tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2157569424858974392024-03-05T19:59:24.990-08:00Clippin' AlongThis is my blog which features thoughts about my resurgent running career. The purposes of this blog are to keep me accountable in my efforts to return to running after an extended layoff and to hopefully provide a few tidbits to help others do the same. I've gone from couch to 5k and beyond. I'm striving to be a truly good runner. Not there yet, but it's a start!protometal @ clippinalong.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00136868195365402745noreply@blogger.comBlogger146125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215756942485897439.post-86447421135124550772021-10-26T11:46:00.002-07:002021-10-26T11:46:33.351-07:00<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsL4nWg2-lwNxnpNoTSjH8lByTfCU-netMnxVS7eI-ttY1kztXEiaL-FE1YGB8Wd2iFgjb4GIyPtwz8opMPFjp61kHEtovr_l9Q_O5Y7V0V809rV8ogLmbVf776dg0JeEwsRiMoHyL2J4/s960/FB_IMG_1540157995280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsL4nWg2-lwNxnpNoTSjH8lByTfCU-netMnxVS7eI-ttY1kztXEiaL-FE1YGB8Wd2iFgjb4GIyPtwz8opMPFjp61kHEtovr_l9Q_O5Y7V0V809rV8ogLmbVf776dg0JeEwsRiMoHyL2J4/s320/FB_IMG_1540157995280.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I all but stopped running for a couple years. I am now 7+ weeks into a running comeback. It is going pretty well, but "starting over" is tough. Progress is slow, but certainly noticeable. Getting better. If I keep it up, I should be in decent shape by spring. My past goals are still my goals. I'm older, I'm wiser (?) and I'm back. </p>protometal @ clippinalong.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00136868195365402745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215756942485897439.post-29374579612344962092016-10-25T18:12:00.002-07:002016-10-25T18:12:32.023-07:00Me & Mr. Peanut<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJy1-wcTYApYjuHDBab6PdHWk4RQvy8iiMO6rl5UFuhpDQzQJS56tMvHgm6IrKv7TDvHgMBtxZKuo-LjUjfLOrN6Cv6YF3vKr3bQ6NVya-DdMY3rtgYpwt98UasjLWKT7xwMQVSSIaas/s1600/20160704_110300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJy1-wcTYApYjuHDBab6PdHWk4RQvy8iiMO6rl5UFuhpDQzQJS56tMvHgm6IrKv7TDvHgMBtxZKuo-LjUjfLOrN6Cv6YF3vKr3bQ6NVya-DdMY3rtgYpwt98UasjLWKT7xwMQVSSIaas/s320/20160704_110300.jpg" width="279" /></a></div>
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This is me with Mr. Peanut. Mr. Peanut's handler watches me with distrust if not outright disdain.<br />
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I still run. Not as much or as fast as I would like, but I run.<br />
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I don't blog much.<br />
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<br />protometal @ clippinalong.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00136868195365402745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215756942485897439.post-10278780298933981892015-08-23T16:04:00.001-07:002015-08-23T16:04:35.633-07:00The Short GameI'm back, or should I say I'm still here!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiidNkblJtFNjZpORON17ABomLWCNFUpeKRUdhGlBFLakNObSAgxrwoqSKYit46WHwEVr51lF7wLvX9dG_BNhvLoFe-r9vDOdSkmJKDBKELG4K-YsvNqK5wEpemPwLF7xrpMcJi_7LXrxc/s1600/back-baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiidNkblJtFNjZpORON17ABomLWCNFUpeKRUdhGlBFLakNObSAgxrwoqSKYit46WHwEVr51lF7wLvX9dG_BNhvLoFe-r9vDOdSkmJKDBKELG4K-YsvNqK5wEpemPwLF7xrpMcJi_7LXrxc/s320/back-baby.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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When last I posted, there were a lot of unfortunate things happening with dear members of our family and, although they didn't end well, we are recovering. While I never stopped running (there was a zero run week or two), it was just enough during the spring and early summer to not lose all of my fitness.<br />
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I did manage a couple races while doing a modest amount of training. The half marathon relay with my friend Shane at Rock CF went pretty well and we ended up 5th overall for the relay. I paced the Martian half marathon in Dearborn in April. At the time, I hadn't run more than 8 miles all year, just doing the miles was a challenge. I was assigned the "slowest" pace group, but running for 2:30 is still a long time. I ran a 5k with my kids in early May, followed later in the month by a "last minute" 5k in Indiana where I ran under 24 minutes and the Dexter - Ann Arbor 10k, where I ran dressed in a pineapple outfit. Really! I ran with my Kona pal Larry to help promote a couple Kona races (Strawberry run and Kona Run). I ran both those races, running Kona Run as a 5k pacer with my kids and the Strawberry run as a race (where I had a pretty bad showing). This was somewhat understandable. I didn't run for a week before and just had a pretty rough workday (I think it was on a Thursday evening). I guess that is more than a couple races.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevmqVGFlgbpfJ5kl7H3vzc3sYZyjSM7peYVNtBgzi2ThFBw7hcfzqIQBQjvl-hNeWKdRE8EdZD1Qo1jEbQ3JMyIdxJyaQQDkJyQMMZe-H-09VRNbo-OJbI_eygJlNYXTG7bVzI7ZHhwU/s1600/11393126_1051032064924273_5746221838252610562_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevmqVGFlgbpfJ5kl7H3vzc3sYZyjSM7peYVNtBgzi2ThFBw7hcfzqIQBQjvl-hNeWKdRE8EdZD1Qo1jEbQ3JMyIdxJyaQQDkJyQMMZe-H-09VRNbo-OJbI_eygJlNYXTG7bVzI7ZHhwU/s320/11393126_1051032064924273_5746221838252610562_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i> I really was a pineapple!</i></td></tr>
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I only felt like I was "back" to running consistently at the end of June. Strangely enough, a vacation seemed to help me get back on track. I was able to run with some very nice scenery in northern Michigan and having the time and ability to run most mornings was great. July went OK and, for whatever reason, something seemed to click the first weekend in August. The runs weren't particularly fast that weekend, but they just felt "right" again.<br />
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I decided to run another "last minute" 5k I found while visiting family in Indiana and finished in 22:49. I have this delusion of having race results faster than I really do, so I was surprised to find out that this was my 2nd fastest 5k time as an adult. It was a small race and I won my age group (though I was beaten by a 10 year old boy and 12 and 13 year old girls, because what is a race without being smoked by the very young or very old?) Despite the whoopin' by the youngins, I was encouraged by my progress. Fast forward to this weekend and I ran a 22:30 5k in practice (I ran hard, but could have went faster in a race) and then today ran my fastest practice 10k ever, while running at what felt like a moderate pace.<br />
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Hopefully, this progress continues and I will be in a good position to do well in what ended up being my "goal" races for the year. At the end of September, I will run the Brooksie Way 10k as part of a team for work. I think, as long as I stay healthy, anything less than a PR would be disappointing. Then, I will be running the first leg of the 5 person relay for a "Mixed Masters" team at the Detroit Marathon. My leg is just over 10k. I am excited for both races. I really like being part of a team for these races. It adds another element of fun to the racing concept. Assuming all goes well, I anticipate being involved with other team / relay events in the future.`I am also enjoying running shorter distances. 10k may be my new jam.<br />
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I guess that gets everything up-to-date. How is everyone else doin'? :)<br />
<br />protometal @ clippinalong.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00136868195365402745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215756942485897439.post-31507190739070066532015-03-15T19:51:00.001-07:002015-03-15T19:51:07.401-07:00The Long Road BackAfter a 4 month partial hiatus, I have gotten back on a semi-routine running schedule for the last 3 weeks. I have discovered (rediscovered) that once you get out of your routine, getting it back is quite difficult. Right now, running is difficult again. Runs which were relatively easy are now a bit difficult. I'm not back to the beginning, but I'm coming out of the winter in the worst shape I've been in within the last 4 years.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQz9jozfKFAtOASf8o6cPjZlf5DrPVpit3oFE3jJtgPTHh281M-A8cuKRPPvjlWb5PVpyOWmsnCZ3V8kytBhw94kKOoWEFRa2c81n0rQ2phP8saidfOrBM2xNVP-17Z4mmXW3suHDeb0w/s1600/Unforgiven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQz9jozfKFAtOASf8o6cPjZlf5DrPVpit3oFE3jJtgPTHh281M-A8cuKRPPvjlWb5PVpyOWmsnCZ3V8kytBhw94kKOoWEFRa2c81n0rQ2phP8saidfOrBM2xNVP-17Z4mmXW3suHDeb0w/s1600/Unforgiven.jpg" height="400" width="281" /></a></div>
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Perhaps a curious analogy, but I'm hoping that, like the aged gunslinger Clint Eastwood played in Unforgiven, circumstances will soon be as such that something will just click and I will be able to return to my previous form.</div>
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I have two weeks until my first scheduled race this year, a half-marathon relay race with a co-worker and "running pal" from work. We ran Rock CF together last year and thought it would be interesting to run a relay race, something neither of us have done. Looking at the times from the 2014 relay race, we thought that there would be a good chance for a top-10 relay finish with an outside chance at a top 3 result. I still think we have a decent shot at a top-10 finish based on past race results, but a top 3 result is probably not in the cards. Like most "local" races, it depends on who shows up almost as much as how we do. Neither of us are in peak condition right now, which doesn't bode well for being very competitive. This race was a nice excuse to (finally) try to get into shape for the year. I'd like to be 10 lbs lighter and a minute a mile faster right now, but it is what it is. I'm hoping that the next two weeks go well and that I do the best I can at the race.</div>
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I have only done two "long" runs (over 10k) this year to date, one each of the last two Saturdays. One 8 miler at Indian Springs and the other in Clarkston. Both runs were with the Wolfpack group. I brought up the rear at the run yesterday, but was close enough that I caught up to the group at the water stops. The people who showed up are fast, but my recent lack of training didn't help. Sometimes, running with people who are faster than you is what you need. I certainly wouldn't have run at the pace I ran yesterday if I was alone. It wasn't race pace, but I was uncomfortable and that can be a good thing.</div>
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After the relay race, I have no solid race plans, but I plan to do some 5Ks and 10Ks during the year. The hope is that by late summer / fall, I can PR both these distances and get close to some long-standing goals.</div>
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<i>How did your winter training go? Did the cold weather (especially in February) disrupt your plans?</i></div>
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protometal @ clippinalong.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00136868195365402745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215756942485897439.post-37961238947403799292015-01-19T15:51:00.000-08:002015-01-19T15:51:19.610-08:00Chicago MarathonThe 2014 Chicago Marathon is in the books and it was the best, worst, most exciting and most frustrating race I've ever run. Since I haven't posted for about 5 months, I'm going to hit a couple items before the race itself including training, the Brooksie Way Half Marathon and the "taper' leading up to the race.<br />
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Training: </h3>
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Training went exactly as planned as I followed the Hal Higdon Novice 2 program as closely as I could. I missed 2 or 3 individual, mid week runs out of the entire 18 week program. My longest runs included an 18 miler on the Clinton River Trail and 19 and 20 milers at Kensington Metro Park. All of my long runs except the 20 miler were just as I expected them to be. During the 20 miler, I experience a recurrence of some ankle pain, but overall, the run was fine. I was trained to meet my 4 hour goal.<br />
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<br />Brooksie Way Half Marathon:</h3>
Two weeks before Chicago, I ran the Brooksie Way Half Marathon. I signed up for this race long before I was certain I would run any marathon this year. Because it was so close to the Marathon, I decided to take it easy for this race. While I didn't go as "easy" as planned, I did run it close to what I thought was my marathon pace and finished in 1:52 and some change. It was about 4 minutes slower than last year and I felt pretty confident that if I would have fully "raced" this one, I could have PR'd and beat my 1:48something time from last year. Everything was on schedule.<br />
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<b>The Taper:</b></h3>
There was nothing wrong with my 3 week taper. I did what I was supposed to to, except, right after the Brooksie Way, I got sick. It wasn't a bad illness and it was confined primarily to sinuses and throat. No chest congestion or congestion in general. I seemed to be getting better after 4 or 5 days, but it reached a certain point and did not improve. I could breathe, but I had laryngitis and a dripping in my throat that produced occasional coughing and just general mucus goodness (sorry). Even so, I got most of my taper runs in and thought I would be fine for race day.<br />
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The Expo:</h3>
The whole family traveled to Illinois for the race. We stayed with my Dad in the SW Chicago burbs and on Saturday took the train into the city. Neither of us (my wife and I) had taken the Metra train into the city before, so it was a new experience. The ticket counter was closed, but we soon found out you buy your ticket on the train (take cash). On weekends, a weekend pass is $7 each, a pretty good deal where you can ride all you want on the system with that pass (individual rides from our location are normally $5.50 each way). So, we got 4 trips each (to city and back) with the pass.<br />
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The expo was huge and quite busy. The bib pickup system was pretty sophisticated. They scanned a QR code on your participant guide and sent you to a station where they scanned it again. Then, you went elsewhere to pickup your shirt and bag. We walked around the expo for a while, but with as much walking as we had already done, we didn't hit everything. We were able to take some shuttle buses, but in all, I bet we walked almost 3 miles total Saturday. We accomplished our main goals of getting my bib and figuring out if the train would be a good way of getting to the race (it was). We got back to my Dad's, had a unique dining experience, had some cake for some birthdays (my girls) and got to bed.</div>
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Race Day:</h3>
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I set the alarm, but it was not necessary, as I awoke before 4am. I followed my normal race day routine of showering and eating a small bowl of Cheerios (I'll spare you other steps) and we made it to our 5:15 am train which got us to the city by about 6:15 am. I walked with my wife and Dad to about where they would be on the course and headed to the start line. There was a minor backup with security, but it wasn't bad. </div>
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I went to my corral group (C & D) and was able to visit our porta potty village for some last minute maintenance. Thankfully, I made it to the area before it got too busy - 15 minutes later and I would have been outta luck. Weather was perfect (low 50s, no rain) and I was able to keep my throwaway shirt and pants on until just before the corrals closed and the race started. I was ready to start with nearly 45,000 of my running brethren. The hand cyclists and elites started first, then the corrals were released. We got to the starting line about 9:30 after the elites started.</div>
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I felt good as we started out, under a building and then over a small bridge. There were minor elevation changes, but this course was about as flat as you can get. Early in the race I was happy to head out just under my goal pace (just under 9 min / mile). My first inkling that I was not going to have the best day was by about mile 3. I was feeling a lack of energy and my body's heat management system seemed a bit off. As "easy" as I was running, I shouldn't have been sweating like I was (profusely). Even so, I felt like I could keep it moving. I wouldn't meet my 3:45 "fantasy goal" or my 3:50 "having a really good day" goal, but 4 hours was still in my sights.</div>
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I wrote my name on my shirt, at the suggestion of my sister-in-law, and it created a pretty wild situation for the entirety of the race. The number of people who were cheering for me, by name, was incredible. For the most part, I liked it. I didn't like that it was more difficult to pick out my family and, later in the race, I wasn't as much in the mood to acknowledge my supporters.</div>
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By about mile 8 or 9, I came to the realization that even beating 4 hours was not likely to happen. I was still "on pace", but just barely. I still thought I could PR and beat 4:17 at this point. My goal was to stay below 2 hours for the first half of the race, which I was able to do. I saw my family right around the halfway point and waved and blew some kisses their way. "Just get to 16.2 - then it's just 10 miles..." Then it was "just get to 20, then it's just a 10k left!". My energy was low and my trick ankle was hurting badly, but I made it to mile 20 without a walk break. Once I hit 20, it was all about "survival" and finishing. Even a PR looked unlikely and all I wanted to do was finish,<br />
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I did a walk / run combo from there - probably 2 or 3 parts running to 1 part walking, but it wasn't timed or anything. I set mini goals until the end of the race. Get to that sign. Run through Chinatown. I think I ran the entire last mile. I certainly ran the last half mile plus.<br />
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I finished in 4:29 something, Not close to my goal and I didn't beat my previous marathon time. I wasn't upset with my effort though - it was the best I could do while dealing with this cold / allergy / whatever it was. It affected me for almost a month. I was upset that I trained well, did all I needed to meet my goals, and a stupid cold blew it all up.<br />
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I am finishing this post that I started in October now in January. Reading back over what I wrote, I still have disappointment over the results of the race. It probably led, in part, to my running funk that I've been trying to get out of for about 3 months. (That will likely be a separate post). Just finishing the race with how I felt was an accomplishment, but it also felt (feels) like 4 months of work down the drain.<br />
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I've decided that, for 2015, I'm not going to run a marathon. Actually, I'm content to run 5ks and 10ks and would like to PR both distances, if I can ever get my act together...</div>
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protometal @ clippinalong.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00136868195365402745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215756942485897439.post-43383020587118754012014-08-17T17:09:00.000-07:002014-08-17T17:09:13.527-07:008 Weeks to ChicagoTen full weeks of training are in the books with eight left to go!<br />
