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Previous Next Up Topic Training / Marathons / Alpha Bits thread......September 13th
- By gostever Date 2010-09-13 1:34 PM
Hi gang,

We've been doing a lot of running lately here in Alpha Bit Land, as last weeks result showed our biggest week of the year...(except for the crazy week that Dane ran 2,000 miles or something.) Fill us in on your running for the past couple weeks.  What in your running do you rate as a "thumbs up" and what do you rate as a "thumbs down"?  Give us one of each.

I would like to start keeping a list of team upcoming races now that we are getting into the fall season.  I'll keep the list and include it in each of the team threads.  Hopefully, it will help keep track of what peeps are  training for.  Please include your races on your response, or PM me what's coming up for you.

On to the discussion...

RR - What running websites do you visit other than RT and Runango?  And with what frequency?  How frequently do you "cross-over" between RT and Runango forums?

NRR - What are you reading lately?  Do you have or are you considering a Kindle, Nook, etc.?    Do you listen to audiobooks?  What's your main source for new books or reading material? 

Bonus - Lady GaGa.  Yea or Nay?

Have a great week everybody!!!
Parent - By gostever Date 2010-09-13 2:15 PM
Running has gone very well for me these past couple of weeks.  Both of the last two weeks, I've run six days instead of the usual five, and the week before last I hit 60 miles for the week, which was a goal of mine this year, and a PR mileage week since I started running again in 2003.  I'm feeling very good and recovering nicely from day to day.  Mt achilles barks at me every now and then, but it's been doing that off and on all summer with no further problems, so I'm just ignoring it now.  This is the last taper week before my marathon on Saturday.  Running the Oktoberfest Marathon in Spring Lake, Michigan.  I sorta got talked into it by a buddy because it's close enough to sleep at home, it starts and finishes at a microbrewery and finishers get a beer mug. :mischief:  I'd like to run a sub-four again, and maybe with a good day I can get close to 3:50. 

Next race scheduled is October 17th, which is supposed to be Des Moines Marathon, but now I'm wavering on that.  Getting my new business started and the limited income that goes with that has caused me to think about something closer to home.  Maybe Grand Rapids.  It would be another race where I can sleep at home, plus my running buds and I throw a great tailgate party after the race. :evil:

So my thumbs up is for putting in some great mileage and feeling good.:cool:  My thumbs down is for having more limited running options than I'd like. :sad:

Questions...

RR - Running sites that I use are MarathonGuide.com for checking out future races and making plans.  Kalamazoo Area Runners website has all my club's training schedules and courses on it.  I use gmaps pedometer for charting courses for my Wednesday night group.  Occasionally check out Marathon Maniacs (I'm #210), RW Barefoot Forum, and McMillan training calculator.  I lurk occasionally on RT, but don't post too often.    

NRR - I'm always in the middle of a bunch of books, none of which qualify as great literature.  Currently reading a book about the Brooklyn Dodgers (Bums), A business book, (Differentiate or Die), and several wine books.  I'm intrigued by the Kindle, but probably wouldn't get one for quite a while, if ever.  I listen to a lot of audiobooks, and when I had the hour commute to work both ways, listened to a lot of books in the car.  All non fiction and mostly in the sales/business or history/biography genres.  I "read" Born to Run on audiobook, and have listened to it twice.  Mrs. gostever and I go to Barnes and Noble about once a month for a date night and we'll pick up books there.  We also love used book stores and that's probably my #1 source for books. 

Bonus - Yea.  I have several of her songs in my running mix on the ipod and think she has loads of talent.  All the goofy attention getting stuff she does i don't pay attention too, but think she a great marketer. 

Upcoming races:

9/18  gostever  Oktoberfest Marathon
Parent - By Slowstarter Date 2010-09-13 8:15 PM
Good luck on your marathon on Saturday. Congrats on your 60 mpw!:cool:

it starts and finishes at a microbrewery and finishers get a beer mug:cool:
Parent By gostever Date 2010-09-14 6:33 AM
Thanks, N.  When I was going through injury problems for a couple of years, I just resigned myself that 50 mpw would be my max, so 60 is a nice milestone for me.

Parent - By atephronesis Date 2010-09-14 12:46 AM

>and finishers get a beer mug


Prefilled?

