Getting Perspective!

Dec 272010
 

Our run in San Luis Obispo took us by a lot of childhood memories and historic landmarks. One relatively forgoten story about San Luis Obispo that I never really got to experience was the tragic football team memorial for the 1960 football team. On my last visit I drove by an odd area with a large bronze bucking mustang and several pillars surrounding it.  

Since my last visit I did some research and found out, the odd looking structure was a memorial for members of the Cal Poly Football team that was killed in a plane crash in the 1960. A very interesting story that seems to be untold.

We ran through the campus on the rainy night and wievered our way through the new science building asking for directions to the football stadium. As we ran through puddles, ducked under trees and squeezed our way between a building and a chain link fence, all by moon light in the midst of the biggest rain storm of the year the memorial appear in front of us. Only 50 yards away the beaming lights, each signifying a Cal Poly Student, Coach or Staffer, who past away in that tragic event.

The atmosphere was very surreal for us. In the middle of the night we were the only people insite and were able to read each of the memorials on each podium, describing each player/coach. In a moment like that, you can’t help but think, what could those men been able to accomplish if they were given the chance, or what if something , out of control, affected your life negatively in some way.

As it relates to our goal, running a marathon seems small but it is part of life style that we all need to cherish: having dreams,  setting goals and accomplishing those dreams.

Running by the San Luis Fremont Theater

Dec 202010
 

This weekend was an up and down weekend. From a marathon point of view it was a great weekend. My brother and I were planning on running in San Luis Obispo but the different activities and what weather.com says was .43 inches of rain kept pushing out training later and later on Saturday. So around 6:00 pm we decided a night run, rain or shine dark, would have to do. We picked several locations that we wanted to see and started our run slightly after 10:00pm.

It was still raining what felt like a few feet of rain. We started our route along the path we both used to walk when we stayed at our grandmothers every summer. Down Monterey Street past what used to be the best hamburger place in San Luis Obispo, past auto dealership row and then up to the Fremont theater.

My mom used to go in the Fremont theater when she grew up in San Luis Obispo. The theater is just like you would see in the movies, a classic small town mid sixties theater. The Fremont theater has the classic velvet seats, elaborately painted walls and hand crafted ceiling.  Now the theater is operated by The Movie Experience, who also operate the more moder theater across town.

If you get a chance to drive through San Luis be sure to drive through downtown, Marsh, Higuera & Monterey Streets. Check out the cool down and if the marquee shows a good movie, stop in, you will certainly enjoy the theater even if the movie isn’t very good.

Running in a New City

Dec 172010
 

RockyAs my brother posted we are headed to San Luis Obispo for a few days and are trying to find a way to stick with/start our training programs. I too really enjoy San Luis and I think every runner (yes I am calling myself that now) enjoys a change in scenary every once in a while. 

Wish us luck and hopefully we are gonna come back with some good stories.

Attempt Number 1 at the 4 minute mile

Dec 132010
 

RockyStarting this experience we were two relatively inshape, I was probably less so, brothers who had a goal and wanted to document our journey. This journey was going to include several steps, mostly toward our goal.

I felt yesterday was my a nice big step in this journey. I had my first atempt at one of my goals, a 4 minute mile. So how fast can a relatively inshape ex runner run a mile…… 6 minutes and 48 seconds!!! only 1 minute and 49 seconds from goal.  That is a total of 408 seconds. Theoretically, I ran each lap in 102 seconds (1 minute and 42 seconds). However, I can certainly tell you that I did not run each lap at 102 seconds my splits were probably closer to 68-110-132-98. My first lap looked great!

Lacey came to witness the first attempt and be the official timer. After jumping the fence and one warmup lap we decided to give it shot. but not before our predictions. Lacey choose 7 minutes and I was looking at something closer to 7:30. Lacey apparently has much more faith in me than I do.

So after reading my brothers posts and having my terrible pacing mile I decided it would be good to understand what splits I would need to run a 4 minute mile. So 4:59 seconds is 299 seconds so four laps that is just under 75 seconds per lap. So next time I will try to control my nevers and take it out a little slower and see if I can get a little closer to my goal.

