Warmer and slower one year later

On December 13, 2015 By Emerging Runner2 Comments

Today’s run (street): 3.8 miles

I’m not sure what it was, but I wasn’t feeling too great this morning. I had a brief moment when I considered a lesser workout or even skipping it altogether. Then I remembered that I felt a little off before my run with KWL yesterday, yet I still ran okay. Encouraged by that, I dressed for my run (short sleeves and running shorts today) and headed out with no route in mind.

I took it very easy and thought about the fact that the last race I ran was exactly a year ago: the 2014 Jingle All the Way 5K. I had recently developed a disc injury, although I didn’t know it at the time, and ran a decent race. As I recall, SIOR and TPP both won their respective age divisions. They tend to do that. In fact, SIOR just became a certified trainer. Contact her through her site if you want to learn how to dominate your age group.

I also thought about the early fall-like weather today and compared that to a year ago when we had 9 MPH winds making it feel like 31°. We’d spent most of our pre-race time huddling near the large fire pits that were placed around the registration area. My objective was to cover a little more distance today than yesterday, but not at the cost of making myself feel worse than when I started.

I did not come close to the pace I ran a year ago this morning, but I wasn’t going for performance. I’m hoping that I can fit in a couple of extra runs this week. It’s almost Christmas week and, if things start winding down at work, I may be able to get them done.

Help! I can’t find my strong

On December 16, 2011 By Emerging RunnerLeave a comment

I need to find my strong¹ and just do it,² because impossible is nothing³. After all, a sound mind is a sound body⁴. I just want to run happy⁵ and keep running⁶.

These inspiring phrases from running shoe companies simply aren’t working for me this week. I have only run 2.6 miles since last weekend, less than a quarter of my usual distance leading up to the weekend.

My lack of mileage wasn’t planned. Monday I took my usual rest day and Tuesday I did a treadmill run. Wednesday I felt like I was getting sick so skipped the day to help prevent that. Yesterday I’d planned to run in Central Park with AG, but the timing was a little tight so we took a pass. This morning I decided not to run because it’s the day before a race.

Okay, it’s only a 5K and 2.5 miles of running or 25 minutes on the elliptical today wouldn’t have hurt me tomorrow. I just couldn’t find my strong. I’m hoping that my commitment to tomorrow’s race will serve as a finial to stop my downward slide. I don’t care about my time on Saturday morning, only that I’ll be back to running.

——————————-
¹Saucony
²Nike
³Adidas
⁴ASICS
⁵Brooks
⁶New Balance

Ho Ho Ho Holiday running sounds good

On December 6, 2011 By Emerging Runner2 Comments

Today’s run (treadmill): 25 minutes

Another treadmill run this morning. Unlike my usual method where I start easy and then pick up speed, today I began with a fairly fast pace and kept it up until the end. My energy level was high throughout the workout, a good sign that my conditioning strategy is working.

I’ve decided to sign up for the Ho Ho Ho Holiday Run that happens on Saturday, December 17, in Bethpage, NY. I really like holiday themed races because they reinforce the idea that racing, while competitive, is also fun. I have never done this race before (nor have I ever raced in December) so this will be a new experience. The date is a Saturday, which means I’ll have still have most of the weekend to celebrate my (predicted) mid-pack finish.

A little wind may make a tough course tougher

On October 14, 2011 By Emerging RunnerLeave a comment

It was nice to take a rest day this morning, especially since it’s been a busy week. I probably should have run through a quick set of core exercises or done some upper body work, but I decided to enjoy my coffee and the extra time instead. I’m hearing that the rain will clear out tonight but tomorrow morning will be very windy. I’m not sure what that will mean to runners, but if the wind comes from the south that long hill on the first mile and a half will be a lot tougher.

Again I’ve reached the point where my training ends and the result of that effort will be reflected at the finish line the next day. I’m not expecting a 5K PR considering the hilly course and the possible wind issue. Either way, if it’s tough for me then it will be tough for the hundreds of others who will also participate. This may be the first time I race in October. Seems hard to believe, but I think it’s true.

Correction: I ran the Cape Cod Marathon Relay in October!

Next run: the Oyster Bay 5K

On October 13, 2011 By Emerging RunnerLeave a comment

Today’s run (treadmill): 2.6 miles

After hearing reports of rain throughout the night and into the morning, I prepared for an indoor workout today. It was damp but not raining when I got up, but I still stayed with my plan. While I was having my coffee, I decided I’d use the treadmill rather than the elliptical. I wanted to end my taper with a run.
Today was about reinforcing my conditioning and then resting until Saturday morning. I’ll probably run through my 15 minute set of core exercises tomorrow morning but that will be it in terms of working out. The weather for Saturday is supposed to be clear and cold so I need to decide what gear I’ll wear for the race.

