First Week Down...and a whole lot more to go

Okay, so my first official week of training for my first 50 mile Trail Run is officially in the books. Basically, it broke down like this:



Monday: Cross Train

Tuesday: 2miles easy

Wednesday: 2miles tempo

Thursday: 2miles easy

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 12 miles at 8:30 pace (overall 1:41:31)

Sunday: 6 miles at 8:30 pace (oops... overall 44:49 = 7:28 pace)



I also did my spinning class Wednesday and Thursday, and did weight training Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. But, that was only b/c I had to take all of Friday off. My weight training consists mainly of body weight exercises and dumbbell training.

I am not going to lie... Saturday hurt. I felt extremely worn out. The more tired I got, the more I had to concentrate on my running form. By that, I mean actually haveing to think about footstrike and leaning forward. Before the run, I loaded up on water, ate a banana, and took off with my phone, ID, Debit Card, and 16 oz of water and 16 oz of Gatorade in 4-8oz bottles on my Helium Fuel Belt. If anyone is interested in a running belt for fuel and hydration, I highly recommend this company. Google them, but I would also suggest purchasing an additional MED or LARGE storage pocket to fit most cell phones and more than just your house key and one or two energy gels. But I digress...I took my lone energy gel at the 5 mile mark. The banana didn't work all that well for me and I felt pretty hungry the first half of the run. I will go back to my ritual of a PB&J before next week's long run.



I am also training for a couple of Olympic and Intermediate distance triathlons. So, during the week, I spin, then switch shoes and go for a two miler. As the weeks progress, I am going to start cycling first on Sunday mornings for 30-60 minutes, then go for my shorter weekend run immediately following. By that time, the beaches should have a lot more runners and cyclists.



My overall goal is to complete the 50 miler in a respectable time without killing myself. My secondary goal is to complete a Half Ironman in September/October.



Next week I will start up with my swimming program. I am limited b/c the lap swim hours are later in the afternoon. But, in a couple of months, the outdoor pool will open and I can lap swim during lunch, which is ideal for me. I have found that swimming increases my overal running condition. There is something to be said for crosstraining.

Week #1 is in the books... Time to get geared up for week #2!

Operation: Ultramarathon

Phase 1:

So after completing my second marathon about a half-hour faster than my first one, a strong sense of accomplishment washed over me. I had already made up my mind to begin training for the Shamrock Marathon in March in Virginia Beach. As soon as I arrived home, I looked up some more advanced training schedules and began getting ready for March. This was a mere 3 weeks after my first Triathlon, and I had already been looking at my next chance to run one of those. So, while looking at a more time consuming and higher-milage marathon plan, how was I to work in my cycling and swimming without burning out or overtraining?

My next opportunity at a triathlon turned out to be at the end of April, and another at the end of May. Weighing my options, I decided to focus on triathlon training...after the holidays, of course.

During the beginning of my new training regimen, I discovered something even more daunting than my two marathons....an Ultramarathon. These are reserved for those with more masochistic inclinations. Imagine...instead of running one marathon, you run two...back to back...and on trails instead of pavement.

This more than slightly intrigued me...and I set myself upon researching it more. I had heard of these before. I distinctly remember reading a Men's Health article about Dean Karnazes and how his friday night consisted of leaving his house after dinner and running 70 miles all through the night...stopping at 7-11's for a slice of pizza and gatorade every now and then.

Now I was even more inspired.

However, I decided to do it right, and be smart. I downloaded an ultramarathon training plan that emphasizes longer runs on Saturday and Sunday, with shorter "maintenance" type runs during the week. Now I can bike and swim during the week.

How is it working out so far? I'll let you know in November...

But for now, I start off this new kick with a 15k run here in Pensacola, known as the "Double Bridge Run". It begins in historic downtown Pensacola, crosses 3 mile bridge, through Gulf Breeze, and across the Sikes Bridge into Pensacola Beach. My overall time was 1:12:30 and I finished 333 out of almost 1500 entrants.

Recovery for now...then back on track Monday.

Weekend Projects

Ahh...Friday...

The day that begins the weekend. A weekend of relaxing...sports...laying in the hammock in the backyard...

Or is it the day you go to Home Depot to get all the supplies for the weekend projects your wife has come up with?

