Wednesday, November 29, 2006

9 seconds

I'm still battling this cold but starting to feel a little better.

Good news today I got the official time for my half marathon and it seems I gained 9 seconds to slip me into 1:28:51. I'll take that! As you know the difference between this and 1:29:00 is huge to a runner like myself.

Now what to do with my extra nine seconds? And don't say it! I'm all too virile for that.

Monday, November 27, 2006

Sore throat

Did my long run in the drizzle yesterday and now I have a sore throat and I feel like my body is in the process of fighting off some lurgy or another.

Even though I've lived here for a good 10 years I have little immunity to the colds and viruses that go around they seem to knock me around some, that is, more so than the locals.

Also every time I get something here it seems to come along with a sore throat. I don't think that was always the case in Australia.

Anyway, I'm pretty fit at the moment so I hope I can fight this one off.

Saturday, November 25, 2006

Built for speed


Imagine, if Gandi hadn't been busy uniting a nation he could have run a pretty good marathon. I don't reckon his resting heart rate would have been more than 30bpm. Any other historical figures you think could of been good distance runners?

Friday, November 24, 2006

Wake up

Couldn't wake up early enough for my run this morning and got home late and feeling tired so I'll try get it in tomorrow morning. Usually Saturday is a non running day for me as I rest a little before my long run on Sunday.

What do you reckon about slipping in a short speedwork session on Saturday morning, the one I should have done on Friday. Do you think it will drain me too much before my 2 hours 40mins long run on Sunday?

I think if I can leave my long run until late afternoon Sunday and do the speed session early Saturday then I'll have enough time to recover between sessions.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Puffy

Tesso came up with an idea to post a song a week and I agree it is a good idea. Do you know Ami and Yumi AKA Puffy from Japan? Not to everyones taste but I like them a lot. Listening to them pre race will help you PB. This and a couple of months of long runs and speedwork!



Monday, November 20, 2006

BPM


While on the subject of heart rate I was wondering what are your thoughts on this. My resting heart rate is 41bpm down from about 56bpm a couple of years ago just after starting running. What are your resting heart rates? And do you think that a lower one will translate into faster times? Or is it of no real consequence? What kind of resting heart rate would "Deek" have say compared to "Mona"? The guy above has an average resting heart rate of 32bpm, a normal person 70bpm.

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Heart rate monitor



The blogger Stephen Lacey asked whether or not we reckon he should take his heart rate monitor along with him on his coming marathon attempt. Well, like he alluded to on his blog it does have the potential to mess with your mind. I reckon no, don't do it! But all the best anyway Stephen.

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Mid week crisis

No problems just thought that was a cool title for a blog post. Did and hour twenty last night and after running the first 3 K in about 5:30 per K I ran the next 12K in an average of 4:30 per K. I intended to run this session slow but just got the urge to go faster. Still feeling good from Sunday's race and the body is handling it well. Start the serious build up for Tokyo marathon the day after tomorrow. My last billards and beer night tonight for the month at least.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Getting better, together.

I want to share an email a mate of mine sent me.I'm sure he wouldn't mind. Malcolm and I have been running for about three years and friends for about one. In fact, we met in a job interview he was the employer and since finding out that eachother runs we have kept contact and have had a couple of runs together. He lives in Tokyo, me in Osaka. I enjoyed reading this as it shows an aspect of our sport that differs from other sports. Like surfing for example,I used to be pretty involved with it and we really don't encourage the beginner, in fact they aren't treated all that well.

"Today I ran 4 loops of the Imperial Palace with a couple of school administration staff from Lado.
They're new to running and wanted to run 20km today. They asked me to come along because it was their first time to run 20km and wanted some coaching and advice. And also a bit of encouragement to get them round the 4 loops. They've tried to run that distance before, but have given up half way in the past.

I set the pace slow and pretty much jogged the whole way. One of them almost dropped out after the 2nd loop and the other almost dropped out after the 3rd loop, but by combining jogging with walking I got them both round 4 loops and completed the 20km. Tears were had by all.

