Day 78
Boston Qualifying Training. Twelve years ago today I was lying in bed when I awoke with this presence hovering above me. Slowly opening my eyes I see Kim leaning over me, kneeling on the bed, she is in the ninth month of pregnancy. She says, “Oh, you are awake.” I briefly wonder how long she has been waiting for me to wake up, but my though process is interrupted by the next three words, “I feel funny”. Two weeks earlier the doc told us that we would know when it was time, that she would feel different, she might feel "funny". The word were like a shot of adrenaline. All the months of waiting were over, it was time. I hop out of bed and suggest that she take a shower. She ask’s me to not call the doctor, but I do. He say’s take some time.
I make Kim breakfast, chocolate chip muffins, juice and milk. The contractions are happening, and today will be the day. We sit and watch Mr Hollands Opus, to pass the time. A good movie. The contractions shorten and it is time. We drive down an empty 400 on a Sunday morning. Thankfully it was not Monday rush hour. I recall that as we exited 400 she had her first strong contraction, she groaned and I stepped harder on the gas pedal, laughable now. The story ends with a Jack being born later that day… the twelve years since have flown by. He is becoming a young man and I could not be prouder. Cherish every day, time is fleeting and soon he’ll be learning to drive and next off to college. Today, he’s still my boy and I’ll hug him a little longer while I still can.
My run this morning was strong. Jay and I met early, 4:15, which meant an early wake up, 3:45 AM. Early, but worth it. Jay and I have started this training program together and I expect to cross the finish line together as well. We are good support for one another.
Meeting at LTF, Jay reminds me that there is a mile warm up… rats! I forgot the warm up when I mapped the course last night. No worries, I quickly recalculate a new route in my head and we are off. The first mile is difficult, it is early and our bodies have not yet warmed up. The weather however is perfect, not close to perfect, but absolutely perfect. It is 52 degrees no wind, and clear skies.
After the warm up we set our watches, reset the Garmin and we are off. The first mile is a 7:45, not unexpected, though a little tough, we are still warming up. The next mile is better, 7:50… closing in on the target. By the third mile we are hitting 7:55 – 8:00 minutes per mile. Good deal. We lock in the pace and keep on running. Soon enough we are at our first water stop, about 20 seconds walking/drinking and off we go. We are right on pace for a cumulative time, at one point, 1 second over pace. We hit our next water stop, drink/walk and “relief”, 30 seconds, and we start rolling again. The climb up mount Westside Parkway is a controlled pace. The left on Old Milton Parkway is a good easy pace. The run is almost too easy. A couple more right hand turns and we are heading down Academy. We are ahead of pace, but it is a simple 7:57. Not a 7:30, so good. I feel good. I feel good and this is after a 20 mile run just three days prior. My left leg does act up a little but I refuse to give it any consideration other than a reminder to watch my stride.
The run is completed in 1:19:29, thirty seconds fast, again 3 seconds per mile. A good job. These past few weeks have continued to build my confidence as the marathon date nears. My last 10 mile run was on pace, but it seemed like I struggled and doing more would have taken work. Today the motor was running and I was in a groove, there was more in the tank. Now was I ready for another 16.2 miles, I don’t know, but I do know that each week is getting better.
A full day of work today, followed by birthday festivities in the evening with Jack. Sounds like a good day.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Another Nice Day
Day 77
Boston Qualifying Training. I wake before 6:00 AM, a smile crosses my face, I know it is Sunday, my workouts done and with guest at the house, I have nothing too urgent to worry about. Rolling over, I sleep.
Waking up around 7:00 that is enough, time to get up. I put out the dogs, fill the bowls and give them some attention. They are not the best dogs, but they are good dogs and they mean well.
The family is still asleep. I go to my office and print off the football picks for the day. A big day for the Giants, they need a win, a loss and the season is pretty much over. As the family stirs, I continued with a few chores, sweeping the floors, sweeping out the garage, cleaning out the vehicles. Soon enough we are heading to Mel’s. I hear an ear full of abuse about the Giants third loss in a row. The ribbing is good natured. Arrrgh, the Giants. Hurt feelings are soothed over with a mound of free bacon! Man bacon can cure almost anything, it was well over a pound of the cured goodness.
The morning slip by easily and we prepare for Jacks Birthday Party. It is his 12th Birthday on Monday. Today we have a flag football game schedule with nine of his friends. I will ref, too close to Huntsville for me to be taking any chances by playing.
The boys have a blast. Jack is QB’ing against the boy who is the starting QB on his team. Jack easily out plays him and leads his team to a 42 – 28 victory, it was never close. I became a spectator as they ref’ed themselves. At half-time I challenge the boys to sing the Star Spangled Banner… They do it, all 10 of them, loudly. I wish I had a video of it, cool. MVP’s of the Game, split, Wil and Jack!
After the game we hit the house for cake and ice cream and a little chatter. Families come I and join the festivities. A good time. Tomorrow we will celebrate Jacks birthday with just the family.
We settle into an evening meal Roast Beef, gravy, mashed potato’s, green beans, sweet potato’s, rolls… the feed bag is on. I likely gained all my weight back. Four weeks out, I will be tightening the belt, no junk, no ice cream, chips, candy… it all goes away. This will be the last time I eat without thinking.
