meh

Took a couple weeks off to rest the shins and they seem to be better.  Getting in some walk/run intervals on the treadmill with some moderate incline dialed in as well.  Colorado Marathon seems to be out for now.  I'll just concentrate on slowly building mileage and then hope I'm ready for the big summer races: GOG10M, BTMR, and PPA.

Trying to shed pounds at the same time in hopes that it will mean less impact and strain on the soft tissue connected to the inner tibia.  I've already dropped the 7 or so lbs I put on between Halloween and Christmas.  Gotta pick up new kicks as well pretty soon since mine are probably well over mileage between actual running and wearing them around on the weekends (tsk tsk).

here we go again

Shins and calves flared up bad last night.  Even about a mile into the Tuesday night run at Quinn's they still never loosened up.  Turned back early and got 2.5 miles in mostly walking.  Another case of "too much too soon" I'm sure.  Going to take a couple weeks off running and then try to start a program to build up a base over some time and likely forego any serious distance training until I get a nice injury free base built up.

Rode 13 mi on the bike at the gym and then did an hour of yoga.

cross training monday

Got an easy 40 min on the stationary bike at the gym.  No idea on distance.  Didn't really care.  Followed that up with an hour of yoga.  That was my first time practicing yoga.  I enjoyed it and definitely saw how it could help with flexibility, stretch things out, and generally relax the mind.  Will definitely try to make this a regular activity at the gym.

first long run

Weather left a lot to be desired today so I decided I would get the long run in on the treadmill at the gym.  Started off at an 11:00 pace and quickly hit a wall about 2.5 miles in.  Not sure if it was the fact that I didn't eat much earlier in the day or that I just can't get into it on the treadmill.  Ended up walking a bit and then finished running again.  Went about 4.7 mi in the hour.  Not a great effort.

Definitely need to try to get the long runs in outside and save the treadmill for the shorter midweek runs.

Got in 20 miles for the first week without any issues.

cold 5 miler

Ran 5 miles at 11:19 pace this morning.  Weather was nice as long as I wasn't running into the wind.  Iced left shin when I got back and it seems to be ok.  I'm going to have to get creative finding routes around the house to run.

rescue run

Rolled out of bed on a few hours of sleep and a little hungover to make my way over to Palmer Park for the Rescue Run.  The weather was decent, although a little breezy, but comfortable enough for shorts and a light shirt.  Once on scene, I got registered, filled out my shirt raincheck form and headed off for a quick warmup lap of the park.

A couple minutes prior to the gun, I took my spot towards the back half of the pack and waited for the herd to start moving.  I think I went out too fast as I was picking off scores of people up until the top half of the first climb.  My heart was racing and I was reduced to a walk to finish the first big climb.  Once it leveled out on the road to the overlook, I slowed the pace and continued on to the turnaround.  I got a quick swig of water and headed back.  I had visions of running sub 30 but knew it wasn't to be when I made the turn at 17:30.  Not wanting to let the dream fade, I made decent time to the hill and then went flying down the big incline that had kicked me in the ass a few minutes earlier.  About halfway down the hill, I glanced down at my watch to see I was moving at a decent 6:46 pace.  However, once gravity was no longer on my side, I realized the tank was empty and coasted in for a 31:33 (31:15 watch time) finish.  Not terribly impressive but it was nice to sweat out the beer from the night before at least.

Looking forward to doing nothing tomorrow and resting up for some big mileage this weekend.  Looks like the weather could be nasty on Sunday so that one might be on the 'mill.

training for 26.2

After taking a couple weeks off following the Rock Canyon half, it was time to start laying plans for the next challenge.  I did some digging on the interwebs and perused a few training plans until I found one that I felt I could handle and would get me ready to tackle a marathon.  I've got 18 weeks of running and cross training lined out to get me to the start line of the Colorado Marathon on May 3rd, 2009.

This week marks the start.  I got my first run done at the Jack Quinn's Running Club Tuesday night run and then did 5 miles on the treadmill at the gym on Wednesday morning.  Nothing spectacular for pace at this point but I'm just trying to get the miles in for the first few weeks.  I waffled about which race I was going to run at this morning's Rescue Run but settled on the short course since I was only on the hook for three miles today.

The shins are already starting to bother me a little but I'm hoping that healthy doses of Vitamin I and ice will keep them from flaring up too much.

My wife gave me a Garmin Forerunner 305 for Christmas so I've been having fun geeking out with the results from the few runs I've brought it along on.

Tomorrow will be a much needed rest day and then I've got a 5 miler on Saturday and an 8 mile long run on Sunday.

Here's to hoping I can get most of the runs in and life doesn't get in the way too much.