Marathon Training

Sunday, April 22, 2012

New Hope-Solebury 5K Spirit Run

Wrapping up this week with 38.7 miles of running which included several easy runs, an interval speed workout, a 10.25 mile long run, and finally, a 5K race! I am very much looking forward to my REST day tomorrow.

This morning's New Hope-Solebury 5K Spirit Run was the 2nd race in this year's Bucks 5K Series of races. The weather was overcast, 50 degrees with light rain. Although I did not achieve a PR today, I did have my best performance for this particular race in the 3 years that I've run it: 24:45. I was pleased that I came in under 25 minutes and I managed to just 'squeak' in under an 8:00 min pace with a final result of 7:58. I continue to credit my speed training with intervals for my faster results.

This week will be a mixed bag of sorts for me. I am traveling to Houston for work and my schedule is going to be a bit hectic. The weather looks like it is going to be warm in the mid-80's most of the week so I'll plan on early morning runs.

Next weekend, I'll be running the St. Luke's Half Marathon in Allentown, PA and the following weekend will be the 10-Mile Broad Street Run in Philadelphia.

Running season is definitely in High Gear!
John

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Spring Yard Work Means Fewer Miles

Spring has definitely 'sprung' here at home and that means lots of yard work. And, since there are only so many hours in the day, that translates to fewer miles. But that's OK because I am looking at my yard work as a good form of cross-training! I've been digging, transplanting and pruning. That all translates to exercise. And quite frankly, I've been completely exhausted in the evenings so I think that is a good sign that I am getting a decent workout.

I logged just under 26 miles this past week – that's about 8 fewer miles than what I've been averaging over the past couple of months. But, I did manage to return to my interval training on the treadmill on Thursday – that's my first time since returning from vacation in Turks and Caicos and it felt really good!

I did not get a long run in so I plan to get to the gym each weekday morning this coming week. My plan is to hit 30 miles this week.

Hope everyone is enjoying their Spring!
John

Monday, April 2, 2012

Running on Grace Bay Beach

Thinking back on this past winter, it really was quite mild. However, there were a couple of Sundays in February when the temperatures were in the upper teens to low 20's when I was heading out to run the Winter Series races with the Bucks County Road Runners.

That seems so long ago right now as I am able to enjoy the lush tropical landscape here on Grace Bay Beach (Providencials, Turks and Caicos). I've managed to get in several early morning beach runs and I have 2 mornings left before I have to leave this beautiful island. Right now it is evening and I am relaxing on my oceanfront patio listening to the rustling of the palm tree branches and the calming roll of the ocean waves.

I think tomorrow morning's run will be a 6-miler and then a day on the beach to maximize my last full day here on Grace Bay. Now that I have this vista captured in my memory and on video, I'll be able to revisit my experience here, time and again!

Happy and Safe Running Folks!
John

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2012 Races

5K: BCRR Cham-Pain (1/1/12) - 24:33
5.3 Mile: BCRR Predict Your TIme (1/8/12) - 42:30
8 Mile: BCRR Polar Bear (1/15/12) - 1:08:10 PR
4.6 Mile: BCRR Honest Abe (1/22/12) - 42:53
9.3 Mile: BCRR Terrible Tyle (1/29/12) - 5.3 Miles - 46:35
5.3 Mile: BCRR Pick Your Way (2/5/12) - 42:57
Half Marathon: BCRR Eenie-Meanie-Minie-Moe (2/12/12) - 1:58:38
4.6 Mile: BCRR Staggered Start (2/19/12) - 35:45 PR
10K: MCM Irish Sprint 10K (3/17/12) - 54:54
5K: Central Bucks Family YMCA (3/25/12) - 23:34 PR
5K: New Hope - Solebury "Spirit" Run (4/22/12) - 24:45
Half Marathon: St. Luke's (4/29/12) - 1:55:38 PR
10 Mile: Broad Street Run (5/6/12) - 1:25:13 PR
5K: Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure - Phila (5/13/12) - 24:46
5K: Doylestown Red, White, Blue (5/26/12) - 24:04
5K: Chalfont Challenge (6/9/12) - 26:31
6 Mmile: Princeton Healthcare 10K (6/10/12) - 49:40 PR
Half Marathon: 1/2 Sauer, 1/2 Kraut, 1/2 Marathon (6/16/12) - 1:57:11 2nd Place Male 55-59
5K: Herb Kahl Memorial (6/24/12) - 24:32
5 Mile: Run the Gates (6/3/12) - 40:40 PR
10K: Revolutionary Run (7/4/12) -52:36 PR
Half Marathon: Rock 'n' Roll Chicago (7/22/12) - 2:08:26
Half Marathon: Rock 'n' Roll Providence (8/19/12) - 1:59:25
Half-Marathon: Rock 'n' Roll Philadelphia (9/16/12) - 1:57:42
18Mile: LBI 18-Mile Run (10/7/12) - 2:48:30 PR
13K: Hatfield OctoRun (10/21/12) - 1:08:55 PR
Marathon: Marine Corps Marathon (10/28/12) - 4:36:54
5K: BCRR Covered Bridge (12/9/12) - 26:26
5.3 Mile: BCRR Jingle Bell (12/16/12) - 42:23 PR

