Week In Review

This was not a particularly stellar week for running. I am so freakin over Winter. It is supposed to be warming up next week into the 50's & 60's. This coming week may not go as well since I am on call. I started my on call rotation on Friday, but covered for someone this past Wednesday. As you can tell, I didn't get much in in terms of mileage or quality runs.

Monday 3/24/08: Off -Actual: 0 Miles

Tuesday 3/25/08: PNHS Track Workout 1 Mile Repeats-Actual: 1 mile repeats for 5 miles total

Wednesday 3/26/08: 6 Miles-Actual: 1 Mile repeats for 3 miles. Ran stadium stairs.

Thursday 3/27/08: PNHS Track Workout: Yasso 800's, Cross Country Course:-Actual: Stationary Bike 5 Miles. -No running mileage

Friday 3/28/08: PNHS Track 4 miles easy-Actual: 5 Miles Easy

Saturday 3/29/08: Off - Stretching

Sunday 3/30/08: 15+ Mile Road Run
-Actual: 6 Miles Road

Total Mileage:
Running: 19 miles
Cycling: 5 miles

I think I have posted this before:

Being on-call sucks.

I was paged once last night about an hour after I fell asleep, and then again this morning before I went out for my run. I had about 5 hours of sleep.

Anyway, I started out on my run this morning around 9:00. I started out walking and when I reached the end of my street I started out slowly. I got two blocks away, and I see these cute little Toe-Headed Twins on the street corner. I walk up to them and say "hey" and they started looking at me weird and started grumbling while backing away from me. I said "Hey, I won't bite" They responded in their language: "But, I will" (I think it was French)

I decided there wasn't much I could do to get them to go back to their place and I started running again. Next thing I know, they are running next to me. Then they start out running me.

I'm like come on man, your legs are shorter than mine!

I was able to snap a picture of them as they ran away from me. I eventually found their home and they ran back into their own yard.



(Yes, I know my humor is twisted a little)

Back to the run:

I had planned to throw in some walking in today's run as I need to prepare for a few Ultras I have planned this coming season. The plan was 15 miles today and some stationary biking and some cross training.

I got 6 miles into my run and got paged again. I stopped at home and started working again. So, if I get a chance, I will go back out for another run today to finish up 9 miles or whatever I can.

There were a lot of dogs out today, and I even ran into a cat walking out in front of me on the road. Luckily none of them wanted to bite my leg off.

To Be continued...................

Looks like all I am going to get in today is 6 miles. I ended up walking parts of the run for a reason but, I ran all the hills. I have been on calls all day and looks like there is no end in sight.

Totals: 6miles......1:02:50.......10:28 (walked 4 or 5 times not sure on amount of time walked)

After a million calls tonight from work, I was able to make it out for a quick Track Run at PCHS. Nothing exciting.

5 Miles, no repeats just continuous running. I hate running around a track, but it is necessary.

5 Miles.......Time:46:31........9:18 Pace

Decided to not go to the track today as it was pouring down rain. I used to love running in the rain until I ended up getting sick a lot. I just wised up.

Stationary Bike: 5 Miles 25 minutes.

PNHS Track again today:

Mile 1: 8:39
Walked 400 meters
Mile 2: 8:50
Walked 400 meters
Mile 3: 8:48
Walked 400 meters
Ran Stadium Stairs a few times.

Very windy out.

Track

Better late than never:

My sleep schedule has been so messed up this past week that I never had time to post this last night.
I went out to PNHS track and ran a few mile repeats.Nothing major, just wanted to get back on the track since it is SPRING!!!!

Mile 1: Warm up 9:23 pace
walk 200 meters
Mile 2: 8:43
walk 200 meters
Mile 3: 8:53
walk 200 meters
Mile 4: 8:21
walk 200 meters
Mile 5 Cool down 9:49

I'll be back to running soon......

Okay, since this blog is not just about running/training. I have yet again shamelessly posted another update on my pup and the lack of progress I have made this week.

This is to help update friends and family without have to yack their heads off about the events in my life.

It's obvious I have not done much this week due to his surgery and recovery.
I have probably slept about 4 hours a day, battling his constant boredom in a crate, and the pain management.
I have been sleeping on a recliner in my office next to him which has really been fun.

I took him outside today and he rolled around in the grass like a madman. This is a good sign that he is recovering well, and is getting stronger everyday.

Anyway, with all of this going on, I have ran myself down to the edge of getting sick. I've only felt the beginnings of a slight cold, but would quickly drink Airborne, and take my vitamins to keep from getting sick.
Honestly I just think it is exhaustion.

