Marathon Training

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Week 9 of Marathon Training Completed!

Just 7 more weeks to go! That’s what completing my 9th week of marathon training means and this past week was a strong week indeed! I decided to add speed training to my program. So, on Thursday, I worked on speed intervals. Since it had been quite some time since I ran intervals, I didn’t do anything too crazy: 6 x 400 intervals with a 1-mile warm up and 1-mile cool down. I forgot how quickly I feel energized when I run intervals – it really is a great feeling. I will be including speed intervals in my program once a week (preferably Thursdays) for the next several weeks before my taper period begins.

When I was planning my Saturday long run this week, I really struggled with the thought of running for 3+ hours outside in the high humidity and the hills in my area. And, yesterday I didn’t feel all that well – I thought that I might be coming down with some type of “bug”. So, this morning I resorted to running my long run (18.25 miles) - on the treadmill -- at the fitness center! I know most people think I have to be crazy to run such a distance on a treadmill but it worked out quite well for me. My iPod was my friend and I was able to catch up on the news watching the television. So, this was my longest distance for a long run so far with this year’s training program and I didn’t feel as ‘zombi-esque’ after I finished!

Now that I am finished with the running portion of my training program this week, I get to focus on my final REST day – Sunday. And, I have already scheduled my massage so my back and legs will be much happier this time tomorrow!

Next week will be Week 10 and I will be capping that week off by running the Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia Half-Marathon on Sunday, September 16.

Happy Training Folks!
John

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Week 8 Finished - Half Way There!

I finished my 8th week of marathon training today with a 16-mile long run (and I’ve been recovering for the remainder of the day!) Today’s conditions were less than ideal (80 degree temps) and the course I chose was hillier than what I should have attempted. The elevation gain was 2,254 feet – that is compared to the 104 feet elevation gain on my 15-mile long run last weekend! Today’s run was quite a challenge and I ended up walking at least 2 miles during the course of my 3-hour expedition. Also, I lost 5 pounds as a result of water loss during the run as a result of the heat. I have been monitoring me weight throughout the day and I’ve already added 3.5 pounds back as a result of my hydration.

Finishing Week 8 means that I am half way there – that is very hard to believe to think that in just 8 more weeks I will be making my final preparations to run the Marine Corps Marathon. I need to remain focused and continue to remind myself that I CAN DO THIS!

Safe Training Fellow Runners!
John

The Hills and Temperature Factors

Today I planned an 18 mile long run. What I ended up with was a rough go of it and struggled to complete 16 miles - walking at least 2 miles of the total distance.

I thought for sure I was ready for an 18 miler. Last week's long run was 15 miles and I managed that distance fairly well.

So, what happened?

First of all, the course I chose this week was a hilly one compared to last week's relatively flat course.

Second, temperatures today are warmer than last week. It was 80 degrees when I hit 8 mile today. My body does NOT like running in the heat!

Feeling wiped out right now so I don't expect to be moving mountains later today. I think R&R for the rest of the day is in order!

Happy Labor Day Weekend!
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