I love snow globes. I always thought they were very cool and tried to imagine what the world inside the snow globe would be like. You shake it up and snow starts flying all over the place filling in the globe and landing everywhere. I will not have to imagine what it's like after today. I am living in the Chicago Snow Globe.
As I enjoy my morning brew with Chico curled on my lap I peek over my glasses to a peaceful winter scene. The sky is a bluish gray and producing the smallest of snowflakes, falling straight down. Wind is non-existent. The snow is so fine it is almost like someone is shaking salt on Chicago. As I type this, the snowfall is picking up and covering the earth around me at a faster pace, accumulating. A peaceful scene it is, calming, almost enjoyable. I am finally in my own snow globe and enjoying the scene created by the one who shook my world.
As I ran yesterday on my typical lakefront and Lincoln Park route I had a funny thought as I passed another runner. I was heading north and she was heading south. We were each on our own paths separated by about 30 yards. I watched her approach and noticed her swift pace. I also notice her cute figure, perfect posture and her brunette pony tail bobbing up and down behind her. I just watched, transfixed, as she ran by, admiring that pony tail. Then the thought occured to me that her pony tail reminded me of fishing for Large Mouth Bass. Her pony tail was the bait jigging with each stride. Except, this was a human lure. I did not take the bait!! Fun thoughts along the way though. The mind is a wonderful thing. Another strange thought I had yesterday was that I wondered what a person would be like if they were a combination of Richard Simons and Pee Wee Herman.
My run was a general aerobic 10.5 miler with an average pace of 8:38 mi. I am amazed at how consistent these mile splits are. Details are below.
Split Time Distance Elevation Gain Elevation Loss Avg Speed Max Speed Calories
1 0:09:30 1 321 278 9:30 8:02 130
2 0:08:35 1 192 193 8:35 7:01 131
3 0:08:33 1 244 221 8:34 7:06 132
4 0:08:34 1 650 644 8:34 5:23 135
5 0:08:11 1 63 136 8:11 6:28 132
6 0:08:32 1 154 102 8:32 7:40 132
7 0:08:35 1 471 410 8:35 5:55 134
8 0:08:35 1 271 311 8:35 6:41 133
9 0:08:34 1 364 400 8:34 6:44 133
10 0:08:39 1 238 362 8:39 6:52 131
11 0:04:58 0.58 253 236 8:37 7:30 76
Summary 1:31:20 10.58 3,220 3,293 8:38 5:23 1,399
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" Beyond the very extreme of fatigue and distress, we may find amounts of ease and power we never dreamed ourselves to own, sources of strength never taxed at all because we never push through the obstruction
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Hump Day
I am watching the east sky brightening. The sun will make an appearance today. Not much wind to speak of but it's only 16 degrees. I never thought I would get excited about 16 degrees no wind and some sunshine. Us Chicagoans are not spoiled with our weather. We get excited over the small things. Today should be a great day for a run outside.
I read an interesting article in the Jan/Feb issue of Running Times. The title is, Change For The Better." The article talks about getting out of your normal routine once in a while. Change it up. Doing the same workout over and over again will only help you improve to a certain point. After I read the article I felt better about running on the treadmill and utilizing various inclines in my Boston Marathon training. I'm changing it up. Are you? Give it a shot.
Yesterday's run was on the treadmill. I decided to run 8 miles using various inclines and speeds. The inclines ranged from 0 to 5% and speeds varied from 7 mph to 8.5 mph. After all was said and done I ran 8 miles in 1:04:00. The average pace was 8 minute miles. Not bad. Today I am planning on running outside in the warmth and sunshine.
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" Beyond the very extreme of fatigue and distress, we may find amounts of ease and power we never dreamed ourselves to own, sources of strength never taxed at all because we never push through the obstruction."
I read an interesting article in the Jan/Feb issue of Running Times. The title is, Change For The Better." The article talks about getting out of your normal routine once in a while. Change it up. Doing the same workout over and over again will only help you improve to a certain point. After I read the article I felt better about running on the treadmill and utilizing various inclines in my Boston Marathon training. I'm changing it up. Are you? Give it a shot.