Sounds like the training you have done puts you in the sub-4 neighborhood. Is the race plan to go out for 4 and pour it on if you got something left? Or go out for 3:50 and hang on if you don't? Can't wait for the report!
Jeff
Taipei, Taiwan
Parent - By gostever Date 2010-09-14 6:41 AM
Prefilled?   No. :cry: There is a lunch provided for participants, but the website doesn't mention anything about free beer.  But it IS the Oktoberfest Marathon and we ARE at a brewery, so I would think they would give "free samples". :evil:

Pacing - I know from my long runs I can hold 8:50 per mile pace for 20 miles, so that's probably what I'll shoot for.  Maybe count on the excitement of the race and the cool temperatures to start to push the pace at 18 miles or so.  If all goes well that should bring me in at 3:50ish.  Then again, might just go out too fast and then crash at mle 22.  Lord knows I've done that a bunch of times. :roll:
Parent By KevinR [us] Date 2010-09-14 10:20 AM
What kind of a microbrewery wouldn't include a sample :wtf:

Sounds like a fun race....have a good one!
Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Parent - By echoguy [us] Date 2010-09-14 6:39 PM
Good luck Saturday stever. Sounds like a really fun little marathon. Cincinnati is an old time German brewing town and it is a shame that we do not have a big Octoberfest race......hmmmmmmm.
The memory of what I could once do intrudes on the restraint I must show if I am going to progress.
Parent By gostever Date 2010-09-16 6:53 AM
It'll be the smallest marathon I've run.  If I'd run last year, I would've taken 3rd in my AG.  Ummm...because there were only two total in my AG!:shocker!: 

......hmmmmmmm.    Let me know when you and Bob Ronker get it set up.:laugh:
Parent - By easternshoregir [us] Date 2010-09-15 5:40 PM
I have a spot on my ankle that I'm treating the same way you are treating your Achilles! :happy: I am icing occasionally, but not much.
Oktoberfest Marathon sounds fun! If you decide on GR, we'll have to arrange an Alpha Encounter, right?
Parent By gostever Date 2010-09-16 6:57 AM
If you decide on GR, we'll have to arrange an Alpha Encounter, right?  Absolutely!  I'll know for sure in the next week or two.
Parent - By niteowl [us] Date 2010-09-13 11:53 PM
I'm still running every day. Whether it is just a mile to say that I ran, 3-4 miles 3x a week with the beginners group we started or a 50k that I was neither trained for nor had planned to run:shocker!:. Recovery runs yesterday and today were a nightmare. My legs felt great today but me arse is really feeling the sore muscles.

DH is coaching xc again this fall so we really can't plan on training for anything and actually getting there.  We really need to get him another state this year though.  I have ran 1 marathon and 1 ultra (both this yr) and they were both in KS. All the "fun" runs we like to do which range from 10 miles to 100k's(thats the hubby not me) always seem to be in KS.  All we seem to have around here are 5k's.  The Missouri marathon I wanted to do... they quit last year after it was done and moved it and changed it to a trail ultra. If they would do it this year I would run the Frankenstein marathon in Frankenstein, MO on Halloween and they had a Frankenstein head medal. Pissy that they quit last year:mutmad: and even pissier that I had that freaking knee surgery right before then and had to miss out. I could have waited another month...but who knew they would change it:mutmad::mutmad::mutmad:

I have a name on rw but rarely go there. I never posted there when I did go there. Runango is the only place I go.

I love audio books when I am in the tub or driving.

Gaga? I hate looking at her but love "hearing" what she has to say. She is her own person and has strong beliefs.
RUNNING SLOW isn't a character flaw; Quitting is.
Parent - By atephronesis Date 2010-09-14 12:53 AM
You ran an unplanned 50k? How does something like that happen?!? You are an ANIMAL! :laugh: I couldn't run a PLANNED 50k.
Jeff
Taipei, Taiwan
Parent - By niteowl [us] Date 2010-09-14 1:48 AM
I just posted my race report. It tells you how it came about
RUNNING SLOW isn't a character flaw; Quitting is.
Parent By atephronesis Date 2010-09-15 5:12 PM
I checked it out! And the picks were great too. Looks like an amazing day.
Jeff
Taipei, Taiwan
Parent By KevinR Date 2010-09-15 9:21 PM
50K---Wow!  I can't think of anything more emotional than taps and Amazing Grace on bagpipes; I can only imagine what it's like after running 50K.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Parent By gostever Date 2010-09-14 6:48 AM
and they had a Frankenstein head medal.  Oh man, I'd travel to Missouri to get a Frankenstein head medal. :cool:  St Louis marathon is pretty cool; I ran it in '04.

