Archive for August, 2007

37 days, 5.25 miles, and Sorrow…

Aug 31st, 07 / 0 Comments

Today was an interesting day for many reasons. 

There was some excitement in the air at work with a long weekend pending and lots of work awaiting us next week.  We are all looking forward to some rest and relaxation over the weekend before coming back and tackling the monster that looms before us.  Needless to say we’ll be busy. 

Also today I decided to run outside at lunch – something I haven’t done nearly enough of this summer.  The sun, fresh air, and breeze was just the thing I needed today to revitalize.    

Many of you know this already, but some of you may not – I work in downtown Minneapolis.  I love working downtown, I enjoy taking the bus to work, and I like the busy skyways full of people.  I have a YMCA within a 10 minute walk from my office and from there I have my choice of miles and miles of beautiful urban trails to run on.  I can run around the lakes on the Grand Rounds or, as I did today, a beautiful scenic river run along the mighty Mississippi.

Last summer in training for the Twin Cities Marathon, I ran the river run dozens of times - a couple of times a week at least.  This year, due to changes in my training plan, I’ve spent more time on the treadmill and indoor track than outside.  After today, I realized that this was a mistake – I’ve missed the sights and sounds of the river and the people along the route. Half of what makes running so great is the community and feeling a part of things.

The route I take on my run goes right down along the river and directly past the ruins of the Interstate 35W bridge collapse.  Until today, other than on the news, I hadn’t actually seen the destruction.  Like most things, seeing something like this in person is far more sobering and full of reality than TV could ever provide, regardless of the quality of the high definition.   I have run past and under this bridge dozens of times.  I know it well.  And yet, I was totally unprepared for the sight of it laying in the river, crushed and in pieces.

As I ran along the river, looking at the destruction, I was struck with thought of all the loss and also how truly lucky we all are to have life to live.  Part of the reason for my thoughts, I’m sure, is due to the fact that one of the victims worked at my company and yesterday afternoon we had a memorial service for him.  I didn’t know him in the slightest, I’d never met him, but I really wish I would have.  He sounded like a kind, generous, funny, fun loving, interesting, and caring person.  He was 29 years old, just a few days shy of 30, and I have to wonder what could have become of his life had he not been on that bridge at that time.  What great things could he accomplish in the lifetime that is no more?

I don’t have any answers.  I only know that I need to make sure that I am living every day to its fullest.  It would be an insult to the memory of all of those who have never had the opportunity to live a long, fulfilling  life to piddle away any moment of time. 

Life is truly too short…

Here is the route I take:

37 days to the Twin Cities Marathon.

Later…

Aaron

40 days to go and a race update…

Aug 28th, 07 / 0 Comments

Authors note: This is my second attempt to write this post – thanks to Windows Live Writer.  Tip for anyone using this editor, don’t use the “View/Web Layout” view without first saving your post.  One second it was there… the next it was gone.  Also, turn on the “Auto Save as Draft” feature in user options – this is not set by default. DOH!

40 days to go to the Twin Cities Marathon and, at this point, I’m not to sure how I feel about it.  I’m, of course, looking forward to it – but I’m a little apprehensive.  Maybe having done one already and knowing what to expect, I’m a little more nervous than last year.  I think I just have more respect for the distance – I know what I’m up against, I understand the challenge that awaits me…

I also know I can do it.

On to my race report…

Last Sunday  I ran the Woodbury Country Mile 1/2 Marathon.  Overall, the run was good, I felt great, finished strong, and I think I even gained a little confidence.  It was a great way to spend a Sunday morning.

The day started perfectly, I was up at around 6:00 am for a 7:00 am race start.  I had my gear ready to go (race number pre-pinned neatly to my shirt thanks to my lovely wife), so I was able to get dressed quickly, relax for a few minutes, and then head out to the race start. 

The weather was ideal, cool – but not cold.  Mid 50′s with a nice breeze and plenty of nice warm sun.  It was a perfect morning for a nice, long run.  I got to the race start at about 6:30 am, spent a little time in my car with some “motivational” music on the stereo, and then headed out to make my way to the race start.  The start is a third of a mile or so from the parking area, so it proved to be a nice little warm up trek.

I bumped in to some friends from the fire department on the way to the starting line (they were there to provide medical support if necessary), so I stopped and chatted for a minute.  They offered lots of positive encouragement and good vibes, so I headed to the starting line in a great frame of mind – ready for whatever got in my way.