With all that, I decided to not run at all this week and just let myself get some solid sleep before going out. I am hoping to get a possible run in today whether it is short or not.

I had the camera on auto shutter as I snapped these of him rolling around on Easter Sunday.

.......

Update on my pup

I know this has nothing to do with running, but my favorite running buddy of all time is back at home safe and sound. He's actually doing better than I am.
I went and picked him up today at OSU, and he was so excited to get the hell out of there. They have him on some good drugs to ease the pain.

If you don't know, he had a total hip replacement (THR) on his left hip.
OSU did a THR on his right leg 2 years ago when he was a 1 year old.

He's now full of Titanium, which to my totals of all vet bills now makes him a $10,000 dog.

Last week's summary

This last week didn't go as planned but, not everything does. You take what you can get and work it out to better fit your needs in the future.
This coming week will be a step back week with some shorter recovery runs and a lot more time on the bike and exercise mat.

Monday 3/10/08: 10 - 15 Mile Run P.M./Cross train
- Actual: No mileage today. No excuse!

Tuesday 3/11/08: 5 Mile bike A.M.; 6 Miles easy P.M./Cross train
-Actual: Bike: 15 Miles, Ran 5 Miles.

Wednesday 3/12/08: 8-10 Miles/Cross train
-Actual: 10 miles, no cross training

Thursday 3/13/08: 1 mile Intervals & Hill repeats
-Actual: 6 Miles, no cross training

Friday 3/14/08: Prediction Run - CRC Pickerington
-Did not do the Prediction Run. Biked 10 miles

Saturday 3/15/08: Off/Cross train
-No workouts. Just active work around the house.

Sunday 3/16/08: Long Run...Unsure of distance
-Actual: 18 Miles Accumulative run, Bike 16 Miles


Total Miles Ran: 39 Miles
Total Miles Biked: 41 Miles

34 Miles today to Celebrate something......

I am just not sure what though. Is it the 34th of March? No. Do I have $34.00 in my pocket. No. (My wife keps all my money)

What ever. I cannot remember. Maybe it's becasue I am getting too old. -Who knows.

Anyway, I started out this morning on the bike for a 2 mile warm up. I then started out from my house around 6:20AM and ran 10 miles up and over Mt. Pickerington for an out and back.

Here is a picture after my second summit ontop of Mt. Pickerington.

After I got back from that, I woke my wife up and made her go with me to the Muddy Feet trail race up at Alum Creek.

..........

The race was extremely muddy first of all. I bet I ended up burning double the calories that I normally would have running 8 miles. For some reason their website is wrong. It says 6.7 miles but it was 8 miles. Anyways, I finished in 1:17:52. For it being as muddy as it was, that wasn't too bad at all.

I would venture as far as saying it was miserable. I walked a lot during the race. It was shoe sucking mud, and no shortage of it either.

Here is a picture of me at the start. Can you tell that I am cold? I was so cold I put my race shirt on. That's a No, No.

When I got back, I took my 3rd shower for the day, and hopped on the bike again for 14 miles. I'm tired to put it short. I am gonna go grab a pup and take a nap for a couple of hours.

Totals: Run (Accumulative): 18 Miles........2:55:02.............9:43 Pace
.............Bike: (Accumulative): 16 miles

Break down:

Bike: 2 Miles

Morning run: 10 Miles: 1:37:20

Trail race: 8 Miles: 1:17:52

Bike: 14 Miles

Quick Recovery Run and a Rambling or Two.

I started out with great ambitions of running another 10 or so miles tonight. The weather was so nice, that a run was in order. I decided to run the same route I ran yesterday, but for some reason, my body was revolting. What could it be? Hmmmm. Could it have been from when my dog woke me up half way through the day? Could it have been the fact that I didn't eat anything when I got up? -Probably both.
Anyway, I just wasn't feeling it, and decided to take it easy and run a slow recovery run. I also decided to skip hill repeats too. Hmmm, what else should I skip today? Work?
I was running so slow, I could count the pebbles as I ran by them.
I need some of them Rockets that Pickle uses. (Sorry Josh)

Here is a picture of this giant tree I have always ran by but never noticed. I must always be on my Zen mode at this point.
This tree is probably so big since it is at the foothills of Mt. Pickerington.


As I ran out onto Route 256 and head back into town, I hear a honking of a horn off in the distance. I look back and it is this crazy woman is trying to run me over. Okay, that is not the full truth but still made for a good story. It is my wife trying to pick me up so I can buy her dinner.

