Yaktrax

Well it snowed today, pretty good for a couple of hours. Total snow accumulation was about 3 inches. By the time I wanted to get my run in, none of the sidewalks had been plowed or shoveled. It sounded like the perfect opportunity for me to try out my Yaktrax. I got them for Christmas, courtesy of my sister, Jenn.

I gotta say, these things worked like a charm. I have zero-slippage to report on what would have otherwise been an impossible 6-mile run. I won't say that it was ideal running conditions, but it was certainly doable. A 9:30 pace in the snow was enough to get me VERY wiped out, as compared to a normal 6-mile run. But it was actually a good bit of fun. For the few bursts of cleared pavement, it was actually less pleasant than the snowy part, when wearing the Yaks. The way my feet land with them on was just the slightest bit different and caused some aggravation over time.

Also, I forgot to pop a few Advil before I left so my old Post-tib injury got a bit inflamed over the run. Anyway, here are a couple of pics of the yaks. And please checkout the Run Data too.

Yaktrax Splits
Yaktrax Chart

Mmmmm... More Data

Alas, I have added an exciting piece of technology to my running arsenal, the Garmin Forerunner 305. All of my previous running data has been courtesy of my Garmin Forerunner 50. The 305 adds more accuracy, no more need for calibration, elevation data, and a map for my runs. It still works with my old foot pod (for run cadence) and my heart rate monitor. The end result is a slightly bulkier watch but much more data, which I just love. So please check out the data from this morning's run and see for yourself.

In other news, I ran a nice 10-miler on Saturday up in New Hampshire while staying with Gill's parents. During this run, my old watch decided to crap-out and reboot twice, thus losing all my run data up to those points. I was able to manually add the run data (estimated) into my online training notebook (garmin connect).

So I did take off Christmas day from my training, but all I lost was a cross-training day at the gym, so all and all, that's not too bad.

Below, is a picture of the new watch, and for your viewing pleasure, a picture of me on my way out the door this morning. As always, thanks for checking in. And don't forget to checkout today's run.



My running chart (and map!)
My Splits

Running after a snow storm

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Well this journey is full of firsts for me. Monday's run was my first time running shortly after a snow storm. Finding clear paths on the sidewalks and the streets around my condo was very difficult. For the most part I had to make due with running in light powder that was strewn in my path. This was most comparable to running on the beach in loose sand. By the end of the 5 mile run I had sore muscles in places that aren't generally sore, like my hamstrings namely. As each day since then has passed, the sidewalks have become slightly more cleared, but slightly more icy. By this morning, Christmas Eve morning, the temperature was above freezing and most of the ice had turned to slush or water. I was able to more closely monitor my pace rather than focusing on staying on my feet.

This also marks the first week where I've put in so many miles in a long long time, perhaps ever. Yesterday was a cross-training day. Reef and I went to the gym and did the stationary bike for 25 minutes, followed by some light lifting, some abs, and then a half hour swim. By this morning's run, my leg's were feeling more heavy than normal. This was the first run where I accurately implemented the 100 meter strides as indicated in the training plan. Look at today's run chart to see the results.

Below is my week's summary and links to the run workouts:

Total mileage: 25 miles
Time on the bike: 30 minutes
Time in the pool: 30 minutes
Stretching: a lot
abs, pushups, pullups: Some

Monday's Run
The Graph
The Splits

Tuesday's Run
The Graph
The Splits

Today's Run:
The Graph
The Splits

My First Group Run

If you're looking to donate:
My Fundraising Page

Yesterday morning the DFMC team met at The Greater Boston Running Company in Lexington at 8am; it was my first-ever group run. The temperature was about 15deg. It was the kind of day where I would have been hard-pressed to get myself outside for a long run. So I was very appreciative for the organized group run to get me out there. The run went from 8-10 miles (I ran about 9) and was an out-and-back run along a bike trail in Lexington towards Arlington. I ran mostly on my own, not quite finding somebody to run exactly my pace. I did join with a few different individuals I met along the way as I progressed through the trail, but eventually, I decided to push onward at my own pace. For those keeping track, this is my new longest run since the Oct 4th Half Marathon. Every week that passes, you should notice that I'll have logged a new longest.

