Just went to the NY marathon runners Expo. My thoughts:
1. What a madhouse!!! Had all the hallmarks of an NYRR event -- Lots of people, but very well organized. Just lots of people, runners, foreign tourists. They need more space! All of the booths were jam packed with people. And the official Asics marathon store was a nightmare. If I want any marathon gear, I'll order online.
2. There is a recession upon us. The booths are not nearly as elaborate or fancy as years past. And fewer of them.
3. Met Brian Sell. He was just sitting at a table at the Brooks booth, and struck up a conversation with him. I always thought he looked bigger and brawnier than the other runners. In real life, he isn't. I am big and brawny; he is lean and fit.
4. Power Bar has these new Energy Bites. Not the energy gels or protein gels, but like marble size chunks of carbs. They tasted good. But they were sold out of them! What is the point of free samples, if they don't sell them?
5. Seeing your picture is cool. Several years ago, I ran with a charity team. (More on that in another post; a great experience, but I just couldn't commit this year.) Anyway, behind their big booth at the marathon are poster boards about 8'x6' showing runners, and faces. My face is one them! From circa 2006, with a big huge grin on my face, about 1'x1'. Thats still pretty cool.
6. Lots of energy and enthusiasm for Sunday. Of course, it is now supposed to rain. But I know I am well trained for running in the rain!
And how New York gets by with the Javits Center as the main convention space is a mystery to me. It is so inconvenient, it is just scary.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
The Big Goal...
My favorite moment in any race, is Mile 16-17 in the New York Marathon. That is the mile where the runners come off the 59th Street Bridge and enter Manhattan on First Avenue. I wish that everyone, at one point in their life, could experience coming off the 59th Street bridge during the marathon. The bridge is eerily quiet, particularly after running 15 miles through the crowds in Brooklyn and Queens. If you have never run the NY marathon before, literally, almost every spot on the course has people cheering. Kids offering oranges, bands playing, people clapping, calling your name. It is great.
Coming off the bridge is also highly symbolic for me, in that this is the point when the race comes home. To Manhattan, to Central Park, to the place I have lived for 17 years. Coming off the bridge, onto First Avenue, there is simply a wall of noise, with people on First Avenue lined up 10 deep cheering runners on. My family waits at Mile 18, with my older daughter holding a homemade sign that says "Go Dad!" and seeing her jump up and down with excitement as I approach from the crowd.
That is why I run. All that training is for those moments. Everyone should feel that once in their life. It is priceless and indescribable.
Given that, I reluctantly commit to time goals in advance of marathons. Too much can happen, and I run for the experience. Well, not really, but also because I am afraid of crashing and burning and not hitting the goal. But, on the other hand, I have told my wife (Mrs. Wolve) my goal, so here goes.
My last serious race was the Fairfield Half Marathon in June. I ran 1:39:30. I was very very pleased. Various time predictors and calculators had this as equivalent to a 3:27 marathon. Wow...that is really fast given that I weighed 230 pounds on March 15 of this year and could barely run 5 miles.
So I set my goal paces at 8:00 per mile -- about 20 seconds per mile slower than my half marathon time. And before I had started marathon training. I figured it would give me some cushion to finish, and finish with strength and still an outstanding time.
My BQ time is 3:20. As my training progressed in August and parts of September, I thought...maybe. Maybe I could do it. I was feeling strong, and 3:20 is about 7:40 per mile -- the same pace as my half marathon. And the prize..a BQ..wow. Who cares if I crashed and burned? Better to go out a lion than a lamb. Better to have tried and failed than never tried at all. Blah blah, more high school coaching cliches. I told my father (who was a spectacular athlete but not a runner) of the 3:30/3:20 dilemma, and he said .. what difference is 10 minutes really? I was like... yeah...its only 20 seconds per mile...I can do that..I did it in Fairfield...
Well, a kind of bad October with work and training brought me crashing back to reality. I wouldn't make it. And nothing sucks worse than going out too fast and truly crashing. It is not like hurting and slowing down or taking a walk break, but outright crashing hurts and is dangerous. So, I am not going to push it. It is just not the right time for it. BQ remains a goal for next year.
So, I am back to 3:30. That still would be a great, great result for me. In fact anything that has a 3:3X in it, is just awesome. And a PR, and a great result. So there it is: goal time 3:30. Super secret goal, 3:2X. I'll be OK with anything in 3:3X, and even 3:4X is not so bad really.
