Ran tonight for the first time in more than a week. I felt really guilty for not working out with any consistency over the past two weeks.
However, I broke the 10 min mile barrier on the treadmill: 3.5 miles in 00:33:45.
I experimented by fluctuating the speed of the treadmill from 6.1 to 7.1 mph which kept me steadily above the 10min mark. I also paid close attention to the heartrate monitor. I generally moved in the 156bpm range but moved up towards 165bmp towards the end. I need to work on keeping that number low.
I'm also learning that consistency is really essential. If I could do that three or four times a week, I think the idea of completing 26.2 can be realized.
Special note this week: I am now an official member of the New York Road Runners Club thanks to my friend Sakura. One small step towards the larger goal!
Monday, December 10, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
It's all in the numbers
This effort is going to be about numbers: establishing them, measuring them and beating them.
On Thursday of last week, Thanksgiving Day, I took my bike out with the goal of riding 30 miles. I did not set a MPH mark because I really wanted the effort to be about distance. The conditions were optimal: low 60's with no measurable wind.
As a result, I complete the ride and established a new personal best: 18.1 avg. mph. This is relative to my recent figure of 15.1 avg. mph for 100 miles and 19.1 mph for 20 miles.
Tonight was the first time I had been to the gym in over a week. My goal was to run three miles at a constant rate. I achieved the goal: 00:28:29. I then slowed down and ran an additional mile up a 5% grade at 5 mph.
All of these numbers are good, but not fantastic. I was challenged by my doctor last week to run 7 miles in less than one hour by April in real conditions. If I can achieve this number, he will start me on a training program to complete the marathon.
During a discussion with him while getting a flu shot, he told me that the only sure-fire way to increase my oxygen efficiency is running. And, while biking is certainly good for me, especially at the speeds I am traveling, running will do much more for me physically. Moreover, he discouraged me from comparing my numbers on the bike to my running numbers. Despite the fact that I can complete a century ride, it is nothing in comparison to the challenge of completing a 26.2 mile marathon.
As side note, I did feel some strain tonight on my inner hamstrings. This is a bit unusual for me because I never feel pain in my legs after biking.
Speaking of numbers, I did some research into the administrative component of the quest: getting a number from the New York Road Runners Club. The way the race works, all contestants must complete nine "official" races during the prior year in order to qualify for the NYC Marathon. Thus, I will not be able to qualify automatically in 2008 since I will still be trying to complete my nine core races.
However, there are two other options. The first is the lottery, which I do not put much faith in. Tens of thousands of people with ambitions imilar to mine attempt to enter the race by winning a lottery number. I'll enter the lottery, but I have strong doubts that I will secure a number.
The third option would essentially require me to buy my way in. Apparently, thousands of numbers are purchased by authorized non-profit organizations who, in turn, sell the numbers to runners in exchange for a donation. Usually, the minimum donation is $2500. So, if I fail to secure a number through the lottery, my plan is to purchase a number from an organization like the Lance Armstrong Foundation and take the donation as a tax deduction.
At the end of the day, there are worse ways to spend the money.
On Thursday of last week, Thanksgiving Day, I took my bike out with the goal of riding 30 miles. I did not set a MPH mark because I really wanted the effort to be about distance. The conditions were optimal: low 60's with no measurable wind.
As a result, I complete the ride and established a new personal best: 18.1 avg. mph. This is relative to my recent figure of 15.1 avg. mph for 100 miles and 19.1 mph for 20 miles.
Tonight was the first time I had been to the gym in over a week. My goal was to run three miles at a constant rate. I achieved the goal: 00:28:29. I then slowed down and ran an additional mile up a 5% grade at 5 mph.
All of these numbers are good, but not fantastic. I was challenged by my doctor last week to run 7 miles in less than one hour by April in real conditions. If I can achieve this number, he will start me on a training program to complete the marathon.
During a discussion with him while getting a flu shot, he told me that the only sure-fire way to increase my oxygen efficiency is running. And, while biking is certainly good for me, especially at the speeds I am traveling, running will do much more for me physically. Moreover, he discouraged me from comparing my numbers on the bike to my running numbers. Despite the fact that I can complete a century ride, it is nothing in comparison to the challenge of completing a 26.2 mile marathon.
As side note, I did feel some strain tonight on my inner hamstrings. This is a bit unusual for me because I never feel pain in my legs after biking.
Speaking of numbers, I did some research into the administrative component of the quest: getting a number from the New York Road Runners Club. The way the race works, all contestants must complete nine "official" races during the prior year in order to qualify for the NYC Marathon. Thus, I will not be able to qualify automatically in 2008 since I will still be trying to complete my nine core races.
However, there are two other options. The first is the lottery, which I do not put much faith in. Tens of thousands of people with ambitions imilar to mine attempt to enter the race by winning a lottery number. I'll enter the lottery, but I have strong doubts that I will secure a number.
The third option would essentially require me to buy my way in. Apparently, thousands of numbers are purchased by authorized non-profit organizations who, in turn, sell the numbers to runners in exchange for a donation. Usually, the minimum donation is $2500. So, if I fail to secure a number through the lottery, my plan is to purchase a number from an organization like the Lance Armstrong Foundation and take the donation as a tax deduction.
At the end of the day, there are worse ways to spend the money.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Still in the game
Had a pretty strong workout on Wednesday evening at NYSC. My left shoulder is still aggravated so I can't do a lot of upper body or chest exercises.
Still, I ran a solid mile after working out with the trainer. Clearly, new sneakers are essential if I am going to do this seriously.
