Boston Marathon Training–Day #1

Today was my first day of training for the 2014 Boston Marathon use the Runners World Boston Bound program! Having a schedule to follow versus trying to just go out and run to try keep in shape is much easier for me to stick with the program.  I very rarely skip a day of training when it is on the schedule unless I am sick, work gets into the way, or family activities. Today I was off work, kids were preoccupied, and my wife was at work, so all the stars aligned!
The first few weeks of this training program are going to be fairly easy as this is the base building phase, and although I haven’t ran much in the past 10 – 12 day I still have a strong base. Here is a snapshot of the Runners World Boston Bound training program that I imported into Sport Tracks 3:


Today I ran four miles at a target pace range of 7:24 to 8:24 min/mil.  I need to makes these ranges to be within 20 seconds of the target instead of 60 seconds, but I ran at about 8 min/mil today, including the climb up to Good Sam.  Weather was cold but sunny. I felt a bit sluggish after spending the last few workout on the treadmill or elliptical during the really cold weather.  I am now glad to be in the building phase!

2014 Boston Marathon Training–Day #1

Boston Marathon Pre-Training Session #8–Indoor / Outdoor

Today I decided to do some cross training at the HP gym while watching my Denver Bronco's beat the Kansas City Chief 35-28!  Our smaller gym in my building has Comcast and two 50” plasma TV’s to view while running on the treadmill, working out on the elliptical, rowing, or lifting free weights. My warm-up was the 1.25 miles from our house to HP.  I then continued my run on the treadmill for 60 minutes on 6 MPH.  I don’t like running on the treadmill, however the game was a good distraction.  Even though the treadmill stated I was running 10 min/mil it felt more like my standard slow run at 8:30 min/mil.  Time for a change of pace!
Near halftime I started doing some sit-ups and lifting free weights.  My goal for weight lifting is to get toned and not be build too much bulk, work on my core strength, and strengthen my quadriceps as I’ll need that strength for the major downhill sections in the Boston Marathon.  I did some sit-ups, push-ups, and  lateral raises. As the first half of the game came to an end, I walked down to the our bigger gym that has more equipment.  I did some leg extensions, lat pull downs, and curls.  Time to head back to the other gym, second half is about to start!
I made it back to the the gym just in time to see the broncos receive the kickoff.  I stepped onto the elliptical machine for a 60 minute aerobic session.  Several years ago I weighed almost 270 pounds.  I was working from home in Houston, and we had an Precor elliptical machine that we brought with us from Oregon.  I was used primarily as a clothes hanger until I decided to do something about my weight! I started working out on the elliptical everyday during downtimes at work, and I played a XBOX 360 game called Fight Night Round 3 while completing my workout as a distraction.  It really worked, and I lost about 30 pounds in a few months by doing the elliptical workouts and lifting weights. Why the long story? Working out at the HP gym while watching the game was reminiscent all of the rounds of boxing I did on the elliptical!
The game was going back and forth during my workout, which kept me distracted enough to complete my second 60 minutes cardio workout.  I continued watch the end of the came while I stretched.   It was about 4:30pm and getting dark, and time to run home.  I jogged home at a nice easy pace while listening to the Adam Carolla show

Boston Marathon Pre-Training Session #7–Pre’s Trail

When I was in high school when I first learned of Steve Prefontaine.  Although his life was cut tragically short before I started running he was one of my running idols.  Although we live 45 minutes from Eugene, I have never made to trip to Alton Baker Park to run on Pre’s Trail.  Today I made the trip, and ran the 4 mile trail. This was one day after the Civil War football game in which Oregon beat Oregon State 36-35, and I just happened to be wearing on Beavers windbreaker.  I did get some curious looks as I ran on the trail that is adjacent to Autzen Stadium, but everyone was pleasant enough.  I did reflect a bit on Pre’s life from what I remember, and also reflected on my own life as a young teenager learning of my love for running.  I did not achieve the successes that Steve Prefontaine accomplished, however running did give me a place to escape, compete, and to keep in shape physically.  I was able to qualify for the Boston Marathon on the first try, I guess that is something

Boston Marathon Pre-Training Session #6–Thanksgiving 4M run

Happy Thanksgiving! The mini refrigerator in my hotel room kept waking me up all night!  I should have unplugged the thing, instead I just put a pillow over my head and tried to go back to sleep. I finally just got up at about 5:30 AM, and drank some coffee and watch a bit of news.  Now I was ready to brave the cold windy weather of the Oregon coast…. wait it was actually over 40 degrees and not too windy. I ran north to the jetty, and then turned around and went north just past the hotel.  There were several others running along with dog walkers.  I enjoy running on the beach, it is peaceful, a little easier on your knees, and you don’t have to dodge vehicles!

Boston Marathon Pre-Training Session #6

Below are a couple of 360 photo sphere pictures I took; one one the beach, one on the jetty.

Boston Marathon Pre-Training Session #5–Slow 4M

I recent read on article on Runners World’s website “The 2013 Holiday Running Streak.” To summarize, the basic idea is to run at least 1 mile a day between Thanksgiving and New Year’s day.   I decide to informally accept the challenge. Today my wife and I went to breakfast, and right after that I decided to do my at least “1 mile” run on the HP Trail.  I am not sure what I was thinking as I know you should let your food settle first.  After about 1 mile I didn’t feel sick, but my breakfast started coming up!  I tried to push it down, but a little came up.  The next mile or so I fought it back, and finished the HP Loop ran home. Lesson learned.

Boston Marathon Pre-Training Session #4–Slow 7 Mile run

Today I ran the course around HP three times to get a total of six miles, and when adding the distance from our house I ran a total of seven miles.  Originally I was going to run around HP four times, but it was just too boring!! I run that loop all the time when I just want to complete a quick run between meetings or at lunch when I am at work. I felt fine, and just ran a very slow 8:38 min/mil. 

Boston Marathon Pre-Training Session #3

Today was another pretty cold day in the Willamette Valley at about 43 degree when I ran this morning.  I decided to run on a route that a completed several times during my last training session that goes out Hwy 99 to Lewisburg Rd., to Highland Dr up the hill, then back down Highland, and then home.  As I ran up the hill I was reminded of the many times I thought about the tough things we go through in life, and it is just a couple of minutes of pain to get up the hill.  Our friend Shauna passed away one year ago yesterday, and I thought of her on the top of the hill.. remembering her battle, her courage, her faith, and her strength. My wife Christina as been battling breast cancer for the last two and a half years, and I admire her courage, faith, and strength.  This fuels me to push up the hill.


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