I Love to Run

A while ago, I wrote an article on why I run.  Well, this article pretty much builds on that.

I love to run.  I mean that ... I love to run.

I love that I can call myself an athlete.  This is perhaps the one sport I feel I am really any "good" at.

I love that I earned every drop of sweat from every step I took on that long, hot run this past Saturday.

I love that no one can take away my accomplishments -- Crossing that finish line or my Personal Records (PRs).

I love that "runner's high" I sometimes get from a really good run.  The feeling is hard to put into words but you sometimes get one after a good, hard run.

While I don't love the pain I sometimes experience after a long run, I love that is represents me getting better, stronger, and faster.

I love that while I might run the same race year after year, it never really is quite the same race because factors like the weather are never the same.

I love that when I do run races, I'm not racing the person in front of me or beside me, I am racing against myself.  I'm racing against my best time which is currently 2:18:38 on 11/3/2013 as of the time I posted this article.

I love that I feel that running has made a better person.  I know with determination I can accomplish anything, no matter how hard it might be.

I love that the running community is a tight knit group, many of whom are supportive of each other, pushing each other to run past their abilities.

I love that when you do run races, you have random people cheering you on.  The funny signs might be the best things I look forward to other than crossing the finish line.

Here is one of my favorite slogans that definitely applies to running:

Courage to start.  Strength to endure.  Resolve to finish.

LiveWire Run Club 8/2

I couldn't have asked for better running weather this morning.  It started out around 68 degrees.  In August.  In Texas.  After the sun came up, there was a nice light breeze to help keep things cool.  When it is nice and cool like that I try to run my hardest since I have a goal to run a half marathon in under 2 hours.  I ran within my "goal per mile times" which is between 8:45 and 9:00 per mile.  It's not a lot but I also ran a negative split this morning and did a hill repeat (at the end of my run!) while keeping my pace about the same.

Split	Time	Distance	Avg Pace
Summary	1:19:25.6	8.94	8:53
1	9:09.4	1.00	9:09
2	8:48.4	1.00	8:48
3	9:03.1	1.00	9:03
4	8:40.4	1.00	8:40
5	8:52.4	1.00	8:52
6	8:45.4	1.00	8:45
7	8:54.2	1.00	8:54
8	8:48.6	1.00	8:49
9	8:23.6	0.94	8:55

All this week I have been hitting the speed training and cross training hard, so I was a little worried about how my legs might feel.  I think it is safe to say my legs were fine.

I absolutely love runs like this.  It helps keep me motivated during the summer when good runs like today are hard to come by cause it gets so hot forcing me to slow down.  I'm really enjoying my speed class as well.  I've learned some good running techniques that are helping me with my form and speed.

I can't wait to run my fall half marathons.  I am aiming to finish under 2 hours in either my October (Michelob Ultra Half Marathon) or November (DRC Half Marathon) races.

LiveWire Run Club 7/19

This week we've had some freaky weather resulting in some below average temperatures.  This made for very ideal running conditions in the middle of July here in Texas.  This morning we had temps in the upper 60s with cloudy skies.  Due to the great conditions, I was able to keep my pace under 10:00/mile and even got under 9:00/mile.

Today's goal while running was to run a Negative Split, which I feel I did a good job of executing.  I ran the first two miles by myself and then from there I ran with a group of people who help push me a little.  About halfway through the run I was feeling great and so I pushed ahead of the group and to my surprise I was running under a 9:00/mile pace!

Split	Time	Distance	Avg Pace
Summary	1:05:14.1	7.02	9:17
1	9:58.7	1.00	9:59
2	9:55.8	1.00	9:56
3	9:37.2	1.00	9:37
4	8:57.0	1.00	8:57
5	9:06.3	1.00	9:06
6	8:50.1	1.00	8:50
7	8:36.7	1.00	8:37
8	:12.1	0.02	8:31

I have a goal to run a Half Marathon this year and finish in under 2 hours.  If I can maintain a pace around 9:00/mile I'll have a little wiggle room should I end up running a mile or two off my goal pace. I need to try to start out around 9:20 to 9:30/mile for the first couple miles and then speed up to 9:00/mile further into my run.  The good thing is I have some races in September and October to practice a negative split strategy and to see whether I can maintain a sub-9:00/mile pace.