It took 2 hours 40 minutes !!

I personally didn't get much of a good run out of it, but it was good to be reminded about how hard it was when I also first started running.
It also made me realize how much I've achieved over the past 3 years or so. It was a good day for reflection.
They were really grateful for my help too, although I think I was the more moved at the end as I knew exactly what they were going through and how hard it was for them.
We runners keep chipping away to new heights and often forget what it was like in the early stages.

You've now chipped away a little more to set an new PB and the two girls today achieved something new which they will have for life and probably never forget.

This is a great sport. We can all be winners together!!"

Sunday, November 12, 2006

PB

Well, did 1:29:00 exactly to get a half marathon PB. That is 1min36 seconds faster than my last PB. Didn't think I was going to do it at the 12K mark but just concentrated on keeping form and thinking I was going to do it today. I didn't feel I was running so well and the wind was howling about 14 degrees and it was raining pretty hard on and off so I'm happy with that time.

Thanks to all that gave words of advice pre race. They really helped! Cheers! Going to take a bath and eat a big dinner and drink a few beers and start thinking about the next race.

Friday, November 10, 2006

Getting to the line

It's been a hectic week with work and I feel like I could use a good 12 hour sleep. I have a half marathon this Sunday and although I want to run well I'm trying not to think about it too much.

I don't know if it's also your experience but the week prior to any race for me is the worst. I battle with real and imagined illnesses and generally come to the line in less than 100% condition. Can't tell you how many times I've manifested aches or pains or come down with colds the week prior to a race I'm really looking forward to.

I'm also checking the internet weather everyday looking for a dry and cool day. It has been forcasted to be Sunny all week and today three days before the half they changed the forcast to possible rain. I just have to shake my head and roll my eyes.

Anyway, I guess that is the game and we have to do our best. Still, there is just enough strange stuff happening too often before races, to get me thinking I might be sabotaging my efforts by getting sick and even changing the weather. Am I so powerful? Am I so vain and stupid? Or are there a variety of things at play here?

Monday, November 06, 2006

NYC Marathon

I was reading this morning about Lance Armstrong's showing in the New York City Marathon.
On his first attempt Lance managed 2:59:0o and he said that this attempt made his efforts in winning the Tour de France pedestrian.

Kind of makes me feel good that someone of his caliber has such respect for the distance. I don't think it will be his last attempt. After Sheryl Crow the only other thing that can give meaning to his life is the marathon, I reckon!

Saturday, November 04, 2006

Don't cut run short!

Another running joke.

One man's hobby was running, he spent all his weekends on the park trails, paying no attention to weather. One Sunday, early in the morning, he went to the park as usual. It was still dark, cold and raining, so he decided to return back to his house. He came in, went to his bedroom, undressed and laid near his wife. "What terrible weather today honey," he said to her. "Yes" she replied "but my idiot husband still went running!"

Friday, November 03, 2006

Step 4

In the book "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill, that I mentioned last month, it specifies 4 simple steps which will lead to the habit of persistence. And it states that "Men of persistence have the capacity to master difficulties."

The first one I wrote on last month was "A definite purpose backed by buring desire for its fulfillment." The 4th step is also something those runners who blog will understand. It's, "A friendly alliance with one or more persons who will encourage one to follow through with both plan and purpose."

I started this blog in order to encourage and get encouragement and I appreciate that it is an important factor in achieving success in our sport and life. Thank you to everyone that continues to read and write theirs and eachothers' running blogs.

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Joke

I bet this happened in Australia.

Michael Johnson, the Olympic gold medal runner, was on his way to a club with some friends. At the door, the bouncer turned to him and said: "Sorry, mate, you can't come in here - no denim". Michael was quite annoyed at this and retorted: "Don't you know who I am? I'm Michael Johnson". "Then it won't take you long to run home and change, will it?" replied the bouncer.