“Just use Vaseline”

“Hey man, what do I use to prevent bloody nipples?”
“hmm, I use band-aids but you can just use Vaseline.”

Not a conversation I really wanted to have and be overheard here at work. But It happened. And it was overheard… with the strange look that followed.

Note to self, keywords to avoid at work: nipples, Vaseline.

Herd Mentality

I had a great run today at lunch with two co-workers. For some reason, it seemed so much easier than when I’d run by myself. What part of our programming says run with peers = run faster, easier? I am a running loner. For the most part, I like the time alone to just reflect, think, and find that happy place inside my mind. But today I took off the headphones and chatted a bit with Travis and Greg on a pretty brisk 6 miler. It felt relatively easy and I was a little surprised to see the time of 7:46 at mile one. I think I pushed them a little and to their credit, they hung on for the first three. I took it down a notch between 4-5 before pushing again at mile 6. I can clearly see that group running has its benefits especially if you have a competitive bunch.

I miss running with Yoda. I had my best runs with him running at my heel. Is there anyone out there up to the challenge of pushing this pedestrian runner?

One race, one mile, and one step at a time,
Jeff
1/31/11
6M - Group run (notch down back ½)
746/745/741/857/829/803
http://connect.garmin.com/player/66096297

Sunday Potpourri

Pot.pour.ri (noun)
1. A collection of fragrant dried flowers. A collection of dried flower petals, leaves, herbs, and spices that is used to scent the air.
2. Miscellaneous mixture. A mixture of miscellaneous things

• Happy birthday to my 3 year old daughter! She has the meanest “runner face” when she goes on our runs. Love her.
• There is no such thing as sweat-proof sun block. Do not apply over eyes.
• guess the song and artist:

You can go the distance
We'll find out in the long run
We can handle some resistance
If our love is a strong one
People talkin' about is
they got nothin' else to do
When it all comes down we will
still come through
In the long run

One race, one mile, and one step at a time

Jeff

Biggest loser

This exchange from my facebook page yesterday:

Marathon Liu (status) 185 after dinner. 15 to go
Mike S.: 6 ft 1 in and you want to weigh 170??? What are you thinking!!!
David K.: He wants the 'waif' look.

Now, now... not sure if I can get down to 170 lbs but here is some science that supports my theory that dropping 20 lbs can take off 20 min in my marathon time. Excellent Runners World article below:

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-242-304--11903-0,00.html

Yep! and an excuse to buy new threads :) Still debating if I should run or rest today. leaning heavy on rest.

One race, one mile, and one step at a time

Jeff

Running on fumes

Five straight days of running and I am running on fumes. I think I might take a day off tomorrow because today’s “recovery” run didn’t feel easy. Was very close to resting today but talked myself into running anyway. Last four looked like this…
1/24 7 – Hard (7:55 avg)
1/25 4 – Hard (8:13)
1/26 6.2 – Easy (8:46)
1/27 6.1 – Recovery (8:55)
If I ran tomorrow I am not sure if I’d be able to put in a good effort. Let’s see how it feels tomorrow morning.
I will definitely get up into the 30 mile range for the week… maybe 40?

One race, one mile, and one step at a time
Jeff
1/27/11 6M 52:31
840/846/903/822/833/904
http://connect.garmin.com/player/65412230

Gotham City

A frequently asked question is “what is your favorite marathon so far?”
I’ve only ran 15 States (20 races) so far. Every town and race has been unique in its own way. From the revitalized downtown of Phoenix to the serenity of Emerald Bay (Tahoe), there was something special and memorable from each race. I love Los Angeles, but… If I had to choose one race as my favorite, BY FAR, it would have to be the New York City Marathon (1998, 2002).
To experience the sights, smells, and people of all five boroughs of NYC is really an awesome experience on its own. Now add 30,000 marathoners from around the world and millions of New York’s finest in the crowd is really a life time experience. In particular was 2002. That was one year after the 911 attacks and emotions were still high and the runners and the city felt absolutely united on race day. My favorite memory of the race is near the 16 mile mark when one exits Queensboro Bridge and enters back onto Manhattan. To hear and see the roar of the thousands of fans gave me an emotional lift and sent goose bumps up my spine.
This is a very special race, difficult to get in (lottery system), but something that given the chance, every marathoner should experience.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boauNvB9h6I

Oh, a funny little story about the NYC marathon. A week before the NYC marathon, my wife was given the chance to attend a party (w/ guest) at the Playboy Mansion that took place the same weekend of the race. She asked if I would consider not going to NY in order to attend the party. I said, “There will be other opportunities to go to the Mansion in the future...”
Well, I am still waiting.

One race, one mile, and one step at a time
Jeff
1/25/11
4M 32:55 Easy
816/824/759/814 http://connect.garmin.com/player/65137880

Return of the Jedi

"Do, or do not. There is no 'try'." – Yoda



This email exchange between me and Mike L. (aka Yoda)

me: I lost my HRM. Don’t know why I keep losing my stuff. Ergh!
I want to be able to have a solid base of 30 miles and go into a 18 week training cycle this time. 3:45 means 8:30/mile. Going to be a test.

Yoda:30 miles base - Is this miles per week? If so, we need to get you up to at least 50!

me: Yes sir. 30 mile solid pre-training. 50+ during.

Yoda: 50 miles year round, unless you are building up to a race, then 60-80.

Damn Yoda! I thought you were banished to a far away planet!