Running to Catch Up

I am literally trying to run and catch up with my posts from the last two runs. Since the last post I have completed two runs...two COMPLETELY different experiences.

However, before we dive into those I wanted to expand on my previous post. I had mentioned, "The whole "Nike+" concept has really been very exciting so my fellow runners and I have decided to take our little obsession and add a new dimension to it.", about a new project idea that some friends of mine and I had come up with. Well that idea has now materialized into http://www.400mtogo.com

We are very excited about our project and are working furiously to get out initial content out there for you to read, learn, and enjoy.

The purpose of the site is to be more of a grassroots "portal" for the weekend warrior runner. The information will range from each author's experiences (blogs) while training, articles from health professionals, challenges, and other user experiences that you will only be able to find at 400 Meters to Go. I don't want to give away all of excitement just yet, but over the next 6 months we will be unveiling more and more functionality. So stayed tuned.

So back to the lecture at hand...the runs.

400 Meters to Go will offer lots of quick tips for the average runner. Well the first tip that I am going to give here on my blog is: DON'T RUN ON A FRIDAY EVENING. Sure it was a little cold outside last Friday, but the biggest hurdle that I had that killed my run was the fact that I live, work, and consequently run downtown, and had to pass by all these people enjoying life because they were off work, with friends, and having a pint. I was very jealous and it definitely through off my concentration. No matter how many times that I played my power song, I just couldn't run fast enough to get home.

Saturday I finally went and got some new running shoes and wicking socks for Sunday's run. The six miler that I did on Sunday was great. The socks really helped me with my blister problem and having new shoes...well that 's always a blessing. It was great running weather and I went a different route from the last six miler and I could tell a world of difference. Ahhh...the long Sunday runs.

I want to make sure that I send MAJOR kudos to the fine people at Fleet Feet Memphis. Their customer service is outstanding and are always grateful to offer any advice to a customer in order for them to have a better running experience.

Thanks guys.

RMAO

What started off as just a little office challenge has really taken off into something very fun and exciting.

The whole "Nike+" concept has really been very exciting so my fellow runners and I have decided to take our little obsession and add a new dimension to it. Though at the present time I can't go into too many particulars because we are still in our planning stages, I will say that it will be a constant source of motivation for runners of all backgrounds.

First let me start off by saying that my 6 mile run two nights ago was AWFUL. I was plagued with a sore right thigh (probably from a lack of stretching), dehydration (forgot to bring my water bottle), and a nauseous stomach (from the Cheezits I ate at 3:45pm), but the important thing, as in all ventures in life, is that I finished. My time wasn't that bad, but if you look at the graph you can see that I didn't have a steady pace. That is something that I definitely need to work on.

Since this writer's last attempt to blog, I have completed another run (5k). It definitely wasn't as bad as the 6 miler, but I was gasping for breath at the beginning of the run, the first 2 kilometers. I believe that I am starting to push myself, especially at the beginning of the runs, and my lungs are just trying to catch up.

"three tomatoes are walking down the street- a poppa tomato, a momma tomato, and a little baby tomato. baby tomato starts lagging behind. poppa tomato gets angry, goes over to the baby tomato, and smooshes him... and says, catch up!" - Mia Wallace [Uma Thurman] Pulp Fiction

Treading Air

During the holiday season I would watch on the news as other parts of the country where suffering terrible winter weather while in Memphis we were experiencing spring-like temperatures. The winter running season was GRRRRRRREAT. Well that was until yesterday when the temperature got down to 21 degrees. Granted those runners in Alaska might find my tone a little whiny, but hey everything is relative.

However, I decided to man up and brave the elements (though one of the most important ones, heat was missing) and take to the pavement. With layers upon layers of clothing upon me I ended up having an awesome run. Unfortunately, when I was done I felt as if I was drowning. I couldn't catch my breath to save my life. After about 10 minutes of relaxing and stretching I was ok.

Today the conditions are not much better in the 901, but luckily this is a strength training day so I will be indoors. The schizophrenic weather patterns will continue throughout the week and I am predicting much of the same for the rest of the year.

Just Do It

There is nothing more important when going after a goal than motivation. Whether it is intrinsic or extrinsic doesn't matter. What is important is that those motivations are there. During the last training I was motivated by the drive within, but now that goal is accomplished I need a different kind of push. I have the answer with Nike+. For Christmas my LOVELY wife bought me the Nike+ chip for my iPod nano and my first run has officially been logged. In addition, to the historical data that will be gathered via this WONDERFUL invention, my good friend, and co-worker, Scott Wills has issued quite a number of challenges for me to participate in.

For those of you who don't have the Nike+ chip don't fret there is there is an alternative, a VERY good one at that...Runner+. It allows you track your runs just like Nike+, as well as other features, but it also tracks your shoe mileage and sync your data from your Nike+ account.

As to not sound too cliche', but get motivated for the New Year and start running.

It's Gotta Be the Shoes

When I was growing up "It's Gotta Be the Shoes" was one of the hottest sayings around. If you just bought some of those $100 Air Jordan's you would be able to "Be Like Mike". I am not sure if that is necessarily true, but I can tell you that if your shoes are shot then your runs will suck. Well at the end of Monday's run I started to feel the same achiness in my right foot that I felt right before I started training for the Memphis Half Marathon. Looks like the mileage has run out on the shoes and time to get a new pair. Monday's run was pretty good. It was the last ~3 miler (I hope Santa brings me the Nike+ chip so that I can more accurately track my mileage) that I will do this week. As stated in the previous post I need to start ramping up my mileage so tomorrow will be a 5 miler. I was hoping to get in a 7 mile run this weekend, but let's be honest it is Christmas and when will I have time.

For any of you SERIOUS runners at there don't forget to signup for the Swamp Stomper.

The Weather Outside is Frightful

Well due to circumstances outside of my control I wasn't able to run again until yesterday instead of the planned Thursday. It was another 3 mile run. I was hoping to have better results then my first run "back", and it definitely was. I decided to take a different route, which is a little easier than Monday's, but I needed the confidence boost. Though the weather here in Memphis isn't as 1/10th of misery that is going on in many other parts of the country, it was still a dreary, cold run. It took getting through the first mile or so before I was able to catch my breath, but I eventually did and was able to finish the run without a fraction of the frustration that I had previously experienced. Starting next week the "warmup" is over and I will be hitting the pavement hard and logging a lot more miles.

Until then...

Every Marathon Begins with the First Step

So over the past year the few times that I have written on this blog the subject matter has been mainly about those little annoyances of life that I find disturbing. I have decided to change my strategy on the subject matter. A week ago I ran my first half marathon which was the most challenging event that I have ever done. As I came across the finish line I had never felt so much pain in my body at that exact moment.

Even experiencing all that pain I was smiling. First, because of what the race was for as well as the fact that I pushed through and finished it. I thought to myself that if I could do this what else could I do. So here is the declaration...to run the full St. Jude Memphis Marathon next year. In order to properly perpare I am going to run the Germantown Half Marathon in March as well as the New York Half Marathon which should give me plenty of time for final preparation for the full marathon. So in my little corner of cyberspace I will chronicle all of my "ups and downs" (I know it was cheesy) of my training.

The day before yesterday was my first run since finishing the half. I could definitely tell I hadn't run in a week. In addition, it was cold and rainy but I pushed on through. We'll see if Thursday is any better.