Congrats on the 50k.:cool::cool:  You've had a great year so far, especially considering you've had to battle back from knee surgery.  I really admire your tenacity.:hug:  I'll read your RR later this morning.
Parent By echoguy [us] Date 2010-09-14 6:52 PM
Wow. Congrats on the ultra. Nice setting to just see how far you want to go with the one mile loop. Way to stick it out for 31 loops.
The memory of what I could once do intrudes on the restraint I must show if I am going to progress.
Parent By easternshoregir [us] Date 2010-09-15 5:41 PM
I will have to look for your 50K report! Sounds like there's an interesting story there. :happy:
Parent - By atephronesis Date 2010-09-14 1:35 AM Edited 2010-09-14 1:49 AM
Hey all!

I am just over a month into my marathon training program, my Hansons/Hadd hybrid and so far so good. Definitely give myself a thumbs up for consistency. I am not simply "getting it in"; I'm trusting my recipe and really executing the plan. The added use of running by HR has turned out to be so good for me. That way, even the "just running" days have a "goal." Because I used the Hanson's plan last year and kept a good log, it is interesting to see some comparative statistics.

First, that old saying about how we tend to run the hard days too easy and the easy days too hard? I look back at my first month from last year and the lowest HRavg on any run was 154. This year, I am running 2 days a week at @145 a-la Hadd.

Second, for my running week last year, my HRavg was consistently at 160 during the first month. This year the weeks' HRavgs are all 155 and below. I ran a HRavg 152 week last week. But here's the sweet part: the weekly pace was lower by about 17sec/mile.

My HRmarathon (about 170ish) runs are all looking very promising so far.

Today was 12km at HRavg 159 and I was 15sec/mile faster than my marathon PR.

This is all very thumbs up for me.

Thumbs down is still the weather. Had one run start at 79* this week, but temps are all in the 80s and heat index always in the low 90s.

Sorry for sharing so much, but it helps me to sort things out :blush:

RR: I visit flotrack.org sometimes to watch interviews/videos. I read the RT magazine section, in addition to hanging on the forums. I visit the Hansons website sometimes too. It's silly, but I feel like I am part of their team. In my mind, Keith and Kevin are like my coaches too.

NRR: Just finished Tortilla Flat by Steinbeck. Just a riot! Could never get it published today. Now reading "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers. Can't understand how some people put her in the same class as Faulkner. "Hunter" was written when she was in her early 20s, and to me it reads that way, like a first novel. There are a few flashes, but very clumsy in some places....made me want to blush.

Bonus: Although I have seen pictures of Lady Gaga, i didn't know she was a singer until Steve made the music reference above. In my expatriate mind, she is just a blur with ParisLindseyGagaWinehouse, fair or not. So no Yea or Nay for me, more of a huh?
Jeff
Taipei, Taiwan
Parent - By gostever Date 2010-09-14 7:05 AM
It seems like more and more people I know are getting hooked on HR training.  It hasn't appealed  to me yet; I just don't have that deep of a technogeek streak in me.  But maybe someday when I'm old enough to take a run at a BQ. : pbbt:  I'll be real interested though, in how it works for you.  Keep us posted. 

Do you have a Hanson's Racing shirt?  I've seen them around here every now and then.  Might have to join one of their coaching programs to get one, though.  Keith Hanson at our clubs' annual banquet this year.
Parent By atephronesis Date 2010-09-14 7:19 PM
I don't have a Hansons shirt. That would be cool :cool:

I am not referring to you, but lots of folks have a bias against the HRM because it is not natural. "Listen to your body, " they say. But is there any more effective way to listen to your body than a HRM? It's a direct line to the heart. But I do know this: regardless of my execution on goal race day, my pace at marathon effort is at least 20 seconds per mile faster than last year's PR at the start of this year's marathon training. The HRM enabled me to do the Hadd program. The Hadd program is responsible for that gain. And the consistency of HR data lets me make these types of comparisons with confidence.

Now the HRM keeps me in control on easy days so I can push on the hard days.

OK OK, someone yank this soapbox out from under me.
Jeff
Taipei, Taiwan
Parent - By KevinR [us] Date 2010-09-14 11:25 AM
I hear you about the weather....I had one run this week under 80 and that was 78*F during TS Hermine with over an inch of rain during the run.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Parent By atephronesis Date 2010-09-14 7:21 PM
You know its bad when that is the "good" weather day!
Jeff
Taipei, Taiwan
Parent - By echoguy [us] Date 2010-09-14 6:56 PM
Sounds like you have a great training plan for your race. Those recovery days will serve you well. Go get em!
The memory of what I could once do intrudes on the restraint I must show if I am going to progress.
Parent By atephronesis Date 2010-09-14 7:22 PM
I appreciate the vote of confidence :grin: Lots of work yet to be done between here and there.
Jeff
Taipei, Taiwan
Parent By easternshoregir [us] Date 2010-09-15 5:42 PM
You know what-all those #s don't much to me, but what I do understand is that you are getting faster with less effort-that is awesome!
Do you have any hope for cooler temps anytime soon?
Parent By gostever Date 2010-09-14 7:11 AM
Alpha Bits Upcoming Races:

9/18     gostever      Oktoberfest Marathon
10/3     atephronesis  Mao Kung Half Marathon
11/6     atephronesis  Taroko Gorge Marathon
12/19    atephronesis  Taipei Marathon
Parent - By T. Never Knows [us] Date 2010-09-14 8:28 AM
Training has been going well. I've had some good weekends of long runs.

