Six Down, 67 to Go

5am. Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The alarm goes off and at first what was a rude awakening is now a routine. Six runs in the books since that first 5 o'clock alarm, and a measly 67 to go until my 20 mile race in March.

At first it was a question of if I would drag myself out of bed an hour earlier than usual. Then it became a question of weather. It is getting colder, but for some reason my will to run is overpowering that friggin cold weather!

I have used my Garmin every run, which will help once more results come in, but I already see where I can benefit from it. Here are some of my runs from the first week:


Avg 9:10


Avg 8:58


Avg 9:06


Avg 8:47

Avg 9:26

The 2 big runs of the week were the weekend runs. As I mentioned before this is my first time ever running both days of the weekend. Saturday I woke up around 8, after only 5 hours of sleep from a Yankee Swap party, not hungover but tired for sure. I knew I had 5 on the books to get in. So I told everyone in my apt to go back to sleep and we will get a huge breakfast when I get back (motivation for me, obviously), and I went out side....

And I came RIGHT back inside. I didn't notice that weather.com had mentioned it "Feels like 6" out! So I added another layer or 2 and was on the road. The coldest run so far, but thankfully the sun was out. For those not lucky enough to know what 6 degrees feels like, it is brisk!

You Can't Do That

Woke up Sunday with a dreaded number 9 staring at me from my training log. I had to get some serious miles in, a day after a cold 5er. This would be the longest run since my Lake Placid Half Marathon in September. "Ugh,", I say to Lisa, "I think I may only do 6 today, don't know if I have the energy for more" (which at the time was true). "Brian, you can't do that", she says with a look on her face both serious and taunting. I can't say no to it, so I give her the ol' "Alright Alright", and suited up. Mile 6 came, and I came at a cross road. Turn right for a 7 mile run, or keep going down this road for an 8 mile run. Thinking back to the morning's conversation, I took the longer path and got a solid and fast 8 miler in! Thanks Lisa!

Wwhat bothers me with the run is that it was faster than I wanted it to be. Sure I was sore the next day because I hadn't run that long in a while, but I don't want to mess up, so I am learning a thing or two from my trusty electronic friend (Garmin). I am smart about the long runs and will walk for a minute a couple times (notice the bumps in my graphs above). But it's still good to know I can do 8 without much struggle! Bring it on 20 miler!

All for now, hope everyone is managing to get out for some good runs before the cold snap hits New England tomorrow!

Adding a New Challenge to Your Training

Twas the night before training and all through the house, not a creature was stirring not even a mouse. The running shoes were put by the Garmin with care, in hopes that tomorrow, a running day will be there.

Monday is the start of my training for the Eastern States 20 Miler. But sadly, tomorrow is not a run day, tis a cross training day. So its off to the gym!

The past week I have been getting myself ready for what will be 16 weeks of solid training, and I even added a challenge. While training for the Great Wall Marathon I added stair workouts to my training. Running 5 miles then hitting 1000 stairs to prepare for the stairs of all stairs, the Great Wall.

This time around I am not adding stairs, I am adding an extra run. Using Hal Higdon's "Intermediate Marathon I" training plan I will now be running both days of the weekend. The Saturday run being anywhere from 5-8 miles and Sunday being my long run day. While I am nervous I am more interested to see how my body will handle it. It will take a couple weeks, if not the first month to understand my strengths and learn to take my long runs easy.

Nutrition is going to play a key role as well. I am more concerned with snacking than anything. As mention in my last post I am a work snacker. But the solution is as simple as fruits and veggies.

Runners, do you add a something new to your training to challenge yourself? I've been waiting to get some miles under my belt so this will be fun. I haven't run in a couple days to prepare so I am itching to get on the road.

Weekend Wrap up

This weekend was my first holiday party of the holiday season and it was fun. My girlfriend Lisa and I went to a Yankee Swap! I think this weekend was a big win, check out what I took home:




A hot dog that opens up and you can put little pigs in blankets inside! Awesome xmas decoration. Truth be told, Lisa had the hot dog to begin with, before someone stole it from her and she ended up with a Ped Egg and a pink sandwich container with a heart on it, which I consider a big win hehe.

Here's to a strong week of running!

A Guide to Getting (Back) into Training Mode

So, it's that time of year. It doesn't fall on this time of year for everyone, but it does for me. It is time to get back into serious training for a significant race. My last, as you all know was for the Great Wall Marathon, which featured 18 weeks of solid, injury free, tough training that got me through 26.2 miles 8,000 miles away.

