ScoJo's Running Down a Dream Journal (comments welcome)

[AmyBeth68]

Hi there Scotty ... Scott-Man.....the Scottinator.

SORRY you've had to resort to talking to yourself here on the journals. I've been slacking a bit lately . GREAT run yesterday. LOL! Looks like we're pretty darn close in times for that infamous Wednesday run again . It's nice to be back and feel even slightly competitive with you once again. I'm still nowhere near your killer long run times but at least I've posted a few decent runs here this week. You are just so consistent it's mind boggling! And congrats on the weigh-in!!!! So proud of you!!!

Oh, I crawled out of my cave long enough to see the previews for Lost. Otherwise...in terms of the biggest pop-cultural television phenomenon in recent history....I'm....well....lost. But at least my cave has cable and tonight is The Office... can't wait for this episode. I've heard it's going to be the best one ever so I'm just sitting here counting down the minutes until I can watch it .

As usual your training has been fantastic this week! Good luck on the "easy" 8 miler this weekend!! Another one in the books as we get closer and closer to January 7th for the big show!!!!

 

[ScoJo15]

Wow...it's Wednesday...did I really miss almost a whole week of posting? (guess so!)

Let's see here....

After Thursday's rest day, I went and worked out on the elliptical again on Friday night. I did 40 minutes at a fairly easy pace so that I wasn't too tired for Saturday morning's run.

Saturday I did the 8 miler (cue the Eminem music!) but changed things up just a bit. I wanted to see what would happen to my times if I did a 5/1 run walk interval instead of the normal 4/1. Let me tell ya, that extra minute is brutal!! I didn't expect it to be as difficult as it was. I seriously considered switching back to the 4/1's after 30 minutes but just pressed on anyway (It's what we runners do ). I ended up finishing it in 66:38, which is a 8:20mpm pace! Here are the splits:

1 - 7:49
2 - 8:04
3 - 8:40
4 - 8:20
5 - 8:12
6 - 8:50
7 - 8:18
8 - 8:20

I ate for the first time before running on Saturday too. I had a smoothie about an hour before the run. I felt slightly more sluggish but not sick or anything like that so I think that it worked, but I may drink it a little earlier next Saturday...more in the 1.5-2 hours prior range. My body felt great afterwards and that was a good sign.

So I took Sunday off as scheduled, which helped out since I had to get to sleep early to catch an early morning flight on Monday.

Monday I ran in new territory on a great trail away from home. I know that I finished the 60 minutes but I'm not sure of the exact distance that I ran, but I think it was in the 5.9-6.0 mile range. The goal is to take it a little easier this week in preparation for the monsterous 16 miler this weekend. Here is how this week looks from here on out:

Wednesday - 40 minute run
Thursday - 45 minute run
Friday - 30 minute elliptical
Saturday - 16 mile run (whew)
Sunday - off (thank goodness...really starting to like Sundays!)

Guess that's it for now.

Hope everyone has a great day!!

 

[CACruisin']

Your training looks incredible! You are going to do fantastic on your marathon. FWIW, here is my advice from one who has "been there, done that". Smoothies are good for pre-long run food. Others that worked for me are oatmeal or banana or both. It sounds like you are making some good changes regarding your long runs. After I completed my second marathon, I had a similar experience and my body started to go into shock. It really isn't something to mess around with. Remember your REAL goal is to finish the race and live to brag about it the next day.

Have a great rest of the week and a great run on Saturday.

 

[ScoJo15]

Thanks a lot for the advice there Anna! I'm going to stick with the pre-run smoothie on Saturday and see if that helps.

So yesterday had the 40 minute run on the schedule. Unfortunately, the weather just would not cooperate. I can run in the rain, but when the winds are around 30mph and there are traces of lightning, I'm not gonna take a chance. So....off to the fitness center I went to jump on the treadmill. As much as i dislike it, I actually had a pretty decent run. I ran for 40 minutes and covered 4.5 miles, for an 8:53mpm average.

Hope everyone has a great day!

 

[toystoryduo]

Hey Scott,

You are doing a fantastic job with your training! Keep up the good work!

Don't forget... The BIG game is this weekend! Hope you'll be wearing your scarlet and gray ... Go BUCKEYES!

