Redemption: 2013 Hamilton Road2Hope Marathon

10.21.13 -

Cross-training...Hit up the gym after work for some light weight lifting and core training.  Up early to run tomorrow morning.  T-minus less than two weeks...

10.22.13 -

4 miles...Holy crap!!!  When did winter get here?!?!  28 degrees this morning with a wind chill making it feel like 22 outside    So, I put on all of my winter gear on and headed out the door.  Nice and easy run this morning and it made me feel good to see a few others out running in the cold dark morning.  I guess I am not the only crazy one    I completed 4.27 miles at a 7:34 pace...Another day of running complete.

Nicely done!

You mentioned that it was dark. My wife asked me this morning why I was getting up before sunrise, and I had to point out to her that with the change in seasons, I've been getting up before sunrise for a long time now!

Keep it up...

Michael Enright wrote:Nicely done!

You mentioned that it was dark. My wife asked me this morning why I was getting up before sunrise, and I had to point out to her that with the change in seasons, I've been getting up before sunrise for a long time now!

Keep it up...

Thanks Michael!!  I am not a fan of it getting dark earlier at night either!!!

But there is the common bond you have with the other folk who are not only up, but outside running, while it's dark and the rest of the world is sleeping.  I don't normally run before work, but on the rare occasions that I have done that, it almost seems like people acknowledge the shared bond of dedication-craziness.

It's rarely light when I start my run (always by 515) but at least in the summer I finish in daylight. I already find myself procrastinating at 5 am not wanting to leave my warm house.

Penelope wrote:But there is the common bond you have with the other folk who are not only up, but outside running, while it's dark and the rest of the world is sleeping.  I don't normally run before work, but on the rare occasions that I have done that, it almost seems like people acknowledge the shared bond of dedication-craziness.

Very true...I think they are like, "Look I am not the only one nuts enough to be out here!!"

Julie wrote:It's rarely light when I start my run (always by 515) but at least in the summer I finish in daylight. I already find myself procrastinating at 5 am not wanting to leave my warm house.

Especially now that it is cold out...I just don't want to leave my warm house!!

but now you're tapering so you can stay toasty warm inside more. Ha! I'm sure that's not what you need.

Julie wrote:but now you're tapering so you can stay toasty warm inside more. Ha! I'm sure that's not what you need.

Ha!!  Thanks Julie!!!

10.23.13 -

6 miles...Another chilly day here in Madison, Wisconsin.  In fact, I actually saw a few flakes of the white death fall today...eek!!  So, I bundled up in my winter running gear again and set out on my run.  This run ended up like a tempo run as the first couple of miles were in the 7:20s, the next couple of miles were at 7:00 per, and the last couple were back in the 7:20s.  I ended up finishing 6.27 miles at a a 7:15 average pace.  Another good run to help keep me sharp, but still keep me fresh.

10.24.13 -

5 miles...Another easy run this evening (not sure how many times I have started off a post like this ).  Not much more to say than I just put the work in.  I completed 5.26 miles at a 7:09 pace.  Gosh, it is extremely gratifying to say that 5 miles at a 7:09 pace is "easy".  A day off tomorrow before a light weekend of running...

Enjoy the day off, and don't undertake to dig a drainage ditch or clear four acres of brush on your light running weekend!

Michael Enright wrote:Enjoy the day off, and don't undertake to dig a drainage ditch or clear four acres of brush on your light running weekend!

Are you speaking from experience

Nick Morris wrote:

Michael Enright wrote:Enjoy the day off, and don't undertake to dig a drainage ditch or clear four acres of brush on your light running weekend!

Are you speaking from experience

Ummmmmm, not specifically, no. But, well, maybe close to things like that. Most memorable was the week before one of mine, when I decided to clean up where a small tree had fallen in some dense brush on the edge of our property. I thought the neighbors would appreciate it if I got it out of there, and I had time, since I didn't have to budget a few hours for a long run, so went out to do that. It was some tough work, which probably wasn't all that bad in and of itself. The bad part was that the next day I found myself covered with a nasty poison ivy rash all up and down both arms. I have a pretty bad reaction to the stuff and it was still an issue on race day the next weekend! Ugh.

