Today's Run - 10/31

I jumped in the pool for my cross training workout this morning. I am always surprised by the difficulty of swimming. I can tell that running has helped my cardio endurance but swimming still kills me. I may need to get some swimming lessons because I feel so inefficient in the water.

Today's Run - 10/30

Worked out in the gym this morning. Cross training on the elliptical and then doing ab workout and push ups. Decided not to do upper body weights because I was under a time crunch.

Today's Run - 10/29

An 5Mile run this morning in the dark. Having limited visibility definitely impacted my pace on mile 3 as I circled the lake. The time change this weekend will hopefully help my visibility on these early runs. Aside from the visibility issues, this run was fun a great way to start the morning.

I am about 2 weeks out from the race and I am feeling confident and excited.

Today's Run - 10/28

Headed to the Gym this morning to run on the Dreadmill because of poor running conditions outside. I needed to do 3miles and was able to tolerate being on a treadmill for a ~30mins. I worked on my pace to ensure that I was running a constant speed not dipping below 6.5mph and at times going up speeds above 7.5mph. I finished my 3mins in ~27mins and walked for another 1/4mile to finish out my 3mins.

Today's Run - 10/27

Moved my workout schedule around to accommodate for an early work meeting. I rested today and will run on Weds, Thursday and lift on Friday.

Today's Run - 10/26

Good workout at ACAC this morning. 15mins on the elliptical and then upper body workout. I finished the session with stretching.

More Running

We decided to continue our Thanksgiving Day tradition of running in the Boars Head Inn Turkey Trot. This is a nice 5k run with good number of people running / walking. I will run the course and then double back to find Emily with Ella in stroller.

Today's Run - 10/25

Today's run was awesome! The weather cleared from the rain yesterday which left a crisp cool morning for my run. I did another modified Cville 10miler course, primarily because I got forgot the route. I really enjoyed running on campus and seeing all the people on the downtown mall. The fall leaves are turning colors making wonderful scenery and atmosphere.

I was happy with my pace of an average just over 10min/mile. I also learned that is best to make sure you use the restroom prior to heading out for a long run! Luckily I found a porta-john left over from the UVA Football game yesterday early on in my run.

I started to set some goals for race day. My training has given me the confidence that I can do more than just finish. I hope to keep my pace at 10min/mile and finish under 2Hr:15Min.

Today's Run - 10/24

Spinning class at ACAC this morning was great. Definitely need to get a road bike soon to start riding outside.

I am looking forward to running tomorrow. I plan to run the full C-ville ten miler course. The weather should clear up tonight and be warm tomorrow for my run.

Today's Run - 10/23

A quick 3.5Mile run this morning felt great after a couple days off.

Today's Run - 10/21 & 10/22

Work travel sidelined my running for the past 2 days. I am very anxious to get back to running on Friday.

+100 Miles

I crossed the 100mile mark in total running for my training this week. It is amazing how quickly this adds up. Having the tools to track and analyze my runs is one of my favorite parts of training for the race.

Today's Run - 10/20

The cold morning air caused my eyes started to tear up as soon as I started to run which made it even harder to see in the pitch dark. I ran in pants and a wind cover this morning to stay warm in low 30's temps. My exposed hands were the most uncomfortable part of the weather this morning.

I am finding that the weekday runs are getting easier and are building my confidence for the longer runs. My training is preparing me for race day and expect that I will really enjoy the run.

Today's Run - 10/19

Back to the gym at ACAC this morning after a week of travel, hotel gym workouts and running outside. I was a little crunched for time this morning so I only did 15mins on the elliptical and then my standard upper body work out.

My legs are a bit stiff from the run yesterday. The concrete sidewalks were harsher on my knees than I am used to.

Today's Run - 10/18

Today I ran a modified course of the C-ville 10miler. I needed to run 9 miles, so I made a few changes in the track. I heard this course was hilly, but after running in San Francisco these hills did not seem to compare. I liked running on campus, through the town and the downtown mall. There were a number of runners out and lots of people walking around. I ran the course on the concrete sidewalks. I could feel the difference from running on asphalt in my legs after run.