The race started 10 minutes later and I was on my way – every step one step closer to the finish.  This is my second year running this race and I really like the course.  It winds its way around three lakes in the heart of Woodbury, sticking mainly to bike paths.  This helps keep traffic control issues to a minimum and safety to a maximum.  There are plenty of water/Gatorade stations along the way (7 I think), and the volunteers were friendly and helpful.

The only real points of interest or things to note on the course is the construction work zone and trail running section in the first mile of the course.  This slowed the first mile down a little bit, but it was well managed and I think the best it could have been under the circumstances.

Here are my splits:

  1. 8:38.89  (slowest mile, construction and trail section)
  2. 8:10.49
  3. 8:05.51
  4. 8:14.35
  5. 8:22.35
  6. 8:30.80
  7. 8:32.98
  8. 8:14.19
  9. 8:15.21
  10. 8:24.34
  11. 8:00.50 (fastest mile)
  12. 8:26.45 (Very hilly section)
  13. 8:15.94 (Uphill most of the last mile and through road construction)

Finish: 1:48:59 (Chip time)

So, as you can see, no PR this year.  Last year I ran a 1:48:35 – 24 seconds faster than this year.  However, I feel better about this year’s run than the run last year, I finished stronger, I was less fatigued, and I was the one doing the passing in the last 3 miles.  Am I disappointed that I didn’t do better? Sure. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t, but I can feel good about the ease at which I was able to complete this run. 

Lessons learned: For the Twin Cities Marathon, I really need to make sure I find and stick with a pace group running my desired pace (between 8:30 and 8:40 minute miles).  I clearly am not very good at maintaining a consistent pace throughout a run.  Also, some good advice I read somewhere – a marathon is just a 20 mile warm up with a 10K run at the end.

Once my run was complete, the real fun began!

First, Peter, my 1 year old, worked super hard to complete his first ‘race’ – the Woodbury Country Mile Diaper Dash.  He did a great job and finished with a smile on his face!  I’m so proud of him.  Super job Pete!

Next, David, my three year old, took off in the Toddler Trot and earned himself a finishers medal.  He was a little apprehensive at first, but once he got going there was no stopping him! Way to go Dave!

Finally, Alex, my six year old, ran his first race – The Woodbury Country Mile.  This is a long run for a six year old but he stuck with it and finished strong.  He also earned himself a finishers medal! He ran through a little pain and kept fighting till the finish – he did a great job! Nice work Alex!

I’ll have pictures of all the festivities soon!

40 days until the Twin Cities Marathon…

Aaron

46 days to go…

Aug 22nd, 07 / 0 Comments

…and I feel like I’m losing some of the hard work I’ve put in.  The last two weeks have been complete disasters as far as my training goes.  I haven’t been able to keep up with my cross-training, I missed my long run on Sunday because of really nasty weather, and today I missed my speed work.  I was able to get in a swim on Monday, but totally missed Tuesday, and now today I missed my run. 

I still have a lot going on, work has been insane, I’ve been really busy at the fire department, and I just started a new MBA course. But still, when I don’t get in a workout, I feel really lazy. I feel like I’m reverting back to old habits, slipping slowly back into inactivity, slowly becoming, once again, what I once was.  I hate that feeling.  I never want to go back there.  I never want to feel the way I felt when I was 375 lbs.  Never. Ever. Again.  For the most part, my kids don’t remember me when I was overweight, I want to keep it that way. 

I guess I’ll get up early for a run.

On a more positive note, this weekend should be fun.  My parents and my in-laws are coming up for the weekend – it’s Woodbury Days – our city’s yearly celebration.  The big bonus is that I get to run a 1/2 marathon on Sunday.  On top of that, Alex is running the Kid’s 1 mile and David is running in the tottler-trot.  Overall, this should be a fun weekend.

Hope you all have a great weekend too!

Later…

Aaron

46 days to the Twin Cities Marathon

 

Testing Windows Live Writer

Aug 22nd, 07 / 1 Comment

I’m using this post to simply test windows live writer and see if I like using this to write and publish my blog content.  So far, this is a great little tool.

I’ll keep working with it to see if it is going to be worthwhile.

Thanks!

Aaron

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48 to the start…

Aug 20th, 07 / 0 Comments

Here is the workout from today:

1 x 500 yard warm up
6 x 100 on 1:25 descending
4 x 75 kick on 1:30
2 x 400 on :10 sec rest
1 x 200 cool down

2400 yards total – nice effort, good workout.

48 days to the Twin Cities Marathon.

Later…

Aaron

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