Am I nervous? yes. Am I excited? Absolutely! And I can't wait.
Coming off the bridge is also highly symbolic for me, in that this is the point when the race comes home. To Manhattan, to Central Park, to the place I have lived for 17 years. Coming off the bridge, onto First Avenue, there is simply a wall of noise, with people on First Avenue lined up 10 deep cheering runners on. My family waits at Mile 18, with my older daughter holding a homemade sign that says "Go Dad!" and seeing her jump up and down with excitement as I approach from the crowd.
That is why I run. All that training is for those moments. Everyone should feel that once in their life. It is priceless and indescribable.
Given that, I reluctantly commit to time goals in advance of marathons. Too much can happen, and I run for the experience. Well, not really, but also because I am afraid of crashing and burning and not hitting the goal. But, on the other hand, I have told my wife (Mrs. Wolve) my goal, so here goes.
My last serious race was the Fairfield Half Marathon in June. I ran 1:39:30. I was very very pleased. Various time predictors and calculators had this as equivalent to a 3:27 marathon. Wow...that is really fast given that I weighed 230 pounds on March 15 of this year and could barely run 5 miles.
So I set my goal paces at 8:00 per mile -- about 20 seconds per mile slower than my half marathon time. And before I had started marathon training. I figured it would give me some cushion to finish, and finish with strength and still an outstanding time.
My BQ time is 3:20. As my training progressed in August and parts of September, I thought...maybe. Maybe I could do it. I was feeling strong, and 3:20 is about 7:40 per mile -- the same pace as my half marathon. And the prize..a BQ..wow. Who cares if I crashed and burned? Better to go out a lion than a lamb. Better to have tried and failed than never tried at all. Blah blah, more high school coaching cliches. I told my father (who was a spectacular athlete but not a runner) of the 3:30/3:20 dilemma, and he said .. what difference is 10 minutes really? I was like... yeah...its only 20 seconds per mile...I can do that..I did it in Fairfield...
Well, a kind of bad October with work and training brought me crashing back to reality. I wouldn't make it. And nothing sucks worse than going out too fast and truly crashing. It is not like hurting and slowing down or taking a walk break, but outright crashing hurts and is dangerous. So, I am not going to push it. It is just not the right time for it. BQ remains a goal for next year.
So, I am back to 3:30. That still would be a great, great result for me. In fact anything that has a 3:3X in it, is just awesome. And a PR, and a great result. So there it is: goal time 3:30. Super secret goal, 3:2X. I'll be OK with anything in 3:3X, and even 3:4X is not so bad really.
Am I nervous? yes. Am I excited? Absolutely! And I can't wait.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Last Long Run
Today was the day for the last longish run before the marathon next week. I also wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. That I could do a longish run at a solid pace. Mental toughness was one of the main goals.
The idea was to run 10 miles at marathon pace. Well, that didn't happen. I ended up running ten miles at under half marathon pace -- about 40 seconds per mile faster than my planned marathon pace. That, of course made me smile, but my heart rate was pretty high throughout. And I am not sure that it was wise to push myself that hard before the marathon. But it really wasn't that hard. I mean I felt ok, and I wasn't racing or anything.
I did find my marathon shorts - a pair of Asics. And I think I am going to run in my Gel Kayanos. (Under Armour socks). Now I need to settle on a shirt.
One last comment, what gives with the supposed fall in New York. Today was mid-60's, 100% humidity. I ran in a light drizzle and fog in some places. This is crazy! I sure hope the marathon is cool, and not the hot humid haze that has been here since June.
Distance Time Split time Elev. chg.
0.50 0:03:28 3:28 +324
1.00 0:06:54 3:26 -91
1.50 0:10:31 3:36 +94
2.00 0:14:11 3:40 -169
2.50 0:17:56 3:45 +32
3.00 0:21:44 3:47 +71
3.50 0:25:24 3:39 -21
4.00 0:29:07 3:43 -81
4.50 0:32:54 3:46 +125
5.00 0:36:41 3:47 -3
5.50 0:40:35 3:53 -185
6.00 0:44:17 3:42 +12
6.50 0:47:54 3:36 +12
7.00 0:51:41 3:47 -14
7.50 0:55:29 3:48 +15
8.00 0:59:09 3:40 -6
8.50 1:02:55 3:46 +18
9.00 1:06:32 3:36 -19
9.50 1:10:14 3:41 +16
10.00 1:14:08 3:54 +54
10.14 1:15:44 1:35 +6
The idea was to run 10 miles at marathon pace. Well, that didn't happen. I ended up running ten miles at under half marathon pace -- about 40 seconds per mile faster than my planned marathon pace. That, of course made me smile, but my heart rate was pretty high throughout. And I am not sure that it was wise to push myself that hard before the marathon. But it really wasn't that hard. I mean I felt ok, and I wasn't racing or anything.
