mindplunge

W1D3 (rnrsj)

A late post for the ending of my first week… Got caught up with some actual work! The last training in my first week was a 10K distance. I ran on the road again after running the backyard trail for a while. I noticed that when I run trails my pace is much faster (almost a minute per kilometer) then when running on the road. Anyone can explain this to me?I tried to figure it out but there are so many possibilities why this is happening.

Anyways… the run was pretty uneventful. Not too hot, nice breeze coming from the lake, no traffic and a perfect playlist on my iPod.

I’m kinda cheating on my schedule. I ran another 5K tonight so I’m ahead of the program. I still will stick to the running days but I feel I could add more mileage to it. Better than cutting down on the runs!

W1D2 (RNRSJ)

Yesterday was Day 2 of my 12 week program in preparation of the San Jose Half Marathon. Another 6.5K and surprisingly I ran the same time (-4 sec) as I did on Tuesday. I guess it indicates that I can hold my pace. I always wonder during a run if I’m going too fast or too slow. Now I know… I’m on target. Here is my schedule for the next 12 weeks:

As you can see week 7 will be a real test… Stay tuned!

How does running a Marathon work?

I’m a total newbie when it comes to running an official race. The Rock ‘N Roll Half Marathon will be my first race ever. I never entered a 5k or a 10k race simply because my training workouts are usually this distance. I didn’t feel the need to compete or run with a big group of people. I prefer to run by myself as well…

So why all of a sudden entering a race, a half Marathon non-the less? I just want to make it official. Can’t exactly explain why but I feel the need to have an official time, a BIB number and hopefully a medal! I truly believe you don’t have to run a race in order to call yourself a ‘runner’. Anyone who puts on his or hers running shoes and goes out for a run qualifies for me as a runner. For me, signing up with the RNRSJ is the next logical step. It feels like completing a part of being a runner.

How does running a Marathon work?
Seems easy right? You show up at the start, run and finish! There is actually more to it than this. I’m doing some research on running Marathons and here’s in brief on the logistics of running a (half) marathon.

Registration
It all starts with registration. These days most Marathons allow you to sign up through a website. Prices vary from race to race. Some have promotional codes for a discount. Make sure to research as this could save you 10% or more! You will get a conformation by mail or email. This conformation letter is needed to pick up your bib (the race number you pin on your shirt). The bib number can be picked up two days before race day. Make sure to check out the rules on this. Most races don’t allow picking up your bib on racing day itself!

Race Day
During registration you might had to fill out what your expected running time would be. Based on the answer given you’ve been assigned a certain corral. You simply can’t go towards the start line, line up and start the race. Elite runners (competitive runners) are positioned at the start line first. After the elite runners are the various corrals. Each corral has a specific time expectance. If you are a slow runner and you think you can finish the half marathon within 4 hours you probably are in the last corral.

In San Jose each corral holds 1,000 runners. There are several corrals for a certain time so there might be 6 corrals of 2.5 hours.

Timing
You might think: what if I start in the back of the group? The runners in front of me already passed the starting line minutes earlier than me! True, that’s why there electronic measured tag time. Tag time (Chip time) is recorded by an electronic tag that is attached to a runner’s shoe. Your tag records the time at which you cross the start line, the finish line and several split times in between. Tag time is often shorter than gun time because tag time begins when a runner crosses the start line while gun time starts when the gun is fired.

Tag time is the most accurate form of marathon timing available because it measures the exact time between a runner crossing the start line and the finish line. Tag time also records several important splits, providing an accurate record of a runner’s pace.

The RNRSJ half Marathon is using the chrono track system.

Okay, maybe not a ‘brief’ explanation on how a Marathon works but now you are up to date on how the logistics of a Marathon works. Next time I’ll talk a little more about the San Jose race. Course Map, event information, etc. Tonight will be day 2 of my running program. Stay tuned!

W9D3 Graduation Day

I think the above picture says it all. I FINISHED the C25K! My initial plan was to run yesterday but with temperatures in the mid 90′s (32C) I didn’t feel comfortable running in this condition.

Today was a different story. Temperature dropped to 78 (25C) with some cloud cover. Perfect to end my program! I ran my usual route along the creek and I told myself to start slow. Hitting the 1K spot I was running a 09’38″/mi race. Way too fast! My normal pace would be 10’00/mi and I tried to slow down. After the 1K I zoned out and didn’t bother checking my split times until I hit halfway point. I still was on a 09’38″/mi schedule!

I felt so confident and strong that I decided not to check the time anymore but instead trying to focus on the 5K. My last 500 meters were the most difficult ones and once my iPod told me I finished the 5K Lance Armstrong congratulated me (not in person, duh… but it’s build into the iPod nano) with a new PR for the 5K: 29’58″!

I shouldn’t be focused in speed so much since I’m still a novice runner. Gary of ‘hitting the wall’ has an excellent post about it: The No-Need for Speed. I will remember this next time but I guess my adrenaline got the upper hand…

So what’s next? First of all I’m proud of myself finishing something. I’m pretty impulsive when it comes to new fads but I know running will be a keeper. Tomorrow I will sign up for my first race (scary!) and I intend to run at least 3 X week, preferable 5K. I will continue this until the end of 2008 and as a pre-resolution for 2009 I will start the OHR program beginning of January.

I also want to thank the readers of this blog and giving me positive feedback. Especially Daisy, thanks for the many inspirational and motivating comments! I’ll be virtually running your graduation day (tomorrow?) with you! You can do it!

Enough talk! I’m sure I will dedicate lots and lots more posts to running and give you updates as a runner!

Keep on running!

W9D2

On Saturday I tried to run but I still felt a little pinch in my calf muscle and decided to take a 12 mile bike ride instead. Sunday I had the urge to run but as soon as I hit the pavement I felt that little pesky pinch again.

This morning I felt great and throughout the day I didn’t feel any pain or aches. I still was undecided if I should run since on sunday I felt some pain. what the heck… Just go for it. If it doesn’t work out I’ll take another resting day.

when I arrived at the trail I simply felt great. I did a good amount of stretching and a decent warm-up. My calf muscle was cooperating and was well. Since I was so motivated to finally run again after a 5 day drought and a minor injury it kinda got it my head to run a 5K instead of the 30 minute run or 3 miles (4.83 K). why not go al the way and see were it ends?

I have to say that this was my best run so far! everything was just in sync. No pain, no aches, just me running at a steady pace. I started slow just to avoid another injury but after 1K I knew this was going to be a good run… and it was.

5K in 31″30′. I wasn’t fixated on the time, I only wanted to run a 5K. The time would be nice as a benchmark but halfway through my run I knew I was going fast (relatively ). My last 400 meters I increased the pace a little bit since I had plenty left!

So basically I reached my goal of running a 5K. Why on day 2 of week 9? I just needed a confidence builder for my graduation day. I felt so good this afternoon that I couldn’t pass the opportunity to run a 5K. Does this mean I finished the C25K? No! I still need to run W9D3. I owe it to myself to finally finish something. I didn’t start the C25K and not run the last day of it. That would be stupid…

So 1 more day to go and I already feel kinda sad for leaving the program. No more C25K after graduation day…