I believe the latter.

Of course, these are things to make our house more "homey" and hopefully help it stand out in a neighborhood where our house will be 1-2 yrs older than some when it comes time to re-sell. The latest in a string of projects is putting in cabinet lighting to show off the granite countertops and black granite backsplash. But, I am also installing a few above the cabinets to match the mood lighting in the living room.

Next is installing cabinets in the washroom. Right now we only have a wire shelf running along the length of the back wall. The plan (as of today) is to get a cabinet unit and mount it above the washer and dryer, and install two (2) four-foot sections of the wire shelving.

Then we get to the garage...earlier last fall, I installed track to hang various tools and yard gear. But, we need to get more organized. More shelves to store more stuff I reckon. Also, I am going to hang a ceiling fan above the workout area. If I get to it, I'd also like to install a lighting fixture above the shower in the master bath.

On to the backyard. The Homeowner's Association will "fine" us if we put our trashcans on the side or front of the house, so we either have to keep them in the garage (think of an oven baking all your trash all day long) or in the backyard. We wisely chose the back. Now I need to put down a small brick patio to put the large garbage can and recycling bin on.

Oh , did I mention we also got some knobs and handles to put on the cabinets and drawers in the kitchen? And if I can find a way to do it, I plan on re-routing the cable in our bedroom from one wall to another....

Man weekends are great, aren't they?!

Why So Serious...?

Okay, so my marathon training hasn't been going all that great. Motivation is in the tank...BUT! I have my ways of keeping motivated. Usually, when my workout schedule is taking a dive, I get some new piece of fitness gear or equipment. Since I am training for a marathon, I think I will replace one of my training pairs of shoes with one that I can break in gradually so it is ready for race day. Also, I am thinking I am going to sign up for a personal trainer at my gym. It is a free service, and from what I hear, all the ones at that gym really kick your butt. The thought of a mere 15lbs. turning me into a whiney baby intrigues me.

The summer is kicking into high gear, and with that lots of hot summer days with the occasional cool sea breeze. However, that also means hurricane season as well. Time to stock up on important stuff. I have been through them before so they don't really scare me. I am smart enough to know when to get out and when to tough it out. Plust it's not just me I have to worry about anymore.

The weather is absolutely gorgeous, and even though I know I can't have either, I keep bugging Linds about getting a boat or a motorcycle. A boat is a better idea b/c it would be a family thing we could all do. Does anyone else feel a "but" or a "however" coming on?

Somedays I think she just tunes me out when I keep bugging her about a motorcyle. Other days I think I am winning her over. The Jury is still out.

Just curious, who else besides Orlando is rooting for the Magic?

Day 2...

Okay, so last night I spent 4 hours trying to work with my page theme and background. The verdict? Boondock Saints theme from Pimp-my-profile.com. The problem? I found it rather quickly, liked it alright, but wanted more "bling" on the sides...so I changed my page over...and over....AND over....and finally decided I could not find anything I liked as much as that theme.

As far as a little background on what I DID accomplish today (nothing for my blog) I am continuing my marathon training after a brief layoff from a trip to Disney World and me being sick the following week. Getting back in the groove was much easier for Stella, believe me!

I am at the point that I feel I need a training partner b/c running long distances by yourself often SUCKS. I am not referring to being "lonely", but rather flat out bored. "Oh, Bart...why not just run on a treadmill with a TV to watch?" you may ask. My answer? I hate running and not going anywhere even more.

Enough of the running blasphemy. On to our weekly "Family Night".

Each Wednesday, we do something as a family. Sometimes it is playing Candyland, Memory, or even putting together a 200 piece jigsaw puzzle. Some weeks we watch a movie together, like The Jungle Book, or Night at the Museum, or Bolt. Tonight, we went out to eat at the Olive Garden. Yes, the Olive Garden. My 5yr old chose it. She has been asking to go to "the place with the grapes" (on the logo) and since she learned the name, she has been wanting to go, just b/c of the logo. After we got home, we made s'mores. I don't remember them being so messy when I was a kid...

