Sunrise

Out for another Castle Island 10k this morning. When I time it right, the 3rd mile looks strait out over the harbor at the sunrise. Very cool. Felt great today. Plenty of rest and carbs over the past few days. Looking to slowly start increasing the weekly mileage.

Post Turkey Trot Update

While I've been delinquent on the posts, I've been good about running 3x a week for the past month. The Trot with AG was the best I've felt since I started running again 15 months ago. As AG pointed out in his post, the times are a bit of a SWAG. I, too, passed the finish line 20-25 seconds faster than the official time. The start was also a challenge...dodging other runners, figuring out where the starting line was and navigating the side of the road. Based on previous races and runs, I'm relatively confident in my foot pod giving the correct distance.

1.0 8:20
2.0 7:54 16:14
3.0 7:42 23:56
3.1 0:49 24:45

The times correlate with AG's estimates. While my time was the same as last month's 5k, Avg HR and max HR were both lower. More importantly, I just felt better. Looking forward to a couple more 5Ks (New Years Day? and Super Sunday) before moving up to 10K races and tri's in the spring. Goal is sub 24 for Super Sunday run.

Good to see everyone getting back at it!

Turkey trots

I had to miss the official Hingham Turkey Trot this year because the littlest VTR came down with a 12 hour bug on Wednesday. Not wanting to miss out entirely, I ran a 3.5 mile route by my house and visualized the Hingham course. I ended up taking two minutes off the back leg portion of the out and back, so I guess the visualization worked. It was a good run.

Over the weekend, I got out for a four miler and felt strong. It was fun, and good to be running a different but familiar route down in MA. That run also set up a great night out with Agricola and other HC-alums in the North End. Awesome food, wine and conversation. Good to see you AG.

Later boys.

Turkey Trot

Thanksgiving Morning, Mrs. FA and I ran to the entrance of her folks' subdivision and then back to the house. It's about three miles. I went out in shorts and a technical shirt with a long sleeve cotton race shirt over it, which I peeled off with about a mile to go. I have not yet donned a hat this Fall. Today (Saturday) was warm and beautiful, too, for almost-December. We spent part of the afternoon erecting a temporary barrier that (hopefully) will deter the plow-man from tearing up our garden, if we get any snow this year. So there was some light yard-work-out. I hit three runs this past week, and will think through my schedule for the coming week soon enough. Enjoy the rest of the long weekend, fellas.

Hingham Turkey Trot 2009

BR and I ran in Hngham yesterday. It was moderately warm, but damp and gray. We started in abot the middle of the pack and headed out together on the run. The first mile was a slow 8:58 -- tack on the lag at the start. I ran the middle mile in 7:33 crossing mile 2 at 16:30. I finished the last 1.1 miles in a declining time of about 8:28 it seems. Now the official time on the site says 25:19.22 but I looked up as I crossed the line and the clock said something like 24:53 - 58, not entirely sure.

BR's watch said something like 24:30 elapsed time. There were no chips and no mats for this race so it's all gun time or self timed. They even use the old capture the tag from the bottom of your number and sort it that way. I'm not sure of the accuracy of that method, though it can be accurate, my run felt faster than 25:19.22 though that may just mean that I'm in worse shape than I thought. I think it was somewhere low 24s high 23s, to be honest. Anyway, whatever. It was fun. BR is doing great and much improved this year since we raced together in February. Way to go. Sorry you guys missed the race, VTR. Next year.

Hope you guys all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. This is a good driver to get better and more consistent. See you around.

Uneventful 35 Minutes

I got out tonight for an uneventful 35 minutes in Central Park. Not too many runners out there, or cyclists. Many people may have already started their holiday weekends, I suppose. I am trying to lengthen my stride and I'm not keen on more band pain, so I threw in a few recovery walks along the way. Everything felt good. It's still warm enough to be comfortable in shorts, which is great. We're spending Thanksgiving with Mrs. FA's folks, so we'll get in a private Turkey Trot on the three mile out-and-back that we run when we're there. And I'll blog about it. 'til then, peace, fellas.

Kind of Running

So, I threw down the gauntlet and it worked! Nice job guys way to get out and go. I then got buried under work and fell off the wagon. I had a great week three weeks ago 4 runs capped by a beaut on Cape Cod in which I felt strong fast and very alive. then I ran once the next two weeks. I'm seeking consistency and balance, something hard to do these days.

I've gotten in 2 runs this week with the Hingham Turkey Trot this Thursday. Looking forward to running the BR, VTR and Mrs. VTR. It will be fun. See you soon.