2011 Races

5K: Central Bucks YMCA (3/20/11) - 27:17:18
Half-Marathon: FirstWatch Sarasota (3/13/11) - 2:06:12
5K: New Hope-Solebury Run (4/3/11) - 26:34:54
5K: Bridge Valley Trailblazer Race for Autism (4/16/11) - 27:42:31
10Mile: Broad Street Run (5/1/11) - 1:35:54
5K: Cornerstone Race (5/7/11) - 25:55:87
5K: Race for the Cure - Phila (5/11/12) - 27:19
5K: Doylestown Red, White, Blue (5/28/11) - 26:18:94
10K: Princeton Healthcare 10K (6/5/11) - 54:42:82 PR
5K: Herb Kahl Memorial Scholarship (6/26/11) - 25:13 (3rd Place Male 50-59)
5K: Chalfont Challenge (6/11/11) - 26:04:17
5K: Run Over (Pancreatic) Cancer (7/2/11) - 24:51 PR
Half-Marathon: 13.1 Minneapolis (8/21/11) - 1:59:48
Half-Marathon: Rock 'n' Roll Philadelphia (9/18/11) - 1:59:02 PR
5K: Chestertown 5K (9/24/11) - 25:25 (1st Place Male 50-59)
18Mile: LBI 18-Mile Run (10/9/11) - 3:08:30
13K: Hatfield OctoRun (10/23/11) - 1:10:57 (2nd Place Male 55-59)
Marathon: Philadelphia Marathon (11/20/11) 4:23:46 - PR
5K: BCRR Covered Bridge 5K (12/4/11) - 26:29
5.3Mile: BCRR Jingle Bell 5.3 Mile Race (12/11/11) - 43:39

John's Book Reviews

The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It’s been a while since I’ve been ‘wowed’ by a book so it was with great pleasure that I recently finished reading The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin. Set in the 1800’s in the Pacific Northwest, the characters in this story represent what would be considered an ‘unconventional’ family by some standards in our current society – a family created out of horrific circumstances when 2 young (and pregnant) girls (Jane and Della) come upon William Talmadge (“Talmadge”), a loner who tends to and nurtures his orchards of apricots, apples and plums. Talmadge’s family roots are similarly tragic – he and his sister, Elsbeth, were orphaned as youngsters. And, at the age of 16, Elsbeth walked into the woods and never returned, leaving Talmadge alone and left to wonder what became of her. This lack of closure regarding his sister’s disposition is a key driver to the relationship he develops with Jane and Della - that of a nurturer and always wanting to provide a sense of comfort and belonging.

The complexities of the relationships that Talmadge has with Jane and Della, as well as Jane’s eventual daughter, Angelene, are compounded by the circumstances that drove Jane and Della to escape their painful upbringing and living environment. Trust and a willingness to be nurtured are not always welcome and these are the forces that drive the conflicts between what Talmadge wishes for the girls and the final outcome of the tragic events that continue to shape their lives.

(view spoiler)

Although it is still early in the year, I think it’s going to be hard for me to come across another book in 2013 that is so beautifully crafted and inspirational. Bravo to Amanda Coplin for this splendid novel!

View all my reviews