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So far, so good. I've been doing almost exactly what my plan calls for. In fact, I missed my first run of this training cycle this week (it was for a good reason, to help someone empty out a flooded basement).<br />
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After running my 17 miler this week at Paint Creek, I understand why you don't miss runs. It seemed to make this one much harder than it should have been. For me, a 17 miler may always offer challenges, but my Saturday one (and my Thursday run with the stroller for that matter) felt like I missed a month rather than one stinkin' run. Life happens, but I don't intend to miss any more.<br />
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I finally put up the medal holder my kids and wife made me for my birthday (last year - I'm bad).<br />
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I knew I had a lot of medals, but I didn't know I had 30 of 'em. At least for now, I didn't think there was room for all of them, so I put up my favorite / "most important" 15 of 'em. They include:<br />
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<ul>
<li>2011 Iron Turkey - My first 10k (actually also my first double race 5k & 10k)</li>
<li>2011 - 2013 Brooksie Way Half Marathon</li>
<li>2012 - 2014 Rock CF Half Marathon</li>
<li>2012 - 2013 Crim 10 Mile</li>
<li>2013 Milford Labor Day 10k (my 10k PR)</li>
<li>2014 Weekend Warrior Half Marathon</li>
<li>2012 Shamrock N' Roll 10k</li>
<li>2012 Open Door Julie Run 5k 2nd place age group (my 5k PR)</li>
<li>2013 Detroit Free Press Marathon</li>
</ul>
<div>
Most of the other medals I have are Kona races I've paced and age group awards. I like the age group awards, but they don't look as cool as the "big race" ones and they don't all mean the same to me. A couple of them don't even have the race name anywhere (front or back). I remember what they are now, but not sure if I'll remember later. Guess I should write on the back or put a sticker on 'em. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I like the medals I have but never dwell on them. It is nice now that they are "on display", but they only show where I've been, not where I'm going. (I think I would fight someone if they took my Marathon medal though. :)</div>
<div>
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<div>
---</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Eight weeks to Grant Park and beyond! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
protometal @ clippinalong.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00136868195365402745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215756942485897439.post-28107789091584556902014-08-01T16:13:00.000-07:002014-08-01T16:19:31.147-07:00Marathon Training / New Theme SongHeyooooooooo!<br />
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<br />
So much for blogging the weekly details of my marathon training. I'm a big picture guy anyway so here's it is:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-7zybs9EMyWcyWljCZi3QpUtttircJ6PqGbfVHwVDX50tN557SYn-7Dve6Xqvjcbo0Cfs6sbnpHyyBhyS8c5TrE_wRYAc99SgfsgXRmt2-alWdgLbooRj_d2dR0lxvS4FOhVzS8dgD0/s1600/10337757_10203622200344439_4444334138557479005_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-7zybs9EMyWcyWljCZi3QpUtttircJ6PqGbfVHwVDX50tN557SYn-7Dve6Xqvjcbo0Cfs6sbnpHyyBhyS8c5TrE_wRYAc99SgfsgXRmt2-alWdgLbooRj_d2dR0lxvS4FOhVzS8dgD0/s1600/10337757_10203622200344439_4444334138557479005_n.jpg" height="315" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Marathon training is going pretty well as I approach the halfway point of my journey to the Windy City. I'm nearing the end of week 8 of 18 (with the end of week 18 being the Chicago Marathon). Using the Hal Higdon "Novice 2" training as a guide, I typically run Tuesday "short", Wednesday "mid-distance", Thursday "Short" and Saturday is my long run. Sunday is a cross-training day and Monday and Friday are rest days. This week I ran 4 miles on Tuesday, 7 on Wednesday, 4 on Thursday and will be running my longest run this year of 15 miles this Saturday for 30 miles total.<br />
<br />
I'm handling the gradual increase of mileage very well. In fact, I have been tempted to run more (like adding a Monday run), but have resisted (probably wisely so). My runs during the week have all been after work and often a couple hours later due to family activities, weather and the like. I'm already tired when I start many of these runs. I don't have a physically demanding job necessarily, but I work hard and the day has a way of wearing me down. So far, without exception, I've gotten my 3 weekday runs in each week. I haven't worried about my pace too much. Every once in a while I push it a little, but largely my effort is rather moderate. After about 3 weeks of training, I started to feel stronger and now I am finally out of my "feeling undertrained" mode. It isn't a finished product yet, but I'm back on track.<br />
<br />
For my long runs, I have been doing most of them with the Clarkston "Wolfpack". They are a group that has been running together for a few years. There is a mix of people from their 20's to their early 60's. Some of the older people in the group can deal. They outpace me in these training runs and probably could do so in most races too. There are Boston Marathon runners, qualifiers and near qualifiers. Most of this group is faster than me, and that is mostly a good thing. I'm pushing the pace of these long runs faster than I would alone and am running many of them near my marathon pace. I know that you're supposed to run a minute or so slower than your race pace, according to some experts, but I'm not killing myself to run this pace. 14 miles last week was reasonably comfortable. Perhaps my goal pace is too slow? (I don't think my goal pace is too slow)<br />
<br />
---<br />
<br />
For every training cycle, I've had a theme song and, up until this week, I had none for this one. Past songs include "In For The Kill" by Budgie, "Into the Arena" by Michael Schenker, "Go Faster" by the Black Crowes and "Built for Speed" by Motorhead. All fine songs, but I wanted something that was not used before and not on my normal running playlist. Last week, the song found me - "Painkiller" by Judas Priest.<br />
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<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/nM__lPTWThU" width="480"></iframe></center>
<br />
<br />
It is apparently about a robot motorcycle savior to smite evil which has brought about Armageddon. Um, yea. I found a way to relate it to running by the title and through many of the lyrics which reference speed, power, redemption and crushing evil under wheels. Who could ask for more? Besides that, this is a pretty sweet song. I had heard it before, but just happened to hear it on the radio (probably XM Ozzy's Boneyard) and decided this was my jam.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRMFPmUG2O61S0veaZCN-RStAnPlzhxLJRisxmRnjUaSeq9yyUCoDSfQZKoJ7e0cfn7MfxmT-DIrUOUEr8F1OcQRJnva4g0gU_XC3AKAgyvEC5tcoZmKysMoZ-5QxVq2exd7a1y1WB5Y/s1600/my+jam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRMFPmUG2O61S0veaZCN-RStAnPlzhxLJRisxmRnjUaSeq9yyUCoDSfQZKoJ7e0cfn7MfxmT-DIrUOUEr8F1OcQRJnva4g0gU_XC3AKAgyvEC5tcoZmKysMoZ-5QxVq2exd7a1y1WB5Y/s1600/my+jam.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />protometal @ clippinalong.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00136868195365402745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215756942485897439.post-49662732404247687382014-07-05T13:37:00.000-07:002014-07-05T13:37:00.539-07:00Back to the BlogHey! Hey! Hey!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_uOOy0Fu8pZDS34BAuM_ZtiHf4WycxLPvbxoo6KXhkXgiBX1tJW1gZn7xm75dJ1Ms1jDHSZnGdOEJylMMGyznBglURaVX7rBbDSVSWuHm6TuuEfmKB_PeG9STzruJose_xT-ba5yKWXE/s1600/fat+albert+gif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_uOOy0Fu8pZDS34BAuM_ZtiHf4WycxLPvbxoo6KXhkXgiBX1tJW1gZn7xm75dJ1Ms1jDHSZnGdOEJylMMGyznBglURaVX7rBbDSVSWuHm6TuuEfmKB_PeG9STzruJose_xT-ba5yKWXE/s1600/fat+albert+gif.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I've ignored this blog for long enough and it's time to get back to it. So.... What has happened in the 3 months since my last post? Well...<br />
<br />
I ran two half marathons, Rock CF at Grosse Ile and Weekend Warrior in Armada. Both went alright, if not a bit slowly. The Weekend Warrior was a much better performance. I ran something like 1:57 and felt surprisingly well while doing it. It was the most "even" I had ever run a race, with mile splits darn close to equal throughout. It was about 9 minutes off of a PR, but given where I was in my training (not particularly good), it was a success.<br />
<br />
The other "big" thing is that I got into the Chicago Marathon! It was a lottery (with about a 60% chance of getting in, apparently).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LYFZKISODwGN7iG3K38LdUIsglyQExQ1nIUrF1t6f66pa04HkDb90UJKqymxwCTrkMYihkbTeDhbcDy9h5vp8-ZGuQHNBcE9dUWLlgB0sowSHCMmFgZYXIPed2MOouw3kTQ9aUH41cg/s1600/chicago+run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LYFZKISODwGN7iG3K38LdUIsglyQExQ1nIUrF1t6f66pa04HkDb90UJKqymxwCTrkMYihkbTeDhbcDy9h5vp8-ZGuQHNBcE9dUWLlgB0sowSHCMmFgZYXIPed2MOouw3kTQ9aUH41cg/s1600/chicago+run.jpg" height="259" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I started my "official" training about 4 weeks ago, using a slightly modified version of Hal Higdon's Novice 2 marathon program. The main modification is that I've added a mile or two to some of the runs, no big deal. So far, I think it is going well. I'm already much stronger now than before the training and am moving a bit faster in training. I think regularly running (4 days a week plus one "cross training" day) and running on hills often has helped quite a bit. It is still a work in progress, but I have 14 more weeks before the race, so I should be good if I can keep it up.<br />
<br />
That is enough of a "catch up" for now. Next post will be about some new and exciting adventure?protometal @ clippinalong.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00136868195365402745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215756942485897439.post-4481289419540838782014-03-26T06:43:00.001-07:002014-03-26T06:43:49.559-07:00Progress delayedI think I have been waiting to post something on this blog until I had something good to say. Maybe a breakthrough of some sort. Perhaps to brag about a great week of training?. Maybe I'm ready to set those PRs I was talking about in my post about the upcoming year. Unfortunately, I don't have a ton of positivity to impart, other than that I haven't completely given up.<br />
<br />
My next race is coming up this weekend at Rock CF Half Marathon on Grosse Ile this weekend. I am not in good enough running shape to PR this race. Nor do I think I'll be able to best my previous times for this race. I don't think I'll break two hours. In fact, I may not even beat my slowest half-marathon time, which was my first half-marathon. My training has been erratic and I'm currently home from work on the second day of an illness.<br />
<br />
I still intend to run Sunday and have decided that I will be happy doing it, whatever the result. There are really only a few choices at this point anyway. I can run and be happy about it, I can run and be miserable or not run at all. Option 1 seems like the only acceptable choice.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_lDIp5cERzntWp8JwzxPhSVs5jX-EvMRGTlWcfoepH1DwcIAywZGNYPHZOspEq5piIIITmW_S65gakuxu588nkApCH9S_PV-EXwY2JSzTK14KkmTfp5XESzSLKvIJuVQhK0cmf2l4Lk/s1600/Dublin+Double+pacers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_lDIp5cERzntWp8JwzxPhSVs5jX-EvMRGTlWcfoepH1DwcIAywZGNYPHZOspEq5piIIITmW_S65gakuxu588nkApCH9S_PV-EXwY2JSzTK14KkmTfp5XESzSLKvIJuVQhK0cmf2l4Lk/s1600/Dublin+Double+pacers.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I was able to be a pacer at the Kona St. Patrick's Day race in Plymouth a couple weeks ago. It was brutally cold, but otherwise it was enjoyable. I was going to pace 60 minutes for the 10k, but instead ended up running 65 minutes with Lorenda (<a href="http://runnernerd.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">her blog</a>). That was fine by me. Usually, when I'm pacing, I talk quite a bit and try to be encouraging and helpful to those around me. It was too darn cold for that on this day.<br />
<br />
I also ran the 5k holding the "first time 5k" sign. I tried to run what I thought a first time 5k runner would run and probably finished in around 34 minutes.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-V7izLLOAVcoxIVeVN4bzo4RkQS6EbXLopuD8YNAPysMG384I3nKa4s3ipUzQ-fIV6hL2aOgSoUxQtuEBjsKqYjOtbB3iHiW_jh2RQMTlcQW2b3bVY0JG798k8G-9IA0SGp0uJFL0T6A/s1600/stpats3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-V7izLLOAVcoxIVeVN4bzo4RkQS6EbXLopuD8YNAPysMG384I3nKa4s3ipUzQ-fIV6hL2aOgSoUxQtuEBjsKqYjOtbB3iHiW_jh2RQMTlcQW2b3bVY0JG798k8G-9IA0SGp0uJFL0T6A/s1600/stpats3.jpg" height="280" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did get this nice photobomb out of the first race.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
---<br />
<br />
Hopefully I'll feel better soon, the weather will improve and I'll be able to get some real training in. Until then, I'll continue to muddle along. Spring will soon be here?<br />
<br />
---<br />
<br />
I decided to sign up for the Chicago Marathon and see what happens in the lottery. If I get in, that should motivate me. If I don't, I'll likely sign up for Indy Monumental Marathon and will use that and the "rejection" by Chicago to motivate me. Gotta take it when you can.protometal @ clippinalong.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00136868195365402745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215756942485897439.post-21349434148279776142014-02-26T20:38:00.002-08:002014-02-26T20:39:08.614-08:00Marathon Madness Apparently, enough time has passed where I now think of my Detroit Marathon experience as overwhelmingly positive and have mostly forgotten the pain and woe. With a good running week (finally) under my belt, I started to think about running a marathon again. That's all it takes, I guess. Over the past few months I've gone from "No way" to "Well... perhaps" to "I gotta sign up now!".<br />
<br />
I have considered a few fall marathons (no spring marathon as I'm not even close to ready for a half marathon, much less a full one, but that's a different post) and I keep coming back to two races that I want to do. The Chicago Marathon was my first choice, but now I'm leaning towards the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon. Each race has pros and cons for me, which I will note below:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WN4w8rX_01XmTWKlvjKHWkcIkU6WGllYDBOVanWQjs-TEFoRinYx22c3vv845j_daMHLUnphhvjRdYyMGuRlcdoM04y-pEwrD7L8egSK7ITHcrRrYUF_W1DA2pkiJI9nWaiRd2hEkI0/s1600/chic+mar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WN4w8rX_01XmTWKlvjKHWkcIkU6WGllYDBOVanWQjs-TEFoRinYx22c3vv845j_daMHLUnphhvjRdYyMGuRlcdoM04y-pEwrD7L8egSK7ITHcrRrYUF_W1DA2pkiJI9nWaiRd2hEkI0/s1600/chic+mar.jpg" height="268" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicago Marathon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
<b>The Chicago Marathon!</b></h3>
I grew up in the "Chicagoland" area, about 40 minutes from Downtown Chicago. It is my "home city" and I followed Chicago sports teams, watched Chicago TV, etc. We visited the museums and went to Sox games (we were Cub fans but Comiskey Park was much closer and easier to get to) on occasion, but most of our interactions with the city itself involved driving through and getting stuck in traffic on the Dan Ryan and / or Eisenhower with my Dad on many weekends. On the highway, we would hide as not to be kissed by the Magikist lips signs (I don't know why).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPAX_GGCClPihYQVnc1ICBgYq362CrD5vLKd5NWiuyoFPe5cLtojuKTsZV9B22CLwlf4s0fCd5onI8QFlKVx6sRLYKrW0qSR-xLEs4yqV3e5FlH9OFIihuCk-TRYWJs0R3rM5loUpQ_ek/s1600/MagikistlipsKennedy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPAX_GGCClPihYQVnc1ICBgYq362CrD5vLKd5NWiuyoFPe5cLtojuKTsZV9B22CLwlf4s0fCd5onI8QFlKVx6sRLYKrW0qSR-xLEs4yqV3e5FlH9OFIihuCk-TRYWJs0R3rM5loUpQ_ek/s1600/MagikistlipsKennedy.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
So, I'm not a "true" resident, but it was our city.<br />
<br />
As the Chicago Marathon is in my "home city" and it is one of the biggest races in the country, I have wanted to run it for some time. The "Spirit of the Marathon" movie did not diminish this desire. That said, I have cooled on this race somewhat, and it has much to do with the lottery.<br />
<br />
After a registration fiasco last year, the organizers of this race decided to have a lottery entry system for those not granted "exemptions" for entry. I'm not so down on the lottery as how it is being implemented. One can sign up between March 5 and April 7, and, if you "win" or "lose", you will be informed on April 14.<br />
<br />
Do people really need over a month to enter? Isn't April 14 a bit late to know if you're in or out? It isn't too late in terms of training, but it is when trying to decide about entry to other races. I haven't registered for another race, but some of the races I have considered will cost more or be sold out by then. <i>Have the lottery, let people know if they are in or out and let them move along.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Besides the lottery thing, the race cost is $185. Wow. To be fair, it is a bit less than New York or Boston, but come on. That's over 8 million bucks from race entry fees and I'm sure there is a huge chunk of $ from sponsorships. It costs money to organize a race (and even more with heightened security) but still... I know parking is going to be expensive and a pain and I'll need to park at least twice (pick up and race) in the city. I'd love to spend the night at a hotel downtown, but rooms are crazy 'spensive too.<br />
<br />
<b>Pros:</b><br />
Hometown race<br />
Considered a top 5 (maybe top 2 or 3) marathon in the country with good race history<br />
Run with elites - some of the worlds best<br />
Crowds are great<br />
Great scenery<br />
Can stay with family about 20 miles from race start<br />
Highest possibility that family outside of household would attend<br />
<br />
<b>Cons:</b><br />
The whole lottery thing<br />
Cost (race, parking, etc.)<br />
Not able to afford hotel room close to race start / finish<br />
<h3>
<b><br /></b></h3>
<h3>
<b>Indianapolis Monumental Marathon!</b></h3>
Detroit is my "current city", Chicago is my "home city", but Indianapolis is my "third city". I grew up near Chicago, but in Indiana. I went to Indiana State in Terre Haute, a little over an hour from Indy, so we visited on occasion.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsAGPyx8Iv-U6mzNpCDaALyAO80E3nKQVCEwt2mXITv_aeNfXrK9kjVd6TXRwn9px0AE0_pl7N6pp_hbUASQ3UNqMEa_75pIWISo051_iPkRe-jA7Id-_ovITWal7byvg-gcrg3JmL2M/s1600/ind+monumental.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsAGPyx8Iv-U6mzNpCDaALyAO80E3nKQVCEwt2mXITv_aeNfXrK9kjVd6TXRwn9px0AE0_pl7N6pp_hbUASQ3UNqMEa_75pIWISo051_iPkRe-jA7Id-_ovITWal7byvg-gcrg3JmL2M/s1600/ind+monumental.jpg" height="157" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This race really wasn't on my radar until <a href="http://www.detroitrunner.com/2013/11/indianapolis-monumental-marathon-race.html" target="_blank">Jeff aka Detroit Runner talked about this race and posted about it on his blog</a>. They really enjoyed the race and had a good experience overall. It is much cheaper than Chicago ($80 vs. $185) to boot. We would likely stay in a hotel for this one, but the difference in race cost makes that less of an issue than it otherwise would be (though I just noticed parking prices at the downtown hotels are ridiculous).<br />
<br />
<b>Pros:</b><br />
No lottery - you sign up, you're in.<br />
Reasonable race fee<br />
Good scenery / course<br />
Hotels close to race start / finish which are not outrageously expensive<br />
Some family may attend<br />
I like November 1 race date<br />
<br />
<b>Cons:</b><br />
Not Chicago<br />
Race lacks deep history - less participation (4,000 marathon / 15,000 total vs 45,000 for Chicago)<br />
