January is in the books

The Goofy Challenge was really an awesome event. That was the extent of my exercise this month. I did go on vacation (A Disney Cruise no less) and had a wonderful time. I rested and enjoyed myself immensely. The plan to get back to running and the gym has been sidetracked by health issues. My laryngitis attach which started at Christmas evolved into a full blown sinus/cough issue. I've been to the doctor and I'm on a steroid pack. I have to go back after two weeks to see what's wrong with my voicebox.

A sinus issue would not normally stop me dead in my tracks like this. Unfortunately, the cough is serious and keeps me up at night. I've had a slight tightness in my chest as well and the combo has left me with little or no energy. The weather has been in the teens with single digit wind chills which isn't inviting when I'm fully healthy! I really want to get back to things this week. Somehow I'm determined.

I signed up for the Garden Spot Half Marathon on April 10th.

I've been keeping busy trying to organize USAFit/Philly. There's so much to figure out and do all at the same time. I'm enjoying it but it's a bit mentally intense right now trying to keep track of it all.

Recovery

Physically I am recovering much quicker from 39.3 miles this past weekend than I did from 26.2 miles in November 2008. I stopped walking like a penquin Monday morning and today (Wednesday) I don't have any pain in my legs anymore. I probably would feel it if I ran but I'm fine walking. I'm at least a day ahead of my recovery from the first marathon.

I'm content to not be running right now I'm tired. I am happy to come home and not be rushing back out to run or go to the gym. I know I will go back out but for now I'm happy to be taking a break.

I'm on vacation next week and I think I'll give myself that week off too and start up when I return.

I'll also decided then what my next event will be. I may go for a spring half marathon and save my next marathon for Philly in November. I think I spoke earlier about doing a full in the Spring but I don't think I want to push that much. I'll probably go for another half and work on some upper body strength at the same time.

Stay tuned.

Goofy Challenge Part II

Temperature at start below 30
Temperature at end about 41

5 Mile in 01:03:29 (NET). Pace: 12:41
10 Mile in 02:06:41 (NET). Pace: 12:40
20 Mile in 04:39:00 (NET). Pace: 13:57
Finish in 06:12:28 (NET). Pace: 14:12

Things to feel good about:
- I finished; which is all I wanted to do anyway
- I was smiling at the end
- I kept moving (duh or I wouldn't have finished)
- Although I hit the wall at mile 18 (as I did in my first marathon 14 months ago) this time I had run a half marathon the day before so definitely in better shape
- At mile 20 I broke through the wall; something I never did in the first marathon

Goofy Challenge Part I

Temperature: hovering around 32
Precipitation in the form of freezing rain/sleet/some snow

5K in 00:34:11 (NET). Pace: 11:00
10K in 01:10:45 (NET). Pace: 11:23
15K in 01:48:28 (NET). Pace: 11:38
Finish in 02:35:43 (NET). Pace: 11:52

I estimated a 12 min pace allowing for:
Stopping for pictures
Walking if necessary (it was on the last hill)
Taking it easy to save for the marathon tomorrow

Is this Florida?

The locals - and the attendants on our flight down - are disappointed in the chilly weather here. However, it is 20 degrees warmer than home and there is abudnant sunshine.... and very low humidity. Quite frankly I think it will be perfect for running.

Today we will head to the expo. Tomorrow morning I'm considering a short run around the neighborhood just to get a feel for the different conditions than at home and to get my legs back... with this throat thing I feel kind of out of practice...because I haven't been practicing! :)

On my way......... almost

I am off to work shortly. Will be there until 2. All packed and ready to go (I think). Packing for this trip was like no other. First off because I am not travelling light. I had to bring two sets of running clothes including shoes for two days running and some optional gear because I'm not sure about which or how many layers to wear. I've been dressing for the 20's to run and it will not be quite that cold for Goofy so I will have to make some adjustments and those adjustments usually happen gradually not in the space of a few days. Then there was deciding what to pack for regular wear. Again it's colder here. So I was trying to think fall or early spring in what to pack and my brain was saying "Hellooooooooo... what's wrong with you".

It's flurrying here in PA this morning...

I'm excited, nervous and looking forward to this!

No running today...

It's still bitter cold and with wind gusts up to 40 mph or more it would have been miserable. I am staying in and doing lots of other prep work for Goofy. I've made lists (no surprise there) and emailed various support people and organized my stuff.

I'm about as ready as I'm going to be. Still I'm nervous and excited all at the same time. According to my sister Katie, who lives near DW and with whom we will be staying, the high temps will be 55-61 with a low on Saturday expected to be 27. I know they are not used to that in Florida. We ran the 2008 Philly Marathon at 26. Enough said! LOL

I went to Target and purchased some of their 'famous' 50 cent gloves to wear and throw away. I still have to track down some sweatshirts around the house that I can also throw away after the start.

5 days and counting :)

Reminders of Marathon 2008

It was cold this morning.... with a high of 29 for the day it had to be in the mid 20's no more when I went out for a run. The good news is I finished 5 miles and nothing hurt and my throat issues did not seem to hold me back. The mucus is a pain though and I'm wondering if it's safe to take Mucinex before a run. I'll have to do some research on that.

Hoping to do 3-5 again tomorrow.

One week from right now I will have completed the half and probably getting ready for bed in preparation for the full marathon on Sunday.

Happy 2010

Good morning and Happy New Year.

Still not 100% yet. My voice is making a slow comeback. It is cold and wet out today...although not actually precipitating. My gut tells me that running is not a good idea and I've learned to trust my gut. I'm going to spend a good portion of the day organizing the USAFit/Philly stuff I picked up from Helen and organizing my marketing plan.

It's time to look at goals for the year. I generally don't make specific life resolutions but I think I'll attempt some fitness goals for this year. I also want to manage a successful season for USAFit/Philly. I'm not sure how to measure that though so I'll just do my best and see what happens.

I'm not going to predict what races I'll run beyond Goofy January 9-10 and the Philadelphia Marathon which will be the culmination of the USAFit/Philly season and the Landsdowne 5k (my first ever race and now a tradition). Since my focus will be on the group this year I want to commit to giving them a great experience rather than on training for my own races. I may still run some other races; I'm just not committing to anything right now.

I would like to hit 1000 miles this year. I think that would be cool.
I'd also like to get to the gym 2 days a week before work starting in February. I'd like to work more on upper body strength. That means getting up at 4:45-5:00 a.m. This will be a challenge.
I'd like to find some time to walk/hike. This was my first love and i'd like to work some back into my schedule.

There you have it. What are your fitness goals?