Double social distancing RR
Last week –
This was the weekend I was supposed to run the Asheville Marathon. As with every other race for the foreseeable future it was cancelled. I seriously debated over if I would run this virtually or not. Running marathon distance is hard enough in a real race, I wasn’t sure if I could even do it on my own, and I also wondered if it might be a bad idea considering how hard running that far can be on the immune system. I didn’t fully commit to doing it
Woke up this morning at 5 am and fell back to sleep till nearly 8 am. Raining, cold, windy outside. No reason to bound out of bed, that's for certain. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do today for my COVID-19 entry. I had proclaimed a 10K as my intention but in standard fashion for myself, I questioned my abilities and desires.
I messaged and texted with 4 different friends this morning to catch up and wait out the mist and rain that was supposed to stop around 10 am. It did and I got
Hi
I will keep it short since my previous attempted returns have fizzled out.
In the Fall of 2018 I developed meningitis which somehow developed into encephalitis. From what I understand that is a swelling at the brain stem and limits brain function. I had a 9% chance to live and was in quarantine (before it became cool) for a few weeks. I recovered enough to become cognizant in about five months. It took over a year to feel "normal" again.
My job was supervision of 30-40 empl
I'm missing my group runs. Sure I have run solo most of my life, but when it is forced, it does get sad after a while. I've noticed a change in how we react to each other too. A week ago runners were even more friendly than usual. More waves, smiles, nods, etc. Like, "Hey we are in this together - it's good to get out and run, isn't it?" Now I still get a few like that, but more and more people avert their eyes, turn their heads, or look at you like, "You're not going to come into my 6 foot circ
Despite being so long ago, I vividly remember my first year running anniversary. I had completed a marathon, was looking to improve times, and strengthen newly found friendships. At that point, I was certain of two things. 1) I would keep these new friends forever. 2) I would never stop running.
So many things have changed over the years. Surprisingly an online friendship formed, and despite the 1600 miles between our homes it has not only lasted, but flourished. The running on the ot
I like (auto) biographies. I remember as a kid checking out the biography on Helen Keller and Betsy Ross. Lately I've read biographies about Steve Jobs (one weird dude -- fruititarian -- never even knew that was a thing!), John DuPont in Foxcatcher (my brother was a wrestler so I found that somewhat interesting with all of the big wrestling names).
So with the Covid-19 quarantine we've been catching some biographies on Netflix and/or Amazon Prime. We watched the Elton John movie, one on ZZ
No more group runs....for now. I miss meeting up with my fellow running buddies on Saturday mornings and going for coffee afterwards, but it is the best for the public health, we will get through this.
Anyways, Week 11 of training for Bayshore Half Marathon:
Total Miles: 40.8
Monday: 36F and sunny: 30min Aerobic run, 30min Lactate Threshold run, 1mi cool down; 8 miles in 1:11; Pace/Heart Rate per mile; 9:14/119, 9:20/115, 9:20/119, 8:44/128, 8:14/135, 8:15/13
Here is a link to the awesome title song for background. It can also double as an aerobic video if you need a workout.
So 2020 is going to be a year like none of us have ever experienced. Not since 1918 or maybe 1930 has American life changed so quickly. Every day has been a new development and what seemed crazy a week or two ago is now the new normal. We in California are now told to stay home unless necessary. I expect the rest of the country to follow suit soon. I expect it will be 6-8 w
Deciding to run Sugarloaf instead of trying to get ready for that Maryland race sure turned out to be brilliant, didn't it? Not that Sugarloaf is a safe bet either, but at least there's still a chance that mid-May might still have a small race in a small town in a less-populated state. Granted, the drive will be longer since I can't go through Canada right now. But maybe by May.
If I'm being perfectly honest, I'm starting to feel ambivalent about running a marathon this spring at all now. D
February Training:
Running: 158 mi, 22 runs (7 road, 15 treadmill), weeks of 10 (1 day), 32, 35, 37, and 44 miles.
Strength Training: 5 days, 32.5 min/day, 1:34:15 total time.
This is the most miles I have done for a month in a long time, as normally I run only 4 times a week and during marathon training 5 times a week. Now I am running 5 times a week and one week in February I ran 6 times in a single week. I am also doing a lot more tempo and interval runs (albeit extremely
Better late than never, right?
First a quick update. My four days a week plan worked for nine weeks, but then I got sick (during Atlanta weekend) and my lungs were just not functioning well enough to run, so I took 6 days off, only ran once last week (poorly) and I'm doing three runs this week as I am just getting healthy again. But back on schedule next week! I had a 5K tomorrow which got cancelled, but I was glad, because I was in no condition to run well anyway due to the illness. Next u
So, this COVID19 thing has really gotten out of hand. I'm a simple man, so the subtleties that make this particular new strain of virus such a panic-inducing event. As usual, the extremes of both sides make it hard for someone like me to figure out what to do and what to say to everyone. Fortunately, I don't talk to that many people, so I view myself as relatively safe.
Except for my mouth that's a little sore from having the implant attached yesterday morning, I'm in pretty fair shape. I a
Miles ran: 38.72
Miles on the spin bike: 27.51
Minutes cross training: 252
I can't decide if I am pleased with February or not. I relied heavily on my Orangetheory workouts to get my weekday running mileage in, which has not been very effective. While I do believe I am building strength and speed, it's not a great substitute for getting the miles in and good ol' MJ is feeling it after the long runs. Thankfully the weather is changing and the days are getting longer so running outside doesn'
February 2020 in review!