The 5K kicks off the annual Town of Oyster Bay Festival that features many events and live entertainment. I’ll be curious to see if that means big crowds at our 9:00 AM start. I hoping I’ll be able to park close to the registration area. Every race brings new experiences and I’m looking forward to that.

5K is an interesting distance

On October 4, 2011 By Emerging Runner2 Comments

Today’s workout (elliptical): 25 minutes

I’ve been remiss of late with my Emerging Runner postings. The past week was busy and I occasionally missed my opportunity to write. I hope to get back on track this week. But who says you can’t take a blogging rest day every once in a while?

I’ve had some low level pain in my knee since Sunday so I decided to do a low impact workout this morning. The elliptical machine is a great thing to have under these circumstances. These sessions yield good aerobic exercise and the elliptical motion protects strained muscles and tendons. My goal was to exceed my targeted distance within my allotted 25 minutes and I put some work into that today.

As I went through today’s workout, I thought about my next race. It’s a 5K, a distance that I tend to avoid because it’s a lot of prep for an event that, even for me, goes by in under 30 minutes. But 5K is a great distance for beginning runners who may not be ready to compete on longer courses. Similarly, experienced runners who can test their conditioning by going out fast and keeping the throttle down until they cross the line.

I am looking forward to running this race on the 15th. It’s in Oyster Bay, part of the annual Oyster Festival. Although I live near there, I’ve never run on those roads. I’m curious to see how I’ll do in a race where I can push hard, almost from the beginning, without worrying much about bonking near the end (as happens sometimes when I drive hard during 10K’s). I’m thinking that speed and hills will be the theme for next weekend. Hope my knee feels better by then.

Race report: 2011 Marcie Mazzola 5k

On April 10, 2011 By Emerging RunnerLeave a comment

Rounding the corner — finish line ahead

Today’s run (Marcie Mazzola 5K): 27:33 (8:52 pace)

This morning I ran the Marcie Mazzola Foundation race for the third time. My family and I have a sentimental attachment to this event because the 2009 race was my very first competition. I ran well today though I didn’t come close to a PR nor did I match last year’s time. The important thing is that I did fine and had a great time running this race.

It was cold this morning and I was glad to have worn insulated sweat pants and two jacket layers to keep me warm prior to the start. Having my family at the race helps tremendously because I can wear the warmer layers and then hand them off to my wife before the start. This race is always well organized and today was no different. However, the usual on-time start was delayed 11 minutes to accommodate last minute adjustments related to routing car traffic around the race. I was chilly in my short sleeves and running shorts but not uncomfortable. I looked forward to the start so I could generate a little body heat.

Off to a good start – the big hill was still to come

The congestion at the beginning prevented a fast start but that didn’t bother me because I’ve learned to take the first mile of this race slow and steady. While it isn’t as steep or onerous as Cow Harbor’s Widow Hill, there is a steep incline that runners reach about a quarter mile in that goes on for a while. I took it a little faster than planned but still came though mile 1 with a split time of 9:36. I was alarmed at that but I figured I could make up some time on the flat and downhill portions of the race. It’s been a while since I’ve run at a sub-9:00 pace but I was ready to do that today.

I wore my new Saucony Mirages and liked them a lot. They gave me no trouble on their maiden flight and moved me along well. I wondered briefly at one point whether I should have run with the Kinvaras because they are a little more flexible but in the end I don’t think that mattered. I suspect the Mirages will loosen up a little after I put on more mileage.

I came through the second mile at 17:58 so I’d already made up 37 seconds by then. That put my overall pace under 9 minutes. I was running well but wished I had drank a little more water prior to the start. I thought only of preserving the pace I was running and concentrated on holding off other runners that tried to pass me. I was only partially successful there. Before long we were crossing Main Street on our way to circling Heckscher Park. I knew we were near the end but the last half mile is always tough on a 5K. I took a half cup of water which I sorely needed and it helped.

I knew the last hill was coming and when I saw it my heart sank because I felt my tank emptying and dreaded a bonk just an eighth of a mile from the finish. I decided to take the hill fast, passing a few runners in the process, and suddenly I was on the last patch of road before entering the grounds near the finish. The final leg was routed up an incline with a dogleg turn to the finish line. I saw my family cheering me at that turn and my wife snapped the picture at the top of this post. I came over the line in a sprint and noted my end time. Not my greatest effort on a 5K but comfortably under 9:00/mi which was my goal today.