Lesser elite participation<br />
$27 parking (daily) at downtown hotels is not cool.<br />
Must get hotel<br />
Kids probably miss Halloween trick or treating<br />
<h3>
<br /></h3>
<h3>
Conclusion</h3>
<div>
Choices include: </div>
<div>
A) Sign up for Chicago, see what happens, skip marathon in 2014 if not selected.</div>
<div>
B) Sign up for Chicago, if not selected, sign up for Indy.</div>
<div>
C) Sign up for Indy, forget Chicago this year</div>
<div>
D) Don't sign up for any marathon - after all, that was the original plan</div>
<div>
E) Run Detroit again or another nearby marathon</div>
<div>
F) Quit running, eat more donuts</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
B or C are the leaders in the clubhouse right now. I should be able to wait to see what happens for Chicago and then sign up for Indy. The hotel rooms I would want should still be available, but the overall uncertainty is not ideal. Is there a 90% chance of getting in to Chicago? 50%? 10%? No one really knows right now. If I register and don't get selected to race, I'll be TO'd (Kip Dynamite would be proud).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Do you have difficulties in race selection? </i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>Are race lotteries the most fair way to deal with demand? Is the Chicago one goofy or par for the course?</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>Would you like to sponsor me and pay for all of my races, travel and meal expenses? (worth a shot)</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
Have a good one!</div>
protometal @ clippinalong.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00136868195365402745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215756942485897439.post-16454294559046024902014-02-08T11:16:00.002-08:002014-02-08T11:19:07.432-08:00The Ultimate Rock Running Playlist<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Besides running, one of my “passions” is rock music. It’s much
more about listening to it than playing it, as I can’t play at all. Anyhow, I
consider myself somewhat of a classic rock / hard rock connoisseur in that I
know quite a bit about that “genre” and I continually seek out both old and new
music that I like. </h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I tend to be on the same page as Eddie Trunk (That Metal
Show and radio show host), when it comes to hard rock / heavy metal. Not in
lock step with all of his opinions, but in agreement with many of his reviews,
editorials, etc.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKi0fOvduWHBAE4QYn4ngZLljE2hEYtYSldmKOGqyzHbux6dc0TKpn1zhobpD-FhcydfiQcHHfwfkHRH-jy84yy1_tTvQMdG_2p5uuIm18UXtrNhgAC5wIj8iwfcqA9YbGcDFFfl9BVs/s1600/eddie+aero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKi0fOvduWHBAE4QYn4ngZLljE2hEYtYSldmKOGqyzHbux6dc0TKpn1zhobpD-FhcydfiQcHHfwfkHRH-jy84yy1_tTvQMdG_2p5uuIm18UXtrNhgAC5wIj8iwfcqA9YbGcDFFfl9BVs/s1600/eddie+aero.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eddie Trunk with Joey Kramer & Brad Whitford of Aerosmith</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Given that I like running and rock music, it is only logical
that I combine the two. When I am running, I am probably without music the
majority of the time, but it is nice to have it on occasion, particularly when
running alone and on familiar ground when I’ve seen all there is to see on my
route. What I have found that works best is using my phone, without headphones,
in an arm holder. It allows me to hear the music well when it is reasonably
quiet, but still hear traffic and other ambient sounds.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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With the advent of streaming services (I use Spotify), you can
create multiple playlists from a choice of bazillions of songs. While there are
a few artists missing (The Beatles are the big one, but there are others) and
the catalogs of ones that they do have are not always complete, having 80% of
all the music I want at my fingertips is still amazing to me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyDOUraotPmLph8gUqpYQjlRGo3XQSpr2u9cy7Sg_33H8Kj2ul406KyHkF-A79Pj5W2wI7C7sPlYDzgHlchTba_ksaTx5cHm2j970T__FlIDpe8jxKE3EDW4TBQLk-BOxrlyqAzuxiA0/s1600/spotify.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyDOUraotPmLph8gUqpYQjlRGo3XQSpr2u9cy7Sg_33H8Kj2ul406KyHkF-A79Pj5W2wI7C7sPlYDzgHlchTba_ksaTx5cHm2j970T__FlIDpe8jxKE3EDW4TBQLk-BOxrlyqAzuxiA0/s1600/spotify.png" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The playlist I have spent the most time working on and
listening to is my Running Rock list. I created this, primarily for myself,
because the other lists that are out there are either woefully incomplete or
feature far too many songs that have zero relation to running.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Here are the criteria that I have used over the past couple
years when adding songs to this list:</b></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li>Tracks should fit into the general category of rock. Hard /
classic rock preferred. No specific tempo or beats per minute (BPM)are required,
but I’ve tried to avoid anything that is too plodding.</li>
<li>Songs specifically about running (such as “Loneliness of the
Long Distance Runner” by Iron Maiden or “Marathon” by Rush)</li>
<li>Songs which have some form of “run” or “running” in the
title or as the main subject of the song (i.e. “Runnin’ Wild” by The Rods).</li>
<li>Songs which have some form of “speed” or “fast” in the title
or as the main subject (demonstrated by two Slash songs – “Hard and Fast” and “Speed
Parade”).</li>
<li>Songs about the road, ‘cause I’m a road runner, baby! (“Road
Runner” – Aerosmith, “All Over The Road” – Rival Sons).</li>
<li>Songs of Defiance (“You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” – BTO, “Gimme
Danger” – Iggy and the Stooges).</li>
<li>Songs about winning or victory (“Victory” – Megadeth, “Live to Win” – 2 different songs by
Motorhead and Paul Stanley).</li>
<li>Songs about endurance, perseverance or power (“Push” by Dio,
“Double the Pain” by Heaven and Hell).</li>
<li>Songs about Detroit, my current and long-time area of
residence (“Detroit City” by Alice Cooper is a little known gem).</li>
<li>Songs about locomotion other than running (There are two
versions of “Train Kept A Rollin’” in this list).<i><b> I am The Train.</b></i></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNggq4D9w5hAGOz0u769Y-n-QxU0PsBRuKow5DnSBzXCyV1T-vl4gOTXYIrKi7o5MnLNiapeWEob5oUbyhOhZw1S2ZuRPuFcJhf1njbM3BpBjKTArmWkYMcHy6FiO1Y7PeG6V0phlZj3w/s1600/The+train.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNggq4D9w5hAGOz0u769Y-n-QxU0PsBRuKow5DnSBzXCyV1T-vl4gOTXYIrKi7o5MnLNiapeWEob5oUbyhOhZw1S2ZuRPuFcJhf1njbM3BpBjKTArmWkYMcHy6FiO1Y7PeG6V0phlZj3w/s1600/The+train.jpg" height="320" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
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<h3>
Without further ado, here is the
list, by artist:</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
3 Doors Down – Race For The Sun <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Accept – Fast As A Shark<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Accept – Ahead Of The Pack<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Aerosmith – One Way Street<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Aerosmith – Don't Stop - Single
Version<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Aerosmith – Road Runner<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Aerosmith – You Gotta Move<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Aerosmith – Three Mile Smile<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Aerosmith – Train Kept A Rollin'<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Aerosmith – Get The Lead Out<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Airbourne – Runnin' Wild<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Airbourne – Too Much, Too Young,
Too Fast<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Alice Cooper – Catch Me If You Can<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Alice Cooper – Detroit City<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Alice Cooper – Under My Wheels<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Anvil – Running<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Anvil – Race Against Time<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Bachman-Turner Overdrive – You
Ain't Seen Nothing Yet<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Bachman-Turner Overdrive – Roll On
Down The Highway<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Bachman-Turner Overdrive – Down
The Road<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Bad Company – Run With the Pack
(Remastered Album Version)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Beatallica – Running For Your Life<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Billy Idol – Speed<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Black Country Communion – Burn -
Live From Germany/2011<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
The Black Crowes – Go Faster<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
The Black Keys – Run Me Down<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Black Sabbath – I<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Black Star Riders – Bound for
Glory<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Boots Electric – Speed Demon<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Bruce Springsteen – Born To Run<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Bryan Adams – Run To You<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Budgie – In for the Kill<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Cake – The Distance<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Captain Beyond – Dancing Madly
Backwards (On A Sea Of Air)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Captain Beyond – Raging River Of
Fear<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Cheap Trick – Time Is Runnin'<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Chickenfoot – Runnin' Out<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Coheed and Cambria – Ten Speed (Of
God's Blood & Burial)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Coheed and Cambria – The Running
Free<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Creedence Clearwater Revival – Run
Through The Jungle<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Creedence Clearwater Revival –
Born To Move<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Damn Yankees – Don't Tread On Me<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Deep Purple – Burn - Remastered LP
Version<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Deep Purple – Speed King - U.S.
Album Version from 'Deep Purple In The Rock'<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Deep Purple – Highway Star - Live
Version<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Deep Purple – Fireball<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Diamond Head – Run<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Dio – Push<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Dio – I Speed At Night<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Dio – One More For The Road<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Dropkick Murphys – The Warrior's Code<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Edgar Winter – Rebel Road<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Elvis Costello & The
Attractions – Pump It Up<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Eric Johnson – On the Run<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Fabulous Thunderbirds – Runnin'
Shoes<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Fastway – You Got Me Runnin'<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
The Folksmen – Start Me Up<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Foo Fighters – Breakout<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Gamma – Fight To The Finish<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Gnarls Barkley – Run [I'm A
Natural Disaster]<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Grand Funk – Runnin' - 24-Bit
Digitally Remastered 02<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Grateful Dead – The Race Is On
[Live]<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Halford – Speed Of Sound<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Hawkwind – Kings Of Speed<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Heart – Kick It Out<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Heaven & Hell – Double The
Pain<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
The Hellbenders – Runnin' Wild<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Humble Pie – Road Runners G Jam<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Iggy & The Stooges – Search
and Destroy - Iggy Pop Mix<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Iggy & The Stooges – Gimme
Danger - Iggy Pop Mix<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Iggy & The Stooges – Raw Power
- Iggy Pop Mix<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Iggy Pop – Lust For Life<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Iggy Pop – Run Like A Villain<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Iommi – Dopamine<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Iron Maiden – Be Quick Or Be Dead<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Iron Maiden – Running Free<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Iron Maiden – The Trooper<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Iron Maiden – Run To The Hills<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Iron Maiden – The Loneliness Of
The Long Distance Runner<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
The J. Geils Band – Detroit
Breakdown - Live<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Jimi Hendrix – Hear My Train A
Comin'<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Jo Jo Gunne – Run Run Run<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts –
Roadrunner<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Joe Satriani – Speed Of Light<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
John Fogerty – Walking In A
Hurricane<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Jonny Lang – Hit The Ground
Running<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Jorn – Push<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Journey – Keep On Runnin'<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Judas Priest – Breaking the Law<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Judas Priest – On the Run<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Judas Priest – Turbo Lover<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Judas Priest – Delivering the
Goods<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Judas Priest – Running Wild - Live<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Kamchatka – Out of My Way<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Keel – Speed Demon<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Kiss – Mr. Speed<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Kiss – Detroit Rock City<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Krokus – Go Baby Go<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Krokus – Fight On<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Krokus – Keep Me Rollin<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Lenny Kravitz – Where Are We
Runnin'?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Lenny Kravitz – Always On The Run<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Lindsey Buckingham – Holiday Road
- Live<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Lita Ford – Can't Catch Me</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Locomotive Breath – Speed Driven<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Lynyrd Skynyrd – Call Me The
Breeze<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Marilyn Manson – Running To The
Edge Of The World<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Megadeth – Fast Lane<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Megadeth – Victory - 2004 Digital
Remaster<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Metallica – Seek & Destroy<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Metallica – Fuel<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
The Meters – Running Fast - Single
Version<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Michael Schenker – Speed<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Michael Schenker Group – Run to
the Hills<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Michael Schenker Group – Finding
My Way</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
The Michael Schenker Group – Into
The Arena<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Molly Hatchet – Flirtin' With
Disaster<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Molly Hatchet – I'll Be Running<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Mötley Crüe – Kickstart My Heart<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Mötley Crüe – Too Fast For Love<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Motörhead – Live To Win<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Motörhead – The Chase Is Better
Than The Catch<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Motörhead – Speed Freak<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Motörhead – Built For Speed - 1987
/ Live At Brixton Academy, London<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Motörhead – You Better Run<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Motörhead – Iron Horse/Born To
Lose<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Motörhead – The Train Kept A
Rollin'<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Motörhead – Runaround Man<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Motörhead – Built For Speed<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Motörhead – Ridin' With The Driver<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Motörhead – Built For Speed - Live
at Monsters Of Rock, Castle Donnington 1986<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Nazareth – Hair Of The Dog<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
The Offspring – Race Against
Myself<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
The Osmonds – Crazy Horses<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Ozzy Osbourne – I Don't Wanna Stop<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Ozzy Osbourne – Over The Mountain
- Remastered Original Recording<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Pat Benatar – You Better Run<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Paul Stanley – Live To Win<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Pearl Jam – Supersonic<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
The Presidents Of The United
States Of America – Mach 5<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
The Presidents Of The United
States Of America – Kick Out the Jams<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Queen – Headlong<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Queen – Stone Cold Crazy<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Quiet Riot – Run For Cover<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Rainbow – Long Live Rock N Roll<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Rainbow – Kill The King<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Rainbow – Run With The Wolf<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
REO Speedwagon – Keep Pushin'<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Riot – Run For Your Life<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Rival Sons – Keep On Swinging<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Rival Sons – All Over the Road<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Rival Sons – Pressure and Time<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Robin Trower – Day Of The Eagle -
2007 Digital Remaster<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
The Rods – Runnin' Wild<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
The Rolling Stones – You Can't