I am already getting invitations for Fantasy Football Leagues again. I have played three years in a row. My first year I took home the trophy. The second year, I took home the trophy in all 3 leagues I was in. Last year, I bit off more than I could chew. I took on 6 leagues, and won 1. Mainly b/c there were only 8 players and 2 or 3 didn't even make changes after week 6.

(Patting self on back)

Wait...have I mentioned any guy stuff besides fantasy football? No? Well then...lets talk sports.

First, since the Finals are going on in the NBA, lets talk about "Fixed Games". Is there anyone still out there who thinks games are not fixed? Now, I am a Spurs fan, and while I do not like the Mavericks or the Lakers (actually, I don't like Cuban, he seems like a whiney spoiled little brat we all knew growing up who would 'take his ball and go home' if we didn't agree with him). Okay, the Lakers are alright...I mean the history of that team is phenomenal...but I don't like Prima Donnas...and no matter how great Kobe is and will always be, that is EXACTLY what he is. Phil Jackson? Great coach, but with the talent he has had on his teams, a LOT of coaches could be in the same position.

What about football? My team is the Dallas Cowboys. And it seems like the only team that rivals us for the love/hate relationship is the Patriots. The Cowboys seem to crush my spirits year after year. I remember skipping school my senior year to make the 2 hour drive to Dallas for the Super Bowl Homecoming Parade. Lucky I didn't get stabbed or shot. The Pats? I hate you Tom Brady...I hate you for being such a great QB...I hate you for having such a high football IQ...and I hate you most of all b/c you are famous, rich, good looking, and to top it off, a nice guy.

Did I say hate or jealous?

Belichick. I actually like the guy now. What? Someone was 'caught' cheating? I honestly don't understand exactly what the big deal was, but seems like unless someone was tapping into the play signals channel or spiking the opposing team's gatorade with ipicac, then what I saw was doing your homework. Also, I always thought, "what a douche, wearing cut-off sweats instead of looking nice..." We can all thank Reebok for that. Did you know that coaches and players can only wear official Reebok sideline apparel and that the idea of going back to suits was shot down b/c Reebok wouldn't get their sideline publicity from the coaches? That is why they are allowed to wear suits twice a season now. Word has it that Reebok is trying to come out with some suit that also works as a similar advertising tool. Hmm...tool...seems to fit Reebok.

Baseball anyone? Well, my team is the Astros...and since they have continued downhill since the sweep by the WhiteSox...we will just forget about baseball for now...

Hockey? Dallas Stars here...but I only watch the playoffs.

Soccer? My favorite team is...wait...wait....bwah-hah-hah-hah-hah-hah-hah-hah... Sorry, couldn't even make it all the way through without laughing hysterically about it!

Golf? Fun to play...rather watching fishing on TV.

Fishing? I hate all you professional anglers with your sweet boats and gear. Mostly I hate you b/c I don't have a boat at all.

College Sports? Now we are talking...I will almost always watch college sports over some form of Pro Sports. Yes, that includes Women's Softball and Soccer.

But, NCAA Football reigns supreme in my book. The Texas A&M Aggies are my team in every sport on the NCAA level. Even the ones we just kinda, sorta, participate in.

Okay, this was a long post, especially for not saying anything of importance.

One more thing..."Boobs, Bombs, Beer, Bikes, Burps, Barcalounger, Burgers, Babes, Bacon..." Notice how a LOT of really cool and fantastic guy stuff starts with "B"? Maybe Sesame Street should do an episode...

Peace and Chicken Grease, I am out.

Well, the missus has WAY surpassed me on this...

Lindsay has started a blog about our family, and I walk by and see what she has done and I am totally amazed. When it comes to computer stuff, I am usually the smart one, but with setting up blogs and whatnot, she points out how "easy" it is... Me? I am lost before I even get started! I have seen a bunch of different blogs, and I wanted to do something different, but it seems everything "different" has already been done.

Now I have decided to try a picture posting/voting website. Basically, my idea is to express mine and other contributor's thoughts in pictures. But, let's face it...I am a guy, and this will definitely have a "guy-spin" on it.

The basic premise is this...NOTHING is off limits! Everyone, everything, every subject is fair game. Even I, the self-proclaimed right-leaning independent will not edit posts or refuse to post anything based on content.

The concept is simple...but let's see how well I can get this puppy off the ground.

-Beave