Training
What is In the Journey?
Sep 12th
If Katie Holmes can run a marathon, Why can’t anyone? I got to talking with a friend about racing and we both came to the conclusion that if you are not at a minimum sore and tired at the end of a race, you didnt race or compete. All you did was go out and merely go through the motions. People have different motivations for entering a race, in the end whatever the reason is, the fact still remains that it is a RACE, not a funny happy take your time event. Have you ever watched someone truly compete?
So what if you ran a marathon or completed a triathlon. Now what? Are you all done? Back to your regularly scheduled programming? If you did one that’s great. Did you truly race it? or did you merely complete it? Do not get me wrong the level one person races at can be vastly different from another person, but to go out there and merely finish? So what. Almost anyone can go out there and do a 5 or 6 hour marathon, how are you now a better person?
What did you learn about yourself? For those that go out there to truly race, you learn nothing. You are out there, you are in pain with a single focus. Finishing. You may know that you will not win, but you still want to place at least one position better than the person next to you.
Those who enjoy racing, enjoy pain. Maybe it is how they prove to themselves that they are worthy, better, more fit, or alive. Maybe they have a desire to push their bodies to the absolute limit, it could be they truly enjoy the pain and use racing as a form of destruction.
How is training different? While most people understand that there are days when you go out easier, those days are simply there to allow yourself to go harder the next. Working out / training should not be easy.
When you see a bodybuilder or powerlifter in the gym and they are squatting 675lbs, and it looks easy, it is not. Like endurance athletes they train to exhaustion, breaking everything down to rebuild bigger, and stronger.
Racing and training to race, I truly believe is different than simply being happy while active. I love being active, and enjoy most outdoor activities.
So go out there, race, enjoy the pain.
Ice Baths
Aug 28th
The first time I had a ice bath was two months ago, since then I have been using them on any bike rides 2+hours, and any runs over 7miles. The next day I always feel great. I ran 15miles recently, and felt good enough the day after to still train.
They help recovery time, by contracting your blood vessels and slowing blood flow. When you then warm up, blood quickly rushes back and helps ‘clean’ out waste by-products of the damage done by running, working out, riding hard. Anytime you work out you create micro-tears and essentially destroy your muscle. You then get bigger, stronger, faster during the recovery process.
I fill the tub, with cold water and then add ice. Sometimes if I dont have ice I just use cold water. I can easily stand the cold water only. The ice adds a good amount of extra chill, I enjoy the baths. Some people can not stand the cold as well, and dress warm up top. I choose not too, and will even eat a post-workout PB&J sandwich while I sit/lounge.
When I was in Hungary a few years ago, I went to a bath house, and then had a horse shoe shaped ice bath, that was designed for people to walk into and then quickly out. I loved staying in there, until I would almost black out and then going back into the saunas.
More Info:
http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=8731
http://speedendurance.com/2008/05/11/ice-baths-for-workout-recovery/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/health_and_fitness/4286038.stm
Race Calendar
Jul 19th
I was originally racing Longhorn 70.3 and was even registered but things in life change and my remaining races for the season are as follows:
08/03/08 Niantic Bay Sprint Triathlon
09/21/08 Nutmegman 1/2 Iron Triathlon
10/26/08 Wrentham Halloween Duathlon
It will be my third time racing Wrentham, looking for a 1:10 overall there. Nutmeg I am looking for a 5:30 or better time.
Pearl Izumi Streak
Jun 16th
Some people on here may know that I have been one of the biggest proponents of Newton running shoes. I have really enjoyed my two pairs (one was a replacement), however I have not enjoyed the price. I have been looking for an alternative as of late (I still have plenty of mileage left on my Newtons, just pre-planning).
I was able to test out a pair of the new Pearl Izumi Streak. I found out that they run about 1/2 small. I wear a size 9 normally and got a size 9 1/2. If you check my training log I have been putting a few miles on them. Normally I write reviews of shoes after my first run in them.
I moved from stability shoes (Brooks Adrenaline 6,7,8) to Newtons. I find it hard for me to go back to my Brooks if even just for the weight, they feel like too much shoe almost.
My first run in the shoes was for 1mile, just a quick run before one of my trail runs. This was followed by 4 more run from 4miles to just a bit over 5miles. I have not been running as much due to other time constraints however so far they have been holding up great and at about 19miles show little to no wear.
Unlike my Newtons I can wear my orthotics in my Streaks.
One of the coolest things about the shoes are the laces. While they are not quick release/tie they are slightly elastic and stay tied nice and firm. The laces are almost ‘cushioney.’ I also love that they have a single upper and that there are not 300 seams along the sides. The PI website talks about some sort of forefoot propulsion pad. I am not quite sure what this is. So far the shoes are great.
Pros:
- Super Comfortable
- Lacing System
- Single Upper
- Insole breathing holes
- Cushioned forefoot
- Unknown SKYDEX ‘technology’
- Price
- Great width (I have fat flat feet)
Cons:
- Run about a 1/2 small
- Unknown SKYDEX ‘technology’
Running Shoes
May 26th
I now have four pairs of running shoes. I have my Newtons, my Brooks Adrenaline, the Saloman Trail Shoes, and a new pair of Pearl Izumi Streaks. I am hoping that the PI will replace the Newtons and that the Newtons will become training only. While I like the Newtons they are expensive and I have flat, fat feet and have even been told by Newton that their shoes were not made for my feet.