onion rings, nachos and luck

Well I can now officially cross off onion rings and nachos from my approved list of acceptable food for lunch. Tonights run was definitely not the same that it would have been had I eaten better. I usually eat pretty well but every once in a while I have to let loose and eat whatever I want. To be honest I just don't get the same enjoyment from eating crap that I used to get when I was younger although I still hold out hope that the enjoyment will be there.

I got a good dose of luck the other day when I tried to enter the Northface 50K. I logged onto Active.com only to find out that the 50K was full. At first I was pretty mad at myself because I should have registered weeks ago. After about 10 or so minutes of feeling sorry for myself I set about trying to find a new race. After about 20 minutes I found a 50K the same day in Puxatanie Pennsylvania- the same place as the town in Groundshog day. I was prepared to sign up for it but decided to e-mail the people putting on the Northface race. I got a response within 20 minutes that a spot had just opened up and that if I signed up right then I would probably get in. Sure enough I made it in. Now if only a little bit of that luck can continue on race day.

I have put in a good week so far this week with three days of running, one of which was a hill workout. I will run tomorrow and then do a long run on Saturday of 2:15. I bought a new camelbak catalyst and Powerbars carbohydrate drink that I want to try out so I am excited.

5 weeks until the Northface 50K which is the first test to see how my training is going. I can't wait!!!!

Happy Trails,

Robert

2 hour long run and on track for North Face 50K

I put in a 2 hour long run yesterday and felt proud of my accomplishment. I ran most of the time, the humidity was not as bad as last weeks long run and I ventured into some new trails that are pretty hilly. I also did better mentally than the previous week. Anything more than an hour running feels like a long time but this week was easier. I even did it without the Ipod.

The best part of the run was the 15 minute ice bath at the end. My hips and quads were quite sore. I am a fan of the ice bath and will try and have one after every long run. I feel good today with the exception that I am tired from the 1 hour bike ride that I went on last night.

The plan for the next week is a big week (35-40 miles) and then to take a rest week the week after before getting back to increasing the long runs before the 50K on Labor day and putting in the miles. I would like to do a 3 hour long run 2 weeks before.

Momentum and Fun

Things are going well right now- last week I had a good running week with the exception of replacing Saturday's long run with a nap. Our 10 month old son Zach was asleep and started to get a little fussy. I went up to lay down with him and ended up sleeping for about an hour. The loss of the long run was not a total loss because I played basketball a little longer that morning and I ran an hour on Monday morning (and obviously because I got to nap for an hour on a Saturday).

The fourth of July weekend will be big with a good bike ride (30 to 40 miles, the bike was in the shop for a tune up so I am excited to get out and ride) planned and a long run (1:45) planned. I may try to squeeze in another run on the day that I ride but will probably take the kids hiking. I tow the little one in a baby carrier so the legs get a decent workout.

It just occurred to me that I am two months away from the first goal of the season (Northface 50K) on Labor day weekend. If the weight comes down and I manage to increase the long runs up to 20 miles a couple of weeks before it will be a success.

I am really starting to have some fun running and am starting to feel like a runner. What I mean by starting to feel like a runner is that it does not take as long to warm up when I start running. I am also getting some flexibility in my legs, which I have never had in life. If that happens then this running thing will have been more than worth the sacrifice.