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June 30, 2006
Blister Rub a dub dub
Wednesday was a tough day. I awoke at 5:15 a.m. to be out of the house by 6 a.m. because it was a packed day. I knew it was going to be 100-plus degrees in the afternoon and I had to write a story on UCLA and the NBA draft.
I wasn’t willing to run eight miles while pushing Kyan’s jogger/stroller, so I did it before Rebecca went to work. I was amazed I ran at a strong, yet comfortable pace, finishing in 1 hour, 16 minutes, 58 seconds.
However, with the early start time I rushed out of the house and forgot one very important part in preparation of running.
Body glide. http://www.2toms.com/
It works wonders, mainly by preventing chafing. I don’t have trouble with my feet but there are other areas (please use your imagination) where rubbing takes place and can turn painful.
I sweat like a drooling camel in the desert, so it is important for me to use Body Glide on runs of more than four miles. When I forgot, I am reminded about my brain lapse as soon as I take a shower.
On Thursday it was another scorcher in the Valley, so I didn’t run until nearly 8 p.m. But one thing I’m thrilled about is my conditioning. It was a four mile run that I finished in a shade under 38 minutes, and without running hard. Afterward, I remarked to Rebecca that I barely felt I did anything.
Posted by Brian Dohn at 12:13 PM | Comments (0)
June 25, 2006
Thanks, weather people
Did I mention how much I hate mornings? If it were up to me, marathons would begin at 6 p.m.
Some people run better at night, some in the mornings. (Some not at all) The later for me, the better, but when the so-called weather experts forecast temperatures in the 100s for the weekend, it meant waking up before my 6-month-old son.
Faced with a seven mile run Saturday and 11 miles on Sunday, I was up by 5:15 a.m. By the time I ate something and stretched -- it takes me about an hour to get out of the house in the morning – it was close to 6:30 a.m. I figured with high temperatures forecast, I should be done as early as possible because it wouldn’t cool down at night.
But ya’ know what amazes me?
How often the forecasts are wrong. I know, I should know better. Yet, for some reason, I don’t.
Our atomic clock/ thermometer reached 98 Saturday, then never got above 95 on Sunday. No, I wouldn’t have run in the dead heat of the day, but the lower temperatures meant I could have run later in the morning (like after England beat Ecuador on Sunday) or in the evening, when the sun would have gone down and the day cooled off more than if it were in the 100s.
However, I do enjoy being home by 8:30 a.m. and knowing my running is over with.
On a different subject, I would say within the next three weeks I will need a new pair of running shoes. My current ones have 256 miles of training on them, plus I wore them about 50 miles worth of running before training. I was told they would be good for 400 to 500 miles.
But a key is to get the new ones in time to break them in for the race, but not use them too much so the padding and stability remains intact for the race.
This coming week is when training really kicks up. Rather than the short runs being four miles, they are five. And the intermediate runs jump up to eight miles.
My schedule for the week is 5 miles (Tuesday), 8 miles (Wednesday), 5 miles (Thursday), 8 miles (Saturday) and 17 miles (Sunday).
Posted by Brian Dohn at 3:00 PM | Comments (1)
June 23, 2006
Finding a Way
This is the middle of training, and I can tell. My motivation to run this week wasn't very high, but I know I'm in good shape because I ran fast (for me) without even trying. I finished my Tuesday run of four miles in 36 minutes, 13 seconds, which I was thrilled about. The same run a month ago took four minutes longer.
Another benefit of training is I've lopped off 12 pounds, and I can tell I'm eating better. Right now, a nice white peach seems more appetizing then a bag of chips.
I will admit training alone is more difficult than in a group because there is no peer pressure to make me run on days I would rather hang out at home.
But how can you find a running group?
The best place is at a specialty running store. Most offer groups for beginning, moderate and advanced runners.
If you're interested in running a marathon and don't think you can do the training, there are groups, or running clubs, that can help.
One such group is Team in Training http://www.teamintraining.org. They will help train you, and it's a great way race money and awareness to fight a deadly disease. Every marathon I've run has had a heavy dose of Team in Training participants, and it's interesting to see where everyone is from.
Of course, there are other worthy organizations as well. The key is finidng them.
By the way, I'm not looking forward to the 100-plus temperatures forecast for the Valley this weekend.