Tough Race

Mrs. FA and I ran a NYRR 4-miler this morning. It was a brisk 46 degrees when we headed out for the 8:30 start. I had a tough time on this one. I'm fairly certain that the right IT band pain I experienced in the last two miles of the ADK 1/2 is a lingering injury. It really started giving me trouble today, between miles two and 2 1/2. (If anyone on the blog can advise me on this, I'm keen for some feedback. I am going to treat it like an injury and do some research on recovering properly.) So I walked a fair bit. After running the first mile in a blistering (for me) nine minutes, I finished the race in about 41 minutes. It was invigorating to run on a beautiful morning in Central Park with 6,000+ other New Yorkers, and a great way to start a big holiday week.

So I can check "one race before year-end" off the Agricola challenge, and aim to get out again for light runs -- I'll see what the research turns up -- on Tuesday and Thanksgiving morning.

Peace, fellas.

Double post

Hi all,

Sunday - Spent 1/2 hour on the ergometer. It is a great workout, but I have to admit getting back into rowing is a difficult thing. I felt a little sore, but I know I am in better shaped than I was 2 years ago.

Wednesday - Went swimming for about 30 minutes at 5:30 at the local Y. Now, I am not a very good swimmer, but I am learning and I love how it is so low impact with my body instead of running. I think I will be going at least once or maybe twice a week. 5:30 is a little early, yet it will be fun to try a new sport.

P90 is still in the mix, but I have not done a lift in 2 weeks. Have to get back on that because lifting makes me feel very good and fit.

Ciao!

Proximity Peer Pressure

Today is a beautiful day, and my schedule is not packed. On paper, it's a perfect day for running, but I didn't want to go.

Rather than feel lame about not running, I convinced myself that I simply didn't have time and headed out to grab some lunch... just as a colleague ran by me. Damn.

She didn't even see me, but still managed to guilt me into running. I changed course, grabbed my stuff, and got in a good 30 minute run.

So, consider this your peer pressure moment and get out there today.

Later boys.

Hockey night

Last night was hockey night. An hour and a half on the ice -- great workout. I scored a goal on a breakaway, which was a lot of fun. Of course, I also put two in my own net, so I was -1 on the night. Oh well, it was still a good time and workout.

People

What a perfect way to start the day.

I ran into a friend at a local ski and skate sale yesterday, and he expressed an interest in going for a run. He pulled in a couple of other guys, and today at 7:00AM, six of us hit the road for what was supposed to be an easy five miler. Eight hilly miles later (at a too fast, sub-9:00 pace) we finished up. It was a big jump from my previous series of three milers, but it felt great. Running with people was all the difference. It is a good day to be a runner.

Go Pats!

Morning run

Got in a quick 3 miler this morning. Great way to start the day and end the week.

San Fran Run

I got out for a solid 4 miler in downtown San Francisco on Tuesday evening. I ran down Post Street to Mission, down Mission to the Embarcadero, along the water to 2nd, then up 2nd to Post, and back up the hill to my hotel. It was about 65 degrees and clear. A nice evening run.

I flew to Seattle on Wednesday but wasn't there long enough to squeeze in a run. Next time.

Ms. FA and I freed up the Sunday before Thankgiving to run a NYRR 4-miler in Central Park, so I'll make A's goal of a race before Christmas.

Waiting for the NYC 1/2 Marathon application to post online, December 1. The race is Mar 21. There's a new pullout couch in the FAs' living room, if anyone wants to come down and run it.

Coincidence?

I literally hit "Publish Post" on that last posting, went to my Hotmail account, and this was waiting for me.

Everyone’s Got A Little Marathon In Them – Unleash Yours!

"The 2010 KeyBank Vermont City Marathon Registration is now open. Those wishing to register may do so by visiting the RunVermont website (www.RunVermont.org) where you will find a link to our on-line registration provider, Marathonguide.com.

Please note that we are accepting registrations for those wishing to run the FULL marathon only. Relay team registration for both 2 person teams and 3-5 person teams, will once again be conducted by lottery, commencing on January 1st, 2010 through January 31st.

For those runners who register for the marathon before December 15th, you will receive a complimentary tech training hat (with reflective trim to make you more visible on those dark winter training runs), a sharp addition to your running wardrobe.

As a reminder, the KeyBank Vermont City Marathon was identified as one of the “Top Ten Places For Runners To Hit The Road” in 2009 by Bart Yasso, editor of Runner’s World magazine. If you have running friends who have not yet experienced this race, tell them to hurry and reserve a spot at the start line, they won’t regret it.

Looking forward to seeing you next May,
RunVermont"

Hmm.

Ok fine. I'm in.

Hey boys. Good to see the blog getting active again. I, too have been in a lull, and I'm ready to break out of it.

