Monthly Archives: December 2011

12.25.11
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Half-Marathon Training

half_training_001This is my training plan for the NYC Half-Marathon on March 18. I put this together after researching a number of different sources and approaches, primarily based on Hal Higdon’s half-marathon program for intermediate runners. Unlike the original version, I have allocated time for stretching every day and set specific cross training targets on Mondays and Thursdays. Typically, those cross training sessions involve cycling and swimming respectively. I believe that this plan will give me the gradual improvement in strength, stamina, and distance to allow me to comfortably complete the half-marathon in a good target time. As of right now, I am looking at a two hour target but may revise that down over time – depending on how I progress.

As the half-marathon takes place on a Sunday, all my long runs are scheduled for Sunday mornings. I believe consistency is key in preparation, and helps reduce the risk of injury. However, I deviate from that model in weeks two and six because I am taking part in organized races.

Entries highlighted in red are organized races – more information for those can be found on the race information page.

12.18.11
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The Next Step

nextstep_001I upped my distance this week, covering five miles for most of my runs. I did a couple of five mile runs back in November, stretch goals while averaging four miles per session.

However, this most recent change was a concerted effort to take my training to the next level. I had been hitting my distance and time targets consistently and wanted to avoid getting too comfortable or reducing the effects of my runs. This was also a conscious effort to get my body used to covering longer distances ahead of the Kleinerman 10K on January 7th. I have never run that far before, so need to get a couple of longer runs in beforehand if I am going to last the distance and not come out the other side with any injuries. The next couple of weeks are also tricky, with Christmas and holiday travels throwing off my regular training schedule. It’s going to take a little more effort and motivation than usual to get some training runs between Christmas and New Years – testing my physical and mental strength abilities at the same time. So far there have been no ill effects, combined with my new stretching routine my body is taking less time to recover between runs.

12.15.11
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Stretching

stretch_001Over the last couple of weeks I have been looking at various ways to get more out of my work outs and also improve my overall fitness. Obviously, I want to avoid excessive exertion and reduce the potential for injuries. Cramming more activities into my sessions was a non-starter given that I cover two or three areas in each one. It was actually Jess who pointed out, around the time of Jingle Bell Jog, that I could stretch more after and between runs to loosen up my body and help the recovery process.

I started to investigate different stretches, their value and effects, and am putting together a short list of the most beneficial activities to combine into a brief 15 minute stretching routine. Ideally, this is something I will be able to do every day and following runs to aid recovery and encourage muscle development.

I will circle back in a few days and post a summary of the stretches, once I have had a chance to evaluate their effects and choose what I believe are the best for me.

12.14.11
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Why?

why_001When I tell people I am planning to run a marathon, one of the most common questions I am asked is why? This is not exactly a common endeavor, and certainly something that most people fear because of the commitment and effort required.

For as long as I can remember I have always had a desire to test myself against one of the most extreme challenges a person can undertake. Over the last year, as I have become more comfortable running and improved my abilities, that ambition has returned. A few weeks ago, Jess and I watched the New York City marathon and I remember looking at many of those individuals and thinking to myself, “if they can do it so can I.” There is no doubting the physical challenges associated with running 26 miles and 385 yards. The strain on the body must be incredible, and I am only beginning to find out exactly what is required to get myself ready as I research different training plans.

But there is another side to the challenge, one that gets far less coverage but that is probably just as important. There is a significant mental and emotional burden on the runner, over the course of the training and marathon itself. According to some runners and coaches, this can have as much, if not more, of a bearing on the runners performance as the physical preparation. I recently read the excellent Accidental Athlete by John Bingham (link) and was delighted to see the author dedicate time to this area.Even now, as I challenge myself to run ever increasing distances and take part in my first races over short distances, I am beginning to become aware of the need for proper mental preparation.

So why am I doing this? There are the obvious and aforementioned reasons, but primarily because a few years ago I never would have imagined or envisioned myself accomplishing this feat. I want to know what it feels like to cross the finish line after covering that legendary distance – to be able to look myself in the mirror and know that I achieved a long-term goal of mine. I don’t care that I won’t finish first – finishing is what matters – completing the run and proving to myself that I can do something if I set my mind to it.

12.10.11
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Jingle Bell Jog

jingle_bell_jog_001I didn’t sleep well last night, so was a little discombobulated this morning. On top of that, I forgot my undershirt (the compression type) that I have become so accustomed to wearing for runs. I was a little apprehensive given that things were definitely not starting out well, but Jess was a calming influence and throughout the morning was more supportive than I ever could have hoped for.

I arrived at the park around 8:20 AM and made my way to the start area. Things moved quickly from there, and after I dropped off my bag and spent a few minutes stretching it was time to make my way to the numbered corrals. I was sitting pretty around the front of the fourth batch of runners, and was eagerly awaiting the start. Bang on nine o’clock the horn sounded and the race began. It took about two minutes for my group to make their way to the start/finish line by which time we were already moving at a decent pace.