Posted by Brian Dohn at 10:44 AM | Comments (0)
June 19, 2006
A Scenary Change
I was able to break out of the mundane routine of running in the Valley and ran in New Jersey. Rebecca and I were there to show Kyan off to some new family members, and I forgot how much fun it is running in a different place. I don't know every crack in the sidewalk, or every bit of uneven pavement, so I wind up taking in the sights a lot more and the run goes quicker.
For those that know me, you'll understand why my Sunday run of 15 miles was something I anticipated greatly.
I left my mom's house and ran 7.5 miles to Rutgers Stadium, got to the statue celebrating the first collegiate game played. Yes, it was at Rutgers (http://scarletknights.com/football/history/first_game.htm).
I touched the toe before turning around and heading back.
One thing I wasn't used to was the humidity. Add in 90 degree temperatures when I started at 6 p.m. and it was a challenging run. There were also more hills than I'm used to in the Valley, but I kept my positive thinking. I often thought about how much this will help me in Quebec City.
I find that thinking good thoughts is the best way to get through a lengthy. It was also helpful Rebecca, Kyan and my niece, Nicole, were there to refill my water bottle a few times. I find a mixture of water and Gatorade works best for me. Not too sweet, but enough kick to give me energy and replace electrolytes.
I can tell how fatigued my body is right now, especially because of the travel, from the last two weeks. Thankfully, this is a scale-back week for me. I go 4 miles (Tuesday), 5 miles (Wednesday), 4 miles (Thursday), 5 miles (Saturday) and 11 miles (Sunday).
Posted by Brian Dohn at 5:53 AM | Comments (1)
June 16, 2006
Remembering a Precedent
I was facing seven miles in the evening, and hunger pains in the afternoon. So at the supermarket I was faced with a tough decision -- I needed food and a meatball parm sub was calling my name.
That's when I remembered the Taco Salad precedent. Yes, I alluded to it in my first blog, and it taught me how to choose food wisely when I was facing a run later in the day.
So what is the taco salad incident?
I was dumb enough to eat a taco salad before a 13 mile run. I finished the run nicely, but I needed to break for a few minutes midway through. All I'll say is thank goodness for Andy Gump. If you're running long distances, I think it's imperative to know where bathrooms are situated.
I know, it's not the nicest things in the world to think about, but it's a fact of life. It taught me a valuable lesson -- which is why I had a turkey sandwich before my seven mile run Wednesday -- while I also lucked out that it was the cleanest Andy Gump around.
(For those of you unfamiliar with Andy Gump, this link should help:http://www.andygump.com)
As far as training this week, I am feeling the rigors of two high mileage weeks back to back. I was tired running Tuesday, then had a minor concern when my lower left leg was sore Wednesday and Thursday. I did my runs, then realized I held Kyan in a weird way Wednesday afternoon and must have strained a muscle in my lower leg.
It's better now, but it reminded me how careful I have to be in training. There are always little ailments that come about, and when I get this deep in training I am aware of how my body feels at all times.
I have seven miles Saturday and 15 Sunday, so I will be sore by the end of the weekend.
Posted by Brian Dohn at 2:55 PM | Comments (0)
June 11, 2006
In need of shut-eye
Goooaaaaaalllll!
Yes, I reached mine by finishing 14 miles Sunday, but I’m talking about the World Cup. It is seriously altering my training since I don’t feel like running until the day’s games are over. And by then I need a nap.
Every Saturday night between now and the Aug. 27 race, I will be eating pasta for dinner. It’s a way to carbo-load before the big Sunday run, and I started doing it in preparation for Sunday’s 14 miler. My personal rule is to eat pasta for anything more than 12 miles.
Good thing I love spaghetti, but I think I will mix in more pastas during training. Rebecca makes a mean stuffed shells, so I see that on the horizon.
For the first time since last June, I had a run longer than a half-marathon. And, just like I have during every other training cycle, I seem to downplay the physical exertion needed for a long run.
The last six miles of Sunday’s run were not easy. Part of it was because I had a seven miler that I did late Saturday, then followed it by running Sunday morning.
And part of it is our son, Kyan, wasn’t feeling well so we were up all hours of the night/morning with him. Of course, I have also been up early to watch the World Cup the last three days.
Through Sunday’s first five miles I was cruising at a strong pace, feeling good about the run. But I began slowing about mile 8. By the time mile 11 rolled around, I could feel how sleepy I was, even closing my eyes for an instant while I trudged along.
I also notice that no matter where I run, I always seem to finish with a significant stretch on an incline. Ah, the wonders of fatigue. My quads were sore during the run, my calves are sore now and I feel like all the salt was extracted from my body. So I replenished it with Gatorade …and pizza.