Thumbs up: Reach the Beach this weekend :-)
Thumbs down: Spending 8 miles looking for a port-o-pottie a couple Friday mornings ago (I found one in time).

Races: Reach the Beach, 9/17-18
Rhode Island 6-Hour Ultra, 11/14
maybe something on Thanksgiving Day but that would be a purely social thing

RR: I don't go to Running Times. Other running web sites I visit: coolrunning, http://www.ultrarunning.com/calendar.html , http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/ , http://www.usatf.org/routes/search/
NRR: Batwoman Elegy, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy, and a few other things. I enjoy audio books, especially during long runs. My wife and I listened to The Girl ... trilogy while driving during our vacation and enjoyed it a lot. My main source for new stuff is usually recommendations from friends, either online or in person.

Bonus: I'm not a fan but I don't dislike her, either. I don't know a lot about her but in her way, she strikes me a bit as Madonna 2.0, albeit with less emphasis on sex.
Next up: Turning off my mind, relaxing, and floating downstream.
Parent By echoguy [us] Date 2010-09-14 6:59 PM
Have fun at RTB. It sounds like a great time. Looking forward to the report.
The memory of what I could once do intrudes on the restraint I must show if I am going to progress.
Parent - By easternshoregir [us] Date 2010-09-15 5:44 PM
I put The Girl...trilogy on my birthday/Christmas wish lists. :happy:
I like that you called Lady Gaga "Madonna 2.0." :grin:
Parent By gostever Date 2010-09-16 7:01 AM
Madonna 2.0.  Ditto.
Parent - By gostever Date 2010-09-16 7:07 AM
Have fun at RTB.  Seems like all the cool peeps on the daily are running it.

Mrs gostever and I listened to an audiobook together for the first time on a long trip this spring.  The hard part was agreeing on the book.  We settled on "Three Cups of Tea"
Parent By atephronesis Date 2010-09-16 9:39 AM
Three Cups of Tea for a car trip? Sounds like it would have you stopping for pee breaks at every rest area :laugh:
Jeff
Taipei, Taiwan
Parent - By danerunsalot Date 2010-09-14 10:51 AM
Kudos to the team for putting up great mileage.  i know I am not where I wished to be so I do apologize for that.  That said, my runnign the past few weeks has felt the best it has prior to my 202 miler in April.  two consecutive yearly bests in the half have buoyed my spirits, even though it is no where close to my actual half PR.

09.19   Maui Marathon  
09.26   Quad Cities Marathon  
10.10   Chicago Marathon   Potential
10.16   Kansas City Marathon   R
10.17   Rock n Roll Denver Half- Marathon   Potential
10.31   Marine Corps Marathon  
11.21   Route 66 Marathon   Potential
12.04   Baton Rouge Beach Marathon  
12.12   Tucson Marathon   Potential

RR- i visit running sites constantly.  Not too many other forums though as one always feels like an outsider looking in.  I try to immerse myself in as much running "things" as possible.
NRR- I am always reading. most recently, The Complete Sherlock Holmes Volume 1, The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll, and The Jordan Rules.  i have considered a Kindle but haven't gone the way of buying one yet.  Audiobooks are a tad expensive for my tastes.

Bonus - it is obviously all a show, as she was actually on an MTV show prior to becoming who she is where she was jus ta stranger in the crowd.  Looked normal, acted normal.  If she gets attention for doing what she does, fine.  Can't stand her music though.
There will come a day when you cannot do this. Today is not that day.
Parent - By echoguy [us] Date 2010-09-14 7:00 PM
Looks like a fun fall full of races. Enjoy!!!
The memory of what I could once do intrudes on the restraint I must show if I am going to progress.
Parent By danerunsalot Date 2010-09-14 11:05 PM
Thank you very much.  I am looking forward to trying to get some more out of these legs before they turn into triathlon legs next year!
There will come a day when you cannot do this. Today is not that day.
Parent - By atephronesis Date 2010-09-14 7:27 PM
Hey dane. It's good to see you and glad to know that u are feeling better. Quite an ambitious sched going forward. What makes a "potential" race a "go"? How you feel after the previous race?
Jeff
Taipei, Taiwan
Parent - By danerunsalot Date 2010-09-14 11:07 PM
Potential races are usually business decisions wrapped around a race - whether I will be going to that race to speak, sign books etc.  I have to weight options form various races but when I list one as a potential it is because I am leaning toward doing it. 