I am also gonna think of what way I want to look at what improvement I will need to have, here are my options:

  1. I need to get 1 minute and 49 seconds faster
  2. I need to fet 50 % faster
  3. I need to get 27 seconds faster per lap
  4. I need to get one lap faster (that doesn’t make to much since but I think it would work)

What sounds easier? I am going with the per lap improvement for now.

Lazy Anticipation

Dec 112010
 

RockyNow that we clearly have our goals I find myself thinking about the finish line instead of actually doing something about it. Today was one of those days. How am I gonna run in my marathon? What pace I am I going to go? Will I raise my arms in celebration at the finish line or break out in ot a dead sprint to show I still have more in the tank? Needless to say all this thinking takes time, which is not spent actually training.

I do have something that I am excited about, my 4 minute mile attempt tomorrow. Heres my diliema, I have the determination to finish anything I put my mind to and that suits me well for the marathon or mountain climbing but running fast isn’t something that I can take my time with, I NEED TO RUN FAST!!!

If tomorrow is slow I will have have to work on some speed excercises.

Establishing my baseline

Dec 082010
 

RockyI felt like I needed a rest day, so today was spent thinking about running. When we started this project we came up with many goals and thought we would check them off as we accomplished them (we will find a way to post those soon). The ultimate goals were to run a marathon and an Ironman for my brother. That is several months off, so we came up with some goals that are inbetween our current limitations and the ultimate goal.

I recently finished an half marathon, with minimal training and my body made sure to tell me that was the absolute limit for distance running right now. BTW, the Silver Strand Half Marathon is great event and great for first timers, no hills and great views.

So now I want to find out where I am on another goal, the 4 minute mile. I had to describe this goal when I brought it up because my brother and sister, they thought I wanted to run a mile in 4 minutes and 0 seconds. I like to think of myself as a realist and I am not the next US olympic miler. However, I feel I can run a 4 minute 59 second mile.

So here we go, this weekend will be my first timed mile since junior year of high school when I ran a 5:08. On that day I also ran a 52.3 400M and 2:12 800m, for those of you that are familar with the order of events for high school track meets, that was a tough triple. That day resulted in one of the worst cases of butt lock I have ever experience. This weekend, I plan go to a local high school and give my best shot at the 4 minute mile. I may watch on of my favorate movies “4 minutes” to give me motivation. Hopefully, Roger Bannister will help me out on this one. Wish me luck!

Ripe for the Running

Dec 072010
 

RockyI am not sure how I feel about myself today. I had an interesting set of circumstances that lead me to think I am one of two people but I am not sure which one. So, here is the question to you, am I 1)a personsal hygine retard or 2) a determined runner.

These options seem pretty apart but let me describe the circumstances. Last night I was simply lazy and didn’t feel like taking a shower, cause I could wake up early and take one before work. After a restful 6 hours of sleep and some misuse of my alarm clocks snooze feature, I was startled from some sweet sleeping at 7:35 am. With an important meeting at 8:00 my plan for a morning shower had to be scrapped. Other activities, a lunch selection of jalapeno laced nachos and a small portable heater used to keep my feet warm at work, lead to a ripening that could not be ignored by 6 pm, Up to this point I am sure you are staying are I should be riding the short bus to personal hygiene school.

But… upon returning home I decided I would need a shower after my run so, why don’t I go for a run then instead of two showers I would only take one. After a high tempo 2.5 mile run I finally took a long overdue shower.

So I leave the vote to you, am I a stinky short bus rider or determined future marathoner?

Finding Motivation, Thanks Amish!

Dec 062010
 

RockyWell day one and I already find myself searching for energy to start my training. So I thought to myself, those Amish seem like motivated folks. How would the Amish research ways to get motivated to exercise? Like anyone else they would google it, right?

So after googleing away 30 mins of good potential working out time I realized the generetic, you will feel better or burn calories just won’t work for me. So I decided I would list some of the reasons that make me want to run that aren’t so generic:

  1. I want to support my brother
  2. I currently am in the midst of 50 lbs weight loss challenge (I am half way)
  3. I get to be alone with my thoughts (usually this means not having any thoughts)

What are some of the things that help to motivate you when you are trying to workout?

I guess for the purposes of reaching my goal of running a marathon it really doesn’t matter why or how I get motivated, it just matters that I do something………….30 mins of good hard rowing and I feel good and 500 calaries burned (go figure).

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