But I finished the run, which was the goooaaaaaalllll.
Posted by Brian Dohn at 9:00 PM | Comments (1)
June 9, 2006
Gotta be the shoes
I wanted to see just how good my training was going, so I did my first two training runs of the week with an increased paced. And I exceeded my expectations.
My Tuesday four-miler was done in 34 minutes, 59 seconds, and I clocked in on my Wednesday seven-miler in 1 hour, 5 minutes, 6 seconds. Of course, the payback came Thursday during my four-mile run when my legs were fatigued from pushing hard the previous two days. Still, I finished in 37 minutes, 59 seconds, which I was pleased about.
And I can’t tell you how much I like my new running shoes, which surprises me because I wore an old New Balance model for my first four marathons. I made the change because I wasn’t getting enough mileage out of my old ones.
After 200 or so miles (yes, I keep a log) my legs would begin to get sore, especially my ankles, and I would need a new pair. At the height of training, my shoes would last six weeks.
So I told the folks at my favorite running store, Run With Us, which is in Pasadena. The website is http://clubrunwithus.com.
They suggested I try my current shoes, made by Pearl Izumi, which are lighter and should have a longer life. Here they are: http://www.pearlizumi.com/product.php?mode=view&product_id=654&type_id=1&sport_id=1&category_id=7&color_code=155
One thing I would suggest for any beginning runner is going to a specialty running store to make sure you have the right shoes. I was a little intimidated at first, but now I love going to them.
What I like about Run With Us is everybody that works there seems to be a distance runner, and understands problems or concerns I have during training. They have running clubs and carry brochures on races.
Posted by Brian Dohn at 7:24 AM | Comments (0)
June 4, 2006
Longing for St. Lawrence
I knew it wasn’t going to be a great running weekend early Saturday when Rebecca yelled from the other room, ‘I know it’s only 7 o’clock, but it’s already 79 degrees.’’ Yikes. I have concerns about training for a marathon, but I never had to worry about this type of heat before.
And while the website for the Quebec City marathon boasts an average temperature of 60 degrees at the start, and 68 degrees at the finish, it does little to help my training in the San Fernando Valley, where I am readying for the daily onslaught that slaps me in the face that this is a desert.
So there I was, up by 7 a.m. each day and getting ready to run. Now, as a sports writer, it’s in my blood to be a night person. While Rebecca wakes the sun up many mornings, I find it best to not know the world exists before 10 a.m.
But even running early this weekend, it was hot. I tried to imagine the cool breeze blowing off the St. Lawrence River -- much of the marathon is run along it -- and somehow I hope the wind is at my back going upstream and downstream.
During training I sometimes come up with ideas that seem good, that is, until it is time to execute them. This week I had a doozy.
I decided to end my 9-mile Sunday run at the top of Reseda Boulevard. For those unfamiliar with the area, the finish offers one of the best views of the Valley. The problem is getting there. I remember talking to a person in a local store who told me the elevation was close to 1,600 feet, most of which comes in the last 1.5 miles.
Again, great idea in midweek, but about 300 feet up the climb and the thermometer already breaking 80, I was thinking more about how I should committed for coming up with such an idea.
But thanks to Rebecca and Kyan handing me bottles of water to poor over my head to cool down, I finished it, without stopping or walking, although to the occasional passerby it may have appeared otherwise. I think the run accelerates my training, mostly because for the rest of my training, every time it gets tough, I can say, ‘Well, at least I’m not running to the top of Reseda.’
As I mentioned above, living in the Valley makes this a less-than-ideal time to be training for a marathon, but I had to do it. For all the marathons out there, Quebec City struck a cord with me.
Why?
Well, you now know my story of what I went through last summer, and I believe much of it was due to the death of my dad when I was 3-months-old. As it turns out, my mom and dad honeymooned in Quebec City.
After talking to my mom, I thought it would be cool to go back there and run, because I think it’s a great way to experience a city. She’s going to meet us there, as are my sister and her three kids as we stage a mini family reunion. Other family members said they would think about joining us, but it’s been a few months since I heard from anyone else about it.
With training (and the weather) heating up, start looking for my blogs twice a week now. I will post one after my Thursday training runs, and again on Sundays.
This week looks like this: 4 miles (Tuesday), 7 miles (Wednesday), 4 miles (Thursday), 7 miles (Saturday) and 14 miles (Sunday).
Posted by Brian Dohn at 9:28 PM | Comments (2)