Catch Me<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Rush – Fly By Night<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Rush – Marathon<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Rush – Finding My Way<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Rush – One Little Victory -
previously unreleased R30 Live Version<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Sabaton – The Price of a Mile<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Saxon – Wheels of Steel - 7''
Version;1997 - Remaster<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Saxon – Warrior<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Saxon – Run for Your Lives<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Saxon – Running Hot<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Scorpions – Bad Boys Running Wild<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Scorpions – Speedy's Coming<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Scorpions – Love On The Run<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Scorpions – Sting In The Tail<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Skid Row – Let's Go<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Slash – Hard & Fast<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Slash – Speed Parade<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
The Sounds – Running Out Of Turbo<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
The Spencer Davis Group – Keep On
Running<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Stone Temple Pilots – Fast As I
Can<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Stray Cats – Built For Speed<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Sweet – Fox On The Run<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
T. Rex – Chariot Choogle<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Ted Nugent – Stormtroopin'<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Ted Nugent – Hammerdown<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Ted Nugent – Weekend Warriors<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Ted Nugent – I Take No Prisoners -
Live<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Ted Nugent – I Shoot Back<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Ted Nugent – Motor City Madhouse<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Tenacious D – To Be The Best<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
They Might Be Giants – Speed and
Velocity<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
They Might Be Giants – It's
Kickin' In<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Thin Lizzy – Running Back<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Thin Lizzy – Warrior - Live Album
Version<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Tin Machine – Run - 1999 Digital
Remaster<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Todd Rundgren – Yer Fast<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Tom Petty – Runnin' Down A Dream<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers –
Running Man's Bible<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Triumph – Lay It On The Line<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Twisted Sister – I Will Win<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Twisted Sister – Blastin' Fast
& Loud<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
UFO – Rock Bottom - 2007 -
Remaster<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
UFO – Running Up The Highway<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Van Halen – Unchained<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Van Halen – Runaround<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Van Halen – Runnin' With The Devil<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
W.A.S.P. – Running Wild In The
Streets<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
W.A.S.P. – The Running Man<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
W.A.S.P. – Show No Mercy<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
The Who – Motoring - Shel Talmy -
Stereo Version<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
The Who – Run Run Run<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
The Who – I Can See For Miles<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
The Who – (I'm A) Road Runner -
Live (1971 / Young Vic, London)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
The Winery Dogs – Elevate<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Y&T – Don't Stop Runnin'<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
The Yardbirds – The Train Kept
A-Rollin'<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Yngwie Malmsteen – Faster Than
Speed Of Light<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
The Spotify playlist is available
here: <a href="http://open.spotify.com/user/protometal/playlist/6C1m7MZhM8ZfTjhEYFFSzC">Running
Rock</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<center>
<iframe -="" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:user:protometal:playlist:6C1m7MZhM8ZfTjhEYFFSzC" width="300"></iframe>
</center>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br />
I intend to keep this list updated
on a webpage in this blog. I am always looking for new music to add to this
list. If you have any suggestions, please let me know here or on my Facebook
page! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
Thanks!<o:p></o:p></div>
protometal @ clippinalong.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00136868195365402745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215756942485897439.post-33530060660032859352014-01-25T15:51:00.002-08:002014-01-25T15:51:48.468-08:00Gym RatGreetings!<br />
<br />
In my last post, I mentioned that I would start running at least a mile a day to try to get back on track. While that hasn't happened, I did have a much better week thereafter running / working out. I ran, often with additional "cross training" on 5 out of 8 days. I can live with that. This past week, I went to the SEMR Beer / Group Run in Royal Oak and ran today (Saturday). That's it. Oh well. I'm done beating myself up about it. I'm trying.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgrJjgs1JAcSIHT13qKLmHARqL3oYE5oHPDPPzHR0yX_aLfutYXKDbattFDWu4AZaKp6OCPctMlk4gpCBXM0Pe1IrmnvPpvacBKoZvq1c1W2QtfpAnnVoVUF7kKNMeL68FHo89aruazA/s1600/1528571_10200735967476612_57837993_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgrJjgs1JAcSIHT13qKLmHARqL3oYE5oHPDPPzHR0yX_aLfutYXKDbattFDWu4AZaKp6OCPctMlk4gpCBXM0Pe1IrmnvPpvacBKoZvq1c1W2QtfpAnnVoVUF7kKNMeL68FHo89aruazA/s1600/1528571_10200735967476612_57837993_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqSLd9kZ-juhBcUwyya4mUf7lYsDu6mJ8IqDZecju-YhAZURhpXMrrC_F83IELG9NsmVOYOpYcQ1Rrv-yNpJX1wx6xZP36z90k9kM8eEDIl2iIB1yQTAe-q_ywdFdrwD-v4cyNcvsf0c/s1600/1484237_10200735959396410_55386775_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqSLd9kZ-juhBcUwyya4mUf7lYsDu6mJ8IqDZecju-YhAZURhpXMrrC_F83IELG9NsmVOYOpYcQ1Rrv-yNpJX1wx6xZP36z90k9kM8eEDIl2iIB1yQTAe-q_ywdFdrwD-v4cyNcvsf0c/s1600/1484237_10200735959396410_55386775_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun at the SEMR Beer Run - Included a 5k-ish run, beer and prizes.</td></tr>
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I don't love working out inside, as I'd rather run outside, but it seems to be working out for me at the moment. Two of the five workouts last week were done at my home on my crummy treadmill. It is a hand-me-down that has a belt that moves, but it is relatively narrow and is not particularly comfortable to run on, but that's about it. I don't think the mph listed is particularly accurate. 6 mph on this treadmill is much more difficult than at the gym.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QMKiqL_n_pil94b5HTyMRnIaJYebFvzCRBvnoE4LyE18aVKaOkSFLmM3Bx7s3-sYWz-kscFPLay8SWj6OLsuXYovxuV-N2RYUe65dtkEITumCkYWDse1rcsSjW-6duclMCs8oDT59OI/s1600/Planet+fit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QMKiqL_n_pil94b5HTyMRnIaJYebFvzCRBvnoE4LyE18aVKaOkSFLmM3Bx7s3-sYWz-kscFPLay8SWj6OLsuXYovxuV-N2RYUe65dtkEITumCkYWDse1rcsSjW-6duclMCs8oDT59OI/s1600/Planet+fit.jpg" height="320" width="268" /></a></div>
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The gym I go to is Planet Fitness. For the price, it is tough to beat. They have two levels of membership - the standard one, which includes access for your home club only, for $10 a month and PF Black, which allows you to bring a guest, use other clubs and use of the hydromassage, massage chairs and tanning for $20. (There is also an annual fee of something like $39). I chose the $20 membership mainly to use the hydromassage and to be able to attend other Planet Fitness locations (though I have only done so once so far).<br />
<br />
My local club is only a couple years old and it has already expanded. There is the main room, an area for a 30 minute circuit, tanning rooms, the massage and hydro massage rooms, red light therapy room (not sure if I buy the value of red light therapy yet), a smaller, new room with mostly cardio machines, and locker rooms. The machines are all in good shape with about half of the machines being less than 6 months old. The treadmills are the most comfortable I've ever run on. They're still treadmills, but they are good ones. They lack most fancy, custom workout features but have adequate preset programs. The ARC Trainers, Ellipticals and such are good too. Bikes are fine, but again lack programs allowing heavy customization. The weight machines are fine for anything I would use them for.<br />
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Overall, the vibe is pretty casual, which is what they shoot for. There is a dress code (no jeans, nothing overly revealing), they discourage grunting and they have a lunk alarm for the lunks that drop weights. I haven't heard the alarm this year. If you are "hardcore gym guy / gal", this place isn't for you, but if you're a casual gym user, it generally has what you need. There is no pool and no child care, which may be issues for some (I would love child care).<br />
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The weather continues to be brutal, I cannot run in my neighborhood because the roads and sidewalks are ice and snow covered, and my schedule continues to be unfriendly to running, but I'm not giving up. I'm still determined to be in shape for two spring half-marathons and any other races I may do.<br />
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<br />protometal @ clippinalong.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00136868195365402745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215756942485897439.post-85216342231419857362014-01-11T15:53:00.003-08:002014-01-11T15:53:54.324-08:00An Inauspicious StartI almost titled this post an auspicious start, because that is what I thought I meant. Just to make sure, I looked it up and auspicious means encouraging or favorable. <i>Inauspicious</i> is what I really meant, which is exactly the opposite.<br />
<br />
2013 ended with a race on New Year's Eve, the New Years Resolution 8K run in Flint. This is the 3rd year in a row that I've run this race, put on by <a href="http://www.riverbendstriders.com/" target="_blank">Riverbend Striders</a>. They put on good, low frill races for a fair entry fee. The races I've done with them have the shirt as an option, which I like. The entry fee was $25 with a hooded sweatshirt and $15 without. I chose without this year, because I have more than enough hooded sweatshirts (I could use ones without hoods).<br />
<br />
It was in the upper teens and I may have skipped it if not for posting it on the Facebook page of a local running group and seeing that one of my running pals, Kevin, said he was going to go. Aw... I probably would have gone anyway. The race itself was fine. Thankfully, it wasn't nearly as windy as predicted and the weather was manageable, though most of the roads were snow covered and somewhat slick. I finished a couple minutes slower than the previous year, but I was OK with how it went and I was glad I raced.<br />
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The race wasn't inauspicious, but the start of 2014 has been quite inauspicious (last time using that word today). I did a 3 mile treadmill run about 8 days ago and then a 2 mile run during the middle of a snow event that would leave us with about 15 inches of the stuff.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xPobKfDkhosZYrXLFNXDKh_sYtvGpvW9TSsC-W0qFW1tnyvmD9d93T1nezrrqsOLvrri3iGvSq_PqTDiDjslQ3Us7RunoRH704ChRa2fHhD6EcCjpk77uI5Pf7HcBrQ_faQudBKwsco/s1600/CAM00284-SNOW.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xPobKfDkhosZYrXLFNXDKh_sYtvGpvW9TSsC-W0qFW1tnyvmD9d93T1nezrrqsOLvrri3iGvSq_PqTDiDjslQ3Us7RunoRH704ChRa2fHhD6EcCjpk77uI5Pf7HcBrQ_faQudBKwsco/s1600/CAM00284-SNOW.gif" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It really was snowing, but Google + decided to add the snow effect.<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pROMkCK6Wcel1ZxZhbt70SYqfBglQez17Fb0a1rnm33OsXolV3CkL0I3ViMKQT47NvW5B7QnFmCN8FG-7bkyHbD8qF6xZl7GWrGRDwX_0xzAPF4Xyc4WPMILS_5b2WtyLqbq0maGgBM/s1600/CAM00283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pROMkCK6Wcel1ZxZhbt70SYqfBglQez17Fb0a1rnm33OsXolV3CkL0I3ViMKQT47NvW5B7QnFmCN8FG-7bkyHbD8qF6xZl7GWrGRDwX_0xzAPF4Xyc4WPMILS_5b2WtyLqbq0maGgBM/s1600/CAM00283.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was able to run a couple miles on the unplowed roads. With all of the slip-sliding, it was challenging</td></tr>
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Those runs weren't the bad part. The inau.... bad part is that I didn't run for 6 days in a row, which is exactly what I said I shouldn't do in my <a href="http://clippinalong.blogspot.com/2014/01/goals-for-2014.html" target="_blank">post about running goals for 2014.</a> This lull was weather-influenced (that's what -14F temps will get ya) and schedule influenced. With the weather, not only was I not going to run outside due to road conditions and temperature, I had to get up early each day to shovel and to get ready to get to work on time. With the extra time for travel and increased need for concentration on the roads, I felt wiped out by the time I got home. Add to that evening activities for the kids and running didn't happen.<div>
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<div>
I have decent excuses. but as I struggled during my "easy" run at Indian Springs Metropark this morning, they didn't matter. It was way too hard and indicated to me that I need to step it up if I want to meet any of my goals this year.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
I have decided to take <strike>drastic</strike> moderate measures to get back on track. I am implementing a plan where I must run at least a mile every day. Erica from <a href="http://lifeasarunningmom.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Life as a Running Mom</a> has a 2 year daily run streak going and it seems to work well for her. I have a one day daily running streak. My hope is that, if I get myself ready to run one mile, I'll usually end up doing more. I don't care if it is on the home mill, the gym mill or outside, I need to get back in the habit.</div>
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Here's to the streak! *cheers*</div>
protometal @ clippinalong.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00136868195365402745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215756942485897439.post-77641206067101776532014-01-04T08:33:00.001-08:002014-01-04T08:33:05.132-08:00Goals for 2014Hey ya'll or Hey you guys! It all depends on where you're from. I took a NY Times Linguistics survey and it told me where I was from, just in case I forgot:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TJr4nRk7NwTHOJG2PEKZ8SQrxBUj3XROjb7Z1rFbb5rNvvTnp_SxBhkPCYWvuE9guxwSJsSvIbsJ2lf5v1Q4_no6V5s1vRzqdUloVEFDISKds3qv5ajQdh18XJTWnadoYDx06EKyL6s/s1600/heat+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TJr4nRk7NwTHOJG2PEKZ8SQrxBUj3XROjb7Z1rFbb5rNvvTnp_SxBhkPCYWvuE9guxwSJsSvIbsJ2lf5v1Q4_no6V5s1vRzqdUloVEFDISKds3qv5ajQdh18XJTWnadoYDx06EKyL6s/s400/heat+map.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>And it was pretty darn accurate.</b></td></tr>
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Anyhow, a new year brings a new list of running goals. I feel that setting goals is nearly essential in making progress in my running endeavors. Without goals or plans, I tend to do "whatever" and end up not running as much as I want or need to (to improve, to maintain health and for mental well-being).<br />
<br />
Since the Detroit Marathon in October, I have continued to run, but not nearly as much or as consistently as during the summer when I was training for the marathon or even as much as I did during last spring, when I was drifting. The weather, lack of daylight and family / holiday schedule have played a big part, but not having any goals did as well.<br />
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Now is the time <strike>for all good men to come to the aid of their party</strike> to set goals for 2014 and begin to act to meet those goals with some modicum of urgency (20 bonus points for using modicum in a sentence). For the most part, I have tried to make these goals simple and to allow myself, if I should fall short of completing the full goal, to be able to complete portions of the goal and feel some level of accomplishment. So, without further delay, here are the goals I plan to work on for the upcoming year:<br />
<br />
<b>1. PR (set a personal record best time) every main distance I run, from 5k to Half Marathon (or Marathon).</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Explanation:</b><br />
This would seem, on the surface, to be a quite formidable task and I will admit it won't happen without a good deal of effort. I continue to maintain that, if I apply myself, I can be significantly faster than I am right now. When I was on my marathon training plan in 2013. I PR'd both the 10 mile and half-marathon distances even though they were not goal races (I ran them as part of my training, not as the goal of my training - the main difference was that my training was not geared towards those races and, perhaps more significantly, my preparation in the week or two prior to these races was different than if these were "goal races").<br />
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<b>The plan: </b><br />
I am going to start a <b>half-marathon</b> training program oh... about now! I'll probably use a Hal Higdon plan (Novice 2 or Intermediate) with some tweaks to accommodate my schedule and preferences. These are 12 week programs and it just so happens that, at the end of 12 weeks, I plan to run the Rock CF Half Marathon on Grosse Ile. This is a flat course I am familiar with, having run it in 2012 and 2013. If the weather cooperates and I train as I should, I intend to PR at this race. I may also run a late April or May Half Marathon because I want to and to act as a back-up race in case Rock CF doesn't go as planned.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMp3nE-rqmagIaR6nVm4Iu26EfRERAHZrX-dYsgK7s13ImhqUGYnnWw7qIe0JY2uFoBdLu-suj_vl1w3-Roefjcya-L4osMftsiai5dd7PmZ68MmC1xPN5GtjsnUKTsON0o-hvzwmUMI/s1600/riverslogosmall-300x205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMp3nE-rqmagIaR6nVm4Iu26EfRERAHZrX-dYsgK7s13ImhqUGYnnWw7qIe0JY2uFoBdLu-suj_vl1w3-Roefjcya-L4osMftsiai5dd7PmZ68MmC1xPN5GtjsnUKTsON0o-hvzwmUMI/s1600/riverslogosmall-300x205.jpg" /></a></div>
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To PR a 10k race, I simply need to run a 10k race (which I am not pacing) while I'm in "race shape". I have beaten my 10k PR during the course of at least one longer race and have come close to it in practice when I wasn't racing. Not planning any special training for this distance.<br />
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For the 5k PR, I plan to be "in shape" after completing my half marathon training, then shift to a plan which includes more speed work and exercise to train my body for a shorter, faster race. I would hope that, by mid June (about the time of the Open Door Julie Run) that I would be in a good position to PR (PR can be a noun or verb, apparently). The good thing is that, should I falter at any one particular race, you can find a 5k race on any given weekend.<br />