After the run, I purchased a few things at the store because the owner offered all runners 20% off all merchandise. I got myself a fancy little device for stretching your calf/achilles. This is my problem area so thought it would be helpful and convenient. I also bought some nice running gloves and a nice orange Saucony long sleeve shirt with a built-in flashing LED in the sleeve for night runs (see photo). For free, I also picked up a nice Adidas running cap, courtesy of The Greater Boston Running Co.

All and all it was a very feel-good and important run. The week preceding, I spent at Ft Benning, GA for work, working 15 hour days which didn't leave any time at all for training. Luckily I squeaked in the Mon and Tues runs on the previous Sat and Mon so that my first training week wasn't a complete wash.

So anyway, here's my run data. I keep telling myself I'll wear the heart-strap for more data. But then I forget. I'm hoping for a Garmin 305 watch for Christmas that will also provide maps and elevation data (on top of more accurate distance and time data).

My Splits
My Chart

Training Schedule Released

http://www.runDFMC.org/2010/jasonb

Basically, starting next Monday, 12/14, its on. The training schedule has been posted online by Dana Farber and it indicates a start date of 12/14. This ambition to run the Marathon officially turns into a concrete goal to work towards once I begin. There are two schedules that are offered; one for beginners and one for intermediate/advanced. The intermediate/advanced is intended for runners who have run at least one marathon before. Unfortunately, the beginners schedule, I think, won't be aggressive enough for me to achieve my time goal of 3:42 (a sub 8:30 mile). My hope is to overshoot rather than undershoot, so I plan to utilize the intermediate/advanced. There is the option to customize my own hybrid version of the two, but I'm up for the challenge of trying to keep up with the second one.

In other news, I ran my longest run since the half marathon yesterday. It was a 7.5-mile loop starting and ending at my condo. This was just the kind of run I needed after a business trip to Atlanta that didn't allow for any runs. Additionally, that run gave me a taste of the Winter training to come. The weather was cold (just above freezing) and raining. For days like that, I'm particularly grateful for decent running gear, particularly a good running hat. From what most literature states, the week's longer runs usually are concerned with distance more than time, but I always want to at least push past my comfort zone a bit. For me, that's around an 8:30 mile. So that's what I hit. See the data below. I think I'll start wearing the heart rate monitor for my longer runs at least just so I can track how I'm doing, from a cardiovascular standpoint, over the next 4 months.

Thanks for checking in!

My Splits
My Running Chart

Running In The Dark

First and foremost:
http://www.runDFMC.org/2010/jasonb

Well, this is the first time I'm training for something through the Winter. As a result, I have already done more night running than I've ever done before. Its a lot harder to be vigilant of everything around me when I'm trying hard to focus on watching the pavement 10 feet ahead of me, to avoid puddles or road debris. But its fun, because its different. For safety sake, I went out and bought a reflective vest. I also have a new reflective running hat. Coupled with my new man-tights for running, you have Winter Runner Jay (see picture)... ridiculously dorky, I know.

Anyway, last night I ran one of my longer runs lately, a solid 6.2 miler (10K incidentally). Keeping in mind that the Garmin underestimates my pace just a little bit (see data below) I actually am very happy with my running clip. Looking back, last night's casual run was actually comparable in pace to my Falmouth Road Race pace that I ran back in August. That tells me that my time off after the half marathon in October hasn't taken that much off my previous efforts. I'll constantly be gauging my speed to see how my expectations will change regarding my Boston Marathon goal pace (which is an 8:30/mile).

That'll do it for now. Thanks for checking in. If you're curious, remember to checkout last night's run data below.