I did find my marathon shorts - a pair of Asics. And I think I am going to run in my Gel Kayanos. (Under Armour socks). Now I need to settle on a shirt.
One last comment, what gives with the supposed fall in New York. Today was mid-60's, 100% humidity. I ran in a light drizzle and fog in some places. This is crazy! I sure hope the marathon is cool, and not the hot humid haze that has been here since June.
Distance Time Split time Elev. chg.
0.50 0:03:28 3:28 +324
1.00 0:06:54 3:26 -91
1.50 0:10:31 3:36 +94
2.00 0:14:11 3:40 -169
2.50 0:17:56 3:45 +32
3.00 0:21:44 3:47 +71
3.50 0:25:24 3:39 -21
4.00 0:29:07 3:43 -81
4.50 0:32:54 3:46 +125
5.00 0:36:41 3:47 -3
5.50 0:40:35 3:53 -185
6.00 0:44:17 3:42 +12
6.50 0:47:54 3:36 +12
7.00 0:51:41 3:47 -14
7.50 0:55:29 3:48 +15
8.00 0:59:09 3:40 -6
8.50 1:02:55 3:46 +18
9.00 1:06:32 3:36 -19
9.50 1:10:14 3:41 +16
10.00 1:14:08 3:54 +54
10.14 1:15:44 1:35 +6
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Long Time Gone
Well, it has been a while since I posted. And also awhile since I have run. Work has simply consumed me since my last bad 20 miler. In fact, I didn't run for 10 days. I started a trial on October 12 and essentially worked around the clock for the week. And I didn't eat. A lack of sleep and food are not conducive to running, and coupled with the stress of a trial, forget it. Then, Friday night, after the trial was done..baby got sick again. So, I was up all night Friday night also. I think I slept a total of about 20 hours from Saturday to Saturday. On the plus side, the scale had me down to 176. Yikes...that is a loss of about 5 or 6 pounds in two weeks. Mostly water I know, but I also know it was lack of food too. (During trial, I get very tight and have no appetite.)
With the marathon coming up in two weeks I know I have to carbo load, not carbo deplete. So over the last several days, I have been eating like crazy. I am back on the road traveling this week, and finally ran in my hotel yesterday and today. My heart rate, though, was pretty high. Maybe it was the remnant of alcohol in me. Maybe my lack of training for last month or so. Maybe some of both. But not exactly a sign of strength heading into the big day. Oh well, I may have to adjust my time goal, and not push it for sure. After all, I have been working at this for 6 months. I am not injured (knock on wood) and should be tapering anyway. but the ten day holiday really made me lose my edge, that tightness in my legs, my body. I ran a fast 8 miles yesterday, just to do it. To prove to myself I could still push and do it. And my heart rate was high. Today I was sore, but ran a recovery run too (with another too high heart rate for the pace).
I know I am in taper mode. But I want to feel that "coiled spring" feeling inside me and be ready to go. I didn't feel it all all until today really. When I went for my run, I wanted to just jump on the treadmill and gooooooo. Before, rather than restless from the taper, I felt soft.
I still have 10 days to get in right mental mode. I am tough (I think) and will force myself there. But its not how I had it drawn up.
Note: I post these notes late at night, and can never get logger to spellcheck. Any secret tricks?
With the marathon coming up in two weeks I know I have to carbo load, not carbo deplete. So over the last several days, I have been eating like crazy. I am back on the road traveling this week, and finally ran in my hotel yesterday and today. My heart rate, though, was pretty high. Maybe it was the remnant of alcohol in me. Maybe my lack of training for last month or so. Maybe some of both. But not exactly a sign of strength heading into the big day. Oh well, I may have to adjust my time goal, and not push it for sure. After all, I have been working at this for 6 months. I am not injured (knock on wood) and should be tapering anyway. but the ten day holiday really made me lose my edge, that tightness in my legs, my body. I ran a fast 8 miles yesterday, just to do it. To prove to myself I could still push and do it. And my heart rate was high. Today I was sore, but ran a recovery run too (with another too high heart rate for the pace).