Have a great Thursday!

 

[kimwim8]

Hey Scott!!! Wanted to pop in and say howdy! I don't want you to think I'm not sharing the love....I know I posted on some WISH journals last night, but I actually purposely stayed away from yours in case you leaked anything about LOST! We watched it last night....so it was safe to come here today! HOLY COW is all I can say about that show!!!

Your training continues to amaze me!! *cough*only 8 miles*cough*

I really expected to come back to a completed trip report from you!! Wassup with that??

 

[ScoJo15]

Name: Scott

Date: 11-17-06

Exercise completed: Neighborhood run on 11-16 at 8:37pm

Weather: Cold (high 30's) and pretty windy (14-20mph) (thanks weather.com)

Time: 44:07

Miles: 5

MPM Pace: 8:49

HR: 185/164

How do you like my handy dandy DISJournal Exercise Update form? I can just plug in the data and not have to type anything else!! Working on a random generic comment entry system to add random generic comments to the workouts...you know, like..."felt great", "hit a good pace and just locked it in", "really enjoyed this one", "legs were a bit sluggish, but i worked it out", "really felt it but got a good stretch in afterwards".

Coming soon will be my random generic Lost show update form. It will have date, episode and a comment. Of course the comment will always be the same..."oh my! best show on tv! Can you believe what happened?...can't wait for next week!"

And of course the random generic exit comment:

Have a great day everyone!!


"Just for the record, the weather today is slightly sarcastic with a good chance of A. indifference or B. disinterest in what the critics say"

 

[kimwim8]

(great run, btw)

 

[ScoJo15]

GO BUCKS!!! ha ha!! Sent the boys in blue packing for the third straight year!! Hello National Championship!!

Anyway...

I did it!! 16 miles! Boy was it tough and 26.2 really seems like a long way now. By the time I hit mile 14, I was ready to call it a day and walk my tired butt home. But there is no way in heck I'm gonna quit on this thing now so I sucked it up and forced the old legs to keep going. If you are interested in knowing what your body feels like after 16 miles just do this: walk on to your nearest interstate....wait for an 18 wheel semi....jump in front of it....then have said semi truck back up over your legs one time for good measure. Yep, it hurts folks. But it has gotten better as the day has progressed and I'm glad to report that no serious injuries resulted from the run. I did manage go get a blister on my toe (my own stupidity there), and the outside of my right knee feels a bit funky...but nothing serious going on.

In all reality, today was a HUGE confidence booster. Mentally it was very tough, but I managed to push myself beyond my normal limitations. I know now that I can deal with the aches and pains. I know that I can overcome my body's request to find the nearest bench and take a rest. I know that I can make it to the finish line. While I'm not looking forward to the 18 and 20 mile training runs, I do know that I can complete them and that it really won't be that bad in the grand scheme of things.

How fast did I go? Well...here is the breakdown by mile:

8:10*8:50*8:51*8:13*8:45*8:51*8:47*8:30*9:00*9:10*9:06*9:10*9:04*9:21*9:37*9:46

Overall it was 16 miles in 2 hours, 23 minutes and 11 seconds.
That's an 8:57mpm pace.

Hope everyone has a great night and I'll post more later!

 

[toystoryduo]

Great game on Saturday, huh Scott? Woohoo!

Congratulations on your 16 miler! I knew you could do it!

Have a great Sunday!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Hi Speedy!

First of all let me say WOW!!! Once again you knocked out that 16 mile run like a champ! Incredible splits Scott (um your avg pace is a full 2 minutes faster than mine )! I'm really happy to see that you were feeling ok afterwards (guess that's relative though lol) as opposed to your frightening scenario after the 14 miler! CONGRATS on accomplishing the distance. What a huge morale booster for the TWO (only two!!) long runs that lie ahead!!!!!

So I have to say that I can completely understand how those legs feel like they've been run over by a semi truck, but personally I feel more like I've been trampled by a herd of raging drunk elephants . Not only did my legs hurt when the run finished....but my entire body head to toe. Honestly...how's it gonna' feel after 26.2 .

Have a great week of easy training Scott! LOVE those step back weeks!!!

 

[kimwim8]

congrats, Scott!!