Last Night's Splits
Last Night's Graphs

Acknowledging the weak content of this blog so far

For those of you still checking in on me, thanks! I just wanted to say that I realize the blog has been lacking lately. This is mainly for two reasons. Firstly, training hasn't really kicked off for me yet so I haven't really had a chance to get in the swing of things. Once I start running more, I'll be sure to be more involved with the blog as well. Secondly, I've been traveling to New Jersey a lot which has kept me busy with other things.

My running right now is only 2 or 3 times a week. The runs have been varying from easy 4 mile runs to middle range 6 mile runs as well as some hill and interval workouts. Note, that 90% of my runs have been on the hotel treadmill lately, as I've been way too busy on the weekends when I've been back from New Jersey (NJ just doesn't have any good convenience running areas nearby). This is a shame since the weather has been beautiful the last two and I haven't been able to capitalize.

I encourage you to send me an email or provide other feedback when you feel this blog is lacking to keep me honest. Reef, I appreciate you doing so. And Jen Stonehouse, you too have given me some grief. So special shout outs to those who have been checking in. Thanks!

Running on Treadmills - A lesson in mental endurance

I've had a few indoor runs lately on the treadmill. Daylight savings time has made daytime runs almost impossible. Additionally, I've been on travel to NJ a lot lately, in a not-so-nice running area. This has given me the treadmill option as the only viable option.

I think this is something that I'll grow accustomed to. I knew getting into training for Boston that running indoors was just going to be part of the game. Here is where music is particularly crucial. Without the site of trees and pavement moving by me, my brain begins to revolt long before my body does. Someone told me that her trick for this is to take off her glasses/contacts so that everything is blurry, thereby blurring the fact that she's on a treadmill. I guess this is one case where 20/20 vision doesn't help me out. Anyway, I thought that was funny enough to add it here.

Also, I don't understand how people say running on treadmills is easier than running outside. I understand the physics of wind resistance etc but I feel like something else must be going on here. An 8:00/mi feels much more difficult to sustain even on an ever-so-slight incline than an outside 8:00.

Lastly, I'm finding that the trick to keeping the inflamation in my posterior tibialus at bay is a mix between laborious stretching and muscle-mashing with The Stick (tm). Many prefer foam rollers, but for me, the ability to maneuver The Stick with my hands allows me to get the spot where the tendon connects to the calf muscle.

My milage has remained pretty low still, I haven't ran more than 5 miles at all since the half-marathon. I'm planning to start inching up the longer runs to 6/7 miles in the next couple weeks. But there's still plenty of time to build milage. I'm just trying to temper the mileage increase for now.

Lastly, thanks (so much!) to everyone who has donated on my fundraising page so far. I'm offer to a better start than expected, so your help is very appreciated.

Thanks for reading!

I'm part of the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge!

Last week, I was formerly accepted to the Dana Farber Marathon team. I have a set myself a goal of $7,000 to raise by race time next year, which is April 19, 2010. I am so excited to be a part of this team, and to dedicate the next 5 months to my greatest physical achievement.

A little background on The Dana Farber Marathon Challenge:
All money raised through this program will fund the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer research. My Fiance, Gillian used to work for this program at Dana Farber up until a couple years ago. She loved the work there and got so much satisfaction in playing a part of the successful fundraising and results that came with it. In the past, I volunteered at a handful of DFMC events, like the pasta dinner, or social events throughout the training season, so this year I'm really excited to be part of the training team.

Much of my motivation to run stems from my Nana's recent fight with cancer that lasted for several years until it took her life on September 6, 2009. She was incredibly brave and strong and I think about her all the time, and make a point of doing so during my runs. She is incredibly missed and loved.

I couldn't be more excited to start my training. I plan to post my training runs and results on this site throughout the following months. I'll be using my Garmin Forerunner 50 to provide data to my runs.

Here are the splits to the 5-mile run I did yesterday.
And here is the graph of the run.

Most importantly, if anyone is interested in donating to this cause please click the link below:
My Fundraising Page