My first ten mile run

So today was the day for my first ten mile run.  I've been a bit apprehensive about the run...not really sure why.  Maybe just the double digits?

Anyway...yesterday I went to roadrunner and scored some sweet Brooks Launches.  I had been running Asics 2140's and had not really been satisfied with them as of late.  I'm more of a mid foot striker...so after much research And talking with the lady at roadrunner got the Brooks.  They are really light weight and very comfortable.

So I woke at 7:30 this morning and got ready.  I'm testing energy gels and took a Gu.  Those things taste like shit and have the viscosity of bull semen.  Yuck.

Next was the audiobook I'm listening to.  I love running to books.  Its a great chance to just cruise and listen.  The book in rotation right now is 2001: A Space Odyssey.   I love Clarke.

Oh yeah...I carried a 22 oz water bottle.

Off I went.

I did a big loop in my end of town.  I headed up High to 161...down to Sinclair to Indianola...turned on N Broadway to High and headed back.  A perfect ten mile loop.

So what's the bottom line?  I felt great and have total confidence about the Cbus 10 mile race next weekend and the Cap City Half coming up.

I'm totally stoked.
 

New Shooze

So I’ve really be aware of my running style as of late and have come to the conclusion that I’m a mid foot striker.

I think today I’m going to go to Roadrunner and look at the Saucony Kinvara. And maybe the Nike Free+ series.

Not much of a blog entry I know…but just wanted to make it not look abandoned.

Also, my first ten mile run is tomorrow, and the following weekend I have a ten mile road race in Gahanna. Should be fun!

Cough

Grr…

I’m sick…I’ve had this stupid head cold for a few days and now it’s moved to my chest. I’ve been slamming Emergen-C and drinking gallons of water…but to no avail.

Today was supposed to be a five miler, but I think I’m going to have to take a break and simply not run. This is NOT what I want to do, but rather what I HAVE to do.

I hope tomorrow to be able to do my three, and then a five on Friday and an eight on Saturday.

We shall see. I dislike this concept of NOT running.

McDonalds Rant

A bit of a rant here…

McDonald’s. Not a name that conjures up images of the finest cuts of meat, steaming and delicious sides, or decadent desserts. But as a fast food restaurant I do imagine that it conjures up the image of “fast”.

Now, let me begin by saying that at one time in my life I loved McDonald’s. And even now they have the bomb fries. But of course the food they serve is simply horrid for you, and as I’m trying very hard as of late to radically change my lifestyle in regards to food and exercise good ol’ McD’s has been cut off the list.

That being said this morning I had a craving. I wanted a coffee and a sausage mcmuffin. I’ve got 10 miles run so far this week, and six more to come so I figured I could handle one damn sandwich. And I really wanted one. Badly. Even now the thought of it makes my mouth water. But alas…it’s not that easy.

First I stopped at the store on 270 and High Street. 5:01 AM. Believe me, my watch is right. I see the staff in the store, all lights on. All signs lit. I pull up to the drive thru and it automatically tells me “we are sorry, but this store is closed.” Um, no you’re not. You open at 5! You are staffed and ready to go. I’ve no patience for this type of thing so I leave.

As I’m traveling the Outer Loop towards the airport I see a sign on the road…McDonald’s Open 24 hours! “Yes!” I think to myself. I’m gonna get my fix. So I pull up to the drive thru. I see one car at the drive thru window and me at the order point. That’s it. First this I hear is “wait a second”. Ok, I can wait a second. Or thirty…one minute. Finally, dude comes on and asks what I want. “I’d like the breakfast duo with a coffee please.”

Pause

Pause

Pause

The speaker crackles back “can you help me out with that?”

I’m thinking to myself…in the middle of the damn sign on the order board is huge advertisement for the BREAKFAST DUO. It’s a freakin’ coffee and sausage mcmuffin.

So I tell him. I’m cool. Not rude or short or anything.

Pause

Pause

Pause

Pause

Pause

Pause

At that point I simply pull away and drive to work.

Maybe it’s the running gods telling me I shouldn’t eat at McDonalds anymore? If that is the case…I submit to your will, oh majestic running gods.