The meal is good but my stomach sours, the Giants lose a game that they could have won. They are not doing the little things that count. It is just like training… you can not just turn it on the day of the race, you have to practice hard, you have to do the little things. Not just run, but lift, core, diet, nutrition… rest… it all counts.
Sitting here this really applies to all aspects of life. Family is the same. Nice to tell your spouse or children you love them, but better to show them. Listening when they are talking, hugging them for no reason, wiping their tears, giving yourself for no reason other than to spend time. The details are the difference.
As I put the garbage out to the curb before going to bed I see the last leaf fall from the tree out front, cool to see as it floats along. I felt as if it was a special gift just for me. The details.
Boston Qualifying Training. I wake before 6:00 AM, a smile crosses my face, I know it is Sunday, my workouts done and with guest at the house, I have nothing too urgent to worry about. Rolling over, I sleep.
Waking up around 7:00 that is enough, time to get up. I put out the dogs, fill the bowls and give them some attention. They are not the best dogs, but they are good dogs and they mean well.
The family is still asleep. I go to my office and print off the football picks for the day. A big day for the Giants, they need a win, a loss and the season is pretty much over. As the family stirs, I continued with a few chores, sweeping the floors, sweeping out the garage, cleaning out the vehicles. Soon enough we are heading to Mel’s. I hear an ear full of abuse about the Giants third loss in a row. The ribbing is good natured. Arrrgh, the Giants. Hurt feelings are soothed over with a mound of free bacon! Man bacon can cure almost anything, it was well over a pound of the cured goodness.
The morning slip by easily and we prepare for Jacks Birthday Party. It is his 12th Birthday on Monday. Today we have a flag football game schedule with nine of his friends. I will ref, too close to Huntsville for me to be taking any chances by playing.
The boys have a blast. Jack is QB’ing against the boy who is the starting QB on his team. Jack easily out plays him and leads his team to a 42 – 28 victory, it was never close. I became a spectator as they ref’ed themselves. At half-time I challenge the boys to sing the Star Spangled Banner… They do it, all 10 of them, loudly. I wish I had a video of it, cool. MVP’s of the Game, split, Wil and Jack!
After the game we hit the house for cake and ice cream and a little chatter. Families come I and join the festivities. A good time. Tomorrow we will celebrate Jacks birthday with just the family.
We settle into an evening meal Roast Beef, gravy, mashed potato’s, green beans, sweet potato’s, rolls… the feed bag is on. I likely gained all my weight back. Four weeks out, I will be tightening the belt, no junk, no ice cream, chips, candy… it all goes away. This will be the last time I eat without thinking.
The meal is good but my stomach sours, the Giants lose a game that they could have won. They are not doing the little things that count. It is just like training… you can not just turn it on the day of the race, you have to practice hard, you have to do the little things. Not just run, but lift, core, diet, nutrition… rest… it all counts.
Sitting here this really applies to all aspects of life. Family is the same. Nice to tell your spouse or children you love them, but better to show them. Listening when they are talking, hugging them for no reason, wiping their tears, giving yourself for no reason other than to spend time. The details are the difference.
As I put the garbage out to the curb before going to bed I see the last leaf fall from the tree out front, cool to see as it floats along. I felt as if it was a special gift just for me. The details.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Let's Get Ready to Rumble
Day 76
Boston Qualifying Training. Oh it’s Saturday. Last night just before I went to bed my work colleague emailed, “my wife’s water broke… were heading to the hospital”. Cool he sends me updates through the night. The baby arrives about 7 AM. He is a first time father. How exciting.
Waking fully I head to the gym and hit the weights. It feels good my legs are burning from the sets. It is a good burn. I finish with my core workout. Nice.
At home we mostly just putter around, taking it easy. Wil has a game at 12:15 and we are looking to just pass the time.
Finally, it’s time. Wil and I head to the game. He is growing up too fast. Arriving early I run the boys through the plays. The other team show up, but they are missing a couple of players. I agree to just play with seven.
The game starts off well enough but by the second play anarchy breaks out. The other coach is complaining. The refs are making up calls. We score quickly and it only makes it worse. The other coach becomes more angry. The refs blow more calls. They argue with me, they argue with the other coach. The refs are becoming the game. I speak to them share that this is an instructional league and the purpose is to coach the boys. The refs threaten to kick me out of the game and call a personal foul.
I'm pissed. We pull out the Stature of Liberty and we score again. The other coach becomes even more angry. We are called for holding, tackling, and an assortment of ridiculous calls to provide the other team an advantage.
At halftime, I take the boys aside and tell them to focus on the game and get a drink. The other coach is talking to the refs. As I head over there the conversation goes from bad to worse. I walk away. I take the high road.
The game continues and the other team scores. The opposing parents are an embarrassment, cheering at a missed snap. The opposing coach threatens one of my kids parents, “I’ll see you after the game” he makes it worse by telling one of his boys on several occasions “go hit that kid and knock him down” unbelievable.
