Take it on the Run

Running: Week 53, Run 2

When I woke up this morning and looked outside, it was barely drizzling, so I decided to get my second run in.  Of course, by the time I reached the point furthest from my house the rain picked up.  By the time I got home I was holding my useless glasses in my hand and my iPod Shuffle was no longer working.  Ugh... Otherwise, the run was great.

My data for the run:

• Duration: 41 minutes

• Max HR: 176 (92%)

• Avg HR: 167 (87%)

• Calories burned: 490 (25% fat)

• Surface: sidewalk

• Distance: 4.5 miles

Running: Week 53, Run 1

It was raining a bit and colder out that I expected, but it was a nice run. I took it easy at a slow pace and low mileage. I want to be sure I don't run the risk of an over use injury after my race on Saturday.

My data for the run:

• Duration: 33 minutes

• Max HR: 171 (90%)

• Avg HR: 157 (82%)

• Calories burned: 350 (35% fat)

• Surface: sidewalk

• Distance: 3.5 miles

CARA Lakefront 10 Mile

This morning I ran the CARA Lakefront 10 Mile.  It was super windy, there was a bit of rain, and I started out a bit too fast--but overall I am happy with my time. I will update it with the official chip time once it is posted. I barely slept last night, so I felt pretty drained for the whole race.  Glad to have run my first race of the year though.

My data for the race:

• Duration: 94 minutes

• Max HR: 190 (99%)

• Avg HR: 178 (93%)

• Calories burned: 1265 (20% fat)

• Surface: sidewalk

• Distance: 10 miles

Running: Week 52, Run 1

I'm kicking myself for not going out for a run yesterday. I just really didn't want to run in the rain again. I went out this morning I am hoping to get a short second run in after work tomorrow. It was a beautiful morning. I'm glad the rain is gone for a few days. My uncle recently gave me his copy of Hal Higdon's Marathon. I've been enjoying it and would recommend it to anyone training.

The data for my latest run:

• Duration: 38 minutes

• Max HR: 177 (93%)

• Avg HR: 168 (88%)

• Calories burned: 460 (25% fat)

• Surface: sidewalk

• Distance: 4.5 miles

Running: Week 51, Run 3

I woke up to rain, but decided I needed to get one more mid-length run in before my race next weekend.  I went out and found the rain wasn't too heavy, and once I was wet, it didn't really matter because the temperature was mild.

The data for my latest run:

• Duration: 69 minutes

• Max HR: 183 (96%)

• Avg HR: 168 (88%)

• Calories burned: 830 (25% fat)

• Surface: sidewalk

• Distance: 7.25 miles

Running: Week 51, Run 2

Gorgeous morning.  The best of the year so far.  I am glad I woke up early to enjoy it. I almost didn't need the long sleeve shirt as a second layer. I will be running 7 or 8 miles on Sunday, my last long run before the CARA Lakefront 10 mile race next weekend.

The data for my latest run:

• Duration: 40 minutes

• Max HR: 173 (91%)

• Avg HR: 166 (87%)

• Calories burned: 475 (30% fat)

• Surface: sidewalk

• Distance: 4.5 miles

Running: Week 51, Run 1

I ran at a quicker pace this morning, purely on accident.  That's sort of a surprise given how windy it was.  Overall it was a beautiful morning; overcast but in the 50s.  I am noticing many more runners out each day.  It's nice to have some company. 

The data for my latest run:

• Duration: 41 minutes

• Max HR: 185 (97%)

• Avg HR: 166 (87%)

• Calories burned: 485 (30% fat)

• Surface: sidewalk

• Distance: 4.6 miles

Persistence Running

Interesting article in the latest Seed Magazine about running.  Evolutionary biologists posit that humans evolved to run marathon distances, citing various anatomical features and dietary evidence.  Why would distance running be a desirable trait?  Possibly to run down prey in pre-weapon times --- Persistence Running.  Neat.

From the article:

"...comparing speed, body temperature, and body weight of humans and various conceivable prey. A deer and a decently fit man, Lieberman discovered, trot at almost an identical pace, but in order to accelerate, a deer goes anaerobic, while the man remains in an oxygenated jogging zone. The same is true for horses, antelopes, and a slew of other four-legged creatures. Since animals can run anaerobically only in short bursts before they must slow down to recover, a human in pursuit may have the final advantage. And because quadrupeds can’t pant while they run, they also quickly overheat... [it] might simply have been a matter of spurring the poor beast into a sprint enough times to make it collapse from hyperthermia."

So next time some old crotchety person ridicules you for training for a marathon because it is too hard on the body, feel free to point out that we all may have been built for it.

Running: Week 50, Run 3

I accompanied my mother to her gym this morning and ran on the treadmill.  It's amazing how cheap decent gyms are out here. If only we urbanites could be so lucky. I ran 9 miles in preperation for my 10 mile race in two weeks.  I think I'll be in fine shape, but treadmill running can be deceptively easy.  I ran pretty hard for the first few miles, which was stupid, because I had to run the remainder at a 6 mph pace. This, combined with a few minutes of "cool down" brought my pace to a solid 10 minute mile.  Blah. Oh well.

The data for my latest run:

• Duration: 90 minutes

• Max HR: 179 (94%)

• Avg HR: 171 (90%)

• Calories burned: 1125 (25% fat)

• Surface: treadmill

• Distance: 9 miles

Recycling Shoes

I've been meaning to research methods of recycling shoes for a bit now, but luckily FitSugar did the work for me.  Read their informative post on various recycling/donating options here.