I am a little tired afte rmy half in Chicago and, believe it or not nervous (or anxious - not sure which) about my marathon in Maui.  It will be my first in over 3 months which is one of my longest layoffs ever!
There will come a day when you cannot do this. Today is not that day.
Parent - By atephronesis Date 2010-09-15 7:13 PM
Dane, are you still writing too? Another book in the works? I just met with my publisher and have an ambitious schedule over the next 9 months to get out two titles. I find that when I am writing I need to devote most of my mental energy to THAT and have little mental space left for thinking a lot about my running etc. It's probably easier for you since you are writing ABOUT running.

If you do have a little time, I'd be interested in hearing about how making running your "living" is working out. A dream come true? Exceeding expectations? Has it become just like any other job? Anyway, if you have time. Hang in there!
Jeff
Taipei, Taiwan
Parent By danerunsalot Date 2010-09-15 11:48 PM
About 90% done with book number 2, Jeff. And perhaps a little easier for me but my next book is about much more than running.

Not a dream come true yet but far better than anything else I have seen out there.  But yes, it is indeed a job.  For now, at least.  Working on making it not so!
There will come a day when you cannot do this. Today is not that day.
Parent - By easternshoregir [us] Date 2010-09-15 5:45 PM
Is MCM a sure thing? My BF lives in Northern VA and I have at least one friend running so there is a chance I will make an appearance at the finish or somewhere along the course. We'll have to be in touch before you come so I can look for you too.
Parent By danerunsalot Date 2010-09-15 11:46 PM
MCM is definite.  I will be at the American Odyssey Relay booth talking about my solo 202 mile run at the expo if you wish to stop by.  we hope to have at least a short trailer from the film we made of the excursion playing for people to watch.
There will come a day when you cannot do this. Today is not that day.
Parent By gostever Date 2010-09-16 7:13 AM
Hi dane, thanks for the update.  Good to hear you're coming around again with the two halfs. :cool:  I still check out your blog now and then. 

Nice schedule to finish the year. :cool:

[url=]Audiobooks are a tad expensive for my tastes[/url]  Me too.  Everything I've listened to, I've checked out of one of the two public libraries in my area.
Parent - By KevinR [us] Date 2010-09-14 11:45 AM
'Thumbs Down' has to be the weather.  I'm so sick of leaving puddles of sweat underneath me after each run.  I tanked a 5K Saturday morning; the dewpoint was 79 at the NWS station farther inland from here.
Finding a "Thumbs Up' is difficult....I guess I'm happy that I've been keeping my mileage up above 50 mpw recently....and I'm happy marathon training starts a little later this year.  My next marathon is Houston on 30 January 2011.  It's usually in mid-January, so I get a couple extra weeks of base building before the 18-week training plan starts.

No Fall marathons for me; I just have Houston in January.  I am running a Fall Series of races, starting with a 10-Miler on 10-10-10, then a half marathon, a 25K, and a 30K.    

RR - I go to the marathon race training section at RW.  I also follow several running blogs on Google Reader that I find interesting.

NRR - I've been re-reading Moby Dick recently.  The online version on Power Moby is interesting.  There's another book about my son's platoon in Iraq, this time by the mother of one of the guys.  I haven't had the heart yet to start reading that one.  
I have the Kindle ap on my iPhone, but I prefer paper. 

Bonus - Yea!...I can't say much for her style, but I enjoy listening to her music.  I've even bought some of her songs (rare for me).
Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Parent By echoguy [us] Date 2010-09-14 7:01 PM
I'm with you on the sweat puddles. Fall is coming!!!!
The memory of what I could once do intrudes on the restraint I must show if I am going to progress.
Parent - By atephronesis Date 2010-09-14 7:29 PM

>My next marathon is Houston on 30 January 2011.  It's usually in mid-January, so I get a couple extra weeks of base building before the 18-week training plan starts.