A few of my parents fall into the trap and start to comment back. I stop and ask that the parents take the high road. They do we finish the game, a win, but I am embarrassed that the boys are subjected to such foolishness. Even though we won, the kids are dejected. It feels like a loss. I talk the boys up and tell them how proud I am that they acted like champions and did not fall tot he silly actions of the other coach. Off to Five Guys for victory burgers and fries.
The day slides by, Wil, Jack and I spend time playing in the back yard. I make a Teriyaki Tilapia Dinner over rice and snow peas. Yummy. Better I did not poison anyone this time.
A quick game of Uno and we are all off to bed. Sleep comes easy tonight.
Friday 4 x 20 Knocked out!
Day 75
Boston Qualifying Training. Well here we are the end of Week 11. The fourth of five, 20 mile runs. I feel bad. My stomach is in pain. Kim and Harry spent the night wrapped tightly to the porcelain and a bucket. They clearly have the food poisoning worse than I do. I am happy that I spent time last night putting the bottles out before the plague set in.
Arriving at LTF, I am dressed and ready to go. Jay shows and we are prepared for our run. Today’s menu, 20 miles at an 8:30 pace. We decide to keep it close to 8:30 and drop it down to an 8:20 is pace late in the run. Pure negative splits. Setting Jay's Garmin and my watch, we are off. It is cold this morning, in the low 30's, we both wear shorts and long sleeves. The air is crisp and fresh. There is frost on the ground. The stars are filling the night sky and moon is nearly full. As we click past the first half mile, Jay spots a deer jumping into the woods.
I find that it take a couple of miles to get my body up to speed and warm. The breathing is easy and I focus on an even stride. It seams to be working my left leg is good so far, in fact it will not bother me the entire run. My stomach is making all sorts of noises though. Darn food poisoning. We are close to mile 5 and it hits… my stomach is at war. I quicken my pace… There is a bathroom at Will’s park. Jay, we need to pick it up. Jay suggest a tree, I'll let Jay pretend to be a bear in the woods.
I make it and I quietly thank myself for packing the baby wipes. I thought this might happen given how bad my stomach was last night. A real big thanks to my bud Corey, great idea on the baby wipes in a sandwich bag. I am saved. It is quick, violent and over in less than 40 seconds. I exit the restroom a new and relieved man. Let’s get going.
The miles tick along with the conversation. We are running easy. We pass mile eight and head to the back side of Mansell Road, it is my least favorite part of the run. We pass Waffle House at mile ten. All systems are go and my stomach is no longer making noise.
Heading up mount Westside Parkway, we are through the most difficult part of the run. Thirteen down, seven to go. I look at Jay, cruise control. He is steady, I too feel good. “Jay” I say, “let’s pick up the pace with 6 to go” it is the easier part of the route. We finish fourteen and the pace quickens. The horses are running and it feels good. I feel strong.
The next three miles are strong. A quick drink at mile seventeen and we are ready to finish off the run… Up and down Campbell Road, we hit Westside Parkway, left to Windward, Northpoint, up Marta, behind LTF we are laughing and joking, this is too easy. We pull up to the door and the 20 miles are done 2:45:30, 8:16’s for the total run.
The negative splits must have been fast. Jay never did tell me what we were running. I now know why. Though it was too fast, I am happy. This was a run that provided me confidence.
Right now I am confident. Pace and consistency. Be strong at the end. A good run.
Heading to Cracker Barrel for a weekly Friday breakfast Jay and I talk about a road trip to Huntsville in two weeks to run our last 20 on the course. It would be good if we can. We’ll both need spouse approval for that to happen.
Kim and Harry are still sick, when I get home. We nurse the sick and I keep busy with work. The day ends with practice for Wil and Jack and I later attending the Milton game.
Week 11 is done. Good deal. Bring on Week 12 I’m ready!
Boston Qualifying Training. Well here we are the end of Week 11. The fourth of five, 20 mile runs. I feel bad. My stomach is in pain. Kim and Harry spent the night wrapped tightly to the porcelain and a bucket. They clearly have the food poisoning worse than I do. I am happy that I spent time last night putting the bottles out before the plague set in.
Arriving at LTF, I am dressed and ready to go. Jay shows and we are prepared for our run. Today’s menu, 20 miles at an 8:30 pace. We decide to keep it close to 8:30 and drop it down to an 8:20 is pace late in the run. Pure negative splits. Setting Jay's Garmin and my watch, we are off. It is cold this morning, in the low 30's, we both wear shorts and long sleeves. The air is crisp and fresh. There is frost on the ground. The stars are filling the night sky and moon is nearly full. As we click past the first half mile, Jay spots a deer jumping into the woods.
I find that it take a couple of miles to get my body up to speed and warm. The breathing is easy and I focus on an even stride. It seams to be working my left leg is good so far, in fact it will not bother me the entire run. My stomach is making all sorts of noises though. Darn food poisoning. We are close to mile 5 and it hits… my stomach is at war. I quicken my pace… There is a bathroom at Will’s park. Jay, we need to pick it up. Jay suggest a tree, I'll let Jay pretend to be a bear in the woods.
I make it and I quietly thank myself for packing the baby wipes. I thought this might happen given how bad my stomach was last night. A real big thanks to my bud Corey, great idea on the baby wipes in a sandwich bag. I am saved. It is quick, violent and over in less than 40 seconds. I exit the restroom a new and relieved man. Let’s get going.