I think the speed training I've been doing the past couple weeks has really helped me.  I ran a 6:53 for my mile assessment this Thursday evening in Boot Camp.  I haven't ran a sub 7:00 mile in something like a year or more.  This just inspires me even more to try to train harder to keep getting faster, even if I'm one of the more "slower" people in the class.

In closing, I'm going to post this link to a Top 75 list someone created.  It's pretty funny and I have thought some of the things on the list before.

July 4

I had a really good run this morning.  I may not have run my fastest but I felt good in so many different ways when we were done.  Running with a partner always helps make the run go better and sometimes can even be therapeutic.  After I was done I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders and had some clarity on where to go with something that has been a major cause of stress in my life.

Something else that helped make this run even more special was that I hit, in my opinion, a major milestone.  Two miles into my run I hit the 1,000 mile mark since I started running about two years ago.

Week 13 - 16 Miles

I had a really good run today.  I ran with a new pair of Brooks Ghosts and I did not have any trouble with my Achilles tendon, so I think I found what was causing the problem.  Glad I seem to have that behind me but I will stay play it safe in the mean time.  As soon as I post this I'm going to ice my ankle and roll my legs.

I ran my longest distance ever - 15.83 miles.  I also ran my fastest 13.1 at 2:14.  Very good day indeed.  If I could run with that kind of effort next weekend at the Big D Half Marathon I'll PR for sure however the weather isn't looking good (rain).

I really couldn't ask for better conditions for running.  It was a nice, brisk 48 degrees this morning with a relatively light wind.  It's a little cold starting out and so long as the wind isn't blowing too hard, I felt great temperature wise.  It was nice watching the world wake up while I was running through the neighborhoods of Plano.

It's runs like this that makes me think running this marathon in May is doable.  I hurt and am tired but I feel like I can do it.

Fueling

I tried some new fuel sources and they seemed to work out well for me.  Before I left the house, I had a bottle of the chocolate Generation UCAN protein drink.  It didn't give me any stomach issues and I felt like I had good energy throughout my run.  I'm going to go back to my local Luke's Locker and pick up some more packets for future runs.  If this works out I'll get the canister.

I mixed the packet with about 16 oz of water the night before and put it in the fridge so that it would be nice and cold.  I guess I need to do a better job of mixing it right before drinking as it was a little grainy as I finished it off.  I struggle sometimes even eating early, early in the morning so it was nice being able to drink this and not experience a gag reflex.

I also brought several Larabars in my fuel belt that I snacked on while I ran to help keep my energy reserves up.  So far my favorite flavor is Apple.  190 calories with some really good ingredients -- nuts (almonds & walnuts), apples, cinnamon, dates, & raisins.

Week 12 - 14 Miles

Today was both a good and a tough run.  I started, as usual, with tight muscles.  My Achilles tendon started out fine and last through most of the run.  After about 3 miles my muscles loosened up and I was able to get into a more comfortable pace.

It wasn't until after mile 9 that my Achilles tendon really started hurting and I had to start walking.  The last two miles were the hardest as it seemed every leg muscle was exhausted and I just didn't have the will power to try to leg it out.

I suspect my legs were worn out at the end of the almost 14 miles because I have subconsciously modified my form & stride and so I am most likely working my legs harder than if I wasn't injured.

I iced my ankle as soon as I got home and so I hope it helps with the recovery process.  I'll roll my legs and IT Band as soon as I get this entry posted.