I got in a good 3 miler on Sunday with a friend. It was an out and back that was tough for the out and surprisingly fast for the back. The guy got me talking coffee, and I guess caffeine memory took over. We cut a minute and a half off our out time.

Last night was hockey. Week three of our regular Monday night session, and it's the first time I've felt even slightly good out there. Sure, there were still plenty of painful reminders that I'm out of shape, but there was progress. I'm looking for the same in running, and might even get in some weights over the "off-season." But I'm getting ahead of myself.

I printed the Turkey Trot app, and Mrs. VTR and I are both in this year. It's a fun, straightforward run. Glad to have another LDT bud on the course.

Accepting the challenge

'Sup, gents. October was a big, nasty hang of a month. Nothing special or unusual went on, I just fell into a rut accompanyied by a foul mood and very little runnning. Trying to climb out now. A's challenge should help.

I can't get a race in before Christmas, per A's challenge. But the New York City 1/2 Marathon has been moved to March 21 from its ususal August date. Applications will be posted at www.nyrr.org on December 1, and I'm aiming to run it.

The kids spent last night at my folks' place so Mrs. FA and I could get in a date night. We added a run this morning, running together for about 3.5 miles, including the Reservoir Loop. It's a beautiful day here, around 68 degrees and clear. The Park is packed with runners and cyclists and people with dogs. Fantastic.

I'll be in San Fran and Seattle this week, hoping to post on runs from there.

Peace, fellas.

Running again

After a brief hiatus of running, I am back out on the trail. Up in Greenfield, NH, hit the side roads and a trail or two for a 31 minute run. Felt decent and I never felt too tired. My achilles have been bothering me, but I think that they were just aching to be used. I think I am still signing up for the 1/2 Timberman and I am pretty excited.

Keep on running.

Thanks, Agricola for pushing us all.

Going

Got out again today for a decent run. Ran parts of various roots. I have no idea how far or how long, but it was definitely in the 3.1-3.5 range. It felt good to get out and I beat the rain.
So that's my three runs and 2 blog contributions for the week. Where are you all?

Epic Bluebird

This morning was so quintessentially fall gorgeous that I had to go out and run. I wasn't planning on it this AM but hopped on the epic bluebird day and went out for 4+. I was bit tired from last evening's run -- i'm rebuilding the base -- but it was a decent run, and I felt OK. The day was so gorgeous that it couldn't help but be a good run. As I finished, and started my walk off a hawk flew right down the middle of the street, and there was another doing cicrcles in the distance in one of the most crystalline sapphire colored skies I've ever seen. Some days, it's wonderful to be a runner.

Let's Get It Going

OK. My goal at the end of this year is to regain some balance in my life. Part of that effort means running more and taking more time to run. It also means blogging more. I want to throw down a challenge to all of us still (nominally) involved in this blogging venture.

1. Let's all commit to run at least three times/week until the end of the year
2. Let's all commit to at least two contributions/week to the blog -- be it a post or a comment
3. Let's all commit to run at least one more race before the end of the year

This blog is most successful when we're participating on it. There are too many post with 0 comments, and too few posts. I'm totally at fault here too, I've been inconsistent as a runner and a contributor. Let's finish 2009 on a strong note.

The week after Columbus day was a great running week -- I got in 4 runs. The week after that was a disaster with tons of work. Last week was a disaster of sloth. I went this past Saturday for 3.3 and again on Monday (yesterday). I felt pretty good Saturday, and quite strong and fast yesterday. I've been having some respiratory issues this fall with allergies etc. but feel like I'm starting to overcome them. I'm looking forward to getting back out. I want and need to run, and i've been letting my business venture take over vast tracks of my life. As I've said often, I'm a better husband father and worker when I'm running.

Here are some things percolating in Race World:

Hingham Turkey Day Trot. I'm in and so are VTR and BR (http://www.marathonsports.com/races/turkeytrot/) 11/26/09, need to sign up soon.
Jolly Jaunt (http://www.jollyjauntboston.org 12/5/09)
Registration is open for Vermont City Marathon as of 11/1/09. I'm going to sign up and use last year's deferral.

Still at it

Managed to get 10 runs / 37.3 miles /8:42 pace in for October. Ran the local 5k race a week ago and had much better results than the previous year. Went out 20 seconds slower than the prior year and ended up over 2:30 faster. Official time was 25:02. Took about 15 seconds to get across the start line so I consider my personal lofty goal of under 25 achieved at 24:47. Not sure if the 190+ HR at the end was pushing it too hard, but I didn't croak. Plan is to start running longer routes and up the weekly total...gradually so I don't repeat last years injures. Managed 10k on Friday and 4.5 miles today without any issues. Looking forward to the Turkey Day Trot!