The 8Mile run this morning will be the longest mid week run before the marathon. I was still a little tired and sore from my run on Sunday and that had impact on my pace.
One of the problems with running early in the morning is that you are between meals and your body is in need of fuel to perform. At about the 4Mile mark this morning I realized that I was hungry. Looking back at this, I started to question if I am eating properly before, during and after my runs. I am going to work on this by eating things like a banana, apples and sport gels before I head out. It will be interesting to see how having the food helps me on my runs.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Boston Runner Metrics
I am a number guy, not to an OCD level, but I like to count, compare and extrapolate things from data. I thought this article "Who Runs Boston?" was pretty interesting. I was happy to see my training was in line with others for items like weekly running of 30 to 40 miles.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Today's Run - 3/30
It was tough to get out and run this morning after a late night playing poker. After I started running I felt pretty good, but I was a little sore and tight from Sunday's long run. My pace reflected this lack of sleep and tightness.
I happy to start my tapering and preparing for race day. It is hard to believe that the training is almost over. The mental and physical training in the last 4Months has been a great experience.
I happy to start my tapering and preparing for race day. It is hard to believe that the training is almost over. The mental and physical training in the last 4Months has been a great experience.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Boston Marathon History
The Boston Athletic Association some interesting history of the marathon. A quick read and can be found here.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Runner's World Boston 2010 Site
Runner's World has started to update the Boston Marathon microsite for 2010.
Today's Run - 3/28
Today's Run posed physical and mental challenges. I have not run 20miles before and the weather was cold and wet for most of my run. I am happy to say that I completed the challenge. My pace fell off considerably after 14miles and I was ~15min slower than I wanted to be.
I am happy to have this run over as I see it as my last big training hurdle to cross. I am getting excited for Boston and believe my training will serve me well.
I am happy to have this run over as I see it as my last big training hurdle to cross. I am getting excited for Boston and believe my training will serve me well.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Boston Course Tips
Boston Course Tips article in Runner's World is pretty good. I hope to remember to look at all this stuff when I am running by!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Today's Run - 3/25
The 5mile run before work is the perfect distance a time to start the day. Today's 5mile run was a nice recovery run. I felt good running the nice even, but slower pace.
I am feeling confident as I look to my 20Mile run on Sunday. I hope that the weather holds and it is not raining.
I am feeling confident as I look to my 20Mile run on Sunday. I hope that the weather holds and it is not raining.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Today's Run - 3/24
Headed out this morning for a 10 mile run. I was still a little tired from my travels on Monday and Tuesday, but I was happy to be home and running outside.
Although squeezed for time to get this longer mid-week run in I was able to get 10.75Miles in. My pace was a bit slower than I would like. I think I am still recovering from the race this past weekend.
Although squeezed for time to get this longer mid-week run in I was able to get 10.75Miles in. My pace was a bit slower than I would like. I think I am still recovering from the race this past weekend.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Today's Run - 3/23
Today's Run was on another Marriott Hotel treadmill, this time in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. I had a rough day of travel on Monday and was not feeling completely rested. I decided to cut my run to a 5K distance. My body has recovered from the 1/2 Marathon pretty well and I feel good going into my last real week of training before tapering.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Carefirst Bluecross Blueshield National Half Marathon Results
CAREFIRST BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD NATIONAL HALF MARATHON March 20, 2010 USATF Certified DC10002RT Washington, D.C. Name Ag S Bib# City/state ====================== == = ===== ======================= Douglas Morrison 34 M 6039 Keswick VA Place Div/Tot Sex/Tot 10ksplt Pace Guntime Nettime Pace ===== ======== ======== ======= ===== ======= ======= ===== 1723 209/514 1173/2909 51:42 8:20 2:00:39 1:51:40 8:32I finished 1723 out of 6249 runners, in top 41% of my age and gender divisions and a new personal best to boot!
Today's Run - 3/20
A great start to spring with the National 1/2 Marathon. It was an early start to get to the starting line by 7am. I left the house by 5am and was at the DC Armory and RFK stadium by ~5:30am. I was relaxed pre-race and able to find a place to sit and wait for the call to the runners corrals. The corrals were packed and lively with runners waiting to start. The weather was absolutely perfect for a run, and we headed out just after sunrise. I started in the 8:45 to 9min pace group. I wanted to see if I could beat my previous time of 1:57 and even target going sub 1:50. I knew that this course was much flatter than much of my training course. I was concerned to start to fast and not have enough to keep a steady pace.