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This leaves the marathon. I don't know if I will run a marathon this year. If I do, it would likely be the Chicago Marathon. I grew up in the Chicagoland area and that is a race that I want to do at some point (I considered trying to get into the race this year before deciding that it would be better for me to run in Detroit - which is where I have lived for over 15 years now). It is a popular race, and there is no guarantee that I will get in, especially if they decided to go to a lottery. If I don't get in, I will either think about running the Monumental Marathon in Indianapolis (I guess that would be my 3rd city I feel some connection with) or not run a fall marathon and instead focus on a fall half marathon, where I could hopefully beat my spring half- marathon times.<br />
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<b>2. Run a 20 minute 5k.</b><br />
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<b>Explanation:</b><br />
Not since high school have I run a 5k race under 20 minutes. My 5k PR is currently 22:16 and I hope to beat it as part of Goal #1. 20 is a nice round number and it has been in the back of my mind ever since I committed to running. I know I can do it (and knowing is half the battle).<br />
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Knowing IS half the battle. The other half involves a lot of work and the doing.<br />
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<b>The Plan:</b><br />
<u>Run fast.</u> Seriously, I think the main thing I need to do is to run fast and do so more often. I considered making this year 100% about meeting this goal and forsaking all other distances and goals, but I'm not willing to do that at this time. I am committed taking up to a couple months where getting ready for this distance is my primary focus. I'm not sure of any specifics about how I will get to 20 minutes, but I don't need to know that right now. Hopefully by late March, I'll have a better idea.<br />
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<b>3. Run 1000 Miles.</b><br />
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<b>Explanation: </b><br />
I was supposed to do this in 2013 and didn't (I think I ended up with 858). If I run over 1000 miles, that should mean that I won't have too many periods of time when I run once or twice a week. I have learned that this isn't enough to maintain, much less improve.<br />
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<b>The Plan:</b><br />
Try to run at least 3 times a week. I should run 4 to 5 times a week when I am "in training" so, if I keep to the plan, those periods of time should not be a problem. It is when I am not training for something that I tend to wander. I may be "in training" for something for the good part of 9 months if all goes well and I do not get hurt. This should be OK since the training isn't all-out-all-of-the-time. There will likely be at least 3 different cycles during training and each will have a time to ramp up (which may be dialing back from the previous cycle).<br />
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<b>4. Help keep my family participating in exercise.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Explanation:</b><br />
I have a little bit of control over this one, but hopefully, I can help. We all need to be active and try to stay healthy.My wife is planning to walk 1000 miles this year and she can do it, but will need our support. My oldest daughter ran cross country last year and may run track this year (if it is available to her grade - at the moment, it is not). My son can begin to train to run if he so chooses - I think he has some natural talent for running if that is something he wants to do. My youngest daughter has boundless energy and goes all of the time. In fact, if she wants to turn it down a notch, I'm all for it.<br />
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<b>The Plan:</b><br />
My wife needs to self-motivate - that is on her. As a family, we can encourage her and help her deal with things around the house and, more importantly, the baby so that she can get some time to do her walking. It would be nice if, at some point, the baby would be willing to walk with her a little bit, but I'm not counting on it.<br />
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My daughter is a good kid and student. She needs to find some motivation as well. I try not to push, but I want to be encouraging. At this point, I just want to set a good example and give her every opportunity I can to be active. The same is true for my son, with the added issue that he loves his video games and watching videos about other people playing video games (I like games too, but don't really get Minecraft and get watching videos about that game even less). They both could use a bit of competitive fire and I'm not sure how to instill this in them. Is it simply something that you have or you don't? I think it can be learned to some extent.<br />
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I have learned enough over the past 3 years that I can train them all to walk / run or help in other sporting endeavors. The main thing is to be there for them and help as I am able.<br />
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<b>Summary:</b><br />
I'm looking forward to this year and hope to do well! Best of luck to all of you in 2014!<br />
<b><br /></b>protometal @ clippinalong.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00136868195365402745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215756942485897439.post-29165037096885535062013-12-31T07:25:00.000-08:002013-12-31T07:25:42.659-08:002013 Has Run Out - Get It?Another year has come and gone and it went all too fast. Like the last couple years, I feel like I need to look back on my year in running for this blog to see how it went and to see where I'm going. Let's start with my progress on my goals I set last year:<div>
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<b>1. Run a sub 20 minute 5k race.</b><br />
<b><br />Result: Not!</b><br />
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I started out the year not running nearly enough and never really dedicated myself to any sort of speed work program. As a result, I would classify most of my 5k race times as rather disappointing. I only broke 23 minutes once and that was early in the year. I was hoping to at least PR (beat 22:16) at the Open Door Julie Run in June, but had a poor race and ran 24:02. There were a couple age group awards, but the 5k distance was largely forgettable this year.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>2. Run a sub 1:42:30 half marathon.</b><br />
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<b>Result: No sir or madam.</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh54fsf_EwPJwEPQR63cHOmP3nuUOf43LQwNCy_oYktgSxgfh1X1c2MdXsIXPw5Lf_RLNgUySFcRk-CAWJ32RtGBMuDZrBumPzDtURMvgZ5WGLkaI9wlGvmdvUoPOlU9UzcqWeyhcR0Ow/s1600/rock+cf+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh54fsf_EwPJwEPQR63cHOmP3nuUOf43LQwNCy_oYktgSxgfh1X1c2MdXsIXPw5Lf_RLNgUySFcRk-CAWJ32RtGBMuDZrBumPzDtURMvgZ5WGLkaI9wlGvmdvUoPOlU9UzcqWeyhcR0Ow/s320/rock+cf+b.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>I ran three half marathons in 2013. Two were in the spring and one in the fall. The spring ones, Rock CF and Martian, were done without nearly enough training. I learned this year that you can't run once or twice a week and expect to improve or even maintain. I was able to PR at my fall marathon, The Brooksie Way, with a time of 1:48:18. I had been training prior to that race, but it wasn't my focus at the time (I wouldn't have had a long run of 20 miles the week before if this was my "goal" race). I am happy I beat my time from last year.<br />
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<b>3. Complete a marathon, beat Subway Jared by one hour.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Result: Complete marathon, Yes! Beat Jared by one hour, no.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>Eat fresh!<br />
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<b>I am the fluorescent yellow / green spec with arms raised.</b></div>
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I worked hard to ready myself for the Detroit Marathon this year and had a good 16 weeks of training leading up to the race. I don't think I would have changed a whole lot about the training, especially since I started "from behind" due to a less-than spring.<br />
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I had the part where I would beat Jared by over an hour "in the bag" (heck, I had 3:50 something in my sights) until my legs really gave out around mile 17 / 18. I had zero plans to walk at all for this race, but I needed to walk / run the last 6 miles or so. I'm happy I finished and accomplished something, but the finishing time was slower than I had hoped for.<br />
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<b>4. Run 1000 Miles in 2013</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Result: 858 Miles, so nope.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>What I said:. "I believe that my marathon training will get me close to this goal and, as long as I keep it up in the cooler months, I should make it."<br />
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The marathon training did get me close, but the amount of running I did both early and late this year was much less than anticipated, leaving me 142 miles short.<br />
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<b>Overall: 0 for 4 on goals (But 2013 was still a success!)</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Say whaaaaa? I didn't officially meet a single goal, but I still count 2013 as successful. I ran more miles than any previous year, I set PRs for the 10 mile, half marathon and marathon distances (first races are always PRs) and still enjoy this sport / passion / hobby / sport. Though I will be 40 in 2014 (YUK!) I maintain that I have a ton of potential and plan to continue to improve in the coming year and many years to follow.<br />
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I have put the following summary into my year-end blog post the past couple years, so I'll continue while adding this year's results:<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b>Miles Run:</b></u><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">1997 to 2007 – a little more than zero.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">2008 – About 25</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">2009 – About 25</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">2010 – 150 or so.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">2011 – More than 450</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">2012 - Over 800</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b>2013 - Over 850</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><u style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b>Days of exercise (running, gym, etc.)</b></u><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">1997 to 2009 – a few per year</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">2010 – About 30</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">2011 – Over 125</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">2012 - Over 150</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b>2013 - Over 150</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><u style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b>Races run:</b></u><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">1997 to 2007 – Zero</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">2008 – One</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">2009 – One</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">2010 – Three</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">2011 – Seventeen (Eleven 5Ks, One 8k, One 10K, One Half-Marathon, One 4 Mile age-graded race, One 4.8 Mile trail race and One Obstacle Race)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">2012 - Nineteen (Ten 5ks, One 8k, One 4.5 mile, One 5.5 Mile, Two 10Ks, Two 10 mile races, Two half marathons)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b>2013 - Sixteen</b></span></span><b style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"> (Seven 5Ks (two as pacer), One 8k, Three 10Ks (all as pacer), One 10 Mile race, Three Half Marathons, One Marathon)</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><u style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b>Fastest 5k Race times:</b></u><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">2008 – 31:56</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">2009 – 32:10</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">2010 – 28:10</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">2011 – 24:39</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">2012 - 22:16</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">2013 - 22:58</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><b>Race Awards:</b></u><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Prior to 2011 – One second place medal for “walking” during a race I ran.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">2011 – One Overall 1st place, One age group 1st place, Two age group 2nd place, Three age group 3rd place and a Top 20 age-graded race award (8th). Finisher medals for Warrior Dash, Brooksie Way Half Marathon and Iron Turkey races.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">2012 - Three age group 2nd place, One age group 3rd place and finisher medals for Shamrock N' Roll 10k, Milford Labor Day 10k, Crim 10 Mile, Rock CF Half Marathon and Brooksie Way Half Marathon.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">2013 - One Overall 1st Place, One age group 1st place, One age group 3rd place and finisher medals for Shamrock N' Roll, Kona Run, Wicked Halloween Run, Kona Triple Crown, Kona Chocolate Run, Crim 10 Mile, Rock CF Half Marathon, Martian Half Marathon, Brooksie Way Half Marathon and Detroit Marathon.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"></span><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><u>Other Notable Items from 2013:</u></b><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /></span><br />
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hosted a Couch to 5k program at our church.</span></li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My daughter started running cross country.</span></li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did not significantly injure myself (Lets keep it up!)</span></li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Met more of my blogger, Facebook, Twitter and Dailymile pals.</span></li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ran with my Brooksie Way team, Indian Springs Meetup group, Your Pace or Mine group and people from Southeast Michigan Runners (SEMR) several times.</span></li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Set 3 PRs </span></li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paced five races at four events for Kona Running Company.</span></li>
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After welcoming a baby in late 2012, my life has again changed for the better, but keeping up with running has been more difficult. With a busy family schedule, it isn't easy finding time to get out and go. As a family, we'll need to continue to be creative in the coming year to make time for running / exercise. </div>
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The next post will be about my goals for 2014. Onward and upward!</div>
protometal @ clippinalong.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00136868195365402745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215756942485897439.post-83153812028751615442013-12-21T05:13:00.001-08:002013-12-21T05:13:23.102-08:00The obligatory December blog postHey all!<br />
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Both my running and my blog posts have really been lagging lately for various reasons. The longest I think I've gone without a blog post is a bit over a month, so I thought I should write something.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOV675Z0oPBO5kGLwbgQsf-LzLorNpaQos2rQqsWEW6qZlYdHT1pvECD9z5Jwx3yVX3i6cLY3bqOnshzK1Lhieoa7y8ag4w0bpcUAxYclfY2P1HIzvTX4FaIHajFgytgnfpvIqC2xROyY/s1600/Its-something.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOV675Z0oPBO5kGLwbgQsf-LzLorNpaQos2rQqsWEW6qZlYdHT1pvECD9z5Jwx3yVX3i6cLY3bqOnshzK1Lhieoa7y8ag4w0bpcUAxYclfY2P1HIzvTX4FaIHajFgytgnfpvIqC2xROyY/s1600/Its-something.jpg" /></a></div>
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As far as running goes, life in general has not been accommodating to my running schedule. We had to travel for a family issue last week and there has been a load of scouting, church and other social activities going on. I don't feel like I have any time to do anything workout related and, in the rare cases where there may be some time, I just don't feel up to it. Sounds like a lot of excuses to me.<br />
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In the first 20 days of December, I have run a total of 13 miles and none at all in the past week.I think my low mileage month since the running comeback was something like 30 last December or 33 in January. I'm hopeful that, with some time off work, I'll be able to get some exercise in. I used to be worried that I would quit if I had too much of a lapse. That isn't a concern anymore - my desire to run is as much as ever - but I just need to get back into a good rhythm.<br />
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Next post will be better or your money back!<br />
<br />protometal @ clippinalong.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00136868195365402745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215756942485897439.post-8853123662459387652013-11-19T17:20:00.003-08:002013-11-19T17:20:55.670-08:002000 Miles, Transition and Kona RacesSometime just before or during the Detroit Marathon, I passed 2000 miles total since I started keeping track (March 2011).<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CGOOH-YqiiyZ7VMv-kVsnaZA2iCITmdKInJuZYeGh4mxI58mzHyDhm3cg6EdnfDaQ2v5Qfvr3hDjm5n_A-03YI3qVC7FMb4KIXmlc6HZoXFG-JLXex-Je0lLWx33xkZa9LVHwKw-4Vs/s1600/2000+miles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CGOOH-YqiiyZ7VMv-kVsnaZA2iCITmdKInJuZYeGh4mxI58mzHyDhm3cg6EdnfDaQ2v5Qfvr3hDjm5n_A-03YI3qVC7FMb4KIXmlc6HZoXFG-JLXex-Je0lLWx33xkZa9LVHwKw-4Vs/s400/2000+miles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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There are plenty of runners that could do that in less than a year, but it took me about 2 1/2 years. I've never really had any particular number of miles as a goal, but 2000 is a nice, round number and perhaps is something to celebrate (thus the firework picture). That is about the distance from here to Las Vegas. I should get a trip there now, no? No. No trip...</div>
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After the marathon, I rested for about a week without much running and have very gradually done a little more each week. I would actually like to run a lot more, but our family schedule (mostly other people with scheduled things while I hang with the baby and kid), worse weather and lack of sunlight haven't been helpful. The lack of a goal race to focus on hasn't helped. This will be the third fall / winter running transition I've gone through and they have all gone the same way. I always have good intentions, but I never seem to do all of the running or workouts I intend to do. </div>
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The one thing I have done is pace a couple races, the Kona Wicked Halloween run and this past weekend, the Kona Chocolate Run, both in Plymouth.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQSl3urjidjFBbOFn411XAanA_4dR5yfN8uNRRGu8xru1he92y3-zVy2qJOsKI4L1jArhnziBFNZEBrnKbnWR3SMIh-hYIGVUGRGAKcN3fZplTBr8cblq0vYIpggmAJ-4CllV8QS6NCg/s1600/wicked2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQSl3urjidjFBbOFn411XAanA_4dR5yfN8uNRRGu8xru1he92y3-zVy2qJOsKI4L1jArhnziBFNZEBrnKbnWR3SMIh-hYIGVUGRGAKcN3fZplTBr8cblq0vYIpggmAJ-4CllV8QS6NCg/s320/wicked2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am the Angry Bird that is the bomb, yo!</td></tr>