My legs were rested from my spin class yesterday and I was pretty loose even with the chilly and windy weather. I was happy to have running pants and a long sleeve training shirt to keep me warm. My entire body was warm except for my right hand. I am sure there is a medical reason for this like your right hand is farthest from your heart and my blood circulation is bad. Sounds kinda like Raynaud's Phenomenon. I will look to pickup some winter running gloves to help keep my hands warmer. I used my water belt for the first time today. It was great to have water with me and I used most of the 21oz during the run.

Today's Run - 10/17

I returned a spinning class this morning after not attending the past few weeks. I was surprised to see how well the running has helped my endurance on the bike. I was able to keep a higher cadence for a longer period of time. My hamstrings are a bit tight after being on the bike for an hour. I will need to do some good stretching before my long run tomorrow.

Today's Run - 10/16

No workout today, but I will be traveling all day. I am not sure what I will do tomorrow for my cross training day. Swimming and Spinning both sound like fun workouts that I have not done in a while. I hope that I am not jet lagged and on West Coast Time.

Today's Run - 10/15

Good Run through the streets of San Francisco this morning. The weather was a bit misty and I enjoyed the cool temperature. I ran a little farther than I expected, but that was primarily because I got lost. It was a good thing I had my iPhone w/ GPS to get me back to my hotel.

Today's Run - 10/14

I tackled the Treadmill this morning as the weather was still a bit daunting, it should clear up today. I ran 3miles this morning at a good pace and finishing in under 30mins. I was able to keep a constant pace, but I could not be distracted from watching the display of time / distance even with the TV integrated into treadmill. I plan run outside again tomorrow as the treadmill runs are just not fun.

Being on business travel makes it hard to eat right. I have been able manage by starting with a good breakfast from a local diner. Lunches at the conference are the typical sandwich or wrap. Dinners are the hardest, because it typically involves others. I have been able to go to some really good restaurants this week including Gary Danko and The Water Bar.

Today's Run - 10/13

It is a good thing I ran outside yesterday as it was pouring down rain this morning. I used the hotel fitness center to do some elliptical training and ab workouts. I will be nice to get back to ACAC for my strength training as you don't realize how nice it is until you are away from it.

I will most likely workout in the hotel gym tomorrow and then attempt to run outside again on Thursday and Friday.

Today's Run - 10/12

I decided to run this morning because the weather forecast is calling for rain tonight and tomorrow. I wanted to do the run from Union Square down to the Piers and then up to Colt Tower and then over to Nobb Hill and then back to Union Square. This was a tough run. The first part was very nice and flat, but the last half was all hills all the time. I must admit I had to walk in the North Beach / Russian Hill Area. The City lights kept my path well lit and views from the hills were awesome with the city in the background.

Today's Run - 10/11

No Run today as it was a long travel day to a conference in San Francisco. The weather forecast looks to be perfect for running, but the hill forecast looks huge and intimidating! I am going to check with the concierge to get some good running routes or I may just do this one I found on MapMyRun.com.

I hope that I can stick to my diet, there are so many good places to eat.

Water please

Today I picked up a Nathan Speed 3 Waist Pack after some strong recommendations to carry water on my runs. I looked at few different options but decided I wanted a waist belt rather than the hand held or camel back options. I have not run with this yet, so I will post again after I try it out.

Today's Run - 10/10

I moved my long run this week up a day because I am traveling out west tomorrow. I hoped to run outside on the UVA campus, but had to run on a DreadMill at ACAC. I was very happy with the run because I was able to keep a very consistent pace and not completely hate being on a treadmill for that long. My pace was faster than 10min/mile and I did 8miles in just over 75mins.

The miles seemed to get easier as I went along even though I could not stop looking at the distance / time displays. I tried to watch the TVs on the wall but you can only watch the same sportcenter a couple times and remain interested. I also had to worry about the 30min time limit on the equipment considering I needed to 3 30min sessions. Luckily the gym was not too crowed this morning. Each time I hit my 30min limit there were open treadmills so I did not have to stop.

