Long run (week 2 Marathon Training - 7-21-08)

Got in the second long run of the marathon training schedule. This was an 8 miler that I finished before work yesterday. I did the Accokeek Figure '8' (because it is a double loop that physically looks like a number 8 and because it is about 8 miles. This is not to be confused with the 'P' Loop that Betsy and I walk the dogs with Cole on all the time, that loop is called the 'P' loop because it is in the shape of a letter 'P' and because the dogs and Betsy could never make the whole loop without having to go pee!). Anywhoo, maintained a bit over 8 min miles. Felt pretty tight in my chest, but that isn't too surprising since it was another Code Red air quality day with high humidity even at 6:30 am when I started running. Overall it was a decent run though and maintains my strong start on marathon training. My buddies Greg, Molly and Spanky all did their 8 milers as well!

Rough Riding...

Going for a longer bike ride, my longest since Cole's birth! Started off pretty rough, tough to breath, really sore and tight and almost turned around at about 15 miles in. Loosened up some by mile 20 and continued on to finish the 40 miler. Really hot out, somewhere close to 90, with high humidity and apparently was another 'code red' day in terms of air quality. Had a real tough time catching my breath when I returned and couldn't clear my sinuses. Very strange... Overall, ride was fairly decent and would do it again... issues were dealing with me... Avg Cad 88

recovery day

It was >95 degrees today and the air quality was really bad, so I did a recovery ride on the trainer. Betsy had her mom's group dinner so Cole sat in his swing watching me and was watching me the whole time! It was a great ride.

Start Marathon Training!

Doing a 10K run as the first 'long' run of my Marathon training! I am starting an 18 week Marathon training course to lead up to the OBX Marathon that I will be running with my rugby buddy and really good friend Greg Dunnigan the first weekend in Nov! The race is down in North Carolina along the shore! Felt great the whole way, started off running with Trinity for the first 2.5 miles. She did really well, I am hoping that I can incorporate her into a couple of my runs if only for a limited amount to keep her in shape! After that initial 2.5 miles with her, I dropped her off inside and started out for the remainder on my own. Maintained about 8:05 min/mile for each mile (miles in 8:09, 8:06, 8:06, 8:03, 8:13, 7:38 then the last 0.1 at a 7:04 min/mile pace) until I could kick it in for the final mile. Great start to training. Have my off day (playing softball) tomorrow.

Recovery Ride

Riding the Indian Head out and back with a bit of additional exploring in some of the local areas. Found a gorgeous plot of land down in Indian Head for sale right on the water, would love to get that! Good ride overall, was just trying to take it easy on my ride to recover from Muddy Buddy yesterday, felt I did ok. Overall enjoyable ride and recovered a bit and still got home in time to mow the lawn and read a couple papers for work before dinner.

MUDDY BUDDY 2008!!!

Racing with Joe Corson, a really good friend of mine from undergrad (Virginia Tech) that I did my coop with at ITT Night Vision. I felt really good on the runs and pretty decent on the bikes. Overall Joe and I did really well, especially considering it was his first Muddy Buddy! Great fun, great race can't wait to do it again next year! I finished the 2.77 miles in 11:43 and the 3.68 miles of running in 28:33. There was of course the additional time involved with hooking up during the transitions, the time to do each of the obstacles and the time required to climb through the infamous mud pit! Pictures and places updated shortly!

Great Ride (7/10/2008)

NEW PR!!! Beat my previous best time on the Mt Carmel course by over a minute! Avg 19.9 mph over the 27.9 mile course. Felt pretty strong throughout, had some laboring towards the end, but pushed through it once I saw that a PR was within reach. Hopefully I didn't overdo it before Muddy Buddy! Avg Cad 91

Back at it after weekend with the Boy

Indian Head out and back extended. Included the hill on Marshall Hall Rd (~11% grade at max) toward the beginning and then tried to incorporate an offcut on the way out. Think I know how to add in a quick additional loop next time. Overall, felt better than I have recently, mostly because I took a Zyrtec-D instead of just plain Zyrtec this morning. Have been feeling really congested recently due to allergies.

A family affair!

Took my dad out mountain biking at Cedarville State Forest! It was alot of fun! My dad still claims I was trying to kill him, but deep down I know he loved it! Got most of the way through the course and then took a shortcut home. It was really nice going out with Pops and sharing a shared love (he used to bike a great deal too, 42 miles a day before they moved to Georgia).

Quick Ride

Just doing the Indian Head out and Back again. Still really tight and tough getting going, will be back at it soon enough though! Overall, moderately heavy wind and need to get my cadence back soon! Had progressively faster 5 mile splits through the ride...