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The Wicked Halloween run was the Sunday after the marathon. My first run after the race was 3 miles on the treadmill the day before the race. It was fine but I don't think I was anywhere near back to race shape. Luckily I didn't need to race, just run at a certain pace. I asked for a "slower" pace at the 5k and got it - 11 min miles. Because that was well within my capabilities, I decided it would be fun to wear a costume. I found a cheap "Angry Bird" costume at 5 below and figured that would work.</div>
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Pacing a race is a different mindset than racing. There is less mental preparation for certain. You never want to pace a race anywhere near your limits (unless you are pacing an elite marathon runner for a few miles, which is a totally different endeavor). You should be able to run comfortably and keep a nice, even pace. I try to be encouraging to people around me. That's about it.</div>
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Running in the costume was a unique experience. It was a bit bulky, but not overly restrictive. It did keep me warm before the race and didn't get too hot during, though if I was moving faster or running longer, it would have gotten uncomfortable quickly. There were plenty of kids telling their parents about the Angry Bird. The kids identified with me, while their parents were down with Pac Man. There were some great costumes, much more elaborate than mine. The Google Maps one was the most unique.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgbesEDJ0ay2kNaE8oaycN9AnJT416xtLFrxC0Icd2KBzGWbWu23x8sJvOdGt06oleRRiLr_xhL6rpHX4MsimRwT_0bO1439D5Os1StDemKph1iG6x82FY4_bZxZ2MuheNvR5B2xRfTU/s1600/kona+choc2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgbesEDJ0ay2kNaE8oaycN9AnJT416xtLFrxC0Icd2KBzGWbWu23x8sJvOdGt06oleRRiLr_xhL6rpHX4MsimRwT_0bO1439D5Os1StDemKph1iG6x82FY4_bZxZ2MuheNvR5B2xRfTU/s400/kona+choc2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Southeast Michigan Runners Group at Kona Chocolate Run.</td></tr>
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This past Sunday, I was a pacer for the inaugural Kona Chocolate Run. The 10 and 5k course were the same as the Wicked Halloween Run (and the Shamrock N' Roll one too). I had 55 minutes for the 10k and, because I haven't been running much, I was worried that I would have some difficulty. Not that I couldn't do it, I was just nervous that it would be difficult. Thankfully, I felt really good and it was relatively easy. The other pacers and I were cheering people on and encouraging runners the entire race. Hopefully, we weren't too annoying! :)</div>
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I met several runner / blog pals before the race including Jeff (<a href="http://detroitrunner.com/" target="_blank">Detroit Runner</a>), Ty (<a href="http://tyruns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tyrunman</a>) and Megan (<a href="http://watchmegorun.com/" target="_blank">Watch MeGo Run</a>) as well as the Southeast Michigan Runners Group from Facebook. I missed a few other people, but that is easy to do when there are 3 races with 6000 runners there.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFxMHMTG6T1p0Iqee2fl4ywxCPbEtjnjA0bvIQJ8Hpoo408euq3vSfWFiMbLygb9xeppvnBvFxHPcgbt5q21ugrCq3m4XPH69FdJYZ1pYjdyGbVzT9L3vWr1TAA29atkj_AaqVnEqBtSg/s1600/kona+choc3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFxMHMTG6T1p0Iqee2fl4ywxCPbEtjnjA0bvIQJ8Hpoo408euq3vSfWFiMbLygb9xeppvnBvFxHPcgbt5q21ugrCq3m4XPH69FdJYZ1pYjdyGbVzT9L3vWr1TAA29atkj_AaqVnEqBtSg/s400/kona+choc3.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Ty or Ty and I</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImN-C9VmqByrHqt0MrGlCcQT7X4X4-TMwS7lEVi62dESih4JSb_GsW0EqjR16EtgJ_HOl7cJ-Bbqotnln8HEL54jUYwK1qXcPiBgwH4clbIulFCrW57W3y2qzACYUPTdII8xLdxQxQbY/s1600/Kona+choc+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImN-C9VmqByrHqt0MrGlCcQT7X4X4-TMwS7lEVi62dESih4JSb_GsW0EqjR16EtgJ_HOl7cJ-Bbqotnln8HEL54jUYwK1qXcPiBgwH4clbIulFCrW57W3y2qzACYUPTdII8xLdxQxQbY/s400/Kona+choc+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://watchmegorun.com/" target="_blank">Megan</a>, <a href="http://tyruns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ty</a> and me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<div>
After the 10k, I hopped in and paced the 12 min/mile group in the 5k just as they were starting. That was fun too. They didn't really have a formal dual race option, so I was happy to run both races. The only down part of the race was the lack of chocolate in my belly. By the time I was done with the 5k, the line into the chocolate tent was crazy long. Kona runs great races, but the setup for the food was a misstep. To their credit, they are already working to correct this for next year's race.</div>
<div>
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<div>
Overall, I like pacing races because it keeps me involved and doesn't drain my wallet. It isn't as fun as actually racing, but I don't think I am in prime racing shape at the moment anyway (I would have still smoked my 10k PR if I did race. My 10k PR is weak and I even beat it during the first 10k of my last half marathon).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For better Kona Chocolate Run race recaps, go <a href="http://www.watchmegorun.com/2013/11/kona-chocolate-run-recap-and-review.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> or <a href="http://tyruns.blogspot.com/2013/11/kona-chocolate-10k-race-report.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> or <a href="http://www.detroitrunner.com/2013/11/kona-chocolate-run-10k-race-review.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. :)</div>
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<div>
I'll hopefully have more to say soon. Peace.</div>
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protometal @ clippinalong.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00136868195365402745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215756942485897439.post-41036025446184797902013-10-23T18:40:00.000-07:002013-10-23T18:41:53.727-07:00Marathon - The AftermathIt's been 3 days since the <a href="http://clippinalong.blogspot.com/2013/10/detroit-freep-marathon-i-did-it.html" target="_blank">Detroit Marathon</a> and life is back to normal. I've been reflecting on the race - nothing too deep, but I thought I'd share some of my thoughts, feelings, blah, blah, yakity schmackity.<br />
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A.) I was hurting but still in good spirits on Belle Isle. Dude runs by me and he's bustin' booty - as in tooting, passing gas, cutting the cheese, etc. This is a very normal thing. What was abnormal was volume and duration. Channeling Caddyshack Rodney Dangerfield I shouted out "Did somebody step on a duck?!?" He was not amused...<br />
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B.) I'm wondering if I made the best shoe choice. I wore my Brooks Ravenna 4s, which are my current favorite shoe. They are comfortable shoes for mild overpronators, have good forefoot cushioning, etc. With how my knees felt, I'm wondering if I would have been better off in my Brooks Adrenaline 12s. They aren't quite as flexible, but they have a bit more support than the Ravennas. Before I switched from "any running shoe" to the Adrenaline 11s then 12s, I have had little knee pain (haven't really had any with the Ravenna's either). It probably wouldn't have mattered, but maybe it would have...</center>
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C) The Detroit Freep Marathon was a great race. Good organization, good course, support, drink stations, scenery, etc. I would certainly consider running this event again, though it may be the half marathon. The first half of the course is just better. Better scenery, more memorable landmarks, etc. It was better running when there were more people around too.</center>
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D) Overall, I am very happy with how the race went for me. I won't say it was a "dream" of mine, but it certainly was a big goal to complete the marathon. I gave it my best shot. With that said, I'm disappointed I didn't have a better finishing time. Trying not to second guess myself, but was I being too much of a wimp late in the race? Could I have fought through it a little better? Should I have run the first half of the race faster or slower? I think I should have finished 20 - 30 minutes faster if all went well. 3:57 something would have sounded better than 4:17 something. I don't want to run another marathon right now, but I want to run another marathon now and get another crack at it. Eventually...</center>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJBoExIt7Xyf4C_ZT9e6BIyL8HrnDahrGIuGWCC8x_vlNYqPDj9in6s610akU0nttJrKCvlpSwXgB6mBnl2aHl80tp3ZtrDEnCv1emDH191ZLkxmOz-s5gNg9FGaJD6hvMjkjTBifX64/s1600/DSC_0052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJBoExIt7Xyf4C_ZT9e6BIyL8HrnDahrGIuGWCC8x_vlNYqPDj9in6s610akU0nttJrKCvlpSwXgB6mBnl2aHl80tp3ZtrDEnCv1emDH191ZLkxmOz-s5gNg9FGaJD6hvMjkjTBifX64/s400/DSC_0052.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a knee after the race</td></tr>
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E) Support from family, friends, co-workers, running pals and running groups was great. It was one of the best things about this whole adventure.</center>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3fE5KhmlkOhAwk7ZFJ5RsudbDMX8-NKRZVz8kAWTKij1WC8vWoOwdpxVI_TV9x6L1blVmcjvaLroIKfDHXl-SZ99beUckiEuOmDbi0iriKYQ7XD7NkbjW-iq9-rWGohYEwa6cYcnt4s/s1600/DSC_0054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3fE5KhmlkOhAwk7ZFJ5RsudbDMX8-NKRZVz8kAWTKij1WC8vWoOwdpxVI_TV9x6L1blVmcjvaLroIKfDHXl-SZ99beUckiEuOmDbi0iriKYQ7XD7NkbjW-iq9-rWGohYEwa6cYcnt4s/s400/DSC_0054.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My cold honey & me</td></tr>
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F) Whenever my next marathon will be, I think I'll be running more miles. Not sure how, but other people do it. Also more hills. My legs need to be stronger and more durable.</center>
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G) If you're in a group of spectators on the course and not cheering, I will make you cheer. All it takes is a well timed "Woooooooo!" as I run by. If you somehow still don't cheer, you're a punk.</center>
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H) I am going to put a 26.2 sticker on my car. If ya don't like it, too bad. :)</center>
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I) I feel guilty for how I feel in D. Being able to complete this race was a blessing and a gift.</center>
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J) While my current resting was planned, it felt strange not to run yesterday and today. I think I could have run just fine today, but I will run tomorrow or Friday.</center>
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K) While I would have preferred to run in a short sleeve tech shirt and shorts, I made the right wardrobe choice with long sleeves and long pants. (I wore my tech shirt from the 2013 Crim under my shirt. The Crim people got some negative feedback about the shirt. It is thin and a bit ugly, but I really like it as a running shirt.) </center>
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L) I was expecting bigger crowds of spectators at the race. For the number of runners, I thought it was a bit sparse. Didn't expect people 6 deep throughout the course, but the Crim had much better spectator support. I think the neighborhoods in Flint take a lot of ownership in that race. Perhaps it was just too darn cold.</center>
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I think that is enough alphabetting for now. Later.</center>
protometal @ clippinalong.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00136868195365402745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215756942485897439.post-16759001526683884152013-10-20T16:49:00.003-07:002013-10-20T16:51:36.231-07:00Detroit Freep Marathon - I did it!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Today, I completed my first full Marathon, the Detroit Free
Press Marathon. I am both happy to have done it and glad that it is over. Now,
on to the details:<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have been in taper mode for the previous 3 weeks. The
first week after the Brooksie Way Half was only a bit less mileage than normal
training (the 10 mile long run instead of more was the big difference). The
next week was less and this week, I ran 3 on Tuesday, 2 on Wednesday and 2
Saturday.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Last night, after dinner, I got all my stuff (clothes,
watch, bib, etc.) ready and went to bed before 9 pm. The only decision that
needed to be made the night before the race was wardrobe. I prefer a tech shirt
and shorts and dislike wearing much more. It was going to be too darn cold so I
decided to go with a light tech shirt, my Brooksie Way 2012 long sleeve shirt
and long pants. I fell asleep to a 0-0 Tigers / Red Sox game, woke to a 2-1
Tigers lead when Amy came up and found out they lost at 3:30 this morning. I was able to get 5 good hours of sleep and a
couple hours of on and off sleep, so not too bad. Got up at 4am, ate my Rice
Crispies (my preferred breakfast on race day), showered, got dressed and we
were ready to go before 5 am.<o:p></o:p><br />
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It was raining when we left and I was not thrilled about it.
Luckily, the rain stopped and the race was dry. It was still cold and windy. We
parked at Greektown Casino (thanks for the free parking!) and walked to the
starting area in the crisp morning air. After about 15 minutes, I got in the
corral. Started in the E corral, rather than the D corral noted on my bib
because the pacers I wanted to be near were there. I saw Brian D, a Dailymile
pal, when I got in, which was nice.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcFHRkWZN7XRluulY3YTw8Gvy_J9ScfbZerbsohtt1uu8UPAO2e3i_tCsIth_dPuhIgTApsc9UVRyusDf_L573we9j-qvCuHf5f-29tBbMsRbPNbCj4N9eDZjXOWSWr9aAyS6Cw-7Ro8/s1600/Before+marathon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcFHRkWZN7XRluulY3YTw8Gvy_J9ScfbZerbsohtt1uu8UPAO2e3i_tCsIth_dPuhIgTApsc9UVRyusDf_L573we9j-qvCuHf5f-29tBbMsRbPNbCj4N9eDZjXOWSWr9aAyS6Cw-7Ro8/s400/Before+marathon.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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We started about 6 minutes after the elites and were off. I
felt great and was moving well without expending much effort. Maybe the taper
does work! There was supposedly nearly 6000 marathon runners and 12000
international half marathoners and it was like riding a wave – in the dark. One
of the highlights of the race came after a couple miles – the Ambassador Bridge
crossing into Canada. Seemed like we were going uphill forever, but it was
gradual and not bad at all. The runners were in good spirits at this point with
a lot of banter going on, which made it even more fun. Now I really want to run
a race on the Mackinac Bridge. The downhill was nice and we ran into Windsor along
the Detroit River.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKYxegbDwlEKrIkuJtjeqSdAEIpClLWt27fXymnESdCJpqg-mPeR1NTlM2_oOJuRMqc1Zki8FjQrXWsEjxAcNjLtYKKLXGZXTMy7oSuHmbLnGcSrF-kDhZfDj1sWXIKU5JdogzpkutXU/s1600/amb+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKYxegbDwlEKrIkuJtjeqSdAEIpClLWt27fXymnESdCJpqg-mPeR1NTlM2_oOJuRMqc1Zki8FjQrXWsEjxAcNjLtYKKLXGZXTMy7oSuHmbLnGcSrF-kDhZfDj1sWXIKU5JdogzpkutXU/s400/amb+bridge.jpg" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Historical Picture - It was much darker out than this.</td></tr>
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The view of Detroit was very nice and our neighbors to the
north (actually South in this case) were very hospitable, if not particularly
great in numbers. I will be honest and say that something I was looking for was
the remnants of a suddenly famous shrub in a riverside Windsor park. (It has
gotten attention from various media and internet outlets and was a big topic of
discussion on Drew Lane’s radio show on 105.1 on Friday). Alas, I did not see
the shrub, which is just as well.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqjCFBDPm7m1PgfyiuHatCcmScRMMcWysCdCHHtZB6qvL3RhEyzccxOoAAwmuLoCjqh1mok7CJmd3btsFw4_JCKiD4GcBAhmMw1q9sb_6_HvM_ZMnGbQ2yH6GqSk2OJ3e_iZjgDTYvRY/s1600/Windsor+plant+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqjCFBDPm7m1PgfyiuHatCcmScRMMcWysCdCHHtZB6qvL3RhEyzccxOoAAwmuLoCjqh1mok7CJmd3btsFw4_JCKiD4GcBAhmMw1q9sb_6_HvM_ZMnGbQ2yH6GqSk2OJ3e_iZjgDTYvRY/s320/Windsor+plant+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAk8rU2mW0mbfVAfXcwRjptpcBqYHBAtC4AW3yglTZaAMEx-jAgs8lG0HWuX41A7OqzGBUATlKCrV-jIJI2qlkQCrNrwh-cd1_G7nizAjQf82aFqpyYep7S5T755J18Ic9kb2wGUvMyA/s1600/Windsor+plant+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAk8rU2mW0mbfVAfXcwRjptpcBqYHBAtC4AW3yglTZaAMEx-jAgs8lG0HWuX41A7OqzGBUATlKCrV-jIJI2qlkQCrNrwh-cd1_G7nizAjQf82aFqpyYep7S5T755J18Ic9kb2wGUvMyA/s320/Windsor+plant+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before and after. You can find the whole story <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/phallic-shaped-bush-in-windsor-park-work-of-vandals-1.2100719" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</td></tr>
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I was cruising through Canada and, after the race, noticed my
split times in Canada were as fast as I went in this race. I don’t think I was
going too fast and probably made up some time by surging for about 10 seconds
when I was passing. I passed the 4 hour pacers at this time and had an idea in
my head that, just maybe, I wouldn’t see them again. The tunnel back to the US
was another highlight, as there aren’t too many (any) other marathons where you
run a mile underwater. Yea, it was just a hot, slightly stinky while tiled
tunnel, but it was still pretty cool. Out of the tunnel, I saw Sara from work
cheering me on and then my wife, Amy. It meant a lot to have her there cheering
and I blew her some kissies *blush*.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikmKgLLo5QeeheRrWJVYcDHRAA3-C18uZOX4ldVuH4s8ikaHJN0AAucbtgQAfyvnjsqGsKkeZWgUtzPjp6BobQ7YSu3arYXgX_awjIiL_bPWyEcg68th9JcmWGtnsrU6YIZdLnH4bUNk/s1600/Freep+8+mile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikmKgLLo5QeeheRrWJVYcDHRAA3-C18uZOX4ldVuH4s8ikaHJN0AAucbtgQAfyvnjsqGsKkeZWgUtzPjp6BobQ7YSu3arYXgX_awjIiL_bPWyEcg68th9JcmWGtnsrU6YIZdLnH4bUNk/s400/Freep+8+mile.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The race continued to go well through the point where the
half marathoners split off to head to the finish. Part of me wanted to make
that turn and be done, but that was not the plan this day. Two-thirds of the
runners made the turn to the finish and the course became much sparser. It was
a bit like some of the air went out of the race, the wave was lessened and it
carried us no more. We were on our own (very dramatic).<o:p></o:p></div>
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I continued to feel good through mile 15 and was still at a
sub-4 hour pace at that point. I knew the race would get difficult at some
point, but I wasn’t expecting it to happen with 10 miles to go. The knees had
been sore for a while, but they got worse. My right leg was starting to hurt,
my back was sore and my feet were waterlogged and felt like they were
blistering (they weren’t, but the bottoms of my feet felt bizarrely bad). I
didn’t hit “the wall”, but by Mile 20, my legs had quite enough and Belle Isle
beckoned.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Put simply, Belle Isle sucked and for a couple reasons. The
wind was pretty brutal and I just felt bad. I started walking the drink
stations, then I started employing the run / walk method for the next 5 miles.
