Getting In Some Mileage (7 days until my next 100)

I finally felt up to getting in some higher mileage on my runs today.  My last few runs since the Cool Moon 100 have only been around 2 miles.  Today my legs were feeling a lot better.  When I woke up I got in 6 miles, lifted some weights, and went to work.  Then when I got off from work I was able to do another 8 miles and then I held a plank for 5 minutes straight.  Five minutes was was really hard to do.

...that's about it for today.  I'm keeping this short so I can get to bed early and meet the running club tomorrow morning at the park.  It's always nice to get in a few runs with people.  Most of my training runs are solo runs, so running with people is always a treat.


Until next time...

KEEP RUNNING!!!

Caffeine Free (8 days until my next 100)

So... 8 days until my next 100 mile race.  This is my usual time frame before a race where I cut out all caffeine from my diet.  I read somewhere that caffeine take about 5-7 days to get out of your system.  There have been studies that have said caffeine can enhance sports performance.  One thing that I do now before every 50 or 100 mile race is cut out caffeine out of my diet for at least 8 days before the event.  This way, when I consume caffeine on race day it's more effective.  Cutting out caffeine the week before an event also helps me get plenty of sleep the week before because with a lack of caffeine I fall asleep very easy.

Other than cutting out caffeine, today has been pretty normal.  I got in my workout early in the afternoon.  Today's workout was a lot of push-ups, leg lifts, and single leg squats.  I also started doing a plank everyday.  Today I was able to hold a plank for 4 minutes. 

I haven't gotten a chance to run in the last 3 days, but I think that's good because I'm feeling more and more recovered from last weekends Cool Moon 100.  I'm sure taking it easy and letting my body rest is a good thing.

On a very happy note, my new shoes showed up today at the running store that I work at.  I'm going to take my New Balance 1690's out for a short run this weekend and see how much I like them.  I really hope I really like these shoes and that these will be the shoes that get me through the Run de Vous 100 next weekend.

Until next time...

KEEP RUNNING!!!!

More Work Time... Less Workout Time (9 days until my next 100)

Today was a busy work day and not a very busy workout day.  Unfortunately tomorrow will be the same way.  This coming weekend will be a lot slower.  I work 9:00am to 5:00pm on Saturday and I'm off from work on Sunday.  This should leave plenty of time to workout.

Today I was able to lift weights for a little bit after work and I use my foam roller to help loosen up my legs.  I also decided to start back up with my "blank a day" workout.  Today I was able to hold a plank for 3 minutes straight.  My goal is to eventually get up to 5 minutes.  Tomorrow night my goal is 3 minutes and 30 or 45 seconds.

My left leg is still feeling a little sore.  I think part of that soreness is due to the single leg squats i did yesterday more than it is from last weekends 100 mile run.

I'm feeling more and more recovered from the Cool Moon 100 everyday.  I can't wait for Saturday to get here since that's the next time I'll be able to get a run in.

Now it's time for bed, so I'm going to wrap this up right now.

Until next time...

KEEP RUNNING!!!!

Balance (10 days until my next 100)

When I woke up today I didn't feel as sore as I did the other day.  My recovery seems to be heading in the right direction.  My legs feel about 70% recovered.  As much as I wanted to run a little today, I didn't run at all.  I decided a day off to recover was needed.

Instead of running before I had to go to work I did today's workout on my push-up app instead.  The workout for today was...
50 push-ups
4 min rest
26 push-ups
4 min rest
26 push-ups
4 min rest
22 push-ups
2 min rest
18 push-ups

After a 12 hour work day I got home and ate some dinner.

Tonight's workout was something I haven't done in a few months, but to me is key for proper muscle balance.  After doing 20 lunges to warm-up, I did four sets of single leg squats, and each set consisted of 25 reps.  After that I did 3 sets of 25 side leg raises.  Then I made sure to spend a few mins doing a little maintenance with the good old foam roller.  I can honestly say that my legs are feeling pretty good and tired right now.

Now it's time for a good night sleep, and hopefully a short workout before I go to work Thursday morning.



Until next time...

KEEP RUNNING!!!!

Training Day #2 (11 days until my next 100)

Today I woke up and went for a 2 mile run around my neighborhood.  My legs are still tired, but they're moving.  I got home from my short run, then decided to do another 2 miles.