How did she know where I was? I try to keep my runs a secret!

At this point, I said what the heck and hopped into the car and it was off for a Philly Cheese Steak and Fries. -Hey, I just ran 6 miles. I deserve a little love.

Speaking of "Love" can you identify this Red UFO I spotted in a field close to where I was running?


Totals: 6 Miles.....Time: 59:30.......9:55Pace

Mt. Pickerington Loop

Okay, Mt Pickerington doesn't look exactly like this, actually, its not called Mt. Pickerington that's just what I call it. Yes, my photo blending skills do suck. Get over it.

I went out for an 8-10 mile run tonight as planned. I decided to take the rural route tonight.

This house about burned my retinas out from the bright blue as I went by:

See Map My Run website for the route:



I really like this loop because there is not much traffic, and it makes for a real quiet run.
Here is a view from atop of Mt. Pickerington as the sun was setting for the day:


I like running down from this hill as it is a nice point to relax and recoup after the climb up.

As I was running down the hill in the second picture above, I heard off behind me the sound of a jet roaring. I didn't think much of it as Rickenbacker A.F.B. is nearby. I then heard a strange sound like a jet engine had just increased it's throttle. I look back and it had just got done refueling a fighter jet . The Jet, which appeared to be an F-16, banked off and headed south. The jet was gone before I could switch my camera on. I was able to get a picture of the Tanker with its boom down. This was really cool: I think it is a Boy Tanker. What do you think?

The run up to this point and beyond went really well. I had only stopped long enough to take some pictures.
As I headed back into town, I saw a speed limit sign and knew I had better slow down or face the consequences:

Totals: 10 miles......Time: 1:37:32.....9:45 Pace

20 Mile night

I have been continually falling into a rut that seems to haunt me on a weekly basis.
I am not sure if it is the crappy weather we have been having or not. I awoke today and found myself dreading my run I had planned. Not sure where this came from. Plus, this is NOT good!
I was on a serious mindset at the beginning of December to run a few Ultras this Spring and Summer.
I ended up getting really sick and fell off the wagon. For some reason, that wagon never stopped to pick me up, and I have been chasing it ever since.

I have been so lucky to have found this bike that someone, for some reason, has discarded.

I hopped on it tonight and rode while watching Full Metal Jacket.
After that, I jumped onto the treadmill for a quick run before I start work.

Now that I am done, I feel much better about training and cannot wait until my next run/workout.
I'm just not sure why some days, I wake up and dread my next run. Running should not be work; it should be something that should be enjoyed.


Totals: 5 Miles..........Time:47:52.......Pace:9:34
Bike: 15 Miles.........Time: 60:00

Last Weeks Training Summary

This wasn't much of a week for training.
I never got a chance for a long run today since my job screws with my sleep schedule and I was never able to get to sleep until 5:00 or 6:00 this morning.

Monday 3/3/08: 2 miles treadmill A.M.; 3 Miles P.M./CrosstrainActual: 4 Miles -trail

Tuesday 3/4/08: 2 miles treadmill A.M.; 5 Miles easy P.M./CrosstrainActual: 5 Miles - treadmill

Wednesday 3/5/08: 8-10 Miles Road/CrosstrainActual: 8 Miles - Road

Thursday 3/6/08: Hill repeats/CrosstrainActual: 3.25 Miles - Treadmill 2.00 Miles - Hill repeats outside 5.20 Miles - Bike indoors

Friday 3/7/08: Prediction Run - CRC Pickerington -CancelledRun: 3 miles.............Time: 25:34 Bike: 5.25 miles........Time: 20:00

Saturday 3/8/08: Off/Crosstrain

Sunday 3/9/08: Muddy Feet 8 Mile Trail Race -Cancelled

Friday evening and I have nothing to do but do some running/cycling.
The Prediction Run was cancelled due to the weather. -Bummer.

The county I live in is under a level 2 snow emergency, which isn't that bad, but I didn't want to go out running when people would be out driving on bad roads.

I warmed up with a 20 minute ride first and then switched to my treadmill.
I varied my treadmill and ran 1/4 mile intervals to help with faster leg turnover.

Totals:
Run: 3 miles........Time: 25:34
Bike: 5.25 miles........Time: 20:00

King of the Hill or so I thought

Tonight's plans called for a little hill work which I know everyone is fond of.

I warmed up first with a 3 mile run on the treadmill, then headed out for some hill repeats in a muddy field behind my subdivision.

Earlier in the day, I took my Lab and Beagle out for a walk and this was their choice of a place to walk. Of course they were muddy from tip to tail.