What kind of temps/humidity in Houston in January?
Jeff
Taipei, Taiwan
Parent By KevinR [us] Date 2010-09-15 10:26 AM
The average low is 42 and the average high is 63.  But winter weather is a series of cold fronts and then warm fronts coming back up from the Gulf, so morning low temperatures can vary from below freezing to 70*F.  Overnight the temperature usually drops to the dewpoint.  When the wind is coming up from the Gulf, the dewpoint can get well into the upper 60s.  The marathon starts before sunrise, so it's timed for the coolest part of the day. 
Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Parent By easternshoregir [us] Date 2010-09-15 5:47 PM
I may or may not have offended an elderly man on the treadmill at the Y with my sweat going all over the place, earlier this summer. When it is super hot/humid outside it can be pretty miserable in there too. I hope you get some relief soon. About a week or so ago, we switched over to cooler low temps overnight and it has totally changed my running.
Parent By gostever Date 2010-09-16 7:18 AM
Sorry to hear the weather has been such a downer this year.  :sad:

The Fall series looks pretty cool.  I wish we had more non-conventional distance races around here. (10 miler, 30k) 
Parent By gostever [us] Date 2010-09-14 1:41 PM
Alpha Bits Upcoming Races:

9/17     T. Never Knows        Reach the Beach Relay
9/18     gostever              Oktoberfest Marathon
9/19     danerunsalot          Maui Marathon
9/26     danerunsalot          Quad Cities Marathon
10/3     atephronesis          Mao Kung Half Marathon
10/10    danerunsalot          Chicago Marathon   Potential
10/10    KevinR                USA Space City 10 Miler
10/16    danerunsalot          Kansas City Marathon
10/17    easternshoregirl      Grand Rapids Marathon
10/17    gostever              Des Moines or Grand Rapids Marathon
10/17    echoguy               Columbus Half Marathon
10/17    danerunsalot          Rock n Roll Denver Half- Marathon   Potential
10/24    KevinR                Koala/Lukes Locker Room Half Marathon
10/31    danerunsalot          Marine Corps Marathon 
11/6     atephronesis          Taroko Gorge Marathon
11/14    T. Never Knows        Rhode Island 6-hour Ultra
11/21    danerunsalot          Route 66 Marathon   Potential
12/04    danerunsalot          Baton Rouge Beach Marathon 
12/12    KevinR                Sugar Land Lakes of Williams Ranch 30k
12/12    danerunsalot          Tucson Marathon   Potential
12/19    atephronesis          Taipei Marathon
1/30     KevinR                Houston Marathon
Parent - By easternshoregir [us] Date 2010-09-14 3:04 PM
Hey guys! I'll answer the questions now while I have a minute, then come back to check on what everyone else had to say!
I'm having a hard time adjusting to the transition to the school year, but it is getting better and should settle down soon. I'll give that my thumbs down even though it isn't RR.
My running is thumbs up all around right now-we're getting better weather and I'm getting some good workouts. I did a 10 mile race this Saturday, I finished in just under 77 min, which with no taper is doing really well for me. I placed 2nd in my AG and the prize is a beer mug, I have a few from the same race already so I'm working on building a set, maybe eventually a dozen? :grin: My 10M PR is 75 min, which was under more ideal conditions. After Saturday's race, I laced up Sunday for a 17 mile long run, which was slow but not really a huge problem. Then today I had 9 with 5x600m and hit some fast splits (for me) on the first few repeats.

I don't have any other planned races before Grand Rapids and nothing for sure afterwards yet, but I'll let you know Steve if I decide on any others.

RR: I don't go to RT, just spend a little time here on Runango, I post on the women's forum some. I tend to read the links from the active.com emails and whatever links my running friends send me (usually related to barefoot running these days).

NRR: Teacher's Edition Asi se dice, level 3, also Galerias de arte y vida textbook. :grin: But To Kill a Mockingbird is next on my pile for my reading for fun. The last one I read was maybe the 4th of the Twilight saga, I can't remember for sure. No audiobooks or Kindle for me. I love used book sales, going to Powell's bookstore in Portland was a highlight of my trip. I bought a bunch of new and used books there. I also shop half.com frequently.

Bonus-Sure, I think she makes awesome music. I haven't seen any of her videos, I don't think, but I'm sure they are....interesting to watch.
Parent By echoguy [us] Date 2010-09-14 7:04 PM
Congrats on the AG award. I think mugs are the best awards. Keep up the great running.
The memory of what I could once do intrudes on the restraint I must show if I am going to progress.
Parent By atephronesis Date 2010-09-14 7:34 PM Edited 2010-09-14 7:37 PM

>I did a 10 mile race this Saturday, I finished in just under 77 min, which with no taper is doing really well for me. I placed 2nd in my AG and the prize is a beer mug, I have a few from the same race already so I'm working on building a set, maybe eventually a dozen? :grin: My 10M PR is 75 min, which was under more ideal conditions. After Saturday's race, I laced up Sunday for a 17 mile long run, which was slow but not really a huge problem. Then today I had 9 with 5x600m and hit some fast splits (for me) on the first few repeats.


