Training week #2 completed.

I had a pretty good week. I ran 36.30 miles, biked 10.40 miles in 8h20m and burned 6596 calories. My mileage is getting and will stay higher than I planned but, it is a necessary part of the big plan. I need my mileage high so I can complete the 50k in Goblin Valley. As long as I do a 3 week taper, (cutting mileage 3 week before the run in half, then 2 weeks out cutting it in half again, then doing light running the week of the race), I should be ok. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon I had a very bad case of the blahs. This week I will try having a larger lunch and a snack around 2 pm and see if that helps. It got to 95 during my long run. I ended up doing more walking than I planned on. I also ran on dirt road in my new trail shoes and my new gaiters. The gaiters kept the rocks out of my shoes, which was wonderful. I had the toe box of the shoes laced to tight and ended up with a blister on the top of my right little toe. I felt this happening early on but didn't take the time to fix the shoe. The bike ride was around Manti again with the wind blowing like crazy. Training is going really good and I hope I can say the same next week. All this training is really paying off. I have been 216 now for a couple of days. My clothes that were tight are now lose on me. I just might make it to 200 lbs for the race in Goblin Valley on Oct. the 24th. We'll see.

Training week #1 completed

I have completed my first week of Hal Higdon's intermediate 1 marathon training program. Actually I have started at week #3 because I only have 16 weeks until Dec the 6th. I had a hard time on Thursday. My allergies were really acting out and I felt really tired. In the plan Thursday is a rest day and I took it.. I stopped by Doc. Armstrongs office and he was good enough to fit me in for a Kenalog shot. I slept for 10 hours Thurs. night and woke up feeling like a new man. Friday I got in my 5 miles at race pace (6 mph or 10 min. miles) with no problems. Sat. I did my 13 mile long slow run, really long and slow. I felt great! Today (Sunday) I rode my bike (X-Training as scheduled) which I took very easy. Road around Manti and looked at the houses. My allergies are somewhat better and my left knee is doing ok. My totals for the week are: Ran 32.39 miles, Time 7h15m, Calories 6107, Biked 10.1 miles. For 2 days now I have been at 217 lbs. Yea! I had a surprise the other day. Bill and Em are going to run the 10k at Goblin Valley and I think that is GREAT. I know Em has did a 5k but I don't think Billy has ever ran a race. If they get the running bug who knows what will happen. More next week.

December the 6th

Brandon, in Okinawa, will be running the Naha Marathon and I will be running Las Vegas Rock and Roll Marathon on Sunday, December the 6th. This will be Brandon's first marathon. He has been training hard while TDY in Afghanistan, getting in close to 700 miles. I tried to keep up but got in around 500 miles during the same amount of time. It has been fun and quite motivating. He would run his miles 12 hours before me and post them on his blog. I would check it out and try and run the same. I soon found out that there are a few draw backs to being 60 years old. I don't recuperate like a 34 year old body does. I did not have the energy in my legs to keep up the mileage that Brandon was putting in. Surprisingly I am not upset by this short fall. Over the years I have learned I have limitations and this is not a bad thing unless I let them be. I now look at the positive side. I ran 500 miles. When I did not want to run, Brandon's run motivated me to run. I have lost another 15 pounds. My blood pressure has come down and staying down. My cholesterol is way down and the good stuff is up. I feel very proud of myself for sticking with it and I hope I motivated Brandon when he didn't want to run. Both of us training for a marathon will keep us on track and should be all the motivation we need to complete our goals. I would like to run Vegas in at least 5hrs.30mins. and be 200 pounds. I know that I am setting goals for myself again, but having a goal is not that bad as long as you don't set yourself up to fail. I can have fun at Vegas and still run a 5:30, (maybe better?). I have ran the old Vegas course 5 times and my slowest has been 4:45 so with the training I have been doing I should be ok. Until next time.

Where did July go!!!!!!!!

I can't believe that it has been over a month since I have posted anything here. Life is pretty good. I finished the Utah Valley Marathon in better shape than Ogden and in better time. No race in July which most likely was good for my body. Went on vacation to Yellowstone for a week, just me and Carolyn. Got thru another Tour de France, which makes July fly by for me. Love Tour de France in high def! Go Lance! I have ran my 30 mile weeks consistently since last post. I feel better and the fat is coming off. Still 221 lbs., but looking forward to getting out of the 220's. Once I got over the initial issues of turning 60 it really isn't any worse than any other birthday. I am slimmer, healthier and have a better attitude towards myself now! I can't believe that summer is almost over. I have done most of my running on treadmills. I think once it cools down I will start running outside again. I alway enjoyed being outside and my runs went by so much faster. I always enjoyed running outside in the winter when the air was so refreshing. Where did July go!!!!