I know I am in taper mode. But I want to feel that "coiled spring" feeling inside me and be ready to go. I didn't feel it all all until today really. When I went for my run, I wanted to just jump on the treadmill and gooooooo. Before, rather than restless from the taper, I felt soft.
I still have 10 days to get in right mental mode. I am tough (I think) and will force myself there. But its not how I had it drawn up.
Note: I post these notes late at night, and can never get logger to spellcheck. Any secret tricks?
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Not the way I had it planned. Or, how not to run 20 miler
Well, that's not the way I had it planned. Saturday morning I was set up to run 20 miles at 8:00 mile pace. That's my marathon pace and the last truly hard long run on the schedule before the taper.
Looking back, the problems began during the week. This was a long week of work for me - 60+ hours. Historically that meant a terrible diet, in that hard work meant eating junk around the office. Also, sometimes when I get engulfed in work, I lose my appetite. That happened this week. I noticed on Friday that my weight was 179 - the first time I have been in the 170's in probably 15 years.
And I haven't been sleeping much. Combination of work stress and a sick baby. Thursday we were up a good chunk of night with her, but still got some sleep. Friday night - the night before big run, she was sick most of night. I was up from about midnight until 4 am. I remember looking at the clock and thinking I can't believe I am going to go run 20 miles in like 3 hours on no sleep.
And again I left all of my Garmin gear in my office charging the battery. And my brand new iPod nano was dead too - it wouldn't take the charge, so I have to return it. I ended running with my wife's iPod but we have different taste in music. (I thought I was in a 1970s disco circa 1984. Patti LaBelle "New Attitude"? Please - that's not running music for me.)
And then Saturday I woke up and it was 65 degrees and 100 humidity, again. What gives with this NY fall? Where are crisp mornings and smell of leaves, etc. Nada. Humidity meant slick roads, rain and just a tougher run.
Even with all of this, I knew I had to tough it out. I had been looking forward to this run and getting through it all week. And thought it would set me up well mentally for the coming race. And I've run in humidity, rain, etc all summer and fall. And I'm tough and what doesn't kill me makes me stronger, right?
I took off, having studied my mile marks from a previous run on this route, so I would know almost exactly where the miles were so I could judge pace. Through 5 I was doing OK: too fast at 7:30 or so, and I had no idea how I was going to keep up the pace for 13 more.
I felt terrible. I've never thrown up during a run, but had to stop twice due to vomit attacks. And my gut was killing me. And I wasn't in groove at all. I decided to cut it to a 14 miler (two loops)at about mile 5. And then I had another vomit attack. And it started to rain. Nauseous, stomach in a knot with pain, and wet from the rain.
So, I said to myself: screw it. Packed it in at the end of that loop, at 7 miles. Ran 7 miles in 54 minutes and change. My stomach felt terrible - like a knot. After showering, etc., I was wiped out. And my teeth were chattering and all afternoon I fell asleep every time I sat down or laid down, even when I wasn't trying or letting myself fall asleep. Periodically, I'd be watching a football game and doze off.
Looking back, the seeds of my downfall were laid Thursday and Friday. I in essence didn't eat a meal until Friday dinner (I think Thursday I had 4 energy bars all day). And two nights of basically no sleep led to a terrible body condition. Instead or carbo loading, I did the opposite. And running on no sleep just doesn't work well for a 41 year old. Still not sure why I was throwing up during the run, but maybe
because I had taken my vitamins before I headed out and they upset my stomach. I really wish I had my heart rate monitor so I could see if the pace was too hard and pushed me physically too hard. Maybe my lack of running caught up with me. I don't know.
At any right, I figured I would live to fight another day. I've done all my long runs, and ought to be in good shape. If not doing this one costs me, c'est la vie. My time will be what it is going to be and I didn't want to push myself in the rain throwing up for 20 miles.
Today is Sunday -and its beautiful day to run. All the people running today in Staten Island half marathon or in Chicago, I hope you are having a great day!
Looking back, the problems began during the week. This was a long week of work for me - 60+ hours. Historically that meant a terrible diet, in that hard work meant eating junk around the office. Also, sometimes when I get engulfed in work, I lose my appetite. That happened this week. I noticed on Friday that my weight was 179 - the first time I have been in the 170's in probably 15 years.
