September 29, 2006

Work out summary

Mileage: 5

Time: 58

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=465528

Notes: Big note to self, do not start run up hill if possible. I started my run by running up 9th street to Prospect park. Ah geez, that's tough. It was a nice morning to run, a little damp, cool and over cast.

At about two miles in to the run I had to take a few minutes to stretch. My shins were killing me for some reason and I just couldn't get a flow going. I took the time to stretch and it did wonders. The rest of the run was much better. It was still a little challenging, but no where near as tough as the first two miles.

At home I had to tend to some blisters and chafing. I've got a blister on my little toe. And what makes it worse is it's under a callous. Ouch! It didn't help that I tried to do a little surgery last night, not a good idea. Been a tough day since. I'll spare you and not post a picture.

-JP

Workout Summary Sept. 27, 2006

Mileage: 5

Time: See the notes

Route: Central Park Lower loop

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=461042

Notes: I had to pee as soon as I got to practice. There are no restrooms or porto-potties at 90th street. I just can't bring myself to go in the bushes in Central Park, even though I know people do. After all, what would my mother think? The closest restroom was at the boathouse, exactly 1 mile away. So I hopped around while announcements were made.

The team is sent out in groups: the advance & intermediate runners go first (these are the super runners who run 6-7 minute miles), then the beginners (I am a beginner). But I couldn't wait, I took off with the fast group. I found the right stride that allowed me to move forward but not jostle my bladder and was able to make it to the restroom with out incident (in about 12 minutes).

So the first loop I ran at an easy pace. It's about a 1.7 miles around and I did it in 18:30. The next loop was supposed to be 30 seconds faster. I did the second loop in 16:40. Uh oh! To finish off the run, we were to run the last mile back (that's the boat house to 90th Street) as fast as we could.

That last mile I did in 9:44. So what does this all mean? It means I'm probably starting off too slow and need to pick up the pace on the front end.

"The race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself." Mary Schmich

September 25, 2006

Workout Summary

Mileage: 3.5

Time: 40 minutes

Route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=456450

Notes: Working out a few kinks from Saturday's long run so I took it easy today. VERY HUMBLING MOMENT today; running up Union Street toward the Park and this guy running while pushing a stroller passed me. PASSED ME!!! It wasn't this guy, but this is what the stroller looked like. I have to think that he just had just come out of his building. His building must have been really hot too, cause he was all sweaty.

Food and Exercise

Training for an endurance requires energy. Lots of it. We all know where that comes from, calories. That's a fun part about this training; I don't really have to worry about what I'm eating. Of course I don't load my self with a bunch of crap either, but I don't deny myself either as you can see.


Last night for instance, my dinner consisted of pasta with chicken sausage. I sauced the whole dish with a fresh tomato sauce (really simple and really good). So this morning I was carbo-locked and loaded for the 18 miler.

But what do you do while you're running for 3, 4 even 5 hours? An orange? A sandwich? I once saw a guy who ate a pizza while running a marathon. But these options are not practical for most of us.

The answer: SPORT GELS

Sports Gels are complex carbohydrates. Other ingredients can be: sodium, amino acids, protein, herbs and caffeine. A shot of 100 calories with a bit of caffeine does wonders to a runner.

This stuff is viscous, like honey. They come in convenient little packages not much bigger than a packet of ketchup. Not very appetizing, but it gets the job done.

Gels are not meant to be savored like a fine wine. Take this stuff like a pill, with water. To do other wise is too...well did you ever feed a dog peanut butter?


Here's where you benefit from my experience: Reviews of three flavors of a popular sport gel made by GU. I'm not a big fan of any sport gels, but GU makes some that are tolerable.


Gu Tasted: Vanilla Bean















RATING:

Notes: Aftertaste of a Snickers bar, a warm liquefied Snickers bar.

Gu Tasted Tested: Orange Burst















RATING:

Notes: Knock knock.
Who's there?
Orange.
Orange who?
Orange you glad you don't have to eat this everyday?

Gu Taste Tested: Tri-Berry

RATING:






Notes: Tri-Berry, try not to gag as this swallow this somewhat berry flavored gel.


Gu Taste Tested: Banana Blitz
















RATING: none

Notes: Many of you know my feelings about bananas. For those of you who don't: bananas are not meant for human consumption. I find the texture repulsive, the taste is awful, and the smell inspires me to wretch.

Oh sure some of you will tell me about the nutritional value of bananas, but come on, they're disgusting. I don't even like to be in the same room with one. One of my roommates in college (Buffalo, I'm talking about you) chased me around our apartment threatening to mash a banana in my face. My co-workers know the fastest way to get me to exit a room is to set a banana on the table.
Final thoughts: eat at your own risk and please don't consume this or any other banana flavored or banana type food in my presence.

Ok, that about wraps it up for this week. I hope this little review about sport gels was informative if you have any questions feel free to ask.