That was quite a Saturday! You're gonna be STRONG by race day! I wouldn't even contemplate such a thing :shocker!: You ain't messing around!
Jeff
Taipei, Taiwan
Parent By Slowstarter Date 2010-09-14 7:45 PM
Cumulative Mileage for the Team - As of Week 36

Player           2010 Goal Weekly Goal    Week 36 Week 36 (+/-)    YTD Goal  YTD Actuals   YTD +/-   YTD Weekly AVG     YTD Weekly (+/-) # of Posts
---------------- --------- ----------- ---------- ------------- ----------- ------------ --------- ---------------- -------------------- ----------
niteowl                500        9.62      40.00         30.38      336.54       784.10    447.56            22.40                12.79         35
easternshoregirl      1500       28.85      48.00         19.15     1009.62      1192.00    182.38            34.06                 5.21         35
gostever              1500       28.85      38.00          9.15     1038.46      1371.00    332.54            38.08                 9.24         36
Scott_runs            1650       31.73      46.00         14.27     1110.58      1316.50    205.92            37.61                 5.88         35
Slowstarter           1800       34.62      41.80          7.18     1246.15      1366.60    120.45            37.96                 3.35         36
donnasaur             2000       38.46       0.00          0.00      846.15       767.10    -79.05            34.87                -3.59         22
Echoguy               2000       38.46      35.30         -3.16      538.46       554.00     15.54            39.57                 1.11         14
T. Never Knows        2000       38.46      43.00          4.54     1384.62       930.00   -454.62            25.83               -12.63         36
atephronesis          2250       43.27      45.60          2.33     1557.69      1397.10   -160.59            38.81                -4.46         36
KevinR                2450       47.12      56.80          9.68     1696.15      1577.30   -118.85            43.81                -3.30         36
Turtle                2500       48.08      46.50         -1.58     1634.62      1286.70   -347.92            37.84               -10.23         34
irunforbeer           2750       52.88      86.10         33.22     1903.85      1658.60   -245.25            46.07                -6.81         36
PamBeachTim           2750       52.88      58.30          5.42     1903.85      1825.50    -78.35            50.71                -2.18         36
Kanilion (Kanny)      3000       57.69      31.10        -26.59     2076.92      1102.50   -974.42            30.63               -27.07         36
Danerunsalot          4000       76.92      34.00        -42.92     2769.23      1557.00  -1212.23            43.25               -33.67         36
                 --------- ----------- ---------- ------------- ----------- ------------ --------- ---------------- -------------------- ----------
Totals               30650      589.42     650.50         61.08    20206.73     17918.90  -2287.83           526.65               -62.78 

We have been in #2 spot for the last two weeks in a row!:cool: And within the top 4 for the last one month!:cool: Well done Team!!!
Parent - By gostever [us] Date 2010-09-15 7:41 AM
Great Job Alphas!  Another perfect posting and #2 this week.!!
Parent By atephronesis Date 2010-09-15 4:37 PM
"We're number TWO! We're number TWO!" Woooooohooooooo. :wtf: :grin:

We knew that we were gonna be loaded in this last quarter, but we're really doing well! Go alphas!
Jeff
Taipei, Taiwan
Parent - By echoguy [us] Date 2010-09-16 5:59 AM
Hey Everybody:

THUMBS UP:hug: ...to my heart. I hit 6 months post op this week and all is good. I never even think about my heart during a run these days, and that is wonderful.

Thumbs down:cry:...to my legs. I realized yesterday that my legs just can't keep up with my heart at this point. I felt like I was obeying all the rules of training, but I jumped back pretty close to previous levels a little too quickly for my legs. I have had more trouble with little dings over the past month than I have had in many years. Nothing major, but it cost me training days in 3 of the past four weeks and I'm missing todays run right now with a sore calf.

Here is my race plans for the next year:

Oct 17- Half of the Columbus Marathon
Nov 14- Harrisburg Marathon
Feb 19 - Myrtle Beach Marathon
March 27- Bataan Death March Marathon
May 1- Flying Pig Marathon
May 14- Dances With Dirt, Gnaw Bone, Relay
Oct 7-8- Bourbon Chase Relay

RR- I visit the Cardiac Athlete's Forum at least twice per day and post about once a week or so. I only look at RT once a month or less. We have a local running blog that I check every other day or so. (he quotes me about bringing a "beer themed run" to Cincinnati in the Sept 12 entry). I also like to check out the blog of the Rogue Valley Runners out in Oregon a few times per week. This is the blog of the running store in Ashland, Oregon that is owned by Western States winner Hal Koerner. Jenn from "Born to Run" is out there and they do some interesting stuff!

