Taper time & gadgets

So, in the last two weeks leading up to the race, all sorts of ideas have found their way into my head. Like - "are you really sure about trying to average 8 min miles for 26.2"? Or, "what if you start to feel like crashing at mile 15, what are you going to do?" Lots of self-doubt is creeping in, LOTS. I keep reading the race prediction charts that are based off of previous race times and they keep telling me the same thing, 8 minute miles are within reach. I am having a hard time believing them though. Ahh, the mental games we play!

Enter the other side of this formula - I need a gadget to help me through this. Cue the intro music, "ta-da" the Garmin 405 Forerunner! With more features than a James Bond Aston Martin, the Garmin is the ideal solution (I tell myself!). So without further adieu, internet shopping here I come! It arrives today. I already have the software loaded on my Mac and I am in full nerd mode anticipating its arrival. Gawd I am stupid! $350, yes 350 bucks to geek out. I've trained all fall with just a basic stopwatch and a car odometer and somehow this is going to make me run better?

Oh, I'll use it...I love this kind of stuff. I'll have it tricked out and customized to my exact desires by race day. No worries there. Once the distraction is gone and I am focused again on the actual running part of a marathon, I will still be faced the ominous fact that I need to put one foot in front of the other and run. Simply run.

Who knows if I can hit the magic 8 minute/mile pace for the entire race. I'll have fun monitoring myself though in the process.

Haiti, my friend, and the half

Since my last post, much has happened. When the earthquake hit, didn't feel much like writing anything here - seems way too trivial in light of the human suffering underway. As often happens during natural disasters when you are not directly impacted, I froze. Not sure what to think or what to do. So I waited. A few connected industrious friends immediately sprang into action by organizing financial relief and literally finding a way to go to Haiti and help in any way possible. I respect this immediate call to action without second guessing if their personal/professional skill sets would help, they acted. Impressive. Inspirational.

On nearly the same day, an old friend was tragically killed in a senseless auto accident. A semi truck carrying a large coil of steel was not chained down to the truck with the right strength and when my friend Mike was driving by in the opposite direction, the chain broke and one of the best men I know was taken from this world. Mike was a runner - Mike ran every race like it was his last - Mike lived life and cared deeply for those who could not live life. He is an inspiration, and if your children are any reflection of who you are, Mike is impressive. While we didn't speak often, he will be deeply, deeply missed.

I ran the Naples Half Marathon Sunday. Ran my personal best by over 5 minutes. I finished in 1:39:32. My friend Mike ran with me Sunday too. He was in my mind and when I felt like slowing down (you know, just a bit so I can run harder on the last mile), Mike wouldn't let me. He kept prompting me to keep my pace. So I did. Managed to maintain an even pace throughout and felt great at the finish.

So a little over a week to the Miami Marathon. I did 10 miles on Wednesday this week and 5 on Tuesday with some shorter runs in between. Soreness from Sunday is gone, other than the blisters on my heels (don't run without socks when it is damp outside!). If I believe in the race predictor calculators, I actually have a shot at qualifying for Boston in this marathon the 31st. Not sure if I believe it, but somehow, I know Mike will be there with me with his advice, "keep the pace." I hope I can listen.

3 Hour Tour

Wow the weather was rough, it was cold (39) and windy (15 to 20 mph), but I managed a 20-mile run yesterday. No headset, just me and the sidewalk. After running directly into the wind for 2 1/2 miles, I altered my route so I didn't run that planned stretch a second time. The grid layout of most streets around here came in handy as I was able to alter course and take advantage of treelines to break the wind up a bit.

Around mile 7, I saw another fool run out of a neighborhood and into the wind in front of me. It was someone I vaguely recognized from the community we lived in the last three years, but wasn't sure. Took me about a mile to catch up to her and sure enough it was her. We ran the next 4 miles together and chatted along the way re-introducing ourselves and laughing at our foolishness of the day. Those 4 miles literally few by and I was reminded that running is best enjoyed with a partner. Anyway, I have a new Facebook friend and someone to look forward to talking with again at the next race.

One week to go to the Naples Half Marathon. The journey continues.

Nike Lunaracer+ 2

Picked up a pair of the new Nikes for myself yesterday while buying a pair for my daughter. Not really sure why I need them, but I justified because I am running two races this month and I want to go fast! While nothing more than a mental game, owning a pair of racing flats makes me FEEL fast if nothing else. Ha!

So now my shoe rotation is (listed by importance to me):
1) Vibram Five Fingers
2) Newton Gravity
3) Nike Lunaracer+ 2

I'll include a picture of these bad boys someday soon.

33 degrees is cold

As if I didn't really did not know it, I officially do not like being cold. Took my son to the bus this fine south Florida morning and the thermometer read 33 f! I am not taking my morning run in this, no way, no how, nada. But, I also hate the other two alternatives - (1) run on a treadmill or (2) do nothing. Luckily I have the rest of the day to wait for the sun/heat to rise to a temperature that is at least above the shiver point. More later...

Update: Even though it was 48, I put on running tights, two shirts, gloves and a hat to run 5.2 last night. I mean come on, it was windy! Wow, how my blood has thinned since living in Florida. 6 years ago I was barely wearing a shirt in 48 degree weather in Michigan. I managed to run in 40 minutes despite the heartburn from Mexican food earlier in the day! Note to self, cut back on the Mexican food...

Confusion on miles

Picked up a new book over Christmas on my Kindle - "Run Faster, From the 5k to the Marathon" by Brad Hudson. This guy is serious! He essentially breaks down running into three areas of fitness: Aerobic, Neuromuscular, and Race Specific Endurance. Weekly miles are to be "adaptive" and depending on weaknesses, one of the three areas of fitness (or all three) are addressed. Doesn't do much for me for Miami, but I think it will have some significant impact in the coming year as I take a shot at BQ.

Anyway, my weekly miles are up to 40 or more and the 11 mile run yesterday started the week off good. Although it was cold and I just grew tired of running against the wind and cut my scheduled 15 miler off at the first chance. I did run the last three miles at a sub 8/mile pace and felt great doing it!