuring myself. So, I adjusted my training program and still have plenty of time (84 days) to get up to the half marathon distance mark.
Here are the stats for today's run:
Time: 10:00 AM
Distance: 6 miles
Weather: Partly cloudy, high 20's, low 30's
Mile 1: 9:24
Mile 2: 9:21
Mile 3: 9:26
Mile 4: 9:45
Mile 5: 9:53
Mile 6: 9:34
Total time: 57:27
Average pace: 9:34/mile
Calories: 898
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Back from "Vacation"
I use quotation marks because it was at times relaxing but at others, very busy and stressful. I made it back to Baltimore last night despite a blowing snowstorm in Cincinnati. Overall, the holidays were not too bad and we got a lot done for the wedding over the past week.
Unfortunately, I was not able to make any progress on my running. I was only able to maintain my fitness by running a few 5 milers while in Ohio. That sucks, but I’m still almost 3 months out from the half marathon, so I am confident I didn’t doom myself to failure quite yet. Tomorrow I will do 5 miles in what is sure to be frigid temperatures. But I need to get back out there! Some cross training on Friday and then a 6 miler on Saturday, when the weather is supposed to be warmer, followed by a 9 mile long run on Sunday, will total 20 miles for the week. Not bad and right in line with my schedule. However, next week is a scheduled “mini-taper” week where I don’t run as hard. I would re-tool my schedule, but next weekend is out Engaged Encounter weekend, which will limit my long run on Sunday morning. Right now I have 7 miles scheduled. Adding anymore would probably necessitate getting up even earlier before the day’s festivities begin. I might add miles in the week, though. As of now, I’m doing 19 next week, so if I add just 3 miles in there somewhere, I can push it up to 22. The week after calls for 25 miles and that’s when we start really adding the miles and getting up earlier and earlier to train so the sooner I get back in the swing of things, the less pain I will feel later on.
My Christmas was very running dominated. I’ll list the running gifts I received for the holiday.
- Hind cold weather running jacket (grey)
- Brooks medium weight running jacket with Scotchbright (black and neon yellow)
- Underarmour Cold Gear beanie
- Underarmour Cold Gear mock turtleneck
- Three pair Ironman running socks
- Body Glide
- Brooks running tights (black)
- “Strides: Running Through History” (memoir by Benjamin Cheever; not bad but not as great as I thought it would be)
- “Again to Carthage” (still on order from the company but should arrive shortly)
As you can see, there was a thee to what I asked for this year. I’ve already gotten the chance to try out the winter jacket and it works great! The beanie is smaller than I anticipated, but works really well. I think I might wear my mock turtleneck from Underarmour tomorrow morning to fight the bitter cold as it’s supposed to be in the 20’s with wind up to 14 mph, which would be a wind chill of 10 degrees or so.
Anyway, I’m back in Baltimore, back at work, and back on track for the National Half in March. 86 days and counting! Which reminds me, I need to register for the race! I already procrastinated until the December 31st deadline passed. Now it’s $10 more expensive to run. Crap.
Unfortunately, I was not able to make any progress on my running. I was only able to maintain my fitness by running a few 5 milers while in Ohio. That sucks, but I’m still almost 3 months out from the half marathon, so I am confident I didn’t doom myself to failure quite yet. Tomorrow I will do 5 miles in what is sure to be frigid temperatures. But I need to get back out there! Some cross training on Friday and then a 6 miler on Saturday, when the weather is supposed to be warmer, followed by a 9 mile long run on Sunday, will total 20 miles for the week. Not bad and right in line with my schedule. However, next week is a scheduled “mini-taper” week where I don’t run as hard. I would re-tool my schedule, but next weekend is out Engaged Encounter weekend, which will limit my long run on Sunday morning. Right now I have 7 miles scheduled. Adding anymore would probably necessitate getting up even earlier before the day’s festivities begin. I might add miles in the week, though. As of now, I’m doing 19 next week, so if I add just 3 miles in there somewhere, I can push it up to 22. The week after calls for 25 miles and that’s when we start really adding the miles and getting up earlier and earlier to train so the sooner I get back in the swing of things, the less pain I will feel later on.
My Christmas was very running dominated. I’ll list the running gifts I received for the holiday.
- Hind cold weather running jacket (grey)
- Brooks medium weight running jacket with Scotchbright (black and neon yellow)
- Underarmour Cold Gear beanie
- Underarmour Cold Gear mock turtleneck
- Three pair Ironman running socks
- Body Glide
- Brooks running tights (black)
- “Strides: Running Through History” (memoir by Benjamin Cheever; not bad but not as great as I thought it would be)
- “Again to Carthage” (still on order from the company but should arrive shortly)
As you can see, there was a thee to what I asked for this year. I’ve already gotten the chance to try out the winter jacket and it works great! The beanie is smaller than I anticipated, but works really well. I think I might wear my mock turtleneck from Underarmour tomorrow morning to fight the bitter cold as it’s supposed to be in the 20’s with wind up to 14 mph, which would be a wind chill of 10 degrees or so.
Anyway, I’m back in Baltimore, back at work, and back on track for the National Half in March. 86 days and counting! Which reminds me, I need to register for the race! I already procrastinated until the December 31st deadline passed. Now it’s $10 more expensive to run. Crap.
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