Total mileage for the month: 99.3
Jan. 27-Feb. 2: 45.5
Feb. 3-9: 49.6
Feb. 10-16: 29
Feb. 17-23: 8.1 (all AlterG treadmill)
Feb. 24-March 1: 0 (insert crying emoji here)
Races:
None this month. I'd hoped to run a local race, the Cabin Fever Reliever 20K, but my left hip had other plans.
Workouts:
Feb. 7 - 4 x 0.5 moderate (6:30-7:00) with 0.5 easy between, within an 8 mile run. We will ca
Welp, my spring marathon plans are officially settled. Sugarloaf. It's in Maine. Close to nowhere, unless you live in Maine and like to ski.
In October, when we were in New Hampshire, there were a couple of folks running that Saturday who were traveling to Maine the next day to run in Portland, Maine. I've never been one for back to back marathons, but I will admit I was tempted at the time. If our schedules/life/finances had allowed, I might have done it. Maybe I will someday. Also, that w
I did the Winter Warrior challenge as usual in January. Every day outside for at least 3 miles. I was “smart” - if it was supposed to be an off day from running then I walked the 3 miles. The weather wasn’t too terrible- a few days of feels like 17* but for the most part 30* and above.
200 running miles - OMG - where’d that come from?
February — The local running group decided to have it’s first streak month to keep everyone moving through the winter. This streak was slightly different
Grad school goes on. Couldn’t absorb much information this afternoon after I ran my 20 miler this morning, though I tried. I should have taken a nap, but I didn’t feel sleepy early this afternoon. 20 miles went well, but I stopped my watch at one point while we waited for a light and forgot to start it again and lost almost half a mile. Then my watch gave me the low battery warning at 18.5 miles. It held out for that last mile (remember I came up .5 short), but I don’t think it will make it the
Think everyone knows I get the flu shot every year. I haven't gotten the flu for a couple of decades at least, but started getting the shot anyway when Mrs. Dave decided it was important for me. People should also know that it's not 100% effective, based on a few things, like the exact strain that's going around each season and how virulent it happens to be. Mrs. Dave had the flu last week. She went to the doctor and was tested. It was negative, which also happens - medicine, like life, isn't pe
Total Miles Ran: 20.03
Total Miles Cycled: 47.73
Minutes Other Cross Training: 239.73
There are only 4 days left in February but figured a January recap was better late than never. With all the crap of last fall, and my lack of a gym membership, I admit I wasn't very committed to getting any type of exercise in. Luckily, the new year sparked the idea of a fresh start in me so I got myself two new motivations: the first, a spinning bike and the second, a membership to the local Orangetheory.
Hey gang!
I say yes quite a bit when I should probably say no to commitments. Buuuut, when the opportunity came up to pace Zooma Bermuda, I said yes. Zooma is an all-women's race series and they hired OnPace out of the Green Bay area to pace their races. I paced Zooma Great Lakes in Wisconsin in 2018 and 2019 with them and can't say enough wonderful things about them. They're also helping me with some more adventures later this year.
I flew in Saturday afternoon and left early Monday m
Just completed week 6 (8 total) of my heart/time based half train plan, repeating weeks 1 and 2 to time the 18 week plan for the Bayshore half on Memorial Day weekend.
Weekly Total 36.8 miles, 6:05 run training time, 32 min strength training.
Monday: 60 minute AB (Aerobic Base) run at my aerobic heart rate of 118 bpm, +/-5 bpm, run on a treadmill. 6.3 miles (by Garmin, usually a little more by the treadmill), average heart rate of 118 bpm. When I do these runs on the tread
Not feeling fast or particularly good, but I'm grinding along, putting in the time. 6-7 miles a day, mostly moderate paces. 40 miles each of the last two weeks and 50-ish this. Pretty much on schedule for an early April marathon if it comes to that. Of course, now Mrs. Dave is asking about something in March.
Although, I decided the legs were ready for a tempo run and did 5 pushing it during Monday's 7. Between a potty stop at the gas station and traffic lights it was almost more an interva
Since the 2018 NYC marathon, besides enjoying not having to train for a marathon, I've been evaluating what I want to get from running as I head for the back half of my 50s. I came to running late, but I've been at it now for 12 years or so, and I would like to keep at it for as long as possible, even as PRs feel more distant and I can practically sense my speed slipping away with every run. These thoughts, as well as worries about aging parents and my oldest child's college preparations, made 2
(to the tune of Eight Days a Week)
I've had this bloop idea, and the accompanying earworm, for weeks now, so now I foist it upon you.
When I started blogging I would run 3 times a week. At best. Only rarely would I get to four. I managed to run a few marathons on three days a week, but it was really only good enough to let me finish with a lot of walking. As the Loop motivated me to get serious, I got up to four days a week whenever I wanted to get serious. It has become the defining l
Every day it seems there's something that reminds me that I'm past the stage of "getting older." I'm the old guy. I've been with my company longer than most of the newer employees have been alive. 3 of my 4 children are older than many of the people I work with.
There's sadness but no longer shock when someone from my high school class shows up in a death notice. Young to be dying, but also not so out of the ordinary. Heart attacks, cancer. People should die when they're 80 or 90, not 60, b
.thumb.JPG.5789871a3d608a680cd2374ce4914116.JPG)
122
77
69
63
43
42
34
26
26
25
24
22
19
17
14
14
14
13
12
11
11
9
8
8
7
6
6
6
5
5
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
.thumb.JPG.8b2d6bd4c6c9d1a8801d4afea500840c.JPG)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
.JPG.11d5682702bcbe595af737f046923f21.JPG)