Never a doubt in my mind that you wouldn't do it, and do it well. You continue to amaze me with every run. You accept every week's schedule and knock it out of the park every time!

I love to check out your journal for to see what's going on with the training. Maybe some day I'll actually attempt it.

 

[ScoJo15]

So yesterday was the planned 0.0 mile run in my home. I put my lounging clothes on (plaid robe, reading glasses and a fresh pipe full of tobacco), headed to the basement (where the home theater is) and plopped my butt in front of the tv. It was one of my best workouts so far. LOL.

Whew...16 miles takes a toll and I was still feeling it yesterday. Heck, I'm still feeling it today but I think I may be able to put together the called for 50 minute run (even though it's gonna be 30 degrees). The rest of this holiday week shapes up like this:

Tuesday - 40 minute cross training (elliptical...some things never change)
Wednesday - rest (yeah...unusual, i know...somethings do change)
Thursday - GOBBLEJOG!! Doing a 10k race that doubles as a Peachtree qualifier. Should also help with digesting that afternoon's food intake.
Friday - 40 minute cross training
Saturday - 8 mile run (cue Eminem again)

Hope everyone has a great day and great week!

 

[escape]

Hi Scott! I just found this thread. Congratulations on your training efforts for the marathon.

I was a couch potato, too, up until mid-August. I slowly got my rear-end off the couch and now I'm training for the half in January. I can't imagine doing a full. Maybe someday. (sigh)

Keep up the good work! Sounds like you are right on track!

 

[toystoryduo]

So yesterday was the planned 0.0 mile run in my home. I put my lounging clothes on (plaid robe, reading glasses and a fresh pipe full of tobacco), headed to the basement (where the home theater is) and plopped my butt in front of the tv. It was one of my best workouts so far. LOL.

Thanks for the laugh... I could use one today.

Are you watching Heroes? I know you're a big fan of Lost....I've started watching Heroes recently and sometimes I feel "lost". It is a good show though... Very suspenseful and unique.

Hope you have a great week! Keep up the good work with your training and enjoy the Gobblejog!

 

[CACruisin']

So glad you made it through your 16 miler!

Have a great Thanksgiving!

 

[ScoJo15]

Hola Amigos!

Quick quiz for everyone....what's worse than a 16 mile run?
Of course, the 50 minute Monday run that follows the 16 miler.

Ok, ok, so the Monday run wasn't that bad (yeah it was), but man those miles are really starting to add up and take a toll. I'm believing the stuff I've read about the training being worse than the actual marathon.

And now I have a nagging "injury" that aggravates me more than it actually hurts. It's at the bottom of my right foot, on the side kind of underneath the ankle. It feels like a strain or muscle pull and hurts when pressure is put on it. The good news is that once I've walked on it a bit, it kind of works itself out and the pain is lessened....but it's always there. I'm hoping it goes away on its own over the course of the next few days. Fortunately, I still think I can run on it and will still attempt the event tomorrow. It didn't bother me on the elliptical last night so that was a good sign, but of course that was non-impact. I'm just gonna stay off of it tonight and hope for the best in the morning.

Tomorrow is the Gobble Jog...a 10k event that doubles as a Peachtree qualifier. My goal is to finish with a time that qualifies me for a Time Group placement in next years big July 4 race. I know it's attainable....I have to finish in the 50:00 to 54:59 range to qualify for group 1B or between 42:00 to 49:59 to qualify for group 1A. Needless to say, I'd be happy with group 1B. If I can just hit my current long run pace, I should finish in the 53-54 range...then I'll get to really feel special next summer by being in a time group (I can remember seeing those people last summer and wishing I could do something cool like qualify for a time group... )

I do have to remember, however, that I'm still training and I cannot mess around with any injuries or cause undue stress on my body. Today was supposed to be a 40 minute run and I'm scrapping that for tomorrow's race. There are enough runs and days before the 18 miler a week from Saturday that I can adjust accordingly should I feel the need. I've already built in one extra rest day before the 18 miler, as the time has come to switch those runs to Sunday (multitude of reasons...will get into that later).

It's really feeling like crunch time now...with everything so close, the training intensifying, the holiday hustle, etc....I've got to stay focused on January and the personal goals that I have set for myself.