I locked into a 8:30min pace early in the race and felt comfortable. I wanted to see how long I could go at that pace. I found that the other runners pulled me a long and I was passing a number of runners that were falling off the pace. Mile 11.5 to 12 I found to be the most difficult to keep the pace. Once I hit mile 12 I figured I needed to gut it out. I headed to the finish line and found a burst of speed to pass a few runners before the finish. To top off a great run the announcer called my name as I finished with a total time of 1:51:40.
The race crowds were fun this morning and cheered hard for runners. I liked the DJ's playing music outside the dorms at Howard University. I was able to find Emily, Ella, my Dad and brother James at about mile 5. I found them in the crowd and surprised when I jumped out to say Hi. They were at the finish line when I finished. It was nice to see them and feel their support. I also ran into an old friend after the race that I had not seen in a few years.
The Nation's Capital is an awesome setting for a road race. I can't think of another time you can run down the middle of Constitution Ave and not have the cops chase you! The sights were awesome, I was able to grab one quick picture of the Washington Monument as I ran by. I forgot to get more pictures... I had a race to run.
I locked into a 8:30min pace early in the race and felt comfortable. I wanted to see how long I could go at that pace. I found that the other runners pulled me a long and I was passing a number of runners that were falling off the pace. Mile 11.5 to 12 I found to be the most difficult to keep the pace. Once I hit mile 12 I figured I needed to gut it out. I headed to the finish line and found a burst of speed to pass a few runners before the finish. To top off a great run the announcer called my name as I finished with a total time of 1:51:40.
The race crowds were fun this morning and cheered hard for runners. I liked the DJ's playing music outside the dorms at Howard University. I was able to find Emily, Ella, my Dad and brother James at about mile 5. I found them in the crowd and surprised when I jumped out to say Hi. They were at the finish line when I finished. It was nice to see them and feel their support. I also ran into an old friend after the race that I had not seen in a few years.
The Nation's Capital is an awesome setting for a road race. I can't think of another time you can run down the middle of Constitution Ave and not have the cops chase you! The sights were awesome, I was able to grab one quick picture of the Washington Monument as I ran by. I forgot to get more pictures... I had a race to run.
Boston Marathon Athlete Tracking
Boston Marathon is using an AT&T Athlete Tracking System so that you can track me as I race through the streets of Boston. You can sign up online to receive TXT message for my Start, 10K, 1/2 Marathon, 30K and Finish times.
Here is my Bib information you will need to register for alerts.
Here is my Bib information you will need to register for alerts.
| Bib | Name | City | State | Cntry | Age | M/F |
| 24187 | Morrison, Douglas E. | Keswick | VA | USA | 34 | M |
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Today's Run - 3/18
I another good recovery run this morning. The spring weather is almost here but the mornings are still cold. It was in the low 30's when I headed out this morning, but I felt comfortable in shorts, long sleeve tech-shirt, running vest, head band and gloves. I was happy to have my headlamp again this morning because it was dark with limited moon and starlight to show me the route.
I can tell that my legs are tired from my long run this past weekend and I am grateful for the lighter run week. My average pace was still a bit slower than I would like. I wish the race this weekend was on Sunday to give my legs an extra day to rest.
I can tell that my legs are tired from my long run this past weekend and I am grateful for the lighter run week. My average pace was still a bit slower than I would like. I wish the race this weekend was on Sunday to give my legs an extra day to rest.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Today's Run - 3/17
I headed out this morning to try to get in 9miles before a busy work day. I was able to get in about 6.5miles in.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Today's Run - 3/16
I am still adjusting to the DST change from the weekend. I am sad to be running in the dark again for my early morning runs. The warmer spring weather a welcomed change. I was a little sore from my long run on Sunday but after I started I was able to get into a groove. I finished ~5.5Miles in just over 51mins with an average pace of 9:16/mile.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Today's Run - 3/14
Today's Run was the longest distance I have attempted and I was curious how I would feel towards the end of the run. I missed my 16Mile run a couple weeks ago and I headed out this morning into uncharted territory for my running.