And I haven't been sleeping much. Combination of work stress and a sick baby. Thursday we were up a good chunk of night with her, but still got some sleep. Friday night - the night before big run, she was sick most of night. I was up from about midnight until 4 am. I remember looking at the clock and thinking I can't believe I am going to go run 20 miles in like 3 hours on no sleep.
And again I left all of my Garmin gear in my office charging the battery. And my brand new iPod nano was dead too - it wouldn't take the charge, so I have to return it. I ended running with my wife's iPod but we have different taste in music. (I thought I was in a 1970s disco circa 1984. Patti LaBelle "New Attitude"? Please - that's not running music for me.)
And then Saturday I woke up and it was 65 degrees and 100 humidity, again. What gives with this NY fall? Where are crisp mornings and smell of leaves, etc. Nada. Humidity meant slick roads, rain and just a tougher run.
Even with all of this, I knew I had to tough it out. I had been looking forward to this run and getting through it all week. And thought it would set me up well mentally for the coming race. And I've run in humidity, rain, etc all summer and fall. And I'm tough and what doesn't kill me makes me stronger, right?
I took off, having studied my mile marks from a previous run on this route, so I would know almost exactly where the miles were so I could judge pace. Through 5 I was doing OK: too fast at 7:30 or so, and I had no idea how I was going to keep up the pace for 13 more.
I felt terrible. I've never thrown up during a run, but had to stop twice due to vomit attacks. And my gut was killing me. And I wasn't in groove at all. I decided to cut it to a 14 miler (two loops)at about mile 5. And then I had another vomit attack. And it started to rain. Nauseous, stomach in a knot with pain, and wet from the rain.
So, I said to myself: screw it. Packed it in at the end of that loop, at 7 miles. Ran 7 miles in 54 minutes and change. My stomach felt terrible - like a knot. After showering, etc., I was wiped out. And my teeth were chattering and all afternoon I fell asleep every time I sat down or laid down, even when I wasn't trying or letting myself fall asleep. Periodically, I'd be watching a football game and doze off.
Looking back, the seeds of my downfall were laid Thursday and Friday. I in essence didn't eat a meal until Friday dinner (I think Thursday I had 4 energy bars all day). And two nights of basically no sleep led to a terrible body condition. Instead or carbo loading, I did the opposite. And running on no sleep just doesn't work well for a 41 year old. Still not sure why I was throwing up during the run, but maybe
because I had taken my vitamins before I headed out and they upset my stomach. I really wish I had my heart rate monitor so I could see if the pace was too hard and pushed me physically too hard. Maybe my lack of running caught up with me. I don't know.
At any right, I figured I would live to fight another day. I've done all my long runs, and ought to be in good shape. If not doing this one costs me, c'est la vie. My time will be what it is going to be and I didn't want to push myself in the rain throwing up for 20 miles.
Today is Sunday -and its beautiful day to run. All the people running today in Staten Island half marathon or in Chicago, I hope you are having a great day!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Getting Closer All the Time
I received my NYRR bib number today -- in the 19000's in wave 1 start. That puts me in the Green corral (the slowest) about 2/3 of the way back. That is kind of bad. Good news is that I am in wave 1, which starts first, so there won't be a plethora of slower runners from the previous waves with which to contend as I go. That is bad because I start 2/3 of the way back in a wave of say 12,000 runners. That is still an awful lot of people to deal with.
I will probably run a PR, assuming my training holds up. So, I can't really complain with my starting position. It is what it is, and you cannot change it. I will register with a pace group and hopefully that will put me in the right starting position and can run with them. They should have that all planned out, but I really don't remember how the pace groups assemble or how they start given the corrals and waves.
Beginning to game plan as to what shoes, shorts, socks and shirt I will wear on the big day. Particularly shoes. For me, I try to find the "goldilocks" shoes, shoes that are not too old or too new, but just right. For me, the sweet spot on shoes are ones that have approximately 100 miles on them. Still new, but I feel comfortable in them. Unfortunately, in my rotation, it hasn't fallen in line to have the right shoes in the right place. Right now, my favorites are a pair of Asics Gel Kayanos, but they have about 200 miles on them, a little past their prime. I have been running less in them because...The pair I thought I was going to use was a pair of Brooks Trance 9's that I bought about three weeks ago. Unfortunately those haven't fit exactly right. They now have about 60 miles on them, but just aren't there yet. And my impression is not a rave one. I also have a pair of Gel Nimbus 11 that I love the way they feel and which I use on the treadmill. I am going to run long in them this weekend to see if they work for road work and long distances. Maybe, the Gel Nimbus will be the winner. If not, they can save miles on my Gel Kayanos.