Yesterday's run was on the treadmill. I decided to run 8 miles using various inclines and speeds. The inclines ranged from 0 to 5% and speeds varied from 7 mph to 8.5 mph. After all was said and done I ran 8 miles in 1:04:00. The average pace was 8 minute miles. Not bad. Today I am planning on running outside in the warmth and sunshine.
-----
" Beyond the very extreme of fatigue and distress, we may find amounts of ease and power we never dreamed ourselves to own, sources of strength never taxed at all because we never push through the obstruction."
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Rose Colored Glasses
Looking out east from my perch I see gray. It is like I am looking through heavily tinted gray polarized lenses. But, the wind is still. Barclay sits at attention looking outside as if he is awaiting something, patiently. Chico is on my lap along with my laptop. The coffee is great and the lighting dim. I enjoy soft lighting. I believe in setting my own atmosphere, ambiance. That's why my favorite sunglass lense color is rose. Seeing life through rose colored glasses helps one deal with the elements of life. Whenever I put on those rose colored lenses every cloudy day has a little bit of sunshine. A tint of hope, of good things to come.
Yesterday was an off day from running. I have dubbed Mondays as Tri Monday. This applies to Fridays as well. What do I do on Tri Monday? I swim and bike.
Yesterday was a different pool workout for me. I am reading and learning new workouts. It was a time trial of sorts. Basically, it was swimming repeats.
5 X 300 yds. Five sets of 300 yards each for a total of 1500 yds. Each set or time trial averaged approximately 6 minutes 30 seconds or 00:06:30, this will be my benchmark to test against later.
I also biked for 50 minutes and peddled 13.1 miles. I want to slowly increase my time in the saddle.
I have signed up for a swimming lesson on Friday, Jan 8 with the Blue Dolphins. I figure since I am going to be putting in substantial swim time I might as well make sure I am using proper technique and also maximize my improvement.
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" Beyond the very extreme of fatigue and distress, we may find amounts of ease and power we never dreamed ourselves to own, sources of strength never taxed at all because we never push through the obstruction."
Yesterday was an off day from running. I have dubbed Mondays as Tri Monday. This applies to Fridays as well. What do I do on Tri Monday? I swim and bike.
Yesterday was a different pool workout for me. I am reading and learning new workouts. It was a time trial of sorts. Basically, it was swimming repeats.
5 X 300 yds. Five sets of 300 yards each for a total of 1500 yds. Each set or time trial averaged approximately 6 minutes 30 seconds or 00:06:30, this will be my benchmark to test against later.
I also biked for 50 minutes and peddled 13.1 miles. I want to slowly increase my time in the saddle.
I have signed up for a swimming lesson on Friday, Jan 8 with the Blue Dolphins. I figure since I am going to be putting in substantial swim time I might as well make sure I am using proper technique and also maximize my improvement.
-----
" Beyond the very extreme of fatigue and distress, we may find amounts of ease and power we never dreamed ourselves to own, sources of strength never taxed at all because we never push through the obstruction."
Monday, January 4, 2010
Have a Great Week
Another day in Chicago where you have to create your own warmth and your own sunshine. At least the days are getting longer again. Before you know it spring will be here. I look forward to breaking winter up a few times with warm weather vacations sprinkled in. Also, it is nice to focus on Boston training and also looking forward to other races and triathlons. It gives winter a purpose. Today is a running off day. Monday's are devoted to tri training with swimming and biking.
Yesterday I decided to stay inside and do the elliptical in the morning for 7 miles in 55 minutes. Later in the day I hopped on the treadmill for a short run dedicated to hill work. I ran 4.2 miles at various speeds and inclines. Got to be able to climb those hills in Boston.
