A Picture's Worth a Thousand Miles

From Sunday's practice, the last one of the season for the San Deigo Rock and Rollers....

80's Workout


Olympian and Jazzercise


Gladiator


More 80's inspired attire


Raggedy Ann and ... Afro Marvin


Big Baby


Best. Costume. Ever.
Juno and Paulie Bleeker



Second Place: Jack in the Box


Elvis


The Team

Playing Catch Up

The week caught up with me quicker than expected. It's almost Friday again. So I need to backtrack a bit. Sunday's 20 mile run was great for me. Legs felt fresh through 18 miles, then things started to go down hill. Not having run any more than 20 in a couple of months, I didn't feel quite as confident planning for the run - what to eat, how much to rest, etc. So I went as it as I would a race, and it worked out.

The key was eletrolyte tabs. The little pills are lifesavers (no, not the fruity kind) that keep my salt and potassium in balance. It was close to 90 degrees when we finished the run, and I was caked in salt. I could have taken a couple more. All in all, I felt I could have done 26 that day and been fine.

This week had ramped down a bit because of the taper. I took the whole of Monday off -- not even biking -- which was a little weird, but beneficial. Tuesday as a 6 miler in the morning, and yesterday was a lift day (also in the morning). My neighbors below me may or may not think I am crazy for doing jumping jacks as 6am, but no matter. Today, Thursday, is a bigger workout day. I've biked to work (5m) and have a run (6m) after work before biking home (5-6miles depending on the route). Tomorrow I will lift again, Saturday is a run 8 bike 20, and Sunday is a 12 miler followed by a bike. We'll ramp up for one more 20 miler next Sunday before the three-week taper to the race.

Thankfully no injuries or otherwise to report. Just cruising along through this intense stretch of workouts.

In Defense of Peaking

.... It's 103 degrees out the in valley today. I slogged through a 10K workout and a quick 10-miler on the bike. All at noon (spent the not-much-cooler morning at Culver City High to help with TNT fall kickoff season).

It's been a long week of biking, running, eating and working. And my Tigger puzzle is coming along well. With all of the exercising surrounding peak week(s), I've been sleeping soundly. I love all the movement, the achievement of pre- or post-job 6 milers. I am still liking my weigh training 2 times a week. And the weekends of long runs are like a nice detox from the office environment.

That all said ... tomorrow is a 20-mile workout. 7am. The first of two over the next two Sundays. I'm enjoying my dinner tonight because it's what's moving my legs tomorrow. Salad, Sushi, Shrimp and some fruit. And a bowl of cereal for dessert.

By noon tomorrow I might be cursing the peak mileage, but for the next 13 hours, I love the idea of it!

Simple Things

A new job at work has left my blog a little parched for words. The job isn't busy yet, but the adjustments to my daily schedule, and all of the learning that goes into the new position, have left me little time and energy to write. But now I'm back, and have quite a weekend workout under my belt.

Saturday - 6 miles of running and 16 miles of biking
Sunday - 16 miles of running and 14 miles of biking

All and all, a busy week of +30 running miles and +40 biking miles. I'm defintely tired, but happy that I am sticking to the peak training routine.

On Sunday, the San Diego Rock and Rollers ran their 20 miles, while us Alaskans did 16. Coach Kevin said something memorable that stuck with me through the run:

"Keep moving, and the miles will come"

It's a simple philosophy to espouse, but one that is much harder to practice. Patience and the relinquishing of control. Just keep moving, and things will happen. Just be patient and you will get there. It's the epitome of marathon training, and it's a lesson that should be applied to the rest of life. Give the competitive, Darwinistic drive a rest. Just do what you do and let the rest take care of itself.

During the run, I was concerned less with time than with my effort. I made sure to keep a comfortable pace and relaxed form. That attention to my patience, combine with 60 degree, overcast weather, led to a wonderful run.

I'm exhausted today, but know we have two more full weeks of peak training - 20 miles next Sunday, followed by a brief 12, then back to 20 for the top of the training mountain. Weekday runs are 60 minutes x 2, plus a track workout. I've got 2 days of lifting to complete, and am attempting some pre- and post- workday biking. Part of me looks forward to the taper weeks at the beginning of June. But the other part of me loves the excuse to be active.

It will be quite a task scheduling my time over the next two weeks, but at least at the end of the day I will sleep soundly.