The miles tick along with the conversation. We are running easy. We pass mile eight and head to the back side of Mansell Road, it is my least favorite part of the run. We pass Waffle House at mile ten. All systems are go and my stomach is no longer making noise.
Heading up mount Westside Parkway, we are through the most difficult part of the run. Thirteen down, seven to go. I look at Jay, cruise control. He is steady, I too feel good. “Jay” I say, “let’s pick up the pace with 6 to go” it is the easier part of the route. We finish fourteen and the pace quickens. The horses are running and it feels good. I feel strong.
The next three miles are strong. A quick drink at mile seventeen and we are ready to finish off the run… Up and down Campbell Road, we hit Westside Parkway, left to Windward, Northpoint, up Marta, behind LTF we are laughing and joking, this is too easy. We pull up to the door and the 20 miles are done 2:45:30, 8:16’s for the total run.
The negative splits must have been fast. Jay never did tell me what we were running. I now know why. Though it was too fast, I am happy. This was a run that provided me confidence.
Right now I am confident. Pace and consistency. Be strong at the end. A good run.
Heading to Cracker Barrel for a weekly Friday breakfast Jay and I talk about a road trip to Huntsville in two weeks to run our last 20 on the course. It would be good if we can. We’ll both need spouse approval for that to happen.
Kim and Harry are still sick, when I get home. We nurse the sick and I keep busy with work. The day ends with practice for Wil and Jack and I later attending the Milton game.
Week 11 is done. Good deal. Bring on Week 12 I’m ready!
Done in by the Birthday Meatball
Day 74
Boston Qualifying Training. Thursday morning and it is off to Swim. It would be difficult to say swimming is a fun thing for me, it would be stretch to say I like it, but it is fair to say, it is helping.
I know the swimming is maintaining a solid base of conditioning while the low impact of allows my body to heal from the run workouts.
Today would be a series of 300’s, lot's of them. With the girls missing, it is just Shane and I in lane two. The first few 300’s are good, but I felt myself fading as the workout went on. It would have been easy to just turn it off and cruise, but that certainly would not be any benefit.
Many times in a run, when the legs are toast, the lungs burn, the mind drifts, it would be easy to just back off, but that does not raise the bar, you just have to push through it, through the pain, push out the negative thoughts and move forward. Applying that same mindset, I focus on my stroke and I pull deep from the reserves. I break the workout down into easy to accomplish segments and keep on "moving forward". I finish the workout and consider it a small victory. I also put that moment in my mind, something to pull on when things get tough, the ability that I can drive on.
A quick shower and I am off to put Wil & Jack on the bus. Unlike Wednesday when I was slammed on work, today I take PTO, my first PTO in over 4 months. With my sister and brother-in-law visiting, we schedule a day of golf.
Golf is like any other sport, it takes practice and a mental toughness. That said, the last time I played golf was the beginning of summer. Kim and I had hooked up with another couple and we played nine holes, I have not touched the clubs since. Today we were playing 18. I decide to put my competitive nature to the side and not take the golfing too serious, rather enjoy the day with family. Good thing. My score would best calculated with an abacus.
Kim played well and my sister has a good game too. However the real joy is watching my brother-in-law, Harry. Harry who is 63, a very young and athletic 63 played great. As we play, I might hit a good shot every 8-10 strokes, a good drive here, a nice putt there, but I do not play enough to ever string together a decent game. Harry however is very good. We played a course he never played, we played from the back tee’s that included many blind shots. His play is consistent, hit shots are down the middle of the fairway, this approach shots are not on the green, but in a specific spot on the green. He shoots a 75, 3 over par! Funny, he was a bit upset with that score!
As for me, I stopped writing my score down after the first snowman, and that was the first hole. However, I did have my moment of glory. The 9th hole, par five, I hit Harry’s driver, a crushing drive straight down the fairway, I actually out drove Harry by over 30 yards. My next shot, a 5 wood, from 210 plus yards away. I take a quick practice stroke and it feels good. I step up to the ball, a quick glance to the hole and I steady myself. Drawing back the club I feel good, the swing is fluid, the ball takes flight and takes a trajectory directly to the green. I watch as the ball lands on the green and checks up. It sits perfectly, 14 feet away from the hole. I smile inward.
Arriving at the green I can actually see "the line". Sometimes I see it clearly, others I have no idea. This one I see. I draw back, but my putting stroke hesitates, I leave the putt short. Harry say’s “you babied the putt”. I agree. No Eagle, it would have been a first. I will not miss the Bird. I line up the putt and firmly stroke the ball, center cut.
A Bloody Mary with my sister at the turn, I feel nearly drunk for holes 11-16 and my game turns further south. I hit maybe 5 more good shots the rest of the day, but I’ll live on way I played the ninth hole.
I fix a big bowl of pasta and meatballs for the family diner in preparation for tomorrows big 20 miles. After a quick dinner I head to Taco Mac for a beer and a new glass.
On the way home I feel a bit sick. Kim calls, she is not feeling well. By the time 9:30 hits, the family is sick and everyone is throwing up or… well yeah that too.
I spend the night bent over in pain waking more than sleeping. The 20 will be tough.