I'm still going to my boot camps to continue my cross training but I am modifying some of the exercises if my Achilles tendon starts hurting.  Calf raises actually seem to help reduce the pain so I try to do those whenever possible.  I need to try to do them multiple time throughout the day.

Week 9 - 10 Miles

This post isn't going to be anything spectacular this week.  Just a quick recap of how the run went.  I was too focused on just trying to get through the run given how my body felt.

Today was an interesting run.  I started off really struggling as my legs still felt like they were very tired.  Perhaps much of it was in my mind as looking over the stats I really didn't do all that bad.  I ran with a 10:23/mi pace and while I did walk for a little bit, I think I did fine overall.  I feel pretty good next week will be better.

Week 7 - 11.1 Miles

I had a very good run this morning.  I had restarted cross training this past week since I was able to breathe again and that went well so I had plenty of motivation coming into the weekend.  I had been sick the last two weeks with a cold and have tried very hard to not let that get me down.  Everyone gets sick and it always seems to be at the worst time.

It was cool but not cold this morning so I didn't get decked out in all of my colder winter running gear.  I ate a granola bar before leaving the house and that always seems to give me that extra little kick I need to have a solid run.  After seeing the benefits of fueling before a training run or a race, I just need to get used to forcing my body to eat a little something even though I am generally not hungry at that time.

I did have any issues with heaves while running but I did get a huge cramp in my side near 9 mile marker, which was right before a water stop thankfully.  I drank some water and it seemed to help.  I felt pretty good throughout the run.  My average pace was somewhere around 9:30/mi, which is what my comfortable running pace is right now.

I'm running the Fort Worth Cowtown Half Marathon next weekend and with today's run I feel like I could easily set a new PR.  If I run a 9:30 average pace I could finish the race around 2:04, which is well under my goal of finishing my next half marathon under 2:10.

I'm still learning my way around my Garmin FR 620.  At the 6.5 mile marker I reset my watch and so I have two different entries saved.  Oh well.  While I was stopped I wanted to scroll through my stats to see how I was doing but instead saved my run.  Next time I'll try pressing the three horizontal lines on the watch face and see what that does.  I'm working on a blog entry for my new watch and plan to post my review by the end of the month.

11.1 miles Pt. 1
11.1 miles Pt. 2

I have a little more below on running form if you want to read my thoughts on that.  It's by no means the absolute right way to run but it might help you in case you don't have the best form.

Why I Run

I got the inspiration to write this post from the LiveWire Fitness blog, so I wanted to share why I started running which is different from why I still run today.

Let me start off by saying that I never thought I would be one of "those people" you see running early in the morning or in the evening.  I thought running was pointless unless it was for some type of sport like football or basketball.  My mind would eventually be changed and now I start looking forward to my weekend runs midway through the week.

I first started running around June of 2012 to improve on my cardiovascular fitness and it morphed into something more.  I had been doing boot-camp type exercises for several months and was looking for a way to further my fitness journey.

Today, I run in part as a get away from the stress of life and I guess now you can consider me an addict as I ran 6 half marathons (should have been 7!) in 2013 and am planning to run a similar number of half marathons plus a full marathon this spring!

I love the challenge that comes with running.  I am always out to try beat my best time/pace.  I get excited and motivated when I run a great pace.  It makes it that much easier to put on my running gear and go out for another run a few days later.

I also run for the fun of it.  Despite the pain I might feel after a long run, I really do enjoy it even if it's not always a good run for me.  The best part might be the runners high that I experience when finishing a run.

I'm already signed up for 4 halfs and will likely run at least 3 to 4 more in the fall/winter in addition to my first marathon in May.  I have a page with all the races I have run, races I am currently signed up for, and races I want to run at some point in the future.

Right now I do not participate in triathlons but I won't rule that out in the future.  The biggest barrier would be that I do not own a bike.  I also would need to find a gym where I could do some work on my swimming.  I have a gym in mind but I need to see what the cost might be.