Post race awards and Mr. Softy near the back

During the cool down we enjoyed the generous variety of recovery foods — fruit, energy bars, bagels, cookies and chips, administered by the always helpful and cheery volunteers. It’s a really nice race with a nice small town feel. This year the race organizers had three Mr. Softy trucks parked at the race grounds who were handing out free cones to anyone with a race bib. Our big surprise was when we ran into one of my daughter’s favorite teachers who had left her school last year. Ms. M had run the race with her mother and another friend. Their reunion was sweet and it characterized the feeling we always get from this event.

I’m now setting my sights on the LI Half Marathon that’s less than a month away. I’m going back to my long base runs and thinking about strategy for the longest race I’ll run to date. But today it’s about enjoying the feeling that comes from a good run on a good day. Another Marcie Mazzola race has been run. Can’t wait for next year.

Turning my attention to Sunday’s 5K

On April 4, 2011 By Emerging RunnerLeave a comment

I thought about doing an out-of-schedule run this morning because I’ll be tapering this week for Sunday’s Marcie Mazzola 5K race. As usual for a Sunday race, I plan to rest two days prior so a run today would have provided four days of running before hiatus. Although yesterday’s trail run was difficult, I believe it was a step forward in terms of strength building and I didn’t want to mess that up today by over-training. I’ll run Tue-Thu, swapping my usual cross-training day for an additional running workout.

I’m curious to see how I do on Sunday. I haven’t competed since February’s Snowflake Race and most of my road training since then has focused on base and form. I have fallen short in my intention to run intervals to activate my fast twitch fibers so I’m probably not in the best shape for a speedy race. I think my long base runs will support me well during the 5K but you never really know until you’re out there. I’m going to try to throw in some “speed play” segments over the next three runs. It’s not a substitute for intervals but it’s the best I can do at this point.

I blame the burger

On April 1, 2011 By Emerging Runner4 Comments

Today’s run (treadmill): 2.3 miles

I’m a little more than a week away from my next race. It’s a 5K, a distance I’ve raced a number of times over the last couple of years. I’ve come to prefer 10K’s for their combination of speed and distance but the Marcie Mazzola Memorial Run is special to me because it was my very first race as “The Emerging Runner.” That year the race was 4 miles in length and it has since been shortened to a 5K to increase participation. I know the course fairly well having run it a couple of times. I have great respect for the big hill that runners encounter just minutes after the start. I haven’t been training for speed or hills but my base runs at Bethpage have brought up my level of conditioning. Perhaps some speed work is in order for this weekend.

You were no help

I used the treadmill today even though the great storm predicted to pass through this morning turned out to be more April Fools than April showers. Yesterday’s elliptical session was uncharacteristically difficult, due perhaps to my blood donation on Wednesday. I thought I was back to full strength and even had a burger at lunch with an old friend yesterday to top off my iron level (sure – that’s why!) so I thought I’d have a fairly easy time today. I can’t complain specifically about the way I felt, only that the effort felt hard even at the beginning when I was pacing around 6 MPH. The effort didn’t get easier but not noticeably more difficult as I blipped up the speed throughout my workout. I ended up with a respectable (albeit short) run and afterward felt like I’d expended some good effort. Besides the speed work I’m aiming to get back to the 8+ base runs I’ve been doing on the weekends. I’m hoping that those April showers keep holding off until next week.

Ready for Marcie again

On March 7, 2011 By Emerging RunnerLeave a comment

A good weekend of running was capped off by an evening of fierce winds and rain that knocked out power to our house. The bleeping sounds from our house alarm and UPS power unit got me up and interrupted my very much needed sleep. I woke up tired but happy to remember that Mondays are rest days. After covering 12 miles over the weekend I am feeling optimistic about my training for the big race. Before the half marathon I’m planning to run (for the third time) the Marcie Mazzola Foundation race in April. This used to be a 4 mile race but last year it was switched to a 5K to make it more appealing to participants.

The Marcie Mazzola 4 miler was my first race since I’d restarted my running in 2008. I ran it in 2009 and learned much of my competitive strategy that day. Most races have their iconic characteristic and, for this race, it’s the hill on Woodhull Rd. that goes on for almost half a mile near the beginning of the race. This hill is not as steep as Cow Harbor’s James St. but attacking it too hard can have a negative effect on your stamina. Like last year, I’ll take it easy and spend my energy later.

I’m looking forward to next weekend’s long runs, unencumbered by snow and ice. But, with the weather this year, I don’t know if I can fully count on that.