Week in Review:
Running: 45 miles
Elliptical: 7 miles
Biking: 17 miles
Swimming: 1.4 miles
Total weekly miles: 70.4
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" Beyond the very extreme of fatigue and distress, we may find amounts of ease and power we never dreamed ourselves to own, sources of strength never taxed at all because we never push through the obstruction
Yesterday I decided to stay inside and do the elliptical in the morning for 7 miles in 55 minutes. Later in the day I hopped on the treadmill for a short run dedicated to hill work. I ran 4.2 miles at various speeds and inclines. Got to be able to climb those hills in Boston.
Week in Review:
Running: 45 miles
Elliptical: 7 miles
Biking: 17 miles
Swimming: 1.4 miles
Total weekly miles: 70.4
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" Beyond the very extreme of fatigue and distress, we may find amounts of ease and power we never dreamed ourselves to own, sources of strength never taxed at all because we never push through the obstruction
Sunday, January 3, 2010
The Alaskan Run...In Chicago
Good Morning world. Who ever is in charge of the thermostat in Chicago needs to turn the dial up a lot. These cold temps sure make you wonder if you should run inside or out. Doing a long run outside is more appealing than spending 2 plus hours on the treadmill. Plus, it's a more natural way to run. All of my runs right now are run with a purpose and that purpose is to excel in the Boston Marathon. Yesterday, with the temperature at 15 degrees below zero with wind chill I decided to do a 16 mile LSD along LSD. That would be "long slow distance," not the drug. The other LSD is Lakeshore Drive in Chicago. Most of my running is done on the lakefront path as I head south towards Chicago. The closer I get, familiar landmarks come into view. I can see the Watertower Place, the Drake Hotel, etc.
The run today was cold and sort of lonely. There were not many runners out there today. In order to pass the time I just pretended that I was running an endurance race in Alaska. At times my hand would get very cold so I would take the fingers out of their respective glove recepticles and make a fist. This provided much needed thawing. Nothing else on my body got very cold at all. The new running gear technology really does a great job providing protection from the elements.
Parts of this run take me on the course for the Chicago Marathon. It's fun to re-live those marathon moments. The crowds cheering and yelling supporting words. There were times that I wished I was not running yesterday but I kept telling myself, "stop being a wimp." This is the Alaskan 16 Mile Run.
Split
1 0:09:20
2 0:09:02
3 0:08:40
4 0:08:59
5 0:08:50
6 0:08:52
7 0:08:59
8 0:09:05
9 0:09:10
10 0:08:57
11 0:09:04
12 0:09:10
13 0:09:10
14 0:08:54
15 0:08:54
16 0:09:04
17 0:00:11
Summary 2:24:29 Avg Pace 9:01
Edited by Silentrunner 1/2/2010 1:51 PM
-----
" Beyond the very extreme of fatigue and distress, we may find amounts of ease and power we never dreamed ourselves to own, sources of strength never taxed at all because we never push through the obstruction."
The run today was cold and sort of lonely. There were not many runners out there today. In order to pass the time I just pretended that I was running an endurance race in Alaska. At times my hand would get very cold so I would take the fingers out of their respective glove recepticles and make a fist. This provided much needed thawing. Nothing else on my body got very cold at all. The new running gear technology really does a great job providing protection from the elements.
Parts of this run take me on the course for the Chicago Marathon. It's fun to re-live those marathon moments. The crowds cheering and yelling supporting words. There were times that I wished I was not running yesterday but I kept telling myself, "stop being a wimp." This is the Alaskan 16 Mile Run.
Split
1 0:09:20
2 0:09:02
3 0:08:40
4 0:08:59
5 0:08:50
6 0:08:52
7 0:08:59
8 0:09:05
9 0:09:10
10 0:08:57
11 0:09:04
12 0:09:10
13 0:09:10
14 0:08:54
15 0:08:54
16 0:09:04
17 0:00:11
Summary 2:24:29 Avg Pace 9:01
Edited by Silentrunner 1/2/2010 1:51 PM
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" Beyond the very extreme of fatigue and distress, we may find amounts of ease and power we never dreamed ourselves to own, sources of strength never taxed at all because we never push through the obstruction."