I had to work from 9:00am today until 8:30pm tonight.  It was a very long day, and most of my days until the Run-de-Vous 100 will be like this.  When I came home from work tonight my kids were waiting up for me.  We talked about how their day was and what they did.  After they went to bed my wife and I relaxed and watched a little t.v.

After my wife fell asleep I lifted weights for an hour while catching up on season 5 of Breaking Bad.  When the weights were done I pulled out the foam roller and worked on my legs for a little bit.

Now it's time for the most important part of my training and recovery... sleep.  It's time go get some sleep so that I can get to bed, and do it all over again tomorrow.


Until next time,

KEEP RUNNING!!!!

Recovery & Training (12 Days until my Next 100)

On August 3rd and 4th I ran the Cool Moon 100 miler.  This coming August 17th and 18th I'm running the Run-De-Vous 100 miler.  After finishing the Cool Moon 100 my body is obviously a little beat up.  My goal for Run-De-Vous is to run a sub 23 hour finishing time.  For the few short days between races I need to train, but still be smart enough to let my body recover.  I've never ran two 100 mile races so close together before, and the Cool Moon 100 was no joke!!!  I should have my blog entry about that race done before this week is over.

Today I woke up a little sore.  I forced myself to run 2 miles.  My ankles were sore for the first half mile, and after that they first half mile they started to loosen up.  Before I knew it I was running at a semi normal slow pace, but I felt like I was running and not hobbling around my neighborhood.

After my run I did the workout I was scheduled to do on my phones pushup app.
50 pushups
4 mins rest
28 pushups
4 min rest
24 pushups
4 mins rest
20 pushups
2 min rest
18 pushups

Over the next few days I will be pushing my training, but also listening to my body.  I need to make sure I'm getting enough rest, but at the same time I need to keep safely pushing myself so I'll still have a chance on hitting my finishing time goal of sub 23 hours in 12 days.

So... as I just stated, rest is important.  This means I should end this blog update now and get some sleep.  I need to get up early to get a few more miles in.


Until next time...

KEEP RUNNING!!!!

Dirty Dozen 12 Hour Race (July 6th 2013)

This is my second attempt at writing this blog.  Somewhere between posting the final version, and then deciding to make one quick change using my phone app, the blog was somehow deleted.  So... here is the fast version.

Dirty Dozen video link

On the 6th of July I ran my first ever timed event.  It was the Dirty Dozen 12 hour race put on by Brazen Races in Point Pinole, Ca.  I did this race with my ultra running Leigh Moser.  The course consisted of a 3.37 mile loop that we ran around for 11 hours.  The last hour of the event we ran around a .67 mile loop.  The course was mainly fire road with a very short section of single track.  The elevation on the course was very modest.  The course was very fast and runnable

The event was ran very smoothly.  There was an aid station at the start/finish area, along with one around the 2 mile marker.  With aid stations so close I didn't feel the need to carry more than a small water bottle and and a Nathan racing vest.

Leigh and I ran most of the race together.  Around 7 hours and 50 mins into the event I was taking a long time getting food and water at the aid station.  I told Leigh to go ahead of me and that I would catch up to her.  

I took way too long at the aid station and I knew I was going to have to put in a strong effort to catch up to Leigh.  So, I pulled out my mp3 player and turned on some Slipknot.  The album Iowa is favorite to run to.

After 2 miles I finally caught up to Leigh.  She could see that I was running pretty well, and she insisted that I keep up my pace and run ahead of her.

Around 9 hours and 40 mins into the race I was starting to feel a little tired, then the staff at the start/finish area informed me that I was currently in 3rd place.  This was all I needed for a little extra boost!!!

After running for 12 hours I had accomplished 64.68 miles.  That distance was good enough to put me as the 2nd overall male finisher for the day.

Overall the event was ran really well.  The aid stations were well stocked, the event staff were always helpful and friendly, and the event was full of nice and friendly people.  This is defiantly an event I plan on running again next year.

We also received a very nice hoodie for entering the race.  I plan on getting a lot of use out of it once the weather cools down.

Until next time...

KEEP RUNNING!!!!