In workout news, I ran for first time since my long run over the weekend, and went 8.5 miles at 7:30 pace. The FIRST program had this as one of the long runs for the week, but I missed the weekly speedworkout. This weekend (Saturday) is 20 miles at marathon pace + 15 seconds. I am going to try to run my 7 mile loop 3 times at an under 8:000 pace. That will be a push, but a good, last, hard long run.
I will probably run a PR, assuming my training holds up. So, I can't really complain with my starting position. It is what it is, and you cannot change it. I will register with a pace group and hopefully that will put me in the right starting position and can run with them. They should have that all planned out, but I really don't remember how the pace groups assemble or how they start given the corrals and waves.
Beginning to game plan as to what shoes, shorts, socks and shirt I will wear on the big day. Particularly shoes. For me, I try to find the "goldilocks" shoes, shoes that are not too old or too new, but just right. For me, the sweet spot on shoes are ones that have approximately 100 miles on them. Still new, but I feel comfortable in them. Unfortunately, in my rotation, it hasn't fallen in line to have the right shoes in the right place. Right now, my favorites are a pair of Asics Gel Kayanos, but they have about 200 miles on them, a little past their prime. I have been running less in them because...The pair I thought I was going to use was a pair of Brooks Trance 9's that I bought about three weeks ago. Unfortunately those haven't fit exactly right. They now have about 60 miles on them, but just aren't there yet. And my impression is not a rave one. I also have a pair of Gel Nimbus 11 that I love the way they feel and which I use on the treadmill. I am going to run long in them this weekend to see if they work for road work and long distances. Maybe, the Gel Nimbus will be the winner. If not, they can save miles on my Gel Kayanos.
In workout news, I ran for first time since my long run over the weekend, and went 8.5 miles at 7:30 pace. The FIRST program had this as one of the long runs for the week, but I missed the weekly speedworkout. This weekend (Saturday) is 20 miles at marathon pace + 15 seconds. I am going to try to run my 7 mile loop 3 times at an under 8:000 pace. That will be a push, but a good, last, hard long run.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Weekend Update
A short race report from Grete's Great Gallop Half Marathon: I didn't run it. As Mrs Wolve pointed out to me on Friday, we had a "brunch" for our 19 month old daughter at her pre-nursery school at 9 a.m. on Saturday -- the same time as the half marathon. I miss enough things because of work, so I skipped the race. I made a deal with my wife that I could run after it, so I went back to the FIRST workout -- 15 miles at marathon pace plus 10 seconds.
One big, big, problem: I had left all of my Garmin gear at the office. That meant no watch for pacing, no heart rate, no data of any kind. I almost didn't want to run. I have grown so dependent on it, that running without it seemed like running half naked.
Thankfully, though, I run the same loop fairly regularly, and I basically know where the various mile marks are. The problem is that the difference between a 7:45 mile and 8:15 mile is really only about 50 yards, so even though I knew...I really didn't know the pace. I would know if my pacing was way off, but not exactly, and not with degree of exactness like Marathon Pace plus 10 seconds. I knew my route was almost exactly 7.5 miles, so I could also know how I was doing at the end of the loop. And then part of my loop was blocked off and I had to improvise. So I kind of had to guess on that too. First loop was 1:00:41, or about 8 minute miles. Second loop was 1:00:07, which was pretty phenomenal for me. And when I came home and worked on Gmap pedometer, I realized that my make around on that part of my loop that was closed was actually about 0.3 miles longer than my normal route. So I ended up going 15.6 miles in 2:01 -- that made me smile. Nearly 7:52 pace. Of course I have no idea what my heart rate was because of no Garmin, so I don't know how hard or easy it was. But I wasn't completely wiped out later that day, and felt OK. Today, I am stiff and a little sore, but nothing out of the ordinary after a long run. I certainly had some fuel left in the tank at the end of 15 miles. Next week is 20 miles at Marathon Pace, so we'll see how that goes. So, I am optimistic...
Everyone out there running Chicago... Good Luck and get ready for it! I am jealous... Be safe, smart and fast!!!
