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.