There is nothing wrong with walking, but it sure wasn’t speedy. The 4 hour
group passed me about Mile 17 and the 4:10 group near Belle Isle. While I had ”energy”,
my legs and core were failing me. It was all about finishing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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When I hit the 25 mile marker, I decided I would not walk
again and I ran the 1.2 miles in to the finish. I don’t know if I have hurt as
badly running, ever. My first half-marathon may have been close, but I think
this was worse. I was happy to finish strong despite the rough last quarter of
the race. My finishing time was 4:17:48.
I had no set goal, but that was in the ballpark of where I thought I would
finish. I am disappointed only because I was doing so well through about 2/3<sup>
</sup>of the race and it felt like, in a way, the wheels came off. That is the
marathon and a first marathon to boot. I finished, I enjoyed my experience and
feel like I accomplished something – that is what counts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Saw Jeff and Trieu and then my wife. I may have had a couple
tears when I saw her, but not too many. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span>
Had a not-free beer and then waddled almost a mile to the car. Thankfully, she
drove home.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While it was not an official goal, <a href="http://clippinalong.blogspot.com/2013/09/me-vs-subway-jared.html" target="_blank">I did have a bit of a “contest”with Jared from Subway</a>. Without further ado, here are the results:<o:p></o:p></div>
<h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Subway Jared (5:13:28)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64fJt27k9E9QaN9QqeXIqtdrBjJsE0_8MThIpDPdA9WSsMy55jynJF8j1r2bxY6e4AmVKOjDQQQiVjOR-7kWRhH6he1rIpS0IhDGQfuGjiIT2aV75vwbHLLwfxpw2KAstjbJC1veqxTo/s1600/main-jared-fogle-v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64fJt27k9E9QaN9QqeXIqtdrBjJsE0_8MThIpDPdA9WSsMy55jynJF8j1r2bxY6e4AmVKOjDQQQiVjOR-7kWRhH6he1rIpS0IhDGQfuGjiIT2aV75vwbHLLwfxpw2KAstjbJC1veqxTo/s320/main-jared-fogle-v2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
DEFEATS</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Josh + 1 hour (4:18:48 +
1:00:00 = 5:18:48)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-vLlVbZEng6ZZ4hdfa85KlyYH1NA_51gB-uT1R0sWyxS7ayg-vfiIFramhDJsQE-PJ4ESd1uSyQ_Q_YHFBg-eqCbJZXtDLHvZNXsGl0Eokm47KXV_wDt4S7k0fFqIZGuMUV3bj9JYaTM/s1600/crim12a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-vLlVbZEng6ZZ4hdfa85KlyYH1NA_51gB-uT1R0sWyxS7ayg-vfiIFramhDJsQE-PJ4ESd1uSyQ_Q_YHFBg-eqCbJZXtDLHvZNXsGl0Eokm47KXV_wDt4S7k0fFqIZGuMUV3bj9JYaTM/s1600/crim12a.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh, the agony of defeat. Eat Fresh!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
---</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I hope to have some more thoughts about the marathon in the near future, as I learned a lot in this experience. For now, I must rest. Must sleep... No! I'm starving! First eat, then sleep...</span></span></h3>
<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
protometal @ clippinalong.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00136868195365402745noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215756942485897439.post-26863914915251681892013-10-04T17:36:00.002-07:002013-10-04T17:36:34.646-07:00Brooksie Way Half Marathon 2013Hey all!<br />
<br />
Time for my monthly blog post... Perhaps, one day, I'll get back to regular posts, but 'til then...<br />
<br />
Last weekend was the Brooksie Way Half Marathon. It was my 3rd Brooksie half and 4th Brooksie Way race in all. This has become an annual race for me as I have a team for work and it feels like my "home field" race. I know more people at this race, between runners and volunteers, than any other and, even though live super close, I'm only about 20 minutes away.<br />
<br />
For the best details about this race, check out Jeff's (aka <a href="http://www.detroitrunner.com/2013/10/brooksie-way-half-marathon-race-review.html" target="_blank">Detroit Runner's post</a>) on his blog. He does a great job with his race reviews and I have very little to add. Therefore, I'll just talk about a few select details of my race experience.<br />
<br />
I arrived early and found a couple members of my race team including Dawn, Melanie and Katie (I never did see Andraya or Danny, but they were there). Due to a couple dropouts, we had a small team, but only needed 5 to have a team score, so it was all good.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7smmPhTmkMLnLnhdF-P3J8gXi7kM8ydlqDbldG2FdPqh1EdHU7jAfL9vhfto7AP_SyHGaMFX_MOwQxh0yOF8acTgigs5RrjrmdDXxa_0zlveW-ha0zGHVzfqkaxNMn13OcbvrGpP-b4k/s1600/P1070719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7smmPhTmkMLnLnhdF-P3J8gXi7kM8ydlqDbldG2FdPqh1EdHU7jAfL9vhfto7AP_SyHGaMFX_MOwQxh0yOF8acTgigs5RrjrmdDXxa_0zlveW-ha0zGHVzfqkaxNMn13OcbvrGpP-b4k/s400/P1070719.JPG" width="371" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me & "The Mayor" Larry - running for Rewewal by Andersen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
I also met up with Kevin, Trieu and Jeff, who I ended up running the race with. I told him I was looking to run with a goal of about 1:47, which sounded good to him. He's faster than me, particularly as distance increases, so that would allow him to run fairly hard, but not quite at full race pace. We both had green bibs, so we were supposed to be in the first (fast) corral, but that corral was bursting at the seams (and, if we "deserved" to be there, we would have been in the back anyway), so we started in the next (yellow) corral. This was probably a good call.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIJOYjW3JqJQ8cr1bUu_CTqbz0jIF2fKK55akc6N9NmEaKhgvdd0ARZPzga5PkRpfhLjFmD5pDVPMFWeCOIzGBoZ2V6b9Sz6IWZXtZwFiZIjR2vg8LQ833UxPcOhkEMcdyBaBa_c24ak/s1600/P1070725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIJOYjW3JqJQ8cr1bUu_CTqbz0jIF2fKK55akc6N9NmEaKhgvdd0ARZPzga5PkRpfhLjFmD5pDVPMFWeCOIzGBoZ2V6b9Sz6IWZXtZwFiZIjR2vg8LQ833UxPcOhkEMcdyBaBa_c24ak/s400/P1070725.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shamlessly stolen from Detroitrunner.com - Trieu, me, Jeff and Kevin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
We started out kinda feeling things out a bit for the first half mile, then sped up a bit. For the length of the race ahead, I was pushing the pace a little (Jeff had zero problem keeping pace with me). I know you're not supposed to "bank" time in a half marathon (or that is what "they" say), but I was doing so because of the elevation profile of this course. I had run this course a total of 5 times prior to the race (2 races, 3 practice runs), so I am very familiar with the elevation advantage to about mile 6 and the hills that follow. I felt good and was going while the getting was good. Felt strong and it is always nice to keep moving past people, which we did regularly during this stretch. Hit the 10k mark in a little over 48 minutes, which would be my 10k PR if the race ended there.</div>
<div>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNttYrrmARQKCcvQEJzcphSbHbPODaGe4NhH4BAbang1PN5wE1ApHvMvhbaNZbYcfE3G6R1fui_T4ZCflKze4fB15H2NZUUXvX3lgMiAAtj533iYSqFr_-Xa91926QInAABbN2l_feDs/s1600/BVWeJ6HCAAE0slc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNttYrrmARQKCcvQEJzcphSbHbPODaGe4NhH4BAbang1PN5wE1ApHvMvhbaNZbYcfE3G6R1fui_T4ZCflKze4fB15H2NZUUXvX3lgMiAAtj533iYSqFr_-Xa91926QInAABbN2l_feDs/s400/BVWeJ6HCAAE0slc.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bad form (arms too high) near the Royal Park Hotel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
The race didn't end there and we started the uphill portion of the race through Rochester Municipal Park on the Paint Creek Trail. The trail is slightly up hill, but Tienken Road is where the real hills begin. I felt all of the hills as well as the previous weekend's 20 miler on Tienken. Not sure why I this would be a surprise, but I didn't easily cruise up the hills. In fact, it was more of a struggle than anticipated. I could have run the hills all day at an easy pace, but trying to go "fast" on the hills was not working out well. As you can see below, I was even slower than last year on the hills. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2g2AaQ3I_acV8rnidqmy6wwo1w9Fs01YLI7Zck1H3O5lACJuu_KS-xmrniKvqi5gmoiXy7qMr4Fp4BHM05pJjQkDzDFXCZCyIOogVZnrL0VDs4VTLWAHXyQzpnJXXyOYnDisc1VCgjzc/s1600/brooksie+splits+title.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2g2AaQ3I_acV8rnidqmy6wwo1w9Fs01YLI7Zck1H3O5lACJuu_KS-xmrniKvqi5gmoiXy7qMr4Fp4BHM05pJjQkDzDFXCZCyIOogVZnrL0VDs4VTLWAHXyQzpnJXXyOYnDisc1VCgjzc/s640/brooksie+splits+title.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihclXho59TY21EWIC6LrU2Wai0XKzR5rjFMP6V91sYILLlWifR9CT-47zTfOqRp-fMRfhZ2qcmDCT05WGAQRq7DnB8zcmm0KaF3hWddvscwoYhGoqVnmdrw8NYMPkuDBsqw77dkKnYp8/s1600/brooksie+splits.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihclXho59TY21EWIC6LrU2Wai0XKzR5rjFMP6V91sYILLlWifR9CT-47zTfOqRp-fMRfhZ2qcmDCT05WGAQRq7DnB8zcmm0KaF3hWddvscwoYhGoqVnmdrw8NYMPkuDBsqw77dkKnYp8/s640/brooksie+splits.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br />While I struggled on the hills (Jeff tried to pull me along and probably did to some extent), I was able to finish strong. The last mile was just under 8 minutes and I finished in 1:48:13, a half marathon PR by nearly a minute. While I missed my "A" goal, my "B" goal was a PR, so I am happy with the result. My "goal race" is the Detroit Marathon, so a PR at Brooksie is a nice bonus.<br />
<br />
Overall, it was a great race day with good weather, friends, a nice race and a team tent afterwards (though the food left much to be desired this year). Not only was it a good race, it was a good run and a nice confidence boost leading up to the marathon, now in less than 3 weeks. This post is long enough (anyone make it this far?) so I'll summarize my marathon training and give a race preview in another post. Later!</div>
protometal @ clippinalong.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00136868195365402745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215756942485897439.post-37090794479040183032013-09-08T13:28:00.000-07:002013-09-08T13:28:05.065-07:00Me Vs. Subway Jared<br />
I am quite happy for Jared Fogle (aka Jared from Subway) regarding his weight loss and subsequent success as a pitchman for Subway. With that said, unbeknownst to him, he has become somewhat of a rival in my running career. I'm not a Jared hater, but I think it started with seeing a display / poster of Jared inside a Subway restaurant.<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3kwH7bt88aA7LNJz1H91_PCURiaUTWWRCZji111rIkDWbvdynsUtgCgb_dJchOYWHQMIsdNzVZe0l6EMk1lBCVwCxuWLLKaUhgl6b_YhWSCnMwsgmRDrKeLN-GOwDI4lGOe8jtrhkdg/s1600/main-jared-fogle-v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3kwH7bt88aA7LNJz1H91_PCURiaUTWWRCZji111rIkDWbvdynsUtgCgb_dJchOYWHQMIsdNzVZe0l6EMk1lBCVwCxuWLLKaUhgl6b_YhWSCnMwsgmRDrKeLN-GOwDI4lGOe8jtrhkdg/s400/main-jared-fogle-v2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>It was this photo or something very close to it.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
This was right around the time of my return to running. I thought glasses, dark hair... why that vaguely resembles me. Oh no! I look like Jared from Subway. I shouldn't have said anything but I mentioned something to my wife. She reassured me I was better looking than he was, but then said "yea, but I do see the resemblance". From there, the rivalry was on.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiZeiGa6TXnMBGoQ2Hvr9vP_HkJDF6kozkkFkEVeTKWKhtOXrzsFf7aBv7eAv3mIGujbUzRqR8q3Tzl2TEByLVzO_F73OGhR0oZsUXdp45R3IXd17vmgxtj4D-e_fxe7CXcNtNZY0A38/s1600/crim12a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiZeiGa6TXnMBGoQ2Hvr9vP_HkJDF6kozkkFkEVeTKWKhtOXrzsFf7aBv7eAv3mIGujbUzRqR8q3Tzl2TEByLVzO_F73OGhR0oZsUXdp45R3IXd17vmgxtj4D-e_fxe7CXcNtNZY0A38/s400/crim12a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Near the end of the Crim</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Let's have look at the Tale of the Tape (TM):</div>
<div>
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<div>
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<tbody>
<tr style="height: 202.5pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: silver; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid black 1.0pt; height: 202.5pt; mso-background-themecolor: text1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 110.25pt;" valign="top" width="147">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 6.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 6.75pt;">
Birthplace<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 6.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 6.75pt;">
Age (*)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 6.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 6.75pt;">
Height<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 6.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 6.75pt;">
Weight
(*)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 6.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 6.75pt;">
Max
Weight<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 6.75pt;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 6.75pt;">
Race
History (*)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 6.75pt;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 6.75pt;">
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 6.75pt;">
Training<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 6.75pt;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 6.75pt;">
Corporate
Sponsorship<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 6.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 6.75pt;">
Marathon<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 6.75pt;">
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Finish
Time<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="background: silver; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid black 1.0pt; height: 202.5pt; mso-background-themecolor: text1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 184.5pt;" valign="top" width="246">
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<b>Josh</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
NW Indiana<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
38<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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5’10”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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152<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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185<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
High School Track (JV) & Cross Country (JV, Varsity), Over 40 races since 2011 including 5 half
marathons<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Self-directed. Recent training based upon Hal Higdon
Novice 2 Marathon Training<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
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None (willing to entertain offers)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Detroit Free Press International Marathon (Detroit, MI,
US & Windsor, ON, CA)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;">
???<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="background: silver; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid black 1.0pt; height: 202.5pt; mso-background-themecolor: text1; mso-background-themetint: 63; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 185.4pt;" valign="top" width="247">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 80;">
<b>Jared
Fogle|</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 80;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">Indianapolis,
Indiana</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 80;">
33<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 80;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 80;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">6’2”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 80;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 80;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">180 -
190</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 80;">
425<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
One of each of the following: 5k, 10k, Half Marathon (per
Jared in Subway promotional video)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Professionally trained.Trained with athletes such as Ryan
Howard, Michael Phelps, Blake Griffin and Meb Keflezighi</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Doctor’s Associates (Subway)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
ING NYC Marathon (New York, NY, US)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
5:13:28<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 80;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
(*) at time of marathon</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
That table ended up a bit wonky, but I think you get the point. Jared has the advantage at time of marathon as far as age, corporate support (I mean, his job was to eat subs and train) and training support. I have a bit of a BMI advantage and have more of a running history. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When I decided I was going to run a marathon, I considered what my finishing time would or could be. Boston qualification? No way, not anytime soon, if ever. Four hours? Ummm, maybe. I know, I will beat Jared! I found his time - 5:13:28. Ok, I need to finish before I get cocky, but unless something goes really wrong, I should beat that by a good margin. Therefore, I set my unofficial goal as beating Subway Jared by one hour.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have since dropped any notion of setting a time goal for my first marathon, but that "unofficial" time is still out there and I mentioned it to several people as a bit of a joke - everyone needs a story. That being said, I think that is realistic. I think I can hold a 9:40 min/mile pace, but we shall see...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
----------------</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This weekend I ran at Kensington Metro Park and completed 18 miles. My legs didn't feel great, even to start, but it was a decent run. I should have at least one run which will be longer before the marathon, but this one gave me some confidence. If I had to, I could have dragged myself around the lake one more time to finish 26.2 miles.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm learning from these longer runs. One thing I've developed is a Gu strategy. After a few miles, usually 4 or 6, I take a half of a Gu packet every 2-3 miles. This seems to provide an adequate energy supply while minimizing gastric distress. I've also figured out that it is OK to walk for a short period of time, if necessary, to take a Gu, to get some water or to just gather myself. I used to view any sort of walking during a run as a failure, but the failure is not continuing on after a walk.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Overall, I'm feeling good about my training. I hope to do well at the Brooksie Way Half Marathon in 3 weeks (not sure yet if I will "race" it or use it more as a training run) and will then begin the dreaded taper.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i><b>Are you training for anything in particular?</b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b>Is it a good idea to set a time goal for the first time running a particular distance?</b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b>Do you have any rivals where the rival doesn't know or doesn't care about it?</b></i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
protometal @ clippinalong.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00136868195365402745noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215756942485897439.post-62615539823428438612013-08-31T14:39:00.002-07:002013-09-01T03:56:14.694-07:00Crim 10 Mile, McLobster & More Training Stuff<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Lots of running happening as of late, but not a whole lot of
blogging. Figured I would sum up the past month in this post.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The Crim 10 Mile Race</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Armsvqj-9OBjMo-HygZrCRPpUPIJBPhggO5fQepLhlzNpDlm0TrFPNbhvhqM8PJeNXQhWqiln8mkK2U434tx0s8dEfdMI3hGLss6isDwdPOSDv28EUTBgWW9CG0j7doW2ZnPGaSiG_A/s1600/2013RaceLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Armsvqj-9OBjMo-HygZrCRPpUPIJBPhggO5fQepLhlzNpDlm0TrFPNbhvhqM8PJeNXQhWqiln8mkK2U434tx0s8dEfdMI3hGLss6isDwdPOSDv28EUTBgWW9CG0j7doW2ZnPGaSiG_A/s200/2013RaceLogo.jpg" width="188" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">On August 24th, I ran my second Crim 10
mile race in Flint. The weather almost completely cooperated with a relatively
mild day. After arriving a bit early, they opened up the corrals about 30
minutes before the race. I gave an anticipated finish time of 1:23 on my
registration, so that put me in the "B" Corral. The 30 year (!)
