That was Worth the Wait.

The week started out looking like things were not going to end the way they did. The cross-country team ran an 9 miler the day after my 20 miler. Then we ran a number of intervals that made me extra sore because well I can’t not run fast with them and take a day off. I made sure to do extra stretching and took it easy overall. Things were looking like I should be able to at least be in the top 3 of my age group for the weekend race.

All summer long, I have been running what I consider sub par for me in the 5k. Today was the Stiftungsfest 5k in Norwood Young America. Last year I was second and ran very well. This year was the only difference was that instead of second place overall. I was first overall this year. In addition, this was the first time this year that I was able to run under 19:00 for the 5k since the Turkey trot in November. This was the second win since I started running road races. So this was cool.

I hope that I can take this positive and use it in the future. And may be the all the summer miles did pay off.

Under 60

Today the countdown timer went below 60 days until the Mankato Marathon. I am for the first time in a few weeks feeling like a runner again in that I am stronger both mentally and physically.
Over the past weekend, I was able to knock off a good steady state run of just over eight. The next day was a good 20 miler that for the most part felt good. During the run I was unaware that the temperature had risen by 10°F. The only indicator that the temperature was increasing was the increase in sweat on my cloths. So by the end I had finished my water that I brought with a little earlier than I probably should have but there are only so many pulls from a 20oz bottle of water. The next day was another longer run of about 9.4 miles with the guy’s varsity squad. This nine seemed more difficult than the 20 the day before. The dew point was in the 70 and the temperature was about 75°F. We were able to make it through but I was very thankful that we only had one practice on Monday. On Tuesday we had a change of pace to say the least at practice Fartleks (every runner loves the name). I was able to run with the girl’s varsity squad and try and push them through this workout. These girls ran hard and I was able to get a very good minor speed session in at the same time.
I really am blessed that I get to run with the cross-country squad as part of my coaching duties. They force me to run faster than I would if training by myself, even take some of the workouts easy, and not really push things to much. I really feel that they are the reason that I have seen the great leaps in my overall running. They are essentially my running group that so many others have.

Runners Everywhere

This week my 3 season (2nd official) as an assistant cross-country coach started. I always enjoy this time of the year because I get to run with others and really get to know some of my students as athletes and as people. What I really enjoy seeing is the growth that they get to experience as runners in their own right. This years squad should be very interesting we only lost 2 seniors from last year the Boys return all of their section team while the girls return both conference and section squads. As one of their coaches, this makes my job easier because the learning curve is on your side. I don’t have to spend a great deal of time with those older runners because they know what it takes to see success and they will just do what needs to be done. This gives me more time to spend with the younger runners and try to help them on their way to becoming runners.

In addition, this year I am trying to make a much greater effort to run with different groups not just the fast boys as I have done in the past. My training might suffer some but overall I think that I will be a better coach for it. This first week was great I ran part of the first workout with the faster boys, then started back to the slower varsity girls, and then worked my way back up to the slower varsity boys. This worked out great I got to see, and talk too many of the runners and enjoyed it. I did run one full workout with the faster boys and made sure that they pushed the pace when they needed too. Overall this week was great the runners are great (as always) and we have great numbers 46 kids 7-12 (24boys 22girls).
Because many of my runs are with the team now I will at times be forced to run a second time after, practice or even to and from practice to try to keep my mileage up. I will still have my weekends but I will need to make sure that I really work those runs so that I still have the endurance for my marathon in October, because speed should not be an issue since most of the runs will be to train the teams for their races.

runpd

What’s my Motivation

It seems to me that most if not all runners need something to help them through the training cycle. This can come in many different forms: a cause, weight goal, time goal, the list could go on and on. So why is it then when we have so many things that could motivate us do we still falter at times.


Currently I am at one of those times. My training if you have read has had its difficulties since working my way back from a foot problem. My times have not been up to what I would call on par. I have a training goal of running the Mankato Marathon, but that along has not helped me get excited to get out and run in 70+ degree weather at 6am. I have never been a fair weather runner. Much of my training is done when most would not run outside be it wind, rain, and snow if not a combination of weather patterns. I feel that it gives me an edge that some others do not have. Nevertheless, lately I have found myself not pushing through the workouts no matter the weather. Have I become weak minded in my time off or did I regress that much in my overall fitness. Personally I think it is a little of both.

For over 2 years I was a focused and determined runner. However, in December I took time off to try to heal my foot with did not really start to feel any better until mid March. Since then I have increasing my mileage very steady and the quality of workouts has been there as well. However, I am not seeing the results that I want to see. Is this a product of me not having the same level of fitness that I did last year or even the year before that, and I am not seeing it because I am to close to the subject. Unfortunately, Writing about it has begun to make me more aware of what is going on. I had big hope of re-qualifying for Boston at Mankato, but I think that has that date get closer that I should reevaluate that goal. I did not run a marathon last year because I did not feel ready to run it even though I probably was. Now I am registered for one and do not feel prepared. So I need some motivation.

runpd

I am not in Minnesota (this week) Toto

It has been a while since I have posted and well I did not die of running in the Minnesota summer heat. I have been in Bozeman Montana taking some Grad classes.
Nevertheless, I was able to run before I left Minnesota and did survive the humidity during the Le Sueur Giant Days 5k. It was so humid that I did not wear my traditional sunglasses (even the orange ones). When I was warming up my glasses began to fog up and I was unable to see. So I forwent that problem and just ran. Like I said, it was humid and my time definitely showed as my time was almost 20:00 (19:49). I was able to place well (7OA 1AG), and the times in general did not seem that great but whatever.
This week (8-1, 8-7-2010) I have been in Bozeman, MT taking Grad classes and things went okay on that front. I was able to do some running while in Bozeman. It was nice to run somewhere else besides the rolling hills that are Belle Plaine. If you are a runner, you know that changing the scenery that you run in can be a big change in moral.

Peet's Hill in Bozeman MT

As you can see, I was very blessed in my location. I was able to run and see that three times this past week and each time I could not believe how beautiful it was. The runs themselves were never at a break neck pace it was my vacation so to speak so I tried to take things easy. I did sign up for a 5k for the Saturday that I fly back to Minnesota for the heck of it. My wife thinks I have a problem since the two times I left for a “vacation” the first thing I did after finding when I would be there I looked for a race. I think this comes back to the thoughts on changing the scenery, plus it is fun to race in places you will not be around all that often or ever again. Maybe I can leave them wondering were did that guy come from and when they look they are taken back some (probably not but it would be cool).

runpd