Anyway...guess that's enough for today...hope y'all have a great day and that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends and loved ones!! I'm certainly thankful for all the support I've received here...it means the world to me. Thanks to everyone...race report will follow sometime tomorrow

 

[kimwim8]

Good luck tomorrow, Scott. I have no doubt in my mind that you'll be in at LEAST 1B group next July 4th!

Have an awesome Thanksgiving, and rest that foot (after the race, of course). I am so thankful for these boards, and the great people I've met here that support me no matter what.

 

[toystoryduo]

Go Scott Go!

Best WISHes for you race today! Please be sure and listen to your body and watch that ankle carefully.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[ScoJo15]

I wonder if the turkeys of the world today are all laid back, smiling, gobbling around doing their little turkey dance...they survived...they made it...for at least one more year. (what's the lifespan on a turkey anyway?) Strutting around, jetting their necks out and back again "ha ha! Down with the Pilgrims"....doing their best Pacino imitation "you can't kill me!! I'm Turkey Montana..."

...told you....my mind works in very strange ways

So I ran on Thanksgiving. Gobble Jog 2006. At least the t-shirt was kind of cool. Of course, how many times thru the year do you wear a Thanksgiving t-shirt?

Anyway, I popped Advil for the foot and set out to try and break the 54:59 barrier. My previous 10k results were 65:45 in May, 63:34 in July and 57:44 in September. But my recent long runs would suggest that I could accomplish my goal. So, I took a business card and using a pace calculator, wrote down where I needed to be during each mile so that I could finish with the time I wanted.

It was a chilly morning and over 3200 people turned out, making the scene pretty crowded. The event was VERY poorly organized. Not only did everything get delayed by 15 minutes, but they had the 1k race BEFORE the 5k/10k started. To top things off, the 1k race went past where the 5k/10k start was supposed to be. To make this point clearer...imagine 3200 people jammed up at a starting line, only to have a race director try and part the people down the middle so the 1k folks could pass by...ALL of the 1k folks, right down to the last person who was out for a lazy stroll. The event that was supposed to start at 8:45 didn't get underway until somewhere around 9:15. That's not good when you have warmed up and were ready to go a half hour ago.

In addition to the delay, I had headphone issues. My regular earbuds have a lose wire in them causing one ear to keep cutting out. I went to Wally World on Wednesday to pick up another pair...unfortunately, they didn't have a big selection (wow) and I had to go with one certain kind. Well, that kind turned out to not want to stay in my ear while running (which I discovered while warming up for the race). So I had to revert to the old pair and listen to the music out of my left ear...with the occasional burst of sound blasting to my right ear which was slightly annoying to say the least.

Gosh...haven't even got to the run yet! I ended up lining up towards the front and that was a good move. When we did finally get started, I still had to maneuver through some walkers and slower folk...but was in the clear pretty quickly. The course was a rolling course, with lots of short hills and downhills which kept things interesting. I won't bore with the race details, but I skipped a few walk breaks and just focused on staying ahead of the pacing requirement that I wrote down. Here is how everything turned out:

Mile - pace requirement - actual time
1 - 8:41 - 7:40
2 - 17:22 - 16:06
3 - 26:04 - 24:43
4 - 34:45 - 33:43
5 - 43:27 - 42:27
6 - 52:08 - 51:06
Finish - 54:00 - 52:37!!!

52:37 was my final time I had achieved my goal and can now use the time to get a better placing for the July 4th race. It equated out to a 8:28mpm average. Needless to say, I am very satisfied with the run result.

I actually think I could have run quicker, but I was concerned about my foot. It did not hurt at all during the run, but did act up immediately afterwards. I am still feeling it today but am icing, resting and Adviling as much as possible to try and get it back to 100%. Hopefully I can still do some cross training tonight and get the 8 mile run in tomorrow.

So I think I've started a new Thanksgiving tradition. I really enjoyed running that morning and it made eating all of the food later in the day more rewarding. Now it's back to being focused on the marathon and the training and nutritional intake that is required.

Oh yeah, Sports Authority had a great sale today on shoes!! Got my $90 pair of Asics GT-2110's for $53!! Can't pass up a deal like that!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!