A pace I can live with

On February 13, 2011 By Emerging RunnerLeave a comment

Today’s run (street): 4.12 miles

Yesterday afternoon I updated the firmware on my Garmin FR60 which reset the watch to its factory settings. I was happy that I had the foresight to upload this week’s runs to Garmin Connect before I did the upgrade or they would have been lost to the ages. I restored all the settings and preferences but I neglected to re-pair the watch to the foot pod. When I went out for my run this morning I hit the start button and didn’t think much about it. A few minutes into the run I looked at the display and saw it was tracking time but not distance and I realized that I hadn’t paired the unit. I figured I’d just Gmap the route I ran and calculate pace later, based on the recorded time.

I recently had a similar experience when I saw that I hadn’t started the Garmin after I’d begun to run. I ran most of my route knowing that my speed and distance weren’t being captured and that was both annoying and liberating. Today I felt better when I discovered the problem because at least I had captured the run time. I decided to forget about pace, speed, etc., and just ran free for 30-40 minutes. I took it easy because that was what I’d originally intended for this run — a short version of LSD. About 30 minutes into the run I was feeling like I could run all day and it occurred to me that I should think about a pace that I could maintain comfortably for a half marathon.

Today’s pace was 9:53. Not fast but manageable over long distances. It would be good (psychologically) to average below 10 min/mile for the half marathon. The challenge of running a half under two hours is much greater — I’d need to average 9:09 or better to do that. I’ll work on my distance as much as I can from here on. With the temperatures moving toward the 50’s I might get the first chance in a while to do a long run at Bethpage next weekend.

Half marathon: get with the program already

On January 6, 2011 By Emerging RunnerLeave a comment

Today’s workout (elliptical): 25 minutes

I’ve been reading an article in the January issue of Runner’s World that focuses on the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project. This project is actually an Olympic training program created by two brothers who have partnered with Brooks running to help train runners of all types. Or as they say “Elites to mid-packers.” Being a solid mid-pack finisher in most of my races I was naturally intrigued. I’m not particularly interested in most training programs and methods because they are so structured. One reason that I like running is the freedom that it provides. I like that I can make “in the moment” decisions about how I’m going to approach a run: fast, slow, long, short, with hills, trails, etc.

The reason I might consider following a structured program relates to my goal of running a half marathon this year. I’ve managed to self-train adequately for races up to 10K but I think I may need some further guidance when taking on over double that distance. My friend FS followed Hal Higdon’s marathon training program and was pleased with the results. Higdon also has a half marathon program so I will consider that as well. What struck me about the Hansons-Brooks method was the focus on quality miles rather than pure volume. They are also strong advocates of training in groups. Since I am so constrained in terms of time for training I need to find a way to be ready on race day after having, at best, 25 mile weeks. I’m still not sure that I have the desire (and discipline) to follow a formal program. Perhaps a hybrid approach will work. Of course I still need to find a half marathon to run before I start any structured training.

Sometimes the hardest part of a marathon is just getting in

On December 20, 2010 By Emerging Runner2 Comments

Yesterday’s tough effort reminded me of a year ago when I quickly went from a fit and healthy runner to an IV fed hospital patient. I’m not saying conditions are the same this year but I was very run down most of this weekend. Last year I would always choose the “power through” strategy and run my miles despite the way I felt. I’ve learned the danger of doing that and I’m fine with backing off if I must. Last week’s mileage total was only 11, about half of my usual distance covered. Today I feel well and I think it’s because I listened to my body, stopped my run short of planned distance, and rested appropriately.

I’m already looking to 2011 for new running accomplishments and adventures. I’ll be posting my next year’s goals soon. One goal is to run a half marathon, a distance I would have thought impossible three years ago. It might have been nice to make my first half the NYC ING race but the lottery opened and closed too quickly for me to react. My friend Dave put in his lottery bid and I hope he gets selected.

For those those who want to run the Boston Marathon next year but didn’t qualify or didn’t get a lottery pick there’s another way to get in. I was contacted by Kristina Sym, manager of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary charity marathon team that will participate in this April’s Boston Marathon. She said there are still a few spots left on their 50-member team. Team members must commit to raising a minimum of $5,000 for research and patient care at Mass. Eye and Ear. Fundraising and training support will be offered. Interested runners can contact kristina_sym@meei.harvard.edu or (617) 573-6364. More information can also be found at: http://www.MassEyeAndEar.org/TeamEyeAndEar

Tough going for an easy four

On May 30, 2010 By Emerging Runner2 Comments

Today’s run (street): 3.9 miles at 9:17 per mile

By now I expect that my friend FS and her husband are celebrating their finish at Boston’s Run to Remember Half Marathon. This race, that begins and ends in Boston’s World Trade Center, covers a lot of ground including a lengthy segment that has runners going over the Longfellow Bridge as they make their way along Memorial Drive. The span on Memorial goes past Harvard University and then back again to the starting point. Having covered the Charles River segment twice last week I’m a bit envious but realistic enough to know that I’m not prepared to take on 13.1 miles. I am looking forward to hearing the details next week when we all return to the office.

My running challenge this morning was far more modest. I intended to go out for a 3 to 4 mile run and ended up just short of the 4 mile mark. The Garmin was not tracking accurately so I thought I had covered 4.06 miles when in fact it was 3.9 (per Gmaps). My sub 9-minute run was actually closer to a mid-9:00 effort. But effort was the operative word and this morning it was tough going. The chirp from the Garmin that signaled that the first mile had passed surprised me because it happened faster than I’d expected. I figured I was just having a good run and I was wearing my lightweight Kinvaras so why not? By the end of mile two things had reversed themselves and I was ready to start wrapping things up. I’m not sure what accounted for that but it was possible that the increasing sun and heat combined with the extra work running in the near-flat Kinvaras were the culprits. I have not had an off day since last Monday so it may have been an issue of over-training. I was happy to have completed four miles although it turned out later to be just shy of that distance.

The rest of the day has been spent with family and we’re enjoying the long Memorial Day holiday with plenty of pool time. Tomorrow I’ll aim to start even earlier to better manage the heat. Tuesday I’ll rest. I think I need it.