If I could train for that mammoth of a race anyone can. So I figure I would gear this post to everyone. From those who have trained before but are having trouble getting back into it and for those who haven't trained before. The principles I use to get into training will work for anyone, new or veteran. Below are a couple key components to a successful start to your training. Throughout this post click any image to enlarge. I didn't want to overwhelm you with huge pictures.

So you have a race in mind, right? If not, get out to the usual sites (CoolRunning, Runnersworld) and search for the Races in your area. You will be surprised by the amount of races popping up in your area! Once you pick your race, you need a plan. I feel having a plan that says I will run X number of miles on this day will make it easier for me to get out the door. Last year I used Hal Higdon's Training plan for the marathon. I will use it again this year, even though the race I am running is a 20 miler. I am bumping it up to Intermediate level which requires more commitment on my end, but that's more motivation for me.

The Game Plan

Sit yourself down and look at the plan, doodle all over it to make it work for you. In this case, I am less than 18 weeks away until March 28, so I had to customize the plan a little bit. Make it YOUR plan. Just because you have a baseline doesn't mean you have to follow it to a T. For example, I am only going to run one 20 mile long run instead of the two suggested in the plan, because I am training for 20 miler, not a marathon.



After looking at the plan I commit to do starting a week from now, I get nerdy with it and put it up on my Google Calendar. This way it is online and I will get notifications that today I need to run.


I make a separate running calendar that simply shows the mileage I am to run that day. A digital copy of the one I customized from Hal Higdon's plan.

Resource Gathering

Calling all Running Bloggers! Now is your chance to find out who else is starting a journey and blogging about it, or a blogger who simply writes about their daily runs. Having a list of blogs to read and sites to visit is key for training. The best part of my training for the marathon was reading about everyone else's training. You get to read their ups and downs and get great tips from them. And guess what? They are real people! Comment on there blogs with questions and you will get answers, real answers from real people. Crazy thought right? I use Google Reader, but you can use whichever method works for you. Below is a screen shot on how I organize my Running Blogs, trust me there is much more than I have listed! (but shout out to those who made the image crop :) )


For those on Twitter, use the Twitter List function to group up all of your running friends. You can view mine HERE and let me know who I should be following! Here is a shot of what a twitter list looks like.

Motivation

My motivation comes from many sources. To name a couple, I recently joined The Daily Mile, a fitness community set up much like Facebook, but you can actually go head to head with your friends to see who is running longer/faster/better than you. It is nice to have a little competitive edge when training I think.

Now, many of you may use books in which you hand write and log your miles which is totally fine too! To each his own. I know my parents use log books and write in them, I just like the visualization of online. It is very important to log your miles because you want to be able to look back on your progress and how you felt on a certain day. If I look back and see progress I am more motivated to get out for a great run!

Also, think of those you are running for, if anyone. I personally am running for myself and my parents, who got me into running. I thank myself every time I run that I can follow in their footsteps (pun intended). They got me into running, so every mile I run is thanks to them. Going through a solid training will also motivate those who are on the fence about training. Show them how rewarding it is!

Simple Save Me's

Here are a few simple "SAVE ME!" tips that will go a long way while training.

Smarter Snacks at Work
Doesn't get simpler than this. Skip the office carrot cake for a bag of carrots. Yesterday I stopped picking at the jelly bean cup on my desk and offered it to those in my office because I can not have candy on my desk or it will be eaten! Drink water which will help with you appetite. I am a huge advocate for seltzer since the carbonation makes me full.



Find people to talk to
A lot of people will question why your ending your Friday night's earlier than usual, or why you have to run 11 miles on a Sunday. Stick close to those who will be good motivation to you and kindly smiley at those who think your ridiculous. Running isn't every one's cup of tea.

A quick overview for those who skimmed (shame on you ;) ):

1. Pick a race
2. Make a plan
3. Customize the plan accordingly
4. Find other blogs about running (maybe even start your own!)
5. Log your miles (Online or in a book)
6. Get motivated
7. Snack Healthy
8. Surround yourself with good people!

The most important rule of all: HAVE FUN WITH IT! Training is work, yes, but it should be a fun experience that you will want to repeat for other races!

I hope this helps anyone looking for a little push in the right direction.

I look forward to reading your blogs as I start my 16 week training next week. Do Work!

Black Friday, How I Miss Yee (Talking Turkey 6 Report)

Running seems to be getting MUCH easier as my training is about to pick up for the Eastern States 20 Miler. While running becomes easier, blogging does not, ugh!Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving Break and kudos to everyone who ran in a turkey trot/talking turkey/turkey run or whatever your town calls it.