I’m utterly done with McDonalds.

And this is what I missed out on.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 5.7 oz (164.0 g)

Amount per Serving

• Calories 450 Calories from Fat 250

% Daily Value *

• Total Fat 27g 42%
• Saturated Fat 10g 50%
• Trans Fat 0g
• Cholesterol 285mg 95%
• Sodium 920mg 38%
• Total Carbohydrate 30g 10%
• Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
• Sugars 2g
• Protein 21g 42%

• Vitamin A10%
• Vitamin C2%
• Calcium30%
• Iron20%
• Vitamin D0%
• Vitamin E0%
• Vitamin B60%
• Vitamin B120%
• Zinc0%

Est. Percent of Calories from:

Fat 54.0% Carbs 26.7%

Protein 18.7%

A half?

It’s been a bit since I’ve posted on here, but now seems as good a time as any.

The latest news is that I’m training for the 2011 Cap City Half Marathon. Sort of comic how I got involved in this one. I was scoping out 5K’s to run and I found one in Westerville that looked fun. A late afternoon race that finished with beer and music. I contacted Bill H to see if he was interested…and he ended up talking me into run the half marathon. Not sure how that happened but its all good.

From that moment I had about nine weeks to get ready. I went out on the webz looking for a training plan the seemed to fit where I was at…I could run for 30 minutes no problem and have a good pace…but no idea what it was. I just know that when I’m running I pass more people then pass me. So I must have an OK pace against the general population.

The plan I found it this one http://www.marathonrookie.com/half-marathon-training.html

It’s pretty basic but it gets the job done. I find myself wanting to run more…but I’m really sticking to the plan because this is my first attempt at a long race. I have no idea what it’s like to push this 40 year old body and I’m not really interested in hurting myself in finding out. Some of the long runs look, well, LONG. I have my first six miler coming up and I’m looking forward to it.

I am geeking out a bit on all the runners’ gear that is out in the world these days. I’ve seen some friends using the Garmins and had to have one. The concept of paying the money wanted for them was a little crazy…so I found one on Craigslist for 50 bucks. Score! I also go a nice water bottle you can hold while running. I do see all these people running with hip belts and that looks MAJORLY uncomfortable. I’ve got a four miler tonight so I can test out what it’s like to carry water. I imagine I just need to get used to it.

I’m glad that I’m pacing myself and sticking to the training plan. I find myself totally looking forward to my runs. I love the zone I get into after the first mile or so, and love the way I feel when I’m done. I’ve been doing all my running thus far on the Olentangy trail. Great path with lots of trees and lots of people.

So the bottom line? So far, so good.

Oh yeah, I registered for the Columbus Marathon also. ;-)

5k with Bill

So I've been running with a bit of consistency as of late...and while in Seattle a Facebook friend (Bill) asked if anyone would like to run a 5K with him on New Years Day.

After a bit of back and forth I went ahead and signed up. It was out together by the folks that do the Columbus Marathon, and the race director was there. The deal was if you beat the director you got a free entry into the marathon. I had no hope of doing that but thought it would be fun race.

My goal was to run it in a sub 40 minute time.

So I pick up Bill and we drive down. It's pissing rain on January 1st. At least it wasn't freezing. We get there and I pick up my race pack while Bill goes for a warm up run. That dude is a runner through and through.

After hanging out and waiting for the race to start they call everyone to the gates. Bill heads to the front of the pack while I hang out in the middle rear of the pack.

At the start I knew I made a mistake. I had all sort of slow pokes in front of me. A dude with a stroller. A bunch of walkers. And slower runners. After about .75 miles I weave my way out of this mess and find a good pace and start to even my pace and cruise.

I felt really good. Better then expected. It was an out and back and some of the jack rabbits flew by on the return leg. After a few runners I saw Bill...flying.

I reached the half way point and was sub 15 minutes. That was quite the surprise. So I opted to push a bit and try to go sub 30.

I ended up crossing the line in 27 minutes. Not bad at all.

All and all a good race and I felt good running with these people.

I have some hope that I can do this.