Kobe

I was awake by 4 AM. The fitness center at the hotel didn't open until 7 AM so I waited around until 5:45 AM and finally went out for a run. As you can see from the photo there was much going on outside. Now this is Japan. There's a lot of people that live here. They weren't out this morning. I'm not sure where everyone was.

It was dizzling, but I ran for about 50 minutes. I was pretty hot.

Akasaka

I'm in the Akasaka region of Tokyo right now. Looks like I misspelled Alaska! Got on the treadmill this morning for a run. Had to use another fitness machine for 10 minutes while I waited for a treadmill to open up.

Nippon

I'm in Tokyo this morning. I ran for 5k on the treadmill this morning. The workout room is not on the ground floor.

More running to come!

Run & Shoot

YES I'm actually running as I take these pictures!

You can see that running and shooting a picture at the same time takes a bit of skill...that was missing today. Almost completely missed myself.
I'm usually trying to include the road behind me to show a bit of depth to the running. It's just how my brain works. Instead of taking a picture of the long LONG road ahead, I put a positive spin on it in my mind. "Look at how far I've come!"

I've taken the majority of the pictures on this same stretch. It's about 4 miles from my house so I know I'm more than halfway home when I get to this spot. I like to see the season change in the pictures during the year...though I didn't run when this spot was covered in snow. By July we'll be seeing some corn or something growing in these fields.

On another note, I actually SAW and said "hi"to another runner on this stretch today! That's only happen 3x in that past couple of years.

I completed the 7 miles in less than 64 minutes, but I don't remember exactly. The wind was blowing hard during a couple mile stretch so that slowed me down. I also ate breakfast prior to running. That slowed me down too. Mostly I was slowed down from not running more often. The day zip by and if I miss a week, I certainly can feel it.

Well THIS was a good run! Next one I'll try to get in the photo.

Simple Seven

Got out yesterday for a 7 mile run. Just getting around to posting it now. It's raining out today and cool and it's Easter.

It was gorgeous out for my run with a good breeze for a few of the miles. Don't remember my exact time, but it seems to have been 61 minutes and 44 seconds. Ok, I guess I do remember the exact time...ha! It was my first "hot" run in months. Hey, it's spring! Not taking water with me yet, but those runs will be before me soon.

Yellow Cap

Gotta yellow hat at the race last weekend. Used it as I ran 7 miles this afternoon. Fashionable, eh?

A bit breeze, but around 50 degrees. No gloves this time!

This is my shortest run outside in a month. I didn't have time to run 14 miles today. I've been working on a pop songs submission for a major female's CD. Wish me luck!

Oh btw, I'm thinking about running the Chicago marathon in the fall.

Half As Easy - Fool

April arrived slightly faster than I was expecting. The 1/2 marathon was here before I knew it. I'd actually forgotten about it the day prior to the race until someone mentioned it to me. "Oh yea, I'm running that tomorrow. Almost forgot!"

Weather was about 45 F and overcast. I had BEATING a 2 hour 8 minute time locked in my mind. Oatmeal in me. Wearing just shorts...well shorts, shoes & sox, shirt (long sleeve and short sleeve under), gloves, ski cap, my shades, my Garmin watch AND my trusty Treo phone to take pictures in the back pocket of my shorts. A lot folks were wearing long sweat pants or tights.

I needed a 9 minute 45 per mile pace to beat my 2:08 Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 marathon from last year.

I ran with some friends at the start, they set an 8 min/mi pace and then sped up. At the 3 mile mark (10.1 miles remaining) only 24 mins had passed. Still an 8 min/mi pace. I knew this was a bit too fast...or a lot to fast if 9:45 was really the goal. I decided to listen to my breathing and run whatever pace my breathing needed.

The race was an out and back so FAST runners started flying by heading back about 5 miles into the race. The turn around was at 7 miles. People were STILL passing me, but finally I could see I wasn't in last place. ha! There were lots of people still running to the turn around. My watch said I'd run the first 7 miles in about 1 hour. I did the calculations in my head. "Hmmm...I could break 2 hours!" I felt great.

As the miles went by I knew I was running a good race at a good pace for me. With 3 miles to go I told myself to pick up the pace a little. I started passing people. Finally with the finish insight, I turned it up one more notch to finish in 1 hour 52 minutes and 41 seconds! A 8:26 min/mi. I beat my old PR for the 1/2 marathon by 15 minutes. Guess I'm in a little better shape than last year!