runners of the race started first and a few minutes later, the "A"
corral. I don't know if it was supposed to happen this way, but much of the B
corral was released at the same time (I saw Jeff aka Detroit Runner and Trieu
before the race in the same corral but they were stopped and started a few
minutes later).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I felt pretty good starting out and was probably going a little
fast with sub 8 minute miles at least for the first couple miles. Shortly
thereafter, my watch, which was giving me a low battery warning before the
start, shut off. (Before the race, I started Jogkeeper on my phone, but never
looked at it). I was running free of technology and it was probably a good thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The crowd support at this race is amazing and, dare I say, even
better than last year. There is water every mile, local churches open up their
buildings for restrooms, tons of people out cheering, people putting sprinklers
out with water spraying on the street like a runner wash, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Through the first half of the race (as I found out later), I ran
around an 8:11 min / mi pace. Shortly after the halfway mark, the “Bradley
Hills” started. This year, they put timing pads before and after the five hills
that make up the Bradley Hills. I was the 1145<sup>th</sup> fastest through the
hills with a time of 7:08. The “King of the Hills” finished in 4:14.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The second half of the race is a bit hillier overall and it was
getting a little warmer. The good thing is that with my increased training, I didn’t
slow much. The plan was to maintain pace
until turning onto the same street as the finish and to step it up when I “hit
the bricks” the brick road in downtown Flint. It didn’t quite happen that way,
at least not initially. Once got close enough to see the finish time on the
display and saw it was 1:23 and change, that seemed to motivate me to move faster as I had not slowed as much as I thought.
My finish time ended up 1:22:51, a couple minutes faster than last year
and my first PR of the year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Met up with Jeff and Trieu after the race and got our pizza and
beer. Overall a great race!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Slowly I Turn…Step by Step…Inch
by Inch<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The week before the Crim, we took a family trip to Niagara Falls
and had a very nice time. We saw the falls, rode the Maid of the Mist and visited
all the main Falls attractions. We were on the Canadian side and I even had a “McLobster”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeeUDVsP2ueiUDueybemRCaVkENay-r8MjObPeUBQW28aJ3N9g3XAWhncuT05ro27ulsAr5YMs2CrPqre2Y17CC_PQ24aTYOL9joH1xsv2u0Rv9ymGGOVwSQVc3Mx6iVevAY9iaFCJ3V8/s1600/CAM00186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeeUDVsP2ueiUDueybemRCaVkENay-r8MjObPeUBQW28aJ3N9g3XAWhncuT05ro27ulsAr5YMs2CrPqre2Y17CC_PQ24aTYOL9joH1xsv2u0Rv9ymGGOVwSQVc3Mx6iVevAY9iaFCJ3V8/s320/CAM00186.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RhWdbPdKnyKQ25S3l2gpvSaDnjy1t9AlEHJ82u3rBuOcQntckuGdrfgXIKERHcYYSUVhuUcq76YR9EQL73qKZuWK5RoctJZalkI21NnoxDIiBSER8Zg4JAdKU8C73BiuHeX6llrBtPM/s1600/CAM00187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RhWdbPdKnyKQ25S3l2gpvSaDnjy1t9AlEHJ82u3rBuOcQntckuGdrfgXIKERHcYYSUVhuUcq76YR9EQL73qKZuWK5RoctJZalkI21NnoxDIiBSER8Zg4JAdKU8C73BiuHeX6llrBtPM/s320/CAM00187.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Yes, the McLobster is real. It was the most expensive sandwich at
McDonalds Canada and it actually had lobster in it. I had to order one and the
verdict is pretty much a thumbs down. I was expecting something hot, but it was
actually a cold sandwich – like a lobster salad sandwich. It did have lobster,
I would have liked a bit more. I would compare the taste to a Subway seafood
sub.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I skipped my Thursday run but took my running stuff with me on the
trip. Saturday morning, prior to sunrise, I got up and walked about ¾ mile from
our hotel to the falls. I started at the “horseshoe” or Canadian Falls and ran
to the Niagara Glen Nature Reserve and back. There were more hills than I
anticipated, but it was fine. While scheduled for 15 miles, I only did 10 so I
could get back with my family and function for the day. This “selfie”, taken
after the run, shows my view where I ended that run.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGxnyBA3jYPS4k7Fm8Vb6SvcNCSHIuSwQaiedzuYr1cgn86VR8D_7R6nlUED4QEKTyepB4O_ldmZiUNji5ZZFL1DdDxMYeBDhBLaJfWmHDCIR3HgyUs79pqDUlHgIeqXN7gZ-yuNkN_0/s1600/CAM00174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGxnyBA3jYPS4k7Fm8Vb6SvcNCSHIuSwQaiedzuYr1cgn86VR8D_7R6nlUED4QEKTyepB4O_ldmZiUNji5ZZFL1DdDxMYeBDhBLaJfWmHDCIR3HgyUs79pqDUlHgIeqXN7gZ-yuNkN_0/s320/CAM00174.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I don’t think I will have a more scenic run anytime soon. This one
will be difficult to top.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Training Through Week 10 of
17<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Overall, I am on schedule with my running plan, though I did slip
a bit with a short vacation and the Crim race. I did my 14+ mile run on
schedule, but didn’t go over 10 the next two weeks. I ran 16 miles this morning
for my longest run ever, 34 miles this week for most weekly mileage ever and
123 miles this month, yes, for most monthly mileage ever.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNYnKeR6vPI4stLrMbHPpva1xKfjaepav30vMZ7aM41c8Oe0SUfHgFwQmEcxL56TfNjjzLHDJAsMqcd9rYbbz89t6BLqyHFLrJxN7AqQO5RAgDacM6zHwq1wWZSK5z26FvbepR2ACsgY/s1600/8_12+to+8_13+DM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaNYnKeR6vPI4stLrMbHPpva1xKfjaepav30vMZ7aM41c8Oe0SUfHgFwQmEcxL56TfNjjzLHDJAsMqcd9rYbbz89t6BLqyHFLrJxN7AqQO5RAgDacM6zHwq1wWZSK5z26FvbepR2ACsgY/s400/8_12+to+8_13+DM.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">This chart shows how erratic my running was prior to training and
how much more consistent I have been as of late. I don’t think I always need to
have a plan, but really need to have a regular schedule. Easier said than done,
but sometime one just needs to make time for himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The Road Ahead<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I have 7 weeks to the Detroit Free Press Marathon. What once
seemed so far off now seems too close. In many ways, I feel like I’m not ready,
but the reality is that I’ll be fine. There will be many miles run in the next
few weeks and all will be good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I have a 5k on 9/14 for Camp Lael in Lapeer which I will
participate in but might not exactly race. It is a small race which I won two
years ago and finished second in last year. It is possible, depending on who
shows up, that I could go slower than last year and win. The main goal is to
not hurt myself as I will have little choice other than to do a rather long run
the following day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">On 9/29, I will run my third Brooksie Way Half Marathon. I don’t
know if I will run this like a training run (perhaps with more miles afterward)
or if I will run for a PR (which I can attain running at a pace comparable to
Crim for 3.1 more miles). After Brooksie, I will be tapering. I don’t know if I
like how little I’ll be running for those 2 or 3 weeks, but it is what you’re
supposed to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Are you training for anything?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Did you taper for a big race? Did it help?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
protometal @ clippinalong.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00136868195365402745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215756942485897439.post-72379419752738394192013-07-28T15:15:00.003-07:002013-07-28T15:15:53.757-07:00Marathon Training - It's A MarathonI've just completed Week 5 of my 17 week planned marathon training. Overall, it's going really well. Here's the highlights:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>I have transitioned to running in the morning before work. This is a bit tough because I need to leave pretty early. This means getting up around 5:30 am on shorter days and I guess I'll need to get up before 5 on the mid distance run days. Yuck. <i> </i>I might need to do those runs after work. 5 and 6 miles was bad enough, now I need to do 7. The good thing is that the runs don't seem to tire me for the rest of the day.</li>
<li>I've missed only one - 3 mile run and one cross training day in 5 weeks. Considering my running over the past 10 months, that is quite an accomplishment.</li>
<li>I have no significant injuries. Actually, I don't think I have had a running injury that was too significant thus far in my adult running career (knock on wood like substance). Going beyond that, I don't hurt anywhere. Sure, I've had some during and after run soreness, but that is necessary for muscle development. I am hoping that following the Hal Higdon Novice 2 schedule (and not jumping ahead) will be helpful in staying healthy.</li>
<li>I don't feel a whole lot faster, but I do feel more resilient. I feel like I could still run on Fridays after doing my Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday runs. (But I don't)</li>
<li>My stamina / breathing is a bit ahead of my legs. The hope is that my legs will acclimate to running more frequently and for longer distances. Then, I hope I will be able to move them faster. :)</li>
</ul>
<div>
I don't feel burnt out and still look forward to most runs. Not necessarily getting up at the "butt crack of dawn" or before, but the runs themselves. 26.2 miles still seems so far off, but then I remember I still have 3 months to go. Thus far, I haven't really done anything out of my comfort zone. I'm healthy and there haven't been any runs longer than I have done before. The long run part changes next week when I am scheduled to do 14 miles. My long run is 14.01 miles per Garmin connect, so I'm nearing uncharted territory. The way the mileage ramps up slowly, I'm confident I'll be able to complete all that the plan asks of me.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
---</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Ran today with Jeff (of Detroit Runner), Kevin, Alexis (of Get2Fit2quit) and Sherri at Pontiac Lake Rec Area on the bike trail. Great day for running - as cool and comfortable July day as one could ask for. My legs weren't really up to it (I did heavy yard / house work yesterday, which took more of a toll on me than most runs), but it got done. Always nice to run with a group and this is a good group. The bike trail is very hilly and "technical". I managed not to fall today, and all toenails seem to be intact, which is always a bonus.</div>
<div>
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I have a couple races scheduled before the marathon in mid / late October. Well, actually 3. There's the Crim 10 mile late August, the Camp Lael 5k in Mid September and the Brooksie Way Half Marathon in late September. I'm going to try to do well at all of them, but will not alter my schedule much to fit them in. However I happen to feel, that's how I will run. Would love to PR both the Crim and Brooksie, but my goal now is to train properly for the marathon and finish.</div>
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protometal @ clippinalong.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00136868195365402745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215756942485897439.post-61162058147930203162013-07-03T17:57:00.001-07:002013-07-03T17:57:32.625-07:00Marathon Training - Raw PowerI'm a week and a half into my 17 week marathon training and so far, so good. I am trying very hard to stick to the training program I have chosen as closely as possible. As mentioned in a previous post, I am following the Hal Higdon "Novice 2" marathon training program. (Information about the program is available <a href="http://halhigdon.staging.racersites.com/training/51138/Marathon-Novice-2-Training-Program" target="_blank">HERE</a>).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I am using this plan, just removing Week 1</i></td></tr>
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Thus far, 6 runs and one cross training session in, I am following this plan exactly (with the omission of week 1, which was replaced by a 5k race week. Other than running on a regular basis (which has been challenging for me since Baby Time), the first few weeks of this training is not too daunting. The key for me is consistency and gradually ramping up mileage and, to a certain extent, pace.<br />
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Even though my "official" "training" is just starting, a couple things have come from the runs. Yesterday, I had a pretty decent 3 mile run (wish my legs felt that good during my race a couple weeks ago) and I had my running music playing (I'll do a running music post at some point). Anyhow, Raw Power by Iggy and the Stooges came up as well as "Gimme Danger" and "Search and Destroy" from the same album. Since I always need a theme song for my running adventures, I decided that the song and theme would be RAW POWER. I need to tap into my raw power and unleash it. I can feeeeeel it.<br />
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<i>Iggy has a ton of energy is still pretty ripped. </i></div>
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This morning I got up about and hour early and ran 5 miles. I have run before work a couple times before, but this was the first time I felt like I could make it a regular thing. Today, I started out at an easy pace. After a couple miles, I decided I felt too good and thought I should look at my watch. I was going slower than I thought, so I had to go faster, as this was supposed to be like a tempo run. It went pretty well overall and I felt a bit energized during work. I'll need to go to bed a bit earlier, but I can do this.</div>
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I'm excited about getting ready for the marathon!</div>
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<br />protometal @ clippinalong.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00136868195365402745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215756942485897439.post-24076591351253038812013-06-28T19:24:00.000-07:002013-06-28T19:24:01.595-07:001st Marathon Training BeginsHi all!<br />
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I am about to start training for my first marathon, the Detroit Free Press Marathon on October 20.<br />
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In many ways, I have been training for over two years for this race, but this will be the beginning of my training geared specifically to this race. I have decided to follow the Hal Higdon "Novice 2" Marathon training. There are several reasons why I am choosing this training course instead of the Intermediate training or another, more intense program which I think I could handle. One main reason is that I want to keep long runs primarily on Saturdays while many of the other runs push you towards Sunday long runs. There were reasons for this on the other programs and I didn't think it would be ideal to mess with this item. Another thing I like about the program I chose is that I has 5 days of activity per week (4 runs, 1 cross training day) rather than 6. I've experienced the best results in my training when I run 4 to 5 times a week and find those rest days essential to recover.</div>
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Overall, the idea is to have a long run on Saturday, cross train on Sunday, rest Monday, run various distances Tues - Thurs and rest Friday. I'm sure there will be occasions where I will need to mix it up, but I think this schedule is doable. </div>
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This past weekend I ran the Open Door Julie Run 5k. This is the 5th time out of 6 years running this race, which I participated in a couple times before I really started running again. It is an important race to me, being my first 5k race as an adult, the site of my current 5k PR and it supports the Open Door Outreach Center, which provides food and other assistance to people in my community.</div>
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The weather forecasters said that it might rain or even storm, but we ended up with a nice day with a bit of heat and humidity. We arrived fairly early and got our bibs and shirts (both my daughter and I were running) and I walked a couple laps on the track. There was still almost a half hour until race time after my "warmup", so I just kinda wandered around and hung out with the family. My mom was in town and came to the race and was encouraging me to get a massage from the group that was offering them before and after the race. I declined, mostly because I subscribe to the school of not doing anything out of the ordinary prior to a race. In hindsight, I should have gotten that massage and it may have helped.</div>
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As race time neared, Princess C and I went to the start line. She thought it was a good time to start messing with me, poking me, stepping on my shoes, etc. She was just trying to tease me, but I was not amused at all. I was trying to get into the right mental space to run and don't like to be messed with at that time. Once I articulated this instead of growling at her, she understood and was much nicer. :) The 10k started first and the we lined up in our spot. Knowing from past events that people don't line up where they should (fast runners in front, slow in back is a concept many cannot grasp), I made sure I was close to the starting line. The starter had the bull horn make a lame noise and we were off.</div>
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My legs felt crummy from the start, which was unfortunate because otherwise I felt pretty good. My pace was good to start and through the first half mile and most of the first mile, I was where I wanted to be. (I recall wishing that I had the legs I had just a week earlier during my long run.) I really started to hurt in my sides and back after about a mile and a half and that bothered me much more than my legs. I avoided looking at the watch much, but knew after a couple miles that this definitely would not be a PR day. </div>
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I was frustrated because I felt good as far as my breathing and energy, but there always seems to be a limiting factor to these races and my legs and how my back felt was it this day.</div>
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I wrote this post almost a week ago and just finished it up now. Think I'll call it a post and do a fresh one soon. :)</div>
protometal @ clippinalong.blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00136868195365402745noreply@blogger.com2