On Saturday I did 20 miles on my bike in the park. The weather was pretty cold and I had to use all of my heavy winter clothing. I was moving at a pretty good clip, staying with some racers up the hill and beating the trolly. I think I clocked in at 18.1 mph, which is not so bad considering the wind and cold.
Today, Sunday, I visited JackRabbit Sports in Park Slope. The videotaped me running and apparently I am an overpronator with a narrow foot and low arch. The folks at the store worked with me to select a good pair of running shoes. After trying out about five pairs, I purchased the New Balance 767. The irony is that these are the same shoes I am currently wearing.
However, the store and the sales people were great. I also picked out some nice gloves to use while weight training. The store manager told me I am kicking my feet out front too much and it is causing me to land too hard on my foot. I need to lean forward just slightly to put less pressure on my leg. I asked him about heart monitors and I definitely want to pick one up.
The salesperson had just signed up for her first triathalon and it got me thinking about doing one. The NYC tri is in the summer. The run is on ly 6 miles, bike 24 and swim is one mile. Given that I can run three miles and bike now, I'd just have to get the swimming down. Too bad I have no interest in swimming in the Hudson River.
Later on, I rode 10 miles with Elaine in the park on my old hybrind bike. We weren't flying along but it was good to stretch my legs and see Elaine huffing and puffing. I thought I could do some more so I went home with her, changed bikes, and did 10 more miles on my road bike. Had a minor altercation with another biker who was not watching where she was going. I fell over but the damage to my dignity was the most severe.
Still, I ran a solid mile after working out with the trainer. Clearly, new sneakers are essential if I am going to do this seriously.
On Saturday I did 20 miles on my bike in the park. The weather was pretty cold and I had to use all of my heavy winter clothing. I was moving at a pretty good clip, staying with some racers up the hill and beating the trolly. I think I clocked in at 18.1 mph, which is not so bad considering the wind and cold.
Today, Sunday, I visited JackRabbit Sports in Park Slope. The videotaped me running and apparently I am an overpronator with a narrow foot and low arch. The folks at the store worked with me to select a good pair of running shoes. After trying out about five pairs, I purchased the New Balance 767. The irony is that these are the same shoes I am currently wearing.
However, the store and the sales people were great. I also picked out some nice gloves to use while weight training. The store manager told me I am kicking my feet out front too much and it is causing me to land too hard on my foot. I need to lean forward just slightly to put less pressure on my leg. I asked him about heart monitors and I definitely want to pick one up.
The salesperson had just signed up for her first triathalon and it got me thinking about doing one. The NYC tri is in the summer. The run is on ly 6 miles, bike 24 and swim is one mile. Given that I can run three miles and bike now, I'd just have to get the swimming down. Too bad I have no interest in swimming in the Hudson River.
Later on, I rode 10 miles with Elaine in the park on my old hybrind bike. We weren't flying along but it was good to stretch my legs and see Elaine huffing and puffing. I thought I could do some more so I went home with her, changed bikes, and did 10 more miles on my road bike. Had a minor altercation with another biker who was not watching where she was going. I fell over but the damage to my dignity was the most severe.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Moving from 2 miles to 3
Did three miles on a treadmill last night for the first time. It was hard to gauge my pace but it was less than 12min mile. Probably 11:30 or so. Previously, I had only run two miles consistently.
My chief concern at this point is how fast I should be pacing during the training. When should I be adding speed and miles? Every week? Month? it takes so damn long to run three miles sometimes I want to run faster just to get it over with. Happily, it's not nearly as boring as I expected.
I definitely need new sneakers and will try to pick up a good pair this weekend. The shoes I am using right now are really old -- maybe three years or so.
My colleague Sakura has recommended a good running store near my house, Jack Rabbit Sports. Hopefully they will be able to give me a shoe that fits right. My foot kind of floats around inside of sneakers because I am missing four toes (three on the right, two on the left).
I probably also need a hat or something for my head. I perspire a lot and it stings my eyes. That has already started happening on the treadmill and I cannot imagine what it's going to be like on the streets.
My wife is already having doubts about this venture. She thinks I should just stick to biking because it's going to reach a point where I'll have to pick on or the other and I just spent a lot of money on new biking equipment. I think I can do both for the time being.
I'm trying to cajole my friend Mark into doing this with me. I think he's about 55% there.
My chief concern at this point is how fast I should be pacing during the training. When should I be adding speed and miles? Every week? Month? it takes so damn long to run three miles sometimes I want to run faster just to get it over with. Happily, it's not nearly as boring as I expected.
I definitely need new sneakers and will try to pick up a good pair this weekend. The shoes I am using right now are really old -- maybe three years or so.
My colleague Sakura has recommended a good running store near my house, Jack Rabbit Sports. Hopefully they will be able to give me a shoe that fits right. My foot kind of floats around inside of sneakers because I am missing four toes (three on the right, two on the left).
I probably also need a hat or something for my head. I perspire a lot and it stings my eyes. That has already started happening on the treadmill and I cannot imagine what it's going to be like on the streets.
My wife is already having doubts about this venture. She thinks I should just stick to biking because it's going to reach a point where I'll have to pick on or the other and I just spent a lot of money on new biking equipment. I think I can do both for the time being.
I'm trying to cajole my friend Mark into doing this with me. I think he's about 55% there.
Monday, November 5, 2007
It all began with a silly idea...
Today is Monday, November 05, 2007. Yesterday was the 37th running of the NYC Marathon.
I have never run in a marathon before.
I have never run any kind of race before.
Twelve months from now, I want to complete all 26.2 miles of the NYC Marathon.
This is my story.
I have never run in a marathon before.
I have never run any kind of race before.
Twelve months from now, I want to complete all 26.2 miles of the NYC Marathon.
This is my story.
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