Boston Qualifying Training. Thursday morning and it is off to Swim. It would be difficult to say swimming is a fun thing for me, it would be stretch to say I like it, but it is fair to say, it is helping.
I know the swimming is maintaining a solid base of conditioning while the low impact of allows my body to heal from the run workouts.
Today would be a series of 300’s, lot's of them. With the girls missing, it is just Shane and I in lane two. The first few 300’s are good, but I felt myself fading as the workout went on. It would have been easy to just turn it off and cruise, but that certainly would not be any benefit.
Many times in a run, when the legs are toast, the lungs burn, the mind drifts, it would be easy to just back off, but that does not raise the bar, you just have to push through it, through the pain, push out the negative thoughts and move forward. Applying that same mindset, I focus on my stroke and I pull deep from the reserves. I break the workout down into easy to accomplish segments and keep on "moving forward". I finish the workout and consider it a small victory. I also put that moment in my mind, something to pull on when things get tough, the ability that I can drive on.
A quick shower and I am off to put Wil & Jack on the bus. Unlike Wednesday when I was slammed on work, today I take PTO, my first PTO in over 4 months. With my sister and brother-in-law visiting, we schedule a day of golf.
Golf is like any other sport, it takes practice and a mental toughness. That said, the last time I played golf was the beginning of summer. Kim and I had hooked up with another couple and we played nine holes, I have not touched the clubs since. Today we were playing 18. I decide to put my competitive nature to the side and not take the golfing too serious, rather enjoy the day with family. Good thing. My score would best calculated with an abacus.
Kim played well and my sister has a good game too. However the real joy is watching my brother-in-law, Harry. Harry who is 63, a very young and athletic 63 played great. As we play, I might hit a good shot every 8-10 strokes, a good drive here, a nice putt there, but I do not play enough to ever string together a decent game. Harry however is very good. We played a course he never played, we played from the back tee’s that included many blind shots. His play is consistent, hit shots are down the middle of the fairway, this approach shots are not on the green, but in a specific spot on the green. He shoots a 75, 3 over par! Funny, he was a bit upset with that score!
As for me, I stopped writing my score down after the first snowman, and that was the first hole. However, I did have my moment of glory. The 9th hole, par five, I hit Harry’s driver, a crushing drive straight down the fairway, I actually out drove Harry by over 30 yards. My next shot, a 5 wood, from 210 plus yards away. I take a quick practice stroke and it feels good. I step up to the ball, a quick glance to the hole and I steady myself. Drawing back the club I feel good, the swing is fluid, the ball takes flight and takes a trajectory directly to the green. I watch as the ball lands on the green and checks up. It sits perfectly, 14 feet away from the hole. I smile inward.
Arriving at the green I can actually see "the line". Sometimes I see it clearly, others I have no idea. This one I see. I draw back, but my putting stroke hesitates, I leave the putt short. Harry say’s “you babied the putt”. I agree. No Eagle, it would have been a first. I will not miss the Bird. I line up the putt and firmly stroke the ball, center cut.
A Bloody Mary with my sister at the turn, I feel nearly drunk for holes 11-16 and my game turns further south. I hit maybe 5 more good shots the rest of the day, but I’ll live on way I played the ninth hole.
I fix a big bowl of pasta and meatballs for the family diner in preparation for tomorrows big 20 miles. After a quick dinner I head to Taco Mac for a beer and a new glass.
On the way home I feel a bit sick. Kim calls, she is not feeling well. By the time 9:30 hits, the family is sick and everyone is throwing up or… well yeah that too.
I spend the night bent over in pain waking more than sleeping. The 20 will be tough.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Tick Tock Track Clock Times 5
Day 73
Boston Qualifying Training. Track day! Well kind of… I tricked myself. Today was tempo day, but my tempo days are typically days of frustration. Not because it is too fast, rather, I can not keep myself on pace. I go TOO FAST. Typically my tempo day goes something like this… Okay an easy warm up at 8:30’s, I do 8:00 or even 7:50. Pace might be 7:29 and I am so concerned that I am running too slow I hit 7:10, or 7:15. Next, I think, back it off, so I take a little bit off, after a few minutes it feels like I have slowed too much! Uh-oh, better pick it up… go too fast and hit the mile marker at a 7:10 or 7:15. I do this 3-5 more times depending on what the prescribed workout is for that tempo day. At the end of the run I am wore out and frustrated.
But not today. Seeing as it is only a 1 mile EZ and 5 miles at 7:29, I decide to join my buddies at the track. I will be disciplined. I have my times written on my hand, 56 seconds every 200 meters and 1:52 every quarter. Four laps around the track is shorter than a mile, so I select the second lane, it is 20 meters longer per lap, that should make it a mile.
The jog to the track is uneventful, Jeff, Corey, Chris and myself. I feel good and I am happy that I have my hat and long sleeves, winter weather is coming.
As I will be doing this 5 miles run alone, though near my buds on the track, I pop in the ipod and I am off. The pace is easy, comfortable even. I wonder what it might be when I hit the first 200 meters, looking I see 52, not bad, rounding the first ¼ mile, 1:49, a little fast, I pull back a bit. The next lap is 1:52, better… and so it goes 18 more times. I switch directions every mile, so I can balance my legs and it makes it easier to keep track of the laps, four laps, and switch directions.