NRR- I am reading "Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller. I really liked his "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" (not running related) when I was recovering so I decided to go back and read one of his earlier books. I've also started "How Doctor's Think" by Jerome Groopman. I read real paper still.

Have a great week everybody.
The memory of what I could once do intrudes on the restraint I must show if I am going to progress.
Parent By gostever Date 2010-09-16 7:23 AM
I never even think about my heart during a run these days, and that is wonderful.  That seems like it would be a great milestone!!  :cool::cool:  It's so great to have you back.  Your story has really taught me to treasure each day I get to run, and remind myself that this will be taken away some day.  Either slowly, or abruptly.

You've got a nice slate of races.  My buddies and I have talked about the Bourbon Chase...maybe time to look into it.
Parent By atephronesis Date 2010-09-16 5:34 PM

>THUMBS UP:hug: ...to my heart...Thumbs down:cry:...to my legs. I realized yesterday that my legs just can't keep up with my heart at this point.


Of course, in the big picture, the thumbs up is WAYYYYY up and the thumbs down, you can deal with over time :-D. I agree with Steve: it sure is hard to complain about my little issues when the guy next to me had his heart freaking reconstructed :grin:

You are a month away from your first marathon post op! That's gonna be a big day!
Jeff
Taipei, Taiwan
Parent - By irunforbeer [us] Date 2010-09-16 3:37 PM Edited 2010-09-16 3:52 PM
Hi Everyone,

Limited time this week but just wanted to check in. Obviously upping the mileage as I transition into marathon training. so far so good. :-)

Upcoming races:
Pasadena Half - Sept 25th (training run)
LA RnR Half - Oct 24th (should be able to race this one)
Dana Point Turkey Trot 5K - Nov 25 (final tune up)
CIM - Dec 5th - goal race

RR - Mainly RT and occasionally RW (masters forum or the sub 2:40 thread on MRT), Runango just for the Alpha Bits weekly.

NRR - "More Fire, how to run the Kenyan Way" and "Run, the mind-body method of running by feel."

Bonus - Yeah to Lady GaGa .. I like her dance music and I like performers on the artsy side. :grin:

o.k. gotta run .. (literally :wink:)
Parent - By atephronesis Date 2010-09-16 5:36 PM
When you get a chance:

Which of those two books do you recommend? Both? Neither? Thanks! Go run. :happy:
Jeff
Taipei, Taiwan
Parent By irunforbeer [us] Date 2010-09-20 3:56 PM
Hey Jeff!

"Run, the mind-body method of running by feel." I'm liking very much. Some great examples of training by feel that the elites/coaches use and how you can use training most effectively to prepare yourself for racing.

"More Fire, how to run the Kenyan Way" I'm just starting so I'll have to get back to you on that one!
Parent By gostever Date 2010-09-16 9:01 PM Edited 2010-09-16 9:05 PM
Alpha Bits Upcoming Races:

9/17   T. Never Knows    Reach the Beach Relay 
9/18   gostever          Oktoberfest Marathon 
9/19   danerunsalot      Maui Marathon 
9/25   irunforbeer       Pasedena Half Marathon  
9/26   danerunsalot      Quad Cities Marathon 
10/3   atephronesis      Mao Kung Half Marathon 
10/10  KevinR            USA Space City 10 Miler 
10/10  danerunsalot      Chicago Marathon   Potential 
10/16  danerunsalot      Kansas City Marathon 
10/17  echoguy           Columbus Half Marathon 
10/17  gostever          Des Moines or Grand Rapids Marathon 
10/17  eastershoregirl   Grand Rapids Marathon 
10/17  danerunsalot      Rock n Roll Denver Half- Marathon   Potential 
10/24  KevinR            Koala/Lukes Locker Room Half Marathon 
10/24  irunforbeer       LA Rock n Roll Half Marathon 
10/31  danerunsalot      Marine Corps Marathon  
11/6   atephronesis      Taroko Gorge Marathon 
11/14  T. Never Knows    Rhode Island 6-hour Ultra 
11/14  echoguy           Harrisburg Marathon
11/21  danerunsalot      Route 66 Marathon   Potential 
11/25  irunforbeer       Dana Point Turkey Trot 5K 
12/4   danerunsalot      Baton Rouge Beach Marathon 
12/5   irunforbeer       CIM Marathon 
12/12  KevinR            Sugar Land Lakes of Williams Ranch 30k 
12/12  danerunsalot      Tucson Marathon   Potential 
12/19  atephronesis      Taipei Marathon 
1/30   KevinR            Houston Marathon 
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