Be well,

JP

September 23, 2006

Workout Summary: The Run to Coney Island

mileage: 18

Time: Today was a LSD (long slow distance) so time is not a factor, but I timed it and it was give or take three hours and twenty minutes.


Notes:





The run started in Bay Ridge Brooklyn then we ran along the waterfront, under the Verazzano Bridge, and through parts of Brooklyn I don't normally frequent. A little rain came down, at one point it came down sideways. Yes it was a bit windy next to the water. The rain stopped and the temperature came down.


Getting out there was easy enough. And it was fun running along the deserted boardwalk. No stopping to ride the rides:















The return back seemed to take a little longer, but over all I felt good and even had a little kick for the last mile.

-JP

September 21, 2006

Work out Summary

Miles Run: 5
Route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=450556
(zoom out so you can see the whole route)

Time: 51 minutes

Notes: I had taped my foot up to help support my plantar fascia. It made a world of difference.

My course took up my Union Street. This stretch of Union Street is a long slow hill from Fourth Avenue up to Prospect Park. At Fifth Avenue and Union I saw another runner half way up the block towards Sixth. I said to myself, I'm gonna focus on my form and technique and I'm gonna catch up to that guy. By the time I got to the park he and I were running side by side. I caught him and I was breathing just a little heavier than when I started running!

Little victories my friends, little victories!

-JP

9/19/06

Workout Summary:

Mileage: 5 miles
Time: 56 minutes

Route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=450575

Notes: This was a team practice in Central Park. Weather was a little overcast and even felt a few sprinkles. The goal of the run today was pacing. The instructions were to go out, warm up, hit an easy stride then at 59th Street (about 3.2 miles into the 5 mile run) pick up the pace and see how much energy you have left to run hard for the remaining 1.8 miles.

Little tip here in case you want to try this at home: Don't spend the first 3 miles yapping to your teammate about your lousy day. I made this mistake and by the time I was going hard during the last 1.8, my teammate had run off a good minute or so ahead of me.

-JP

Monday September 18, 2006

Work Out Summary

Miles: 3 Miles

Time: 34 minutes

Notes: I ran over to the Cobble Hill section of Brooklyn. Wasn't feeling all that great so early in the morning so I just thought a quick jaunt was in order.

An interesting sight- on the corner of Smith and Carrol (I think it was Carrol) there were a dozen people standing all looking in the same direction not moving. I figured it was a meditation class or something like that, but there were all different types of people. A few in suits, a few in jeans, and some kids.

It turns out they were standing outside the entrance to the F-Train (for those non-New Yorkers that's a subway line). The subway comes up above ground just past that station and all those people were looking to see when the train was coming. As soon as it did, they all on cue turned and went underground.

-JP

Saturday September 9, 2006

10 Mile Run to Manhattan -

We met up in Prospect Park for a little run to Manhattan and back. Unfortunately for me I have been battling a head cold since Wednesday. I read a few things on the web that said running with a head cold is not so bad.

The run wasn't too bad. I actually felt pretty good through out the run. I spent most of Saturday after the run in bed. The head cold hasn't lessened but I did need the rest. I may spend the next few days trying to recover. It's Sunday and I'm still feeling out of sorts.

Any of you have experience with this? A head cold you can't shake? That's all for now.

-JP

Barney the Dinosaur or Jim the Marathoner?
If you answered Jim the Marathoner, give yourself 2 points and a pat on the back.

-JP

Tuesday September 5, 2006

Central Park - Five Miles

Worked on Pacing

First off it was raining. Ugh! I had little desire to run this evening, but I dragged my self up to the park. Once I got there and saw the other die hards hopping around in the rain waiting for the run to begin, I felt much better.

The work out was simple, run three of the lower loops of Central Park. The first one at an easy pace, the second one should be about 15-20 seconds faster than the first, the third should be 10-15 seconds faster than the second.

So how did I do? Not too well as far as pacing goes. I ran the second loop a full minute faster than the first, and the third about 45 seconds faster than the second. The run was fine and I felt fine, but I was disappointed that I couldn't time it better. I asked Coach Lisa about this and she, always supportive, told me not to worry to much about it just now.

This is the first of a series of pacing workouts, so I have plenty of time to practice.

Sept. 2, 2006

Hurricane Ernesto Blows through the North East.

I woke up at 6:00am , looked out the window and saw the trees really swaying in the wind. Not a whole lot of rain, just that mist that you can not escape from. Crawled back in bed woke up a few hours later, and the wind was still blowing and the rain still misting. No long run for me today.

I did make it to the YMCA where I did a little cardio work on the bike then hit the weight room to pump some iron. As you can see, the weight lifting is working out well. Today was a leg day, so you can really see where this work is paying off. Who knows maybe when this marathon thing is done I'll go back to pro-body building circuit.

But that's a hard life; the weights, the raw egg yolks, protein powders, hand washing thongs in hotel bathroom sinks. I guess I just better focus on the marathon.

Be well,

JP