With that knowledge, I knew this would be a fun, muddy mess.

In this picture, you can see the hill that I was headed towards. The picture does no justice. I ran hill repeats with no real structure laid out ahead of time. At this point, I was just testing the water. I knew I wanted resistance, and mud + hill= fun time.

The repeats felt really good as I continued to add variety to the workout. Some parts were really short and steep while other were long and more forgiving. The mud made for a real bear of a time as you all know running in mud is fun!

In the first picture, I stumbled up this short incline about umpteen million times. I'm gonna be sore. -I hope.

It wasn't Mohican shoes sucking mud, but it was still difficult to keep your footing while keeping up an effort.

Here are my Hardrocks after the run. What's wrong with wearing these in the house?

After the hill workout, I came in a rode on my newly found bike that works like a charm. -(See previous post.)

Totals: 3.25 Miles.........Time: 28:15............Treadmill
2 Miles.........Hill Repeats

5 Miles.........Bike

I call it: "Footprints in the Mud"

Could I be related to Fred Sanford?

This is a question I sometimes ponder when I find treasures in the trash on someone’s curb.
I went out for a middle of the week medium long run today. As I was winding my way through the 'hood, I stumble upon the massive heap of garbage that had been set out for the trash.

Since I am as slow as a box turtle, it gives me more than ample time to scan over the heap for "treasures".
Sure enough, I fine an exercise bike. It had been taken apart and left for the landfill.
Since I am poor and would never pass up free stuff, I decided I would swing back by after my run and load it up.

Holy crap, I just found that bike on a website and the price they are asking is $2,399.00.
It is a Bodyguard Organic V.



Since it was sitting outside, I will wait a couple of days and let the electronics dry out. -Not that it was wet or anything, but just want to make sure. The people that was throwing it out looked like they were moving. So, who knows it might work.


My wife claims we are selling it if it works. -Sure.

People around here throw out a lot of stuff that has nothing wrong with it all the time. I am guilty of that too.



Now for the run: Today's route on Map My Run

I think I started out way too fast as I checked my Garmin at the 1 mile mark and I was running a 7:35 pace. Not good. I tried so hard to slow down, but it was too late. I was already maxed out on my heart monitor and I was exhausted.

If you look at my run from yesterday, I ran a 9:32 pace 5 miler. I felt great the entire time.
I know I am slow, but hey it allows me to view the view a lot longer. : )
This run had me walking a lot but I was able to make it back with no problems.

Below is a picture I took near the high school. There were a lot of Canada Geese out in this field.

They were all the same usual colors except this one:



Totals: 8 miles....Time: 1:23:54.....Pace:10:29 Had to walk a lot as I had a high heart rate the whole time. Kinda bummed me out.

After run shot of me and my buddy:

5 miles with Napoleon Dynamite

It was too nasty out tonight for a run outside so, I opted for my treadmill instead.
I have a terrible headache from this weather that has moved in today, and it never left as I was running.
The run felt great other than the headache as I tuned out everything with a movie I have not wathced in a while: Napoleon Dynamite.
This definetly helped make the monotonos time fly by.

I wasn't able to do my morning workout due to lack of sleep for 24 hours yesterday. I'll settle for 5 miles instead of making up distance/time.

Totals: 5miles.......Time:47:15......Pace:9:27

Mohican Fun Run

Okay, So I didn't heed Rob's warning of the bad trail conditions of Mohican.

I thought possibly since the weather was so nice the past couple of days that the snow would have had a chance to melt by now. -Wrong.

I started out at the Covered Bridge and was planning on running the Red/Green trails and then possibly part of the Orange trail for a total of 21-26 miles
As soon as I started on the mountain bike trail, I knew I was in for a fun time. The trails were pretty much as you see them in the picture below. At one point, I was following someone’s tracks from a previous run/hike. The imprint of their Yak Tracks were still embedded in the snow.
If it weren't for them, I would have gotten lost. At one point they had gotten off trail, as I did, but soon found their way back on.

It was real slow going until I found some trail that looked like this:

But, as you can see from the photo below, this is what it looked like most of the time:

The footing was so bad that all I could do was walk/slide my way around and up the hills. Yak Traks were not meant for conditions like this which is why I did not wear them.

Once I got to Bridal Staging, I turned around and ran the road back to the Covered Bridge. A day busted in my book. It was good to get up there though as I have been looking forward to it for a while.

At one point it took me 20 minutes to go 1 mile. I was working so hard going up the hills.

Totals: 4miles.......time: 1:02:52