I am watching Corey, Chris and Jeff they are all in a groove. I would love to blast a couple of laps off, but that would serve no purpose but to feed my ego. I consider maybe letting loose on the last two laps but again… why. Those days can wait until December 12th passes.
I end the workout and my time is 36:11, about a minute and 15 seconds too fast, for a mile pace of 7:14, rather than the prescribed 7:29. I think, that’s not right, I was only 2-3 seconds fast every 200… oh yeah, times 8 equals 15 seconds. I am not displeased. If I had been doing that time and huffing and puffing, sure, It would have been too fast. The fact is I felt good, I was in control and I was very comfortable.
This is a good run to build on for the 20 miler on Friday. I have now had 3 solid back to back to back runs. I am looking forward to kicking butt on the 20 miles at an 8:20 pace. My goal for Friday is to run the first 11 at 8:20 and the next 9 at 8:15, to feel it out maybe even drop that last two to an 8:00 pace.
Last night I finished welding the Marinich of the Week Award. It may look a little rough, but it came out just as I had hoped. It looks cool.
Weights at lunch provided there is time. There is a lot of work to get done. Weight today, 177. Steady.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
And the Award goes to...
Day 72
Boston Qualifying Training. Though I went to bed early last night, I woke in the middle of a great dream and honestly it would have been very easy to roll over and go back to sleep. The reality is the thought crossed my mind, but I knew that would not help. Sitting in the middle of Week 11, this is it, crunch time, no time to slack off. I hop out of bed and know that this day will make me stronger.
Arriving at LFT, I am ready for the swim, it is a good looking first set and we work hard to stay on pace. The deeper we go into the workout, the harder and faster we get. By the time we hit the kick sets I am done. Exhausted. I take the next 15 minutes and swim it out. I go into the workout like a lion, fast and furious, but I left like a lamb, spent. I leave the pool knowing that work was done. I needed to push a little more at the end of the workout, though I remember that my real goal in focusing on the key runs this week.
Tomorrow is a tempo run, 1 mile warm up and 5 miles at 7:29 tempo. I will do the work at the track so I can stay on pace. It will be a little boring, but, it will keep me steady. I will take my ipod and find a groove. I have had a problem with going too fast on tempo, but tomorrow the track will keep me honest. It will also be good to run with company as others will be doing their track workout.
There is way too much going on at work and family time seems to go by too fast. Tonight Jack has football practice that will last until 8:30 PM. I’ll get home just in time to tuck Wil in to bed and myself shortly there after.
On the family side, I had what I think is a cool idea. Two weeks ago I started the “Marinich of the Week Award”. The Marinich of the Week Award is handed out to the Marinich that has contributed to the family, or done something outstanding, or taken a leadership position, or done a good deed.
Kim won the first Marinich of the Week Award for her outstanding work as a great mother and wife these past 17 years, an easy pick. This Sunday the award was given to Kim, for outstanding contribution to the family. It was totally unexpected and unprecedented to have the award won twice in two weeks. The bar has been raised high.
Funny to see the reaction of the boys. Wil is working hard to make certain his chores are done, table cleared, and studying hard. He wants to win the award. He asked me, “Dad if I get a 100 on my spelling test will I win?” I think that Wil may have an inside track on this weeks award.
As for the award, I am making it. The second part of my brilliance, this is an opportunity for me to practice my welding skills. Last night I cut all the pieces out of 22 gauge steel. Tonight I will start welding. The Award is a 3D steel sculpture of the letter "M", it will look rough, but cool when it is done. Besides, my welding skills will be better when I am done.
Front and back sides of the Award
Off to work… Weight 177. Need to start trending down.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Moon Lit Monday
Day 71
Boston Qualifying Training. Wil is on the bus, Jack is eating, he’s such a slow eater that he could easily sleep another 30 minutes, but he enjoys taking his time eating breakfast and watching the NFL network. He also likes to see his brother off to school, a good big brother.
The boys both enjoyed a surprise for breakfast, donuts! The benefit of waking at 3:40 AM is I had time to stop by Dunkin Dounuts after my workout.
Waking at 3:40, I was surprisingly alert. I tried my best to not wake Kim as I left. Pulling on my long running pants, I see the moon is full outside. The sky is open and it looks like a cool fall day.
At LTF Jay and I head out to the track. The workout is a good one, 1k @ 4:06, 400 RI, 2K @ 8:26, 1K and 1K, again @ 4:06. The warm up is nice, I feel good, my body feels good, I am ready for Week 11 a week that ends with our 4th 20 mile run.
It takes about 9 minutes to get to the track, maybe longer. Jay and I take that time to do our weekly math problem… converting finish time to 200 meter split times. Math while running is always bad. Converting minutes to seconds, adding the total seconds, dividing by the number of 200’s and adding it all back up. What a mess. We come to an agreement on what the time is supposed to be and give it a go.
Arriving at the track we both comment on how well lit the track is by the full moon. A quick loop around to clear the track and we are ready to hit it. We suffer bad math, but somehow manage to get the times close. We are fast on each of the set by 10 seconds but consistent and more important we were running negative splits, 200 meters @ 47.7, 47.2, 47.7, 46.6, 46.4. This happen on every set.