My legs feel good today after run and I feel rested from last weeks workouts after taking Friday off. I will take tomorrow off and hit the gym again on Monday. I am looking forward to running San Francisco this week.

Today's Run - 10/9

I originally moved my workout schedule around to do Cross Training today and Rest on Sunday. I was worried that I had not rested enough for my long run tomorrow so I decided to not work out this morning. This more in line with my normal routine but I still feel like I am cheating on my workouts. I think it is fair to say that training is embedded into my normal daily routine. :) I am traveling to San Francisco next week. I am looking forward to some really nice runs and adding another state to places that I have trained.

Today's Run - 10/8

Started my run early this morning and it was Cold! The temperature was in the low 40's and the sky was cloudy. The encounter with the deer yesterday made me a little skiddish as I ran with little visibility. I am not sure I have the skills this guys has.



I was happy with the pace for this short run.

Today's Run - 10/7

A pretty simple run this morning for 3miles. I did my typical route backwards today to provide a change in scenery. I had a close encounter with a deer this morning. I am not sure if it was because I was so fast that the deer did not see me coming up, but I looked over and saw a large deer about 8Feet from me. I think he startled me more than I startled him.

Today's Run - 10/6

I ran 4miles this morning under the Hunter's Moon. The Sky was absolutely clear and the moon was very bright providing more visibility than usual.

This weekend I picked up some new reflective running gear to make sure I am seen during the early morning runs. I picked up a Nathan Twilight Reflective Vest and Clip-On Deluxe L.E.D. Safety Strobe. I was able to get both in Blue to make sure I was fashionable.

The first run with the vest and LED was good. The vest is light and does not restrict movement, I can't say that I even noticed that I had the vest on. The LED was a bit distracting; I would catch the flashing in my peripheral vision.

Today's Run - 10/5

A simple workout this morning at ACAC with 30mins of Cardio on the elliptical followed by upper body workout.

My legs are feeling good today after my long run on Sunday. I usually to feel a lot of tension in my Hamstrings, but after these longer runs it seems to be in calfs and ankles. (Is that my CANKLES that are hurting?) I did a bit of stretching after my work out this to loosen up my legs.

It will be an early run tomorrow to get 4miles before work. I am expecting it to be dark and cold when I head out.

Today's Run - 10/4

Great fall day for a mid-morning run! I headed out this morning a with temps in the 60's.

I am starting to get to distances that I have not run before, today I ran 7.5Miles. The run was good, I did not really start thinking far I had gone until more than 4miles in. I used a sport gel in the middle of my run just to see if that would help me through with a kick of sugar. I was already thirsty when I took the sport gel, sucking down a sugary gel with the consistency of peanut putter made me more thirsty. I need to look for another type of gel that will not make me thirsty.

With 40 days to the race I am feeling pretty good. I hope that I don't get an injury that pulls me away from my training.

Today's Run - 10/3

I jumped in the pool at ACAC this morning thinking it would be an easy workout since I am in better shape from the last time I swam. I was wrong! After 30 Mins in the pool I was beat. If I am going to consider a bi or triathlon I am will need to spend some serious time in the pool.

Today's Run - 10/2

Did Monday's workout on Friday this week at ACAC. The elliptical training is no where near the same intensity as my run sessions. I guess that shows that my overall endurance and physical fitness is improving. After the elliptical I did a upper body workout. The weight lifting was a welcome change to my routine. I need to expand my lifting exercises to bring a bit more variety to the workout. No Ab work today because I needed to get on the road to the office. I am planning on swimming tomorrow for my cross training workout.

Race Day Prep

I am starting to think about race day and what the course is going to look like. The race website posted a map of the course with elevation change. Overall the elevation changes don't look to bad.



I still need to determine what my race weekend agenda will be. Need to work on hotel room and race day activities.

Today's Run - 10/1

A short 2.25Mile run this morning allowed me to work on my pace. My route this morning was a bit more hilly than yesterdays run downtown.