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Embracing Winter
The sky is clear as the new day dawns. The sun will be making it's appearance soon, adding a touch of warmth for my long run. Another bitterly cold day with temperatures around 5 degrees and wind chills 10-15 degrees below zero. Thank God for hot, fresh, black coffee to get the motor running.
I started the first day of the new year with no running because Friday is an off day. Instead, it was a triathlon training day. I did purchase my Gary Fisher ARC Pro triathlon road bike and added aero bars so I can practice riding in the aero position. I also got the cycleops indoor fluid 2 bike trainer. Yesterday I rode the bike indoors on the trainer for about 40 minutes and covered 10 miles. The trainer does a very good job alternating the speed at which you can pedal as you change gears. It is a very good workout and I look forward to increasing my mileage and speed over time.
After my bike workout I had lunch, took care of a few household items and then headed to X Sport Fitness to use the pool. I am still just building my swimming capacity and tend to swim continuously. Yesterday I swam 2500 yards or about 1.4 miles in 63 minutes.
So, all in all: 10 miles biking and 1.4 miles swimming and weights later in the day. Pretty awesome way to start the new year.
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" Beyond the very extreme of fatigue and distress, we may find amounts of ease and power we never dreamed ourselves to own, sources of strength never taxed at all because we never push through the obstruction."
I started the first day of the new year with no running because Friday is an off day. Instead, it was a triathlon training day. I did purchase my Gary Fisher ARC Pro triathlon road bike and added aero bars so I can practice riding in the aero position. I also got the cycleops indoor fluid 2 bike trainer. Yesterday I rode the bike indoors on the trainer for about 40 minutes and covered 10 miles. The trainer does a very good job alternating the speed at which you can pedal as you change gears. It is a very good workout and I look forward to increasing my mileage and speed over time.
After my bike workout I had lunch, took care of a few household items and then headed to X Sport Fitness to use the pool. I am still just building my swimming capacity and tend to swim continuously. Yesterday I swam 2500 yards or about 1.4 miles in 63 minutes.
So, all in all: 10 miles biking and 1.4 miles swimming and weights later in the day. Pretty awesome way to start the new year.
-----
" Beyond the very extreme of fatigue and distress, we may find amounts of ease and power we never dreamed ourselves to own, sources of strength never taxed at all because we never push through the obstruction."
Friday, January 1, 2010
New Year.. New Goals..New Accomplishments
Well, here I am. The New Year and New Decade starts with me right where I should be, in my worn brown leather chair with Chico on my lap, the coffee by my side and my lap top warming my quads. Looks like a sunny start to the bone chilling cold day. The temperature is a balmy 6 degrees. As I peak over my glasses the sun is just rising out of the east and the sky is slowly brightening.
What will the New Year bring? What challenges and successes lie ahead? Now one knows for sure. You have to live your life in the moment and live everyday as if it is a gift. Some things I can control and I plan to love my wife more, walk the dogs more, work harder, train more, race more, and just try to be a positive influence on as many people as possible. I hope, by example and my actions I can be an inspiration to as few as one person who really needs it. But, the more the better.
So, 2010, lets get going and start our journey and make this year the best so far.
-----
" Beyond the very extreme of fatigue and distress, we may find amounts of ease and power we never dreamed ourselves to own, sources of strength never taxed at all because we never push through the obstruction."
What will the New Year bring? What challenges and successes lie ahead? Now one knows for sure. You have to live your life in the moment and live everyday as if it is a gift. Some things I can control and I plan to love my wife more, walk the dogs more, work harder, train more, race more, and just try to be a positive influence on as many people as possible. I hope, by example and my actions I can be an inspiration to as few as one person who really needs it. But, the more the better.
So, 2010, lets get going and start our journey and make this year the best so far.
-----
" Beyond the very extreme of fatigue and distress, we may find amounts of ease and power we never dreamed ourselves to own, sources of strength never taxed at all because we never push through the obstruction."
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