Let's back up to my favorite holiday of the year. Nope, not Thanksgiving, BLACK FRIDAY! Every year my friends and I have a tradition with black Friday. The night of Thanksgiving, as our belly's are filled with turkey and stuffing, my friends come down to my house to scavenge through the fliers in hopes to find some sweet deals. The main reason for black Friday, for me at least, is simple. I love to go to watch the mayhem that unfolds. Without a doubt, every year black Friday finds some way to amaze me.

My hot ticket item this year? Free Lego Rock Band from Old Navy. Leaving my house at 1:30AM, we fill up on Dunkin Donuts and set out for the mall. The lines were VERY long at the main stores (Best Buy, Target) and it was only 2 in the morning! We knew this was serious. We all split up and my girlfriend and I went in the Old Navy line, which was already quite long. We both ended up getting the free game! After that we got in line at Best Buy to watch more mayhem. BIG shout out to my dad on completing his first Black Friday ever!! Was good to have him on the front lines :)

All in all it was yet again another successful Black Friday, I wish I could say I am counting down the days until the next one, but I am still getting over the high from this year!

The rest of the day was spent napping and more shopping. I had to gear up for my latest race, the Talking Turkey 6 Miler that would go down on Saturday.


I woke up Saturday raring to go. I hadn't raced this distance since my Market Square Day 10k in June/July so I wanted to see how my 10k pace was doing. I had a goal I wanted to do, which I thought was a PR, and that was anything under 48 mins. I was fine with it. The race was windy!! The course is around a reservoir and no matter what direction you ran in the wind was coming right at you. I raced with my dad, this was his first race since our Great Wall of China Marathon back in May, so he was eager to get back to the races as well.

My strategy was simple, stay close to someone who I thought was faster than me, then when I pass them or they drop back, find the next person. It seemed to work really well and helped my brain maintain that competitive edge.


There I am, #98! I crossed the line at 44:35, a 7:25 pace! I later realize that what I thought was a PR for me in this race was actually my second best. Last year at the Talking Turkey I got a 43:15, which to me seemed ridiculous. That's why I am glad I write my times on the back of my numbers, to remember where I was with my running during each race. I am still very happy with that time, and it is time to train for bigger and better things, I am very excited to get back out there!

The day I got back from spending the weekend with my family I went out with Lisa and picked up my first ever Christmas Tree for my apt. It is a beauty. It is almost fully decorated, here is a sneak peek!



My parents let me take "Wiffy" from home. Wiffy was the name we gave the little snowman, for no reason, but its an awesome name.

Have a great first day of December!

What Happened, St Louis?

St. Louie, I Hardly Knew Yee

You know those weekends where its goes by so fast that you are realizing its already Wednesday of the following week. Yep that's me!

Had a whirlwind weekend in St Louis with my girlfriend, Lisa. Here cousin was getting married and I was along for the ride! It was a simple equation really

Free Plane Ride (Thanks for using your miles on this guy, Lisa!) + Reception @ Busch Stadium = Must See Wedding


That's right, the reception was at the new/updated ball park where the Sox won the world series (single tear of happiness inserted here). We got to go sit in the stadium seats, look out on an empty ballpark, it was awesome.

However, St Louis is..... quiet, nothing much else I can say. If we had one more day in St Louis we wouldn't know what to do with it after hitting all of the "must see spots" (Budweiser Brewery, the Arch, Zoo, couple restaurants) you really run out of things to do. I guess the economy really hit St Louie hard.


The one thing you MUST do in St Louis is go to the Budweiser Brewery, it really is awesome. They have a Beer School and we got our diploma! The Arch is one of those things to see if you happen to be in St Louis. Don't go out of your way to go to the Arch (or St. Louis for that matter), but it is a cool site. Very cramped at the top and they keep piling people up there to stare out smaller-than-car-window sized windows.

On the Road Again

But now back to reality, back to running. Yesterday I got back on the road and did a solid 3. I was reminded of my training last week , I haven't done a 14 mile week in a few weeks! It felt good to be actually training for something again. My Eastern State 20-Miler training doesn't start until December, but I have my Turkey Trot in a couple weeks that I want to kick butt in!

Nerd Babble of the Day

In other news, for all nerd runners out there, or runners with significant other nerds I will end on this note. Monday night at midnight was the release of Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2. Anyone who is anyone should get this game. Obviously I was in line at midnight to get it, just adding to the list of my many midnight releases I have been to (such a nerd).

