After several months of physical therapy I was cleared to start running again, which is a blessing. I feel very fortunate that everything appears to have gone well to where the pain in my hip and lower back is gone and I can again focus on training. However I am now starting behind the 8-ball so to speak as I have no base to start with as the only running I have been doing was a mile or two on the treadmill at the therapists office so my aerobic and anaerobic systems are still in hibernation mode. To make it worse I am starting off on week 4 of my training program which is about 25-32 miles a week. Straight into the fire. I think that everything will be alright as long as I dont push too hard and continue to do the exercises, stretches, and ice mt hip after longer runs. I purchased a book on yoga for runners that I think will be great when I really get into it.
I got another pair of Asics Gel Kinetics on E-Bay for $51. What a steal for a shoe that retails in store today for $160. They fit my feet perfectly as if they were custom made for me. The hard part is that I like them so much I don't want to train in them as I want them to last.
Diet is going to be a big issue for me as well. I have pretty much been eating whatever I wanted for the past few weeks and my weight reflects it. I went from 222 pounds up to 229.7 as of yesterday morning. I hope to be down to 215-217 for San Diego. I think ideally I would be around 210 for a marathon, but that wont happen any time real soon.
Anyway, today I am off to give a presentation at a church for work about Family to Family then go to my nephew Andersons birthday party. Somewhere in there I will get my weekly long run in.
I cant believe the it will be 88 degrees Tuesday (according to the weather channel). It is February people!
Havr a great week and keep watching Burn Notice!
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Now playing on iTunes: Tool - Part Of Me(Demo)
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Sunday, February 22, 2009
running again
Internet speed test.
Here is the result from my latest ISP speed test using Cox communications. Not too bad. 
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
$171 marathon?
So I am looking around today and see that the registration fee for the NYC Marathon for a non-NYRR member is $171. I'm sorry, let me repeat that. $171 USD to run a marathon. I know that NYC has a strong tradition and it is a world marathon major and all that, but come on now. In case the race directors dont know there is a bit of an economic problem in this Country right now. I was thinking that most marathons would stay around the $100 mark for some time with more for late registrations, but this is insane. I like how they try to justify it by providing a list of what you get for your hard earned jack. Here are some gems: Entry to the ING New York City Marathon 2009 including hydration and fueling stations, medical support, entertainment, baggage handling, security, the most enthusiastic spectators anywhere, and more. Umm...okay. Then there is this: ING New York City Marathon Health and Fitness Expo. Isnt this open to the public?
ALright, next? Fireworks Presented by Poland Spring. Only the paying runners can see these?
Next...Finisher area where marathoners exit after the race. Isn't that handy.
Not included in their list is the $35 fee for your timing chip, and $11 registration fee. If you aint from here expect to pay $231 (plus above fees) to run it.
Wow, so for all that money you get what every other marathon provides, except being able to say that you ran NYC. I think that in the next few years many smaller local type races will flourish as people can not afford to travel across country and pay a huge race fee. I am doing San Diego again this May 31st, and for us that will be pushing what we can spend. I guess that I need to take into account that we will be staying there between 7 and 14 days, but still.
What do you all think?
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Now playing on iTunes: Lupe Fiasco - Superstar (feat. Matthew Santos)
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Friday, February 6, 2009
An update!
I am finally getting some good news. My physical therapist has given me the go ahead to start my training for the San Diego Marathon. I am so relieved. Not getting out to run (other than on the treadmill in the therapists office) was driving me crazy. I went out yesterday and today, everything felt pretty good with minimal soreness in my hip area.
I have lost a good amount of fitness but feel good that soon I will be able to regain my fitness and can start cranking out multiple 10 milers in succession. I am also going to be sure to keep doing core work throughout my training. It is hard to realize that you are getting older and need to do more preventative stuff, but that is life.
I am a bit worried about using the Hanson’s training plan when not totally fit, but as long as I stick to the beginner program I think that I will be alright.
I am excited to go back to San Diego for a week or two. I love staying at Humphreys and utilizing the poolside bar the night after the marathon. Great fun!