One big, big, problem: I had left all of my Garmin gear at the office. That meant no watch for pacing, no heart rate, no data of any kind. I almost didn't want to run. I have grown so dependent on it, that running without it seemed like running half naked.
Thankfully, though, I run the same loop fairly regularly, and I basically know where the various mile marks are. The problem is that the difference between a 7:45 mile and 8:15 mile is really only about 50 yards, so even though I knew...I really didn't know the pace. I would know if my pacing was way off, but not exactly, and not with degree of exactness like Marathon Pace plus 10 seconds. I knew my route was almost exactly 7.5 miles, so I could also know how I was doing at the end of the loop. And then part of my loop was blocked off and I had to improvise. So I kind of had to guess on that too. First loop was 1:00:41, or about 8 minute miles. Second loop was 1:00:07, which was pretty phenomenal for me. And when I came home and worked on Gmap pedometer, I realized that my make around on that part of my loop that was closed was actually about 0.3 miles longer than my normal route. So I ended up going 15.6 miles in 2:01 -- that made me smile. Nearly 7:52 pace. Of course I have no idea what my heart rate was because of no Garmin, so I don't know how hard or easy it was. But I wasn't completely wiped out later that day, and felt OK. Today, I am stiff and a little sore, but nothing out of the ordinary after a long run. I certainly had some fuel left in the tank at the end of 15 miles. Next week is 20 miles at Marathon Pace, so we'll see how that goes. So, I am optimistic...
Everyone out there running Chicago... Good Luck and get ready for it! I am jealous... Be safe, smart and fast!!!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Grete's Great Uncertainty
Saturday is the 2009 version of Grete's Great Gallop, a half marathon that is essentially two loops around Central Park. It is a celebration of all things Norwegian, and Grete Waitz is the race starter and inspiration. I have run this race once before, in 2007. It was run the same day as the Chicago Marathon. You know, that Chicago Marathon, when they canceled it midstream because of the heat. Well it was that hot that weekend in New York also, maybe 85 degrees. Race temp was in mid-70s as I recall.
The race was a disaster for me. All things are relative, and I think I finished in 1:55 or so. But I cracked at about mile 10 and had to break stride and walk for a bit. And I was exhausted that entire day. Dazed really. I remember showering at my gym afterwards (it was in the city, so I showered before meeting up with the family for lunch), and just sitting on a bench being unable to move. My wife (Mrs. Wolve) said I was more exhausted and dazed than after running a marathon. Of course, I had no idea of the problems unfolding in Chicago which made mine seem trivial, but that race 100% kicked my ass.
So, Sunday I go back for more. I've run other half marathons since, and never had a repeat of Greta's Great Disaster. In my marathon training program, this week's long run is a 15 miler at Marathon Pace (MP for people who don't know FIRST) plus 10 seconds. So I am going to sub in the 13.2 mile half at Marathon Pace minus 10 seconds pace. That won't be close a PR, and that is always hard to deal with: a goal not to do your very best. But I haven't run a race in three months, and I need to capture that feeling again. I need the practice of dealing with the crowds, the pacing strategy (or lack thereof) and drinking at water stations. Just need to hone that race edge.
And hopefully wrestle with bear in the back of my mind that is an unpleasant memory.
The race was a disaster for me. All things are relative, and I think I finished in 1:55 or so. But I cracked at about mile 10 and had to break stride and walk for a bit. And I was exhausted that entire day. Dazed really. I remember showering at my gym afterwards (it was in the city, so I showered before meeting up with the family for lunch), and just sitting on a bench being unable to move. My wife (Mrs. Wolve) said I was more exhausted and dazed than after running a marathon. Of course, I had no idea of the problems unfolding in Chicago which made mine seem trivial, but that race 100% kicked my ass.
So, Sunday I go back for more. I've run other half marathons since, and never had a repeat of Greta's Great Disaster. In my marathon training program, this week's long run is a 15 miler at Marathon Pace (MP for people who don't know FIRST) plus 10 seconds. So I am going to sub in the 13.2 mile half at Marathon Pace minus 10 seconds pace. That won't be close a PR, and that is always hard to deal with: a goal not to do your very best. But I haven't run a race in three months, and I need to capture that feeling again. I need the practice of dealing with the crowds, the pacing strategy (or lack thereof) and drinking at water stations. Just need to hone that race edge.
And hopefully wrestle with bear in the back of my mind that is an unpleasant memory.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)