I ran the C'Ville 10miler course as the primary route for this 18Mile adventure. The weather was cool and light rain as I started my run. There were many runners out running the same route in preparation for the 10Miler Race on April 3. There were a 2 groups of runners that passed me on the first round of the loop. I tried to shake it off and run my own pace but I must admit I did not like getting caught and passed. I finished 10miles in ~1:30mins again and plan to set a goal for sub 1Hr:28min for the C'Ville 10Miler Race. The next 8miles were a challenge and my pace fell off sharply after 13miles and I finished the next 8miles in 1Hr:26min. I modified the last 8miles to find hills with up and down hill slopes to prepare me for Boston. Around mile 15 the rain started to clear, the wind picked up and the sun began to show.
Although my overall pace was not what I wanted; I felt good after finishing the run. I have confidence that I can do 20miles in 2 weeks and that my training will prepare me for the ultimate challenge of 26.2miles.
I had some issues with Runkeeper during today's run. The application lost GPS tracking at ~6miles and was not able to track my run after that point. I continued to let it time my run through 10miles and restarted it for the last 8miles. This is the second time this has happen in almost the same location. The application team says they think it is an issue with iPhone GPS not their app. I tend to agree with them because I needed to restart the iPhone wireless connections to resolve the issue. I have come to depend on this application and I like the many features but it is really frustrating when it does not work properly.
I ran the C'Ville 10miler course as the primary route for this 18Mile adventure. The weather was cool and light rain as I started my run. There were many runners out running the same route in preparation for the 10Miler Race on April 3. There were a 2 groups of runners that passed me on the first round of the loop. I tried to shake it off and run my own pace but I must admit I did not like getting caught and passed. I finished 10miles in ~1:30mins again and plan to set a goal for sub 1Hr:28min for the C'Ville 10Miler Race. The next 8miles were a challenge and my pace fell off sharply after 13miles and I finished the next 8miles in 1Hr:26min. I modified the last 8miles to find hills with up and down hill slopes to prepare me for Boston. Around mile 15 the rain started to clear, the wind picked up and the sun began to show.
Although my overall pace was not what I wanted; I felt good after finishing the run. I have confidence that I can do 20miles in 2 weeks and that my training will prepare me for the ultimate challenge of 26.2miles.
I had some issues with Runkeeper during today's run. The application lost GPS tracking at ~6miles and was not able to track my run after that point. I continued to let it time my run through 10miles and restarted it for the last 8miles. This is the second time this has happen in almost the same location. The application team says they think it is an issue with iPhone GPS not their app. I tend to agree with them because I needed to restart the iPhone wireless connections to resolve the issue. I have come to depend on this application and I like the many features but it is really frustrating when it does not work properly.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
New Shoes every 275 miles or so...
The recent increase of mileage is taking its toll on my shoes. I went back an calculated miles run on this pair of ASIAC GT-2140, and was surprised to see I had already put ~275miles on this pair of shoes. I knew it was time to get a new pair but I did not think I had cranked up the many miles. I am still slightly below the 300-400miles expected on a pair of running shoes, but the these last longer than Saucony Pro-Guide 2
Since this pair of ASICS held up so well I decided to get the same shoe. I found a great close out deal for the GT-2140 style on Amazon. I will take a couple more runs on my current pair and then start to break in the kicks with my recovery runs next week.
Since this pair of ASICS held up so well I decided to get the same shoe. I found a great close out deal for the GT-2140 style on Amazon. I will take a couple more runs on my current pair and then start to break in the kicks with my recovery runs next week.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Today's Run - 3/10
A nice warm morning for my 9mile mid-week run. My left leg is still a bit tight which continued to hamper my pace. My average split was 9:40 and ~40Secs slower than usual. I followed my usual track to piece together the 9miles, and continued to push my self with the elevation changes.
I am getting excited for National 1/2 Marathon (...errh pikermi)on 3/20. It will be nice to run in a crowd and experience the excitement. My goal is to finish sub 1:55mins.
I am getting excited for National 1/2 Marathon (...errh pikermi)on 3/20. It will be nice to run in a crowd and experience the excitement. My goal is to finish sub 1:55mins.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Running 1/2?