It was MUCH easier than the last 1/2 marathon! ...and even though it's April Fools, THIS whole story is true!

Back to Where I Started

Got my Treo 650 camera lens a little sweaty today. Took this picture at 13 miles into my long run today...and I was sweaty!

I'm ready for the 1/2 marathon next Saturday. I'm confident that I can beat my old PR (personal record) for the half.

Man, my legs are tired tonight! ha!

Thirteen Achy Breakies

With my 1/2 marathon coming up in 2-weeks (April 1st) I know I need to get in a good long run this weekend. The weather is 30 F and sunny this morning so I'm venturing out.

My last "long run" was the marathon back in early January. A few months of not doing long runs means I'm a bit out of condition. My longest runs have been 7 miles. I'm stashing a bottle of water at 7 miles (home) and layering up for 13 miles today.

GOOD news! I made it! I did my two 6.9-mile loops in 2 hours and 10 minutes. Passed the 1/2 marathon point at 2:05:30. Wow, I was getting tired and my legs were not moving too fast at the end.

No blisters! No injuries!

Spandex

Second day in a row that I ran my 7 mile loop!

Today it is colder so I'm wearing a winter hat, gloves and running pants. The running pants could substitute for '80s rock 'n' roll spandex, but these slacks have a zip pocket in the back for my mobile phone/camera. The Treo fits perfectly back there. No need for my typical shades for my eyes. I'm running eyewear nude today.

My legs feel like I'd been running. I feel a bit slower today. Finished in exactly 1:02.

April Fool

I've decided to run a 1/2 marathon on April 1st so I'm to training!

My upcoming 1/2 marathon goal is to break my official PR of 2:08:30 which I set at the Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 in Jan 05.

Temps reached 50 F which motivated me to get outside for a 7 miles loop run. I set my Garmin Forerunner watch to beep at every mile so that I could take a 25 second walk break. I've decided to use this "Galloway" training method again. I had gotten away from it as my milage increased for the marathon. It's actually hard for me to take a walk break when my mind doesn't think I need one.

As I completed my first mile, walk break for 25 second. Second miles completed, walk break for 25 seconds. 3rd mile completed, 25 second walk break. It started to sprinkle on me at 3.5 miles into my run, but at mile four I still took my 25 second walk break. By mile 5, I was in the middle of a downpour. I still took the 25 seond walk break. At mile 6, lightning and pouring rain convinced me to just run! My shoes were soaked, but I was making good time.

The sun peeked out for my final 1/4 mile. I finished at home in just under an hour. 59:48 for 7 miles. Not bad for my first longer run in 2 months.

Rearview Marathon

With my 1st marathon a month behind in the rearview mirror, I've haven't run much...or at least relative to my ramp-up to the marathon. Now that I'm thinking about this lack of running, my running has actually dropped off starting in November. Hmmm, is that's part of the reason I've gained 5 lbs? I know the dip in miles is fairly normal after completing the first big one. I'll be back at it soon. As soon as I line up the next marathon.

As we are now into a chunk of 2006, I thought I'd upload some pix taken so far in oh six. From running in topical heat (looks like a rainbow in Fiji?) to snowmobiling in what looks like Alaska, you may wonder if a marathon, tropics and arctic leaves much else to do this year. I guess you'll see...

Sellin' myself

Come visit my store on CafePress!

Gumby & Pokey Live!

Gumby & Pokey are back hittin' the treadmill after fattening up over the holidays. Gumby's bum leg is feeling a little better. Pokey is a bit wide around the middle.

Gumby was heard saying, "Pokey this will bring a new meaning to where the rubber meets the road!"

A Thousand Words!

Completing my FIRST marathon!

2006 is going to be a GREAT year.

marathon

Finale 2005

New Year's Eve morning, I met Bill & Jeff at Pettit for a our final long run of just 8 miles prior to the Walt Disney World Marathon. Ran for 77 minutes. We ran indoors. It was a good final long run workout.

Felt a bit odd to run for only a little over an hour. I've got accustom to those multi-hour runs. Sunday we'll be back at the "multi-hour" running...here comes the marathon!


One more note: to wrap up 2005 someone tried to steal my Jeep while I was running. Damaged it, but did get it!

Icy Shoulders

In less than 2-weeks, I'll be down in Orlando getting ready for the Disney World Marathon.