Watch some ball games and take it easy!

Michael Enright wrote:

Nick Morris wrote:

Michael Enright wrote:Enjoy the day off, and don't undertake to dig a drainage ditch or clear four acres of brush on your light running weekend!

Are you speaking from experience

Ummmmmm, not specifically, no. But, well, maybe close to things like that. Most memorable was the week before one of mine, when I decided to clean up where a small tree had fallen in some dense brush on the edge of our property. I thought the neighbors would appreciate it if I got it out of there, and I had time, since I didn't have to budget a few hours for a long run, so went out to do that. It was some tough work, which probably wasn't all that bad in and of itself. The bad part was that the next day I found myself covered with a nasty poison ivy rash all up and down both arms. I have a pretty bad reaction to the stuff and it was still an issue on race day the next weekend! Ugh.

Watch some ball games and take it easy!

Boston is going to have to step it up a bit if we're expected to enjoy the ball games during taper!

nkrichards wrote:

Michael Enright wrote:

Nick Morris wrote:

Michael Enright wrote:Enjoy the day off, and don't undertake to dig a drainage ditch or clear four acres of brush on your light running weekend!

Are you speaking from experience

Ummmmmm, not specifically, no. But, well, maybe close to things like that. Most memorable was the week before one of mine, when I decided to clean up where a small tree had fallen in some dense brush on the edge of our property. I thought the neighbors would appreciate it if I got it out of there, and I had time, since I didn't have to budget a few hours for a long run, so went out to do that. It was some tough work, which probably wasn't all that bad in and of itself. The bad part was that the next day I found myself covered with a nasty poison ivy rash all up and down both arms. I have a pretty bad reaction to the stuff and it was still an issue on race day the next weekend! Ugh.

Watch some ball games and take it easy!

Boston is going to have to step it up a bit if we're expected to enjoy the ball games during taper!

No kidding.  But the Bruins won.  Now I'd just settle for another couple of baseball wins and maybe a new QB for the Browns (and someone for Brady to throw to).

10.25.13 -

Scheduled off day...On the seventh day, Nick rested.

10.26.13 -

4 miles...I hit up an easy 4 miles today before getting all dressed up for our Halloween party.  This year I am going as Kermit The Frog.  It should be a pretty fun costume.  We'll see how it goes...Oh ya...I completed 4.26 miles at a 7:10 pace...

Happy Birthday, Nick!  Hope the Halloween party was fun and that you behaved yourself.

Michele \"1L" Keane wrote:Happy Birthday, Nick!  Hope the Halloween party was fun and that you behaved yourself.

Who me??  Of course I did   Thanks for the happy birthday!!

10.27.13 -

8 miles...My last "Long Run" (if you call 8 miles a long run (I don't)) of the training cycle.  Headed out for a birthday run with one of my friends.  A pretty good day to run outside of the westerly wind.  We set out on our hilly route and completed the 8.71 miles at a very conservative 8:29 pace.  Just waiting out the final week of taper...

Birthday...Halloween Party...fun ways to occupy yourself during taper.  

Hope you had a good one. 

Enjoy this last week.  Temps are looking good but I'm a bit nervous about the chance of rain and potential for wind.

nkrichards wrote:Birthday...Halloween Party...fun ways to occupy yourself during taper.  

Hope you had a good one. 

Enjoy this last week.  Temps are looking good but I'm a bit nervous about the chance of rain and potential for wind.

Thanks Nancy!!  As of right now it is only a 30% change of precipitation.  If it reaches 40% or more than it actually may happen   I am more worried about the wind, but we run a loop for the first half so we will get wind anyway and if comes out of the N-NW, it should be at our backs or a cross-wind for quite a while.

10.28.13...

Cross-training...Heading to the gym after work to do some core work.  Yesterday I prepared all of my meals for the week, as I get ready to carb load this week.  That will continue up until the race, as I gotta make sure that my glycogen levels are topped off

OOOOOOOHHHHHHH  SHIT!!!  IT'S RACE WEEK!!!!