Mixing it up

Yes, I am a runner at heart, but I have been challenged to an online Ironman competition. That's right. I have 1 month to complete a 2.4 mile swim, 26.2 mile run, and a 112 mile bike ride. I'm doing it at the gym, mostly. I just had my first training episode including a 2.7 mile run, 5 mile bike and 200m swim. I'm going to try to do this 3-4 times a week. I'll have to do about 7 laps in the pool, 2.2 miles on the treadmill, and about 9 miles on the bike if I go 3 times a week to complete it in 4 weeks (if my math is good). Crazy, huh. These Ironman competitors do it in a day! I'm not one of them! So here we go. One Ironman in one month.

Current weight status: Weight loss 4 lbs.
Current weight is 163.
8 lbs. to goal by 1/1/2011

12/6 Back outside

I tried running at the gym early yesterday and couldn't do more than a mile at a time without overheating. Not good, because I was out to put in 7+ miles. Baled after 3. Had a nice day with the family. Weather is great today. Going back outside to put in the other 4-5 miles. Made new friends at church and was invited over for dinner and a church meeting at someone's home. Ate too much, but was extremely hungry from cutting back recently. Probably tried to cut out too many calories. Feel really good today, even though I actually gained back a pound from yesterday. I weighed in at 163 yesterday and 164 today. I'll burn that off with my run today, though, no prob. Got a lot done on our Christmas list. So overall, yesterday was a good day.

Goal: 155 by 1/1/2011
Status: 164, down from 167, nine pounds to go in 26 days. Totally doable, if I stop overeating!

Running through the winter

So I came up with a plan to maintain fitness and try to correct an issue with my timing. For my winter runs, I am going to run a minimum of 3 times a week. First run will be a minimum of 5K distance. Second run will be a minimum of 5 miles. Third run will be a minimum of 7 miles. That's a minimum of 15 miles a week. That also guarantees that I am ready at any time to run a 5K or 10K. It will also give me a lot of chances to see what I can do in the 10K zone. I have currently run 4 10Ks to date. All in the 57-59 min. range. I should be running 52-55. I need a focus on that distance to do better next year. This shouldn't be such a challenge for me. Also, for this site I will be ( as embarrassing as this may be ) posting my current weight at the bottom of each post. I have made a goal to reach 155 by New Year's Day. This way everyone can see my progress and hold me accountable. That will put me in a healthy BMI range that I will need to maintain going forward and with my 2011 race goals and training needs, this should be no problem.

Current weight: 167 ( have been in the 163-167 range all year)
Made it through Thanksgiving without significant weight gain.

Virtual 5K for Daily Milers, A Turkey Trot Your Way

So I signed up to run a turkey trot online. It is a virtual 5K that you can run anywhere and post it on 11/25 and join in on the fun. I ran a 26:02 after work, near my home. Not quite what I was hoping for. I wanted to beat my PR of course, which right now is 25:09. I didn't come that close. That's an 8:24 pace. So I started out at an 8:10 pace my first mile and tapered off. Probably wasn't a great idea to run after a 12 hour shift at work. Oh well. Got it done! Hope everyone enjoys their turkey day!

Santa Clarita Half

Yes. I ran the Santa Clarita Half Marathon on 11/7/2010. I completed it in 2:17:53. The picture at the top of my blog page is near the finish of this race. I purchased photos, but have not received them yet. That's why it has the Brightroom stamp on it. I am already planning on doing at least one, if not 2 or3 halves this next year (see my 2011 tentative schedule). I started this race well. I was around 18 minutes for 2 miles, 38 minutes for 4 miles, 58 minutes for 6 miles, (1 hour exactly for first 10K), and then I decided to just maintain a 10 minute pace by stopping every mile at the aid stations and either getting a drink or dousing my head (that's why my hair is all wet and pulled back in the race photo). I was at 80 min for 8 miles, and then I stopped paying attention and just started focussing on finishing. I finally got upset with myself around a half mile from the finish when I "had" to take an extra walk break. So I pushed myself until a 1/4 mile from the finish and sprinted the last 1/4. That's why I look like I am running well at the finish. I was. I was upset and made myself run! Overall, a pretty good race for my first half. Before I do another one I want to run that distance several more times so I don't feel like a need so many walk breaks just to finish.

Taking a family break

Today was all about family. I got to see my oldest daughter (twice). Went shopping with my wife. Made plans for Thanksgiving. Wrote our family holiday letter and got it printed and ready to mail. Really need to run, but I'm trying to get some other things checked off my list.

Race entry giveaway

A running friend of mine is offering a free entry to the LA 13.1 in January. If you are interested, please use the link here to check it out! http://www.runnersrambles.com/2010/11/giveaway-131-los-angeles-race-entry.html

First Post!

Yes, this is my first posting. I am a runner. I average 15-25 miles a week. I will use this blog to post up race info and other pertinent info that I think others might find interesting, i.e., upcoming races, race photos, race recaps, etc. I hope you find this enjoyable and entertaining.