Earlier, Jess had dropped me off so she could park the car, and I was not expecting to see her until the finish. Imagine my surprise when, cresting the hill before the first major left turn I saw her on the left side of the road and cracked a huge smile as she snapped a shot of me. That gave me the little boost I needed, and from there I set off. The first mile was mostly downhill, and I hit the marker in just over eight minutes (my target was nine). The second mile was a little tougher, as it swung from the South Lake Drive to the East Lake Drive, and proceeded to climb the entire way. Despite the incline, I passed the second mile marker at sixteen and a half minutes, well ahead of my expectations. The third mile continued the uphill run and I had to battle the temptation to stop and walk as the incline became increasingly steep. The top of the hill couldn’t come soon enough, but as I rounded the final corner and started down the west drive the pain in my legs eased and I knew I was going to make it to the finish without stopping. I hit the third mile marker in twenty five minutes, and the five kilometer flag in twenty six minutes – a full five minutes faster than my previous five kilometer run in July. The final mile was mostly downhill, but I held a steady pace and kept a little in reserve for the final sprint. Turning off West Lake Drive, I caught sight of the finish line and put the hammer down, upping my speed to the mid-sevens and crossing the line in thirty minutes and fifty one seconds.

Considering my typical four mile time on the treadmill is thirty six minutes, and my expectations for a road race were somewhere in the thirty three to thirty five range, I could barely contain my happiness. Not only had I finished the run without stopping, but I had done it in my best time ever.

12.10.11
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Race Route

race_route_001Earlier today I was reviewing the route map for Saturday’s run. I have only biked in Prospect Park, so was only remotely familiar with the park layout and grade. I put the route map into the Runkeeper application and discovered what most of you who have gone around the park already know – the entire east side is uphill – and the very last leg is especially steep.

The race starts with a nice downhill stretch but just before the first mile marker, the grade turns up and continues to rise all the way to about 2.5 miles. The next mile or so is undulating but nothing too severe, with a good downhill approach to finish line that should suit me if I have any energy reserves for a final burst of speed.

Ouch! In this case perhaps ignorance was bliss.

12.09.11
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Pre-Race Preparations

pre-race_001Old habits are hard to break! I totally bailed on this morning’s run – after a freezing cold night of howling wind and rain, I opted to stay in bed for an extra hour rather than facing the brutally cold dawn. I have to admit that I did feel a bit guilty, especially with this weekends run so close. This was really my last chance to get in a practice, while still allowing myself time to recover before Saturday morning. Inevitably, I gave in to the guilt and hit the treadmill for my final preparation run in the few minutes between work and play. I dispensed with crunches, weights, and jump ropes and focused solely on the run. My legs, which had felt a little stiff the day before we back to normal and I felt pretty good the rest of the evening. I’ll take it easy tomorrow, do some stretches in the morning and evening, and go to bed early – but not before spending some quality time with Jess at the new Muppet movie.

12.08.11
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Jingle Bell Jitters

jbj_001Tomorrow morning (6AM) is my final preparation run before Saturday’s Jingle Bell Jog in Prospect Park. I’m actually looking forward to running outside and away from the treadmill for the first time in months, although also suffering from a mild dose of performance anxiety at the same time. Although I typically run in the evenings, I switched to early morning runs at the beginning of last week to get used to waking up early and putting my body under that much stress at the beginning of the day. In truth, once I get started I find it easier to run first thing in the morning … but getting out of bed … probably a bigger challenge than beginning the day with a four mile run.

12.06.11
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Jump Rope

jump_rope_001I am always looking for additional ways to improve my work-outs, and recently came across a couple of articles in Four Four Two and Competitor that talked about the benefits of box jumps, specifically the way they improve the runners speed. My gym does not have the type of equipment that I need and I don’t have the space to setup my own box jump at home, so instead I bought a jump rope. I figured this was pretty much the same thing – jumping is jumping, right! Interestingly, the first few reps were a bit awkward – it had been so long since I used a jump rope I was a pretty poorly coordinated. After a couple of weeks of rounding out my sessions with ten to fifteen minutes of jump ropes, I have noticed a marked improvement in my short-term speed. I plan to continue using the jump rope and will probably up the number of reps over time. I am curious to see how this pans out and what effect it has on my sprinting.

12.02.11
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Starting Out

starting_out_001For as far back as I can remember, I have been interested in the marathon and those that participate in the great race. I found myself wondering what motivated someone to dedicate all that time and effort to train and prepare for a 26.2 mile run. And not just physically, but also the mental and emotional preparation. A few weeks ago, Jess and I watched the NYC marathon pass through her neighborhood in Brooklyn and then at the finish in Central Park. Watching all those people making their way down the last half mile, seeing the looks on their faces as they caught the first glimpse of the finish line, and the overwhelming joy as they finished, the only thought going through my mind was that “if they could do this then so could I.”

Of course, I was under no illusion as to the work that would have to go into this endeavor. It’s not like I could go out and run a marathon then and there. Although I had been running for almost a year, I was only hovering around the 4 mile mark for most of my runs and stepping up to a longer distance was going to take time and preparation. But at that moment I made a promise to myself, just like all the other goals I had set myself in the past, that I would do whatever it took to complete a marathon.

As it stands right now, my only option for the 2012 NYC marathon is the lottery which promises very low odds. I have joined New York Road Runners and will work towards my 9+1 participation for the 2013 marathon, but in the meantime I am looking for other options in the Northeast for late in 2012.

The purpose of this blog is to track my progress, share my experiences, and keep a diary of the highs and lows over the course of the coming year.