The workout is done almost as quickly as it started. I feel fresh and put another positive workout in the book. A great way to start the week, a great way to start Week 11.
I will hit the weights at lunch. Weight today 178. Hmmm. Off to work.
Boston Qualifying Training. Wil is on the bus, Jack is eating, he’s such a slow eater that he could easily sleep another 30 minutes, but he enjoys taking his time eating breakfast and watching the NFL network. He also likes to see his brother off to school, a good big brother.
The boys both enjoyed a surprise for breakfast, donuts! The benefit of waking at 3:40 AM is I had time to stop by Dunkin Dounuts after my workout.
Waking at 3:40, I was surprisingly alert. I tried my best to not wake Kim as I left. Pulling on my long running pants, I see the moon is full outside. The sky is open and it looks like a cool fall day.
At LTF Jay and I head out to the track. The workout is a good one, 1k @ 4:06, 400 RI, 2K @ 8:26, 1K and 1K, again @ 4:06. The warm up is nice, I feel good, my body feels good, I am ready for Week 11 a week that ends with our 4th 20 mile run.
It takes about 9 minutes to get to the track, maybe longer. Jay and I take that time to do our weekly math problem… converting finish time to 200 meter split times. Math while running is always bad. Converting minutes to seconds, adding the total seconds, dividing by the number of 200’s and adding it all back up. What a mess. We come to an agreement on what the time is supposed to be and give it a go.
Arriving at the track we both comment on how well lit the track is by the full moon. A quick loop around to clear the track and we are ready to hit it. We suffer bad math, but somehow manage to get the times close. We are fast on each of the set by 10 seconds but consistent and more important we were running negative splits, 200 meters @ 47.7, 47.2, 47.7, 46.6, 46.4. This happen on every set.
The workout is done almost as quickly as it started. I feel fresh and put another positive workout in the book. A great way to start the week, a great way to start Week 11.
I will hit the weights at lunch. Weight today 178. Hmmm. Off to work.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday...
Day 70
Boston Qualifying Training. I wake up later than expected. The day will pattern this start. We are late getting to Mel’s. I forgot to bring the football picks and we had to go back home, right where I left them, on the counter.
At home, I spend hours, really, hours, putting up the Halloween decorations. I though it might take me 45 minutes tops, wrong 3 hours. The day is zipping by, my goal is to finish so I can watch the Giants, I almost miss the start. We all love the Giants in the Marinich house.
As excited as I was about the game, I knew that this was a make break game for the Giants, a win would put them back on the road to a good season and in first place in the division, though a loss could be the start of the Giants spiraling out of control. Grabbing some snacks we all sit down to watch the game. In minutes of the start, the game is over, Eagles dominate.
I knew before the game started I would have to leave for Wil’s Sunday game. By the time we had to leave I was eager to turn off the television. The Giants lost 40-17! Not even a competition. I'm still a fan, but it will be a tough season. Two years ago I said the Superbowl win would last me 7 years... 2 down.
At the park, the team shows up late. The game starts and it is clear each boy is suffering the affects of a candy induced coma. Those that do not have candy corn stuck to their face suffer from lack of sleep.
Blocks are missed, balls are dropped, routes not run correctly and defense at time porous. Safe for a few highlights, the game easily could have been lost. However after a rousing half-time talk from the coach, me, the boys hit the field with determination to put the game away. It was not pretty, but the boys won, 12 – 0.
I really do not care as much about the win, but really use this time to teach the fundamentals of football. I had a lot of coaching opportunities today!
Pulling away from the field, I am happy for the distraction of Wil’s game, not because the Giants lost, or Jack’s team lost last night, but to take my mind off training. I think this weekend is a good weekend to help me keep things in perspective. Sure, I want to do well on December 12th and yes, I want to qualify for Boston. But the reality is the balance of family, work, faith, and training is important and so delicate.
I work desperately to keep my focus on family and not let the training consume me, or spill over to the family in a way that is negative. I do think my training can be a positive aspect for the boys. I think it is important that they understand that goals require discipline and degree of sacrifice. I also think it is important for them to know that you may not be great everyday, but everyday can be a great day!
At home, dinner is fixed and we enjoy having my sister and brother visiting. All is done in time to watch the Yankee’s play. I will only make it to the 3rd inning. I will not be late for bed! Week 11 starts at 4:15 AM. I am ready, bring it!
Good night moon, good night stars.
Boston Qualifying Training. I wake up later than expected. The day will pattern this start. We are late getting to Mel’s. I forgot to bring the football picks and we had to go back home, right where I left them, on the counter.
At home, I spend hours, really, hours, putting up the Halloween decorations. I though it might take me 45 minutes tops, wrong 3 hours. The day is zipping by, my goal is to finish so I can watch the Giants, I almost miss the start. We all love the Giants in the Marinich house.
As excited as I was about the game, I knew that this was a make break game for the Giants, a win would put them back on the road to a good season and in first place in the division, though a loss could be the start of the Giants spiraling out of control. Grabbing some snacks we all sit down to watch the game. In minutes of the start, the game is over, Eagles dominate.