Speaking of getting older, did you see this story?
translated and edited by Brett Larner
At the 58th Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon on Feb. 1, the oldest runner to ever qualify for the race, 60 year-old Yoshihisa Hosaka, (Shizuoka Track and Field AC), turned back the years with a run of sparkling brilliance. Finishing 89th overall in 2:36:30, Hosaka broke the existing 60+ world record by 1 minute and 45 seconds. He was smiling broadly at his astounding achievement as he reached the finish line.
Hosaka began running at age 36 when he joined a friend's ekiden team. At age 42 he won his first race at a local event in his hometown. For his first marathon he ran the popular Honolulu Marathon, where he ran a superb 2:31:19. Finding a deep joy in running, Hosaka had by the end of 2008 completed 70 marathons. To get ready to attack the world record in his first race as a 60 year-old Hosaka trained 30 km per day.
On race day, word of Hosaka's attempt on the world record spread along the course after TV coverage showed him smiling and giving an enthusiastic OK sign to the cameras in the first 10 km of the race. As he ran voices called out encouragement and urged him on to the record. At the 27 km point the large crowd of marathon fans gathered in front of the Oita Prefectural Police Headquarters hung banners of support for Hosaka and grew raucous as he drew near. Suffering from an inury to his right calf which flared up just before the race Hosaka was not feeling 100%, but, he said, "The cheering along the course was so incredible that I got goosebumps as I was running. It was what kept me going."
After 35 km a pack of runners surrounded Hosaka and pulled him along. When he dropped behind other runners soon came along and likewise gave him their support, telling him, "Hosaka, let's go!" and "Come on, let's do it!" as they ran together.
His 42.195 km in Beppu-Oita were full of bitter pain, but as always for Hosaka it was in the end simply fun. When he returned to the stadium for the race's final 400 m he was visibly unsteady on his feet but he continued forward to the goal line with every bit of effort in his body. The LED display of the finish clocks counted out a silent testimony for all to see as Hosaka crossed the line with his fists raised in the air, shouting out, "I did it!" His fellow amateur runners surrounded him in disbelief, cheering and calling out their congratulations in warmhearted camaraderie. Deeply moved by the efforts of spectators and fellow runners alike to help him reach his target, Hosaka was thankful as he said, "It was the best. There is no other amateur runner anywhere as happy as I am."
Pending ratification of his mark by the World Masters Athletics association, Hosaka's time will become the official new world record. The WMA recognizes records in five-year age-group categories. "When I hit 65 maybe I'll try for that record next," laughed Hosaka. "How old can I go? I'm going to keep running as long as I can."
Translator's note: Averaging the results of various age-grading tables, Hosaka's run is an age-graded equivalent to 2:07:35. His Beppu-Oita splits are available here. His halfway split of 1:16:52, age-graded, is equivalent to 1:01:59 and was run into a strong headwind which caused the lead pack to lose around one minute from their target pace between 11 km and halfway. The previous record holder was Italian Luciano Aquarone, whose time of 2:38:15 had stood since 1991.
From Brett’s Japan Running News Site http://japanrunningnews.blogspot.com/
I would be ecstatic with those times at my age, let alone at 60.
Have you looked at running shoes lately? If you haven’t noticed the current market of running shoes has reached and is way over the $100 mark. From what I understand this is due to the global economic situation and there is no going back unless cheaper but effective technologies are found and implemented (the Asics rice husk shoes came to mind but they were more expensive to manufacture than the regular shoes). I remember a few years ago getting brand new Mizunos from Holabird for somewhere in the $60 range. Not anymore.
I have been searching EBay for a good price on a pair of Gel Kinetic 2’s. I got a pair at Footlocker on clearance for $49.99 ($165.00 retail). They had to search their inventory system to find me a pair in my size in California which was shipped to me. Now I really like the fit and comfort of the shoe but it is discontinued and they can no longer order them for me. What happened to the pairs that were left across the country?
There are some on EBay for $99 but I don’t want to pay that much. I also have an almost brand new pair of Saucony Progrid Paramounts, but was hoping to save them or the Kinetics as my race shoes. I guess I can get a few more miles out of the other older shoes in my rotation.
I have missed several local races including the Runners Den 10K, Lost Dutchman, and some other road races. Now that I am getting back into it I will try to keep a current list of local upcoming races.
I am still waiting for my Yoga for Runners book, I will review it once it comes in. Until then I still use the Yogamazing podcasts.
Until next time, keep the rubber on the pavement.
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