What a difference the weather makes!

WOW ! - On Thursday of this past week the temperature was 82 degrees and I headed out for what I had hoped to be a nine mile run. I knew I was in trouble about 1 mile into the run as my legs felt dead, sweat was pouring off my forehead and I realized I didn't have enough water. Nevertheless I plowed ahead. Well, long story short, I lasted seven miles and I fell way off my pace. Knowing that I had to run the half-marathon in two weeks I was fairly concerned.

Today, the temperature is 60 degrees and I wanted to go for another nine miles. I could not believe the difference. I felt great for the whole run. I had plenty of water and I was able to run negative splits.

I'm looking forward to Nashville on April 25. Thanks for keeping up with my blog.

56 More Days Until Nashville

Last night was an easy run of 4 miles at a 10:20 pace. Felt great during the whole run and looking forward to increasing the pace. On Saturday I will run with Jonathan for a 9 mile run at Riverfront Park. This is a beautiful place to run and we are going to have a great time.

Test for Rachel

This posting is a test to see if Rachel can receive my updates.

57 Days Until Nashville

I am very encouraged with my running. Last night was a scheduled 5 mile run at 10:30 pace. I completed my first mile right on schedule and then with each subsequent mile I increased the pace slightly. I finished all 5 miles feeling very strong and with an average pace of 10:05.

Tonight I'm looking at 4 miles t the same pace and then Wednesday I'll do some cross training.

58 Days Until Nashville

On Friday night I went to the gym and did one hour of power walking. Friday was supposed to be either an off day or cross training so I chose something that would be in between. On Saturday I woke up very unmotivated. In fact I thought about postponing my long run until Sunday afternoon. But after a cup of coffee I figured I better get to the gym or I might miss out entirely on my long run. The long run is essential for building endurance. Gratefully I completed 9 miles at a 10:20 pace. Fantastic run.

61 Days Until Nashville

I am very encouraged. Although I haven't regained my original speed I was able to stay on track last night with a 4 mile run at an average 10:20 pace. Today is a rest day but what I will do is put in an hour of power walking. Tomorrow is a long run - I think 10 miles. I'm looking forward to that.

62 More Days

Yesterday I had a good, challenging run. The schedule called for a tempo run of 3 miles at 8:30 with a warm up mile on the front end and at the back end. I don't think I could run even one 8:30 mile so instead I ran the 5 miles at an average 11 minute pace. I'm dissappointed that I can't seem to run faster but I'll keep at it.

64 More Days

Well . . . after a two week, absolute throw down with some kidney stones I am finally able to run again. My first run was yesterday where I was able to complete 4 miles at a moderate pace (12 minutes each). I know, for some of you that is practically a crawl. Tonight, I stepped it up a notch and completed 4 miles at an 11 minute pace. I think by the end of the week, and especially this weekend when I do a long run, I'll be back to where I should be.

75 More Days

Well . . . it looks like setting a goal to make a daily entry was a little too optimistic. However, the countdown continues. Last week was a great week of training but it all came to a crashing halt when I woke up early Saturday morning with a kidney stone attack. Today is Monday and I haven't passed it yet. I certainly won't be doing any training while the stone remains but I hope to start logging some miles just as soon as it passes.

Day 104

Sunday is scheduled to be a rest day in my training . . . and it was! We went to Church this morning and came home after picking up some Cincinnatti Chili for lunch. After lunch, Rusty and I finished out the trim work on the door. It looks great.

Day 105

Saturday - Today was supposed to include an easy six mile run. Instead, the entire day was spent with Rusty while we removed their old exterior door on the back of the house and replace it with a new door. By the time we were done, it was dark and too cold to run. Here is a picture of Rusty with the sawzall

Day 106

Today is Friday. Marti and I spent the day travelling to Louisville, KY to visit with Rusty and Rachel. This was an 8 hour trip so there was no workout today. Tomorrow, Rusty and I will replace the backdoor on their home. If we get done in time we will go to the gym afterward and do some running.

Day 107

Thursday I had the option of resting or cross training. By the time I got home after work I didn't have time to prepare for a trip on Friday and work out. I chose to make it a rest day.

Day 108

This was a tough workout and too aggressive for me to complete as scheduled. Today was a five mile run. One mile of warmup, three miles at a 9:00 pace and then a mile of cool down.

I started with the first mile at a 10:30 pace and then increased a 9:00 pace for the second mile. Not long into the second mile I realized I would not be able to maintain the pace. I ended up running the next three miles with an average pace of 10:45. Knowing that I wouldn't be able to maintain the pace I transitioned to a run, walk, run pattern. This slowed me down significantly but allowed me to get used to the 9:00 pace in 1/2 mile increments.

I finished mile five at a 12:00 pace. Total run time was 54:25.

Day 109

I've decided that counting down the days makes more sense than starting the count with Day 1. By counting down you will be able to watch me getting closer to the goal. Race day = Saturday, April 25.

Today was a cross training day. I spent about an hour at the gym. My workout consisted of warming up with a moderately paced quarter mile walk and moved right into some weight lifting. I'm concentrating on upper body work and will occassionally do some leg work. Mostly though I get plenty of leg work with the running.

Today's music was from Lincon Brewster.

Day 110

Today I was scheduled for a 2 mile run at a 10:30 pace. After warming up for a 1/4 mile with a brisk walk on the treadmill I jumped right into my run. After one mile I felt like I was running slow so I bumped the speed up on the treadmill. I finished with a 10:09 pace for the 2 mile run. Felt great at the end.

My I-pod was playing tunes from Boston, The Commodores and the Eagles. Great running songs.

Until tomorrow, may the pace be with you!

Time to start training

I'm scheduled to run the 1/2 marathon in Nashville on Saturday, April 25. Joining me will be family and friends. I've run the 1/2 marathon twice before and the full in Nashville. I've determined that the 1/2 is more my style.

Here is what is planned for the week:

Mon. Easy Run; Dist: 2mi; @10:29
Tue. Rest or cross train
Wed. Dist: 5mi, inc. Warm; 3mi@9:45; Cool Rest
Thu. Cross train or Rest
Fri. Cross train or Rest
Sat. Long Run Dist: 6mi @10:30

Training begins in earnest tomorrow! I'll try to keep you posted on my diligence in practice. Until tomorrow . . . may the pace be with you!