As I learn more about the sport of road running I am finding there is a complete social network, terminology and behaviors of the sport that are completely outside the actual activity of running. For example, there is movement to change the name of a 13.1 mile race. I had not thought the name "1/2 Marathon" as something that would minimize the effort, training or ability when running 13.1miles. Team Pikermi is working to change the name of the 13.1 mile races to a Pikermi. This name was selected for Pikermi, Greece that is roughly the distance between between Marathon and Athens.
I have tried to use the term Pikermi a few times when describing my training and race schedule. Runners and non-runner get a very perplexed look on there face, so I am not sure the new name will stick unless there is a huge ground swell of support and markerting. I must admit I like and agree with the slogan "Because 13.1 Miles should not be considered "only half" of anything!".
I have tried to use the term Pikermi a few times when describing my training and race schedule. Runners and non-runner get a very perplexed look on there face, so I am not sure the new name will stick unless there is a huge ground swell of support and markerting. I must admit I like and agree with the slogan "Because 13.1 Miles should not be considered "only half" of anything!".
Today's Run - 3/9
I headed out for my recovery run this morning happy to see the sun was already coming up and temperature were in low 30s. My left hamstring has been bothering me for the last week and this morning it was tighter than usual. My pace was much slower than other runs due to my tight legs.
I was enjoyed getting out this morning and get some more miles in after a tough training week last week. The Boston Hills are weighing heavily on my mind and I hope that hills of Keswick, VA prepare me for the downhill and uphill challenge. I was happy to be running outside again, it is a welcome change from the recent hotel treadmill runs.
I was enjoyed getting out this morning and get some more miles in after a tough training week last week. The Boston Hills are weighing heavily on my mind and I hope that hills of Keswick, VA prepare me for the downhill and uphill challenge. I was happy to be running outside again, it is a welcome change from the recent hotel treadmill runs.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Boston Marathon Course Tour
When you have not run a race before the fear of the unknown can be a big challenge to overcome. This video provided good context of the course layout and points of interest as you make the trek from Hopkinton to Boston.
Today's Run - 3/7
The first day of spring like weather in a long time and it was perfect for a long run. I was scheduled to 12 today but the weather and the missed runs this past week tempted to me to run longer. I did a little of 13 miles in 2hrs. The 4hr mark for Boston is going to have a razor thin margin of error. I hope the next few weeks of training prepare me well.
My legs were well rested as I started out. There were many runners out and I spotted one about a 1/4 mile ahead of me and I decided to see if I could catch him. I was happy to catch him in about a mile and just as I was feeling like an accomplished runner the UVA track team swarmed in and past us both! I figured I would try to pace with them for a bit, but luckily they turned right at an intersection that I needed to go left. I guess I will have see if I can hang with them some other day!
It felt great to get a long run under these conditions and I can't wait for spring to come for good. The week ahead looks like there may be some rain.
My legs were well rested as I started out. There were many runners out and I spotted one about a 1/4 mile ahead of me and I decided to see if I could catch him. I was happy to catch him in about a mile and just as I was feeling like an accomplished runner the UVA track team swarmed in and past us both! I figured I would try to pace with them for a bit, but luckily they turned right at an intersection that I needed to go left. I guess I will have see if I can hang with them some other day!
It felt great to get a long run under these conditions and I can't wait for spring to come for good. The week ahead looks like there may be some rain.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Today's Run - 3/4 & 3/5
Today's Run 3/4 was on the hotel treadmill again. I hoped to make up for the missed run on Weds but I did not have time for a long run. I did 4miles before heading to the office.
Today's Run 3/5 is the last day of travel and runs on the treadmill for a while. I did not push to hard and just did a little of 4miles.
This week has been a tough training week due to work and travel. I will be happy to get home for the weekend an do my long run outside. The weather is supposed to great for running on Sunday, I can't wait.
Today's Run 3/5 is the last day of travel and runs on the treadmill for a while. I did not push to hard and just did a little of 4miles.
This week has been a tough training week due to work and travel. I will be happy to get home for the weekend an do my long run outside. The weather is supposed to great for running on Sunday, I can't wait.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Today's Run - 3/2
Today's Run was a short 4Miles. I was happy to get back out after missing my run on Sunday. I am traveling again and I hit the hotel gym and the treadmill for this run. I finished up in about 34mins and was happy with the pacing.
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