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December 11, 2005
Week No. 9
REASON NO. 18 FOR RUNNING A MARATHON
Running a marathon will help inspire my friends and co-workers to “GET OFF THE COUCH� and become more physically active.
In 2003, I was able to convince two of my coworkers to join me in a charity fund-raiser triathlon relay team, competing against our local Police and Fire Department Teams. It was the Sporthaven Triathlon, and our team easily beat our Police and Fire challengers (we are still unbeaten, to this day, I might add). In the process, we raised over $4,000 for the local Paradise all-weather track fund. This was our first attempt at charity fund raising, and we had a blast with both the fund raising and the actual triathlon.
Since that time, I have used every opportunity to spread the word about the value of exercise and training to my co-workers. I try not preach to anyone, but if someone asks me what I am training for this month, I tell them. I also show them by example, that even someone with a pretty busy schedule can find time to exercise, if you look hard enough for the time.
I put together a display at our Company Health Faire this week. I plotted out some pretty cool banners and triathlon related displays – and asked for anyone interested to contact me about joining our team this year. I hope to be able to get at least three teams together this year, to race in the City of Gold Triathlon in May, 2006.
This week started out a disaster, as far as training goes. After my long run on Sunday, I began getting a scratchy throat and a light cough – and sure enough, by Monday morning I had a full blown cold, with the achy joints, plugged up sinus’s, and a monster headache. I had at least four people in our office sick last week, as well as a couple of people at the party we went to last Friday night, so I guess it was inevitable. Even though I made it to work every day (at least a part day, to put out some of the inevitable fires that erupted), I didn’t even touch my running shoes until Thursday, when I finally felt good enough to attempt running. Thursday I did a 3-mile run, that actually felt pretty good. Friday I ran with my wife, and we did a two-mile run together, then I split off and did another 2 miles of Fartleks. I’m so proud of my wife – she has gone from being a non-runner in September of this year, to her current long run of over two miles non-stop. Her goal race is a 5K, on the same day as my marathon.
Saturday was kinda a crazy busy day, as we had a party planned for that evening at our house. We were able to get the house clean and all the other party preparations done in time for me to squeeze a 25-mile bike ride in. It was a good change of pace from all the running I have been doing, and the weather was beautiful, around 55 degrees and lots of sunshine.
Sunday was my long run for the week. I was up at about 5:30, had some coffee and a Cliff "Builders" Bar, did my “around the world�, and then I was out the door by 7:00. It was a brisk, frosty morning, with a beautiful sunrise. Went from my house, north to Durham, then west to Troxel and then back home, running through the orchards. I was a great run, 11.88 miles, and took me just over 2 hours and 7 minutes. I took 24 ounces of Accelerade, 2 Accel gels, and a Peanut Butter PowerBar.
My pace was a little slower than I had planned, at 10 min, 41 seconds per mile. My pace really slowed down the last 3 miles or so, as I was a little sore/stiff from my bike ride the previous day. I even took a 2 minute walk break at the 1 hour point, to get my knees happy again, then another 2 minutes at 1 hour 30 minutes point. It's amazing what a physological "boost" these little mini-breaks to give you.
This is a “recovery� week, in many senses of the word, so my long run was only supposed to be 10 miles (down from last weeks 14.5). Next week, with any luck I will blow through the 15-mile barrier!!!
Posted by Dennis at December 11, 2005 11:20 AM
Comments
WOW! I want to run. I'm pretty sure I have some years up on you and I find running lumbersome. I do work out...do a Women on Weights class 2x week, walk and aerobics. My strength has built up but I know I don't push myself when I get tired. Any suggestions? I love exercising and would be so excited to run a 6 mile Turkey Trott in Redding with my daughter in 2006 but I need help.
Thanks...
lk
Posted by: Linda Kiehn at December 14, 2005 10:57 AM
Hi Linda,
Sounds like you are on the right track, to being active. Of course, I have to put the usual medical disclaimer (check with your physician before beginning any streneous exercise routine), then log on to www.beginnertriathlete.com
The couch to 5k training program is what my wife has been doing, and like I said in the blog this week, she has never ran in her life until a couple of months ago. She is now up to 2 miles. The training programs start you our very slow, step up just a little bit each week, then about every 4 weeks a recovery week, to make sure that you do not get injured.
If your Turkey trot is in November (obvious, I guess), I would think that you could easily be able to run most if not all of the 6 miles by then.
Come out to one of the local races in your area - you will be amazed to see just how fast some of the 50, 60, and 70 year old runners are.
Other places to look for information are:
www.runnerworld.com
www.halhigdon.com
Let me know which race you are going to do - if your are in the Redding area, the local running group SWEAT (not sure of the URL) can hook you up with lots of resources and races.
Oh, I almost forgot - the second thing to do (after the doctor visit) is to visit a good running shoe store, talk to a real runner, and get fitted for a good pair of running shoes.
Good luck, let me know how it goes!!!
Dennis
Posted by: Dennis at December 14, 2005 09:13 PM