Ouch...

So here it is Wednesday January 31st and I am not running. Why you ask? Well because I am on the IR, the bench, the sidelines that's right I'm hurt! I injured my neck doing - well I'm not going to tell you what I was doing - it just hurts and it is strained. I ran on Saturday last and after the run I hurt like hell so I have decided to take a few days off so as to not aggravate the muscles. I don't think it will hurt me that much this early in my training and might actually be the smart thing to do.

We men are always bullshitting ourselves into "Oh that doesn't really hurt. I can keep going." All the while our wives, girlfriends, moms what have you, are saying "you know you should rest that so it heals properly." Why don't we listen? Why don't we listen to logic when it is given us? Some claim that "women are the feeling emotional side and men are the logical thinking level headed side of our Yin/Yang world. HA! My lovely wife said I should rest it and I said BAH! I know what's good for me! I ran and now I hurt worse.

Almost fixed now. Won't run today but I will be back at it on Thursday.

R.

Garmin The Great!

I am in awe of my new running toy. It's a Garmin 301 and it's pretty cool. I've had it for about a month now and already I can track my progress. I've noticed that my heart is acting different from one run to the next. On Tuesday I ran 6km at about 5:05/km and my heart rate was 164bpm average which is about 80% of my MHR (max. heart rate). On Wednesday I was to run 10km at the same rate (80% MHR) and I did (162BPM) but my pace was much slower. My pace on Wednesday was 5:45/km. I am guessing that being tired was my big problem.

My body is taking a beating right now. I am doing ball classes on Monday and Fridays (with Mary and Kate) and training for the marathon every other day. Tuesday and Wednesday are my hardest days with Tempo runs on both days.

Need Rest,

Ryan.

Tough Week So Far...

Hey,

It's been a tough run week so far and it's only Wednesday. I had Monday off from running but I took a ball class in the afternoon with Kate which made Tuesday's run a little tired. I ran a "tempo" run which for me means about 6km at about 5 minutes per km. HARD! I am pretty much gasping for air by the end of the run and then it's back at it the same way for Wednesday. Same pace (or at least I tried for the same pace. I actualy ran about 5:45 a km) but this time for 10km! The trick is to be running at about 80% of your Maximum Heart Rate or MHR.

I am happy that tomorrow I am running a "steady" run which means about 6km at about a 6 minute km. Not as tough but it'll still hurt a little bit.

I really enjoy running but right now the training is tough and I just hope I can stick with it for the next 5 weeks at this pace. With the ball classes it should be gradually becoming easier as my core muscles tighten and burn better.

I have noticed that I am crazy hungry all the time again. I must be doing something right. I'm losing a bit of weight but mostly I'm feeling stronger.

R.

Welcome To My Running Blog.

Today is the first official day of my National Capital Marathon training. I've actually been training since November but as of today I get serious. It was -22 degrees outside this morning when I ran and I didn't feel a thing. Layer upon layer of running shirts and tights, yes tights, under the running pants and away I went. The picture above gives you a good idea of how cold it was. I ran 10km in about an hour and it felt fantastic. My Dad says he can do it so much faster in the car.

My plan for this year is to run the half marathon in Montreal in April, the full at National Capital in May, a marathon relay with some family somewhere in Alberta in August, the Edmonton marathon a week after the relay and finally the Toronto International Marathon in October. That is of course if I can stay healthy.

I have great support from my wife Kate and I am trying to complete this my second marathon in just under 4 hours and 30 minutes. My first marathon was in Reykjavik, Iceland in August of 2006 and I finished in 5 hours 8 minutes and 21 seconds. I was very proud of that time but I want better.

Eventually I hope to compete in the Boston Marathon but not until 2008 or 2009. I need to get faster. Right now my qualifying time for Boston is 3:15. I'm not even close. We'll see how this training goes and perhaps next year I will be there.

More later.

Ryan.