I knew before the game started I would have to leave for Wil’s Sunday game. By the time we had to leave I was eager to turn off the television. The Giants lost 40-17! Not even a competition. I'm still a fan, but it will be a tough season. Two years ago I said the Superbowl win would last me 7 years... 2 down.
At the park, the team shows up late. The game starts and it is clear each boy is suffering the affects of a candy induced coma. Those that do not have candy corn stuck to their face suffer from lack of sleep.
Blocks are missed, balls are dropped, routes not run correctly and defense at time porous. Safe for a few highlights, the game easily could have been lost. However after a rousing half-time talk from the coach, me, the boys hit the field with determination to put the game away. It was not pretty, but the boys won, 12 – 0.
I really do not care as much about the win, but really use this time to teach the fundamentals of football. I had a lot of coaching opportunities today!
Pulling away from the field, I am happy for the distraction of Wil’s game, not because the Giants lost, or Jack’s team lost last night, but to take my mind off training. I think this weekend is a good weekend to help me keep things in perspective. Sure, I want to do well on December 12th and yes, I want to qualify for Boston. But the reality is the balance of family, work, faith, and training is important and so delicate.
I work desperately to keep my focus on family and not let the training consume me, or spill over to the family in a way that is negative. I do think my training can be a positive aspect for the boys. I think it is important that they understand that goals require discipline and degree of sacrifice. I also think it is important for them to know that you may not be great everyday, but everyday can be a great day!
At home, dinner is fixed and we enjoy having my sister and brother visiting. All is done in time to watch the Yankee’s play. I will only make it to the 3rd inning. I will not be late for bed! Week 11 starts at 4:15 AM. I am ready, bring it!
Good night moon, good night stars.
Scary Saturday
Day 69
Boston Qualifying Training. Saturday morning I am up early, but this time it is for Wil. This day I will be a supporting cast member to the boys. It is a day of football. The day starts with Wil’s game at 8:30, followed by Jack’s game at 4:30 and ending with the great candy collection of Halloween.
I am jump out of bed and make my way down stairs; cinnamon rolls, bacon and a glass of juice is a winning breakfast combination. We are the first to arrive at the field and warm up throwing and run through our plays for the day. I find doing this helps make the boys comfortable with the plays and drive off the nerves.
Almost at the start of the game the rain came. We did not get wet, we were soaked! The boys had perhaps their best game, dominating the line of scrimmage and a great penetrating defense. Wil had a career day on the field Saturday, running in for two touchdowns, picking up a first down, and throwing 3 for 3, including a touchdown an two 2 point conversions. The game ended up 42 to 12. Check out the boys here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxJ-8NGOBc4
Coming home there was work to get done… pumpkins to carve and chores to be completed. The clock was ticking… about the time the pumpkins were carved, it was time to leave for Jacks game. What a game. It was a shoot out. But the good guys were on the losing side. We put up a great offence, but the defense was unable to stop the opposing team. We have a lot of work to do before our first play-off game.
As disappointed as I was at the end of the game and as much as I kept running the game back and forth through my head, the boys were over it in minutes, after all it was Halloween.
Back at the house the neighborhood streets were already filled with a parade of kids going house to house.
Boston Qualifying Training. Saturday morning I am up early, but this time it is for Wil. This day I will be a supporting cast member to the boys. It is a day of football. The day starts with Wil’s game at 8:30, followed by Jack’s game at 4:30 and ending with the great candy collection of Halloween.
I am jump out of bed and make my way down stairs; cinnamon rolls, bacon and a glass of juice is a winning breakfast combination. We are the first to arrive at the field and warm up throwing and run through our plays for the day. I find doing this helps make the boys comfortable with the plays and drive off the nerves.
Almost at the start of the game the rain came. We did not get wet, we were soaked! The boys had perhaps their best game, dominating the line of scrimmage and a great penetrating defense. Wil had a career day on the field Saturday, running in for two touchdowns, picking up a first down, and throwing 3 for 3, including a touchdown an two 2 point conversions. The game ended up 42 to 12. Check out the boys here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxJ-8NGOBc4
Coming home there was work to get done… pumpkins to carve and chores to be completed. The clock was ticking… about the time the pumpkins were carved, it was time to leave for Jacks game. What a game. It was a shoot out. But the good guys were on the losing side. We put up a great offence, but the defense was unable to stop the opposing team. We have a lot of work to do before our first play-off game.
As disappointed as I was at the end of the game and as much as I kept running the game back and forth through my head, the boys were over it in minutes, after all it was Halloween.
Back at the house the neighborhood streets were already filled with a parade of kids going house to house.
We had a gang of 10 that walked the neighborhood. This was the first time I walked with the kids rather than hand out the candy. I stayed back about 10 yards and let the boys be boys. It was fun to see them as they matured. Proud to hear them all say thank you and how they watched out for the Wil. Good kids. Jack and will ended up with 188 pieces of candy, and to quote on of the other parents I met out on the street, “this neighborhood give out the best candy, full candy bars, cans of coke… wow!”
Rounding up the boys we head back to the house. Though I am committed getting more sleep, I end up watching the Yankees, it goes late, but he Yanks win. It is 1 AM, I sleep easy.
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