I haven't been running on pavement in many weeks. The whole Disney race will be on pavement as it snakes through the different parks. (The race actually starts out on the double lane freeway outside of Epcot.) Obviously my legs work differently on different surfaces so I was happy that the weather today cooperated for my first outdoor run in a long time. Temp was about 45 F and damp. Snow & ice melting all around me.

I did my old trusty "7 mile loop" today. I ran on wet pavement, icy shoulders, muddy gravel, mud, snow and dry pavement. My GPS watch recorded a 8:31/mi pace for the route. I was a bit bummed that the pace wasn't faster. Questioned myself repeatedly about whether I'm actually in any better shape than 6-months ago. The fact is that running is hard for me. It's a physical and mental game. I didn't run the 7 miles at a sub-8 pace, but I could have simply turned around and run the whole 7 miles again at about the same pace. That is a good improvement from 6-months ago.

The minute/mile pace things is really only a concern to runners. I'm sure it sounds like blah, blah, blah, blah to normal people, but it is important to me. It's a straight up measure of how I'm doing. Running is simple. How long did it take me to go this far?

It's Christmas Eve so now...let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

140 Icy Laps Later

Since my last post I've run around and around AND around in circles at the Pettit U.S. Olympic Training Facility.

Pettit is known for being one of the top speed skating facilities in the world. recently, I have taken advantage of the $3 rental of the 450 meter running track that wraps around the outside of the speed skating rink.

Last Sunday I ran for 3 hours and 7 minutes. Today (Saturday) I ran for 3 hours and 8 minutes. I took a few walk breaks. Maybe 10 minutes in total each day. I likely ran 38 miles total in the two session. I can't say either workout was simply easy, but I did fine. No major issues.

Today was certainly easier than last week.

I snapped a picture with my trusty Treo. I'm on the running track right after I got done. (That is ice next to me.)

I have now COMPLETED all of my long runs prior to the Disney World Marathon. I've completed 8 runs of 18+ miles each.

The final home stretch 3-weeks still has plenty of running, but my longest will be 8 miles. I'll keep you posted on how it's all coming together.

I believe I see a mouse!

The Running Continues

The running continues as the Disney World Marathon on January 8, 2006 rapidly approaches. As many of you know, this will be my first marathon ever.

Earlier this year (Jan 05) I ran the P.F Chang Rock 'n Roll 1/2 marathon in Phoenix. Completing those 13.1 miles in a bit over two hours (2:08) was an accomplishment. For real runners my time was slow, but I did complete it. I was still running at the end and passing people even.

I tried to take a few months off from thinking about another race after completing the 1/2, but I found myself trying to image a full marathon. TWICE the distance of that 1/2. I thought about how far I had run and then thought about turning around to run all the way back. There is NO way! It's insane.

As May rolled in this year, I ran a local 10k race. I struggled to stay under an hour. My time slipped from the previous year...which had slipped (gotten worse) from the previous previous year. Well you can go back and read the blog entries. I slowly got busy getting in more miles and working harder. I did improve!

The Midwest fall weather cooperated with me. I got to run outside for my long weekend runs. I did a bunch of post here about those. I did a number of iRun Podcasts from my Treo. I got to run with a variety of friends...some new.

As the end of November zipped in, suddenly snow and cold! With temps of about 1F and snow...it's snowing right now too. I bundled up for some runs, but under 25F I'm not too interested in running outside. It's also hard to find a place where I can limit the risk of slipping.

So I've jumped on my treadmill for some sessions recently. Last Sunday I loaded up my iPod Shuffle. Got some bottles of water and Poweraid. Lined up some Accel Gels and pushed Start and Play. After 2 hours and 45 minutes I did a cool down walk for 15 minutes. The end result was 18.5 miles. I know I'll be thanking myself come Jan 8th! Man I was sore. The treadmill works the muscle differently than typical surfaces.

Today I ran for 40 minutes to get in a faster workout. Did some 5% inclines and 8 mph pace at times. I got really hot, but it was good.

Tomorrow I'm planning for an indoor track run for some hours. It will be my first ever!

Approaching Horizon

With the Disney World Marathon looming over an approaching horizon, I've racked up some hours on my teadmill.

Man, it is hot indoors compared to be out in the snow! I had forgotten about those 95F+ days in July.

After two-hours on the treadmill, I completed 13 1/4 mile. Ate a banana. Drank a bottle of water and an energy drink. Listened to all the songs I wanted to on my iPod Shuffle. I skipped most of the slow songs.

Yesterday I ran 8 miles on the treadmill and was way too hot. I ran a little slower today.