But in all honesty the game is very real and you can even play with your family (if they are into it). Imagine, you and you significant other creeping through the winter woods of Moscow, sniping guards without being noticed. Alright that's my nerd babble for the day. If you are on Xbox Live my gamercard is above with my info, game on!

Keep up the good training!

A Solid Hollow-ween Weekend

Get it?


I hope everyone had a great Halloween weekend! These little gems you see were carved by my girlfriend. Hopefully you are a big enough fan of The Office as I am and can tell that these are Andy Bernard (left) and Mr. Dwight K Schrute (right). Great job Lisa!


Obviously when you have 10+ people in your apartment, Rock Band will break out, and boy did it ever. Full participation, including Elmer's Glue on Vocals, and Slash on guitar! If I find a picture of myself I will bring it forward, I was Octomom, and lugged around 8 (plastic) babies the whole night, phew! Other appearances of the night included a Priest, Verruca Salt, a Cat, Philosophy Major (Starbucks Worker), an Accountant and Philip J. Fry and Turanga Leela from Futurama. Good times had by all.

Dream Dinners


For those following me on Twitter, you may have noticed I went to Dream Dinners this weekend. It is one of the coolest places I have been to since I have moved here last year. Dream Dinners is a create your own meal place, where there are stations set up and you put all the ingredients in a bag, freeze it and then cook it when you want to eat it. Obviously I was the only guy there, receiving sympathy from all of the other women there. Honestly I enjoyed being there and am hoping to go back soon! We made a couple chicken dishes and a salmon dish, mmmm! After that we went ice skating. For those that know me well I always mention that I am not good with anything strapped to my feet. But I didn't fall! I may have stumbled a bit but I kept my composer. This was the first time in a good 10 years I had attempted skating, I will definitely go again! It also helps to have a girlfriend who is a figure skater!

Run Big B, Run!
My running has picked up recently and this morning I did an unexpected 6.75 miles! I was heading out for 6 but only knew of one 6 mile route in my town which was a 10k race that started down the road from me. So I did that and some change. 5am...30 degrees...if the cold didn't wake me up and give me energy for 7 miles I don't know what did, I felt great!

Lottery
I put my name in the hat yesterday for the 2010 NYC Marathon Lottery. I am excited and hope I get chosen. I won't find out til March so for the time being I will forget I even entered, and continue training for the Turkey Trot in a couple weeks :).

All for now. What were you guys for Halloween? Keep up the good running!

The Sixth Sense Without Bruce Willis

Last night before going to bed, I looked myself in the mirror and talked to myself. Not necessarily a rare occurrence, but this one felt more powerful than other conversations.

What am I running for? More importantly, why have I been on such an on/off relationship with my running. A lot of factors go into it, but the main factors are excuses. Looking down at my tattoo on my right leg, I realize what I am running for. In May I ran 26.2 miles which ended one era of my life and began a new. I am a runner who has run a marathon, someone who went from nothing to something in the running world.

I said to myself that if I am serious about running I will make a commitment to myself, and more importantly to the people who I inspire through my running, and get out in the morning for a solid run. My alarm went off at 5:15 AM and I was out the door. Throughout the entire run I would picture one specific part of the Great Wall Marathon. Running the end of mile 15, about to head back up the Great Wall for the 2nd time in the race, I see my mom and I give her the biggest hug as she is crying. "Oh my god, you're going to do it" she said. Sure enough I ended up finishing, but it was that moment that stuck with me the entire way up the wall and back to the finish line.


All the while, I'm running in the pitch black morning. While my brain is somewhere else my eyes were focused on the road, analyzing every piece of the dark sidewalk and letting my feet know that a bump or a crack or a puddle is coming up. Looking forward to the next car to pass so I could get a sense of what road is coming up. I think this is the 6th sense us runners have (no Bruce Willis involved). Our feet are designed to assess the road as we are running without actually seeing the road. It was a great feeling and it was a refreshing run.

Other Running Highlights of the week
My first two a day was great on Monday. Ran 3 miles in the morning and did 3 miles on the treadmill dreadmill at the gym. It felt really good and it was a good kick start to the week.

Daily Mile

As of yesterday I have joined The Daily Mile, a great social media site for runners/exercisers. I only have a couple friends on their :( but if your on there add me! Click here for my page.

Eastern States 20 Miler
I have been looking for the perfect long distance race to get back into and I think I found it. The Eastern States 20 Miler. Starts in Maine, runs through New Hampshire and ends in Massachusetts! I know Lacey did it last year and even though it was a complete washout, had a great time. I think I have convinced my parents to train for it too!

All for now, hope everyone is having a great week. What are all of you dressing up as for Halloween?