Exhausted!

I'm completely exhausted.  Work has been busy, I teach and then have a great two year old.  All of that means it has been tough to build up the miles. And, I have not done a great job.

Since CIM I've done one 14 mile trail run, one 10 miler and a number of 7 milers.  I've run 3 to 5 days a week, but my weekly miles have generally been in the 20s (with only 1 week in the mid-30s).  Very little speed workouts!

That's okay as I am keeping my base, but I am not getting in "race shape".  That presents a problem when I have Oakland Half on March 25th and then Big Sur which is April 29th.

I have just not got the training in for either of these races.  Which means "if" I run them, I'm not "racing them".  Or, I don't think I can race them.

I have to decide whether I even want to race them.  Oakland is coming up so I won't be able to get in race shape for a 1/2 marathon.  So I need to decide whether I want to even run it.  The main negatives for running it are:  (i) have to drive to Oakland, (ii) have to get a hotel (if I don't then that means I need to drive out there for the expo and then for the race), (iii) time away from my daughter, and (iv) I might not enjoy it since I'm not ready for it.

The reasons to race it:  (i) some of my running friends are running it so it will be great to see people on the course, (ii) I've paid for it, and (iii) won't have to worry about restrooms or water.

For Big Sur, the question will be whether I can get some long runs to build my endurance.  I would not race that marathon, but try to just enjoy it.

I've been running, but not "long runs" and my weekly mileage is low (generally in the 20s save for 1 week in the 30s).  I have not got in speed workouts or tempo runs. So it looks like I will have to cancel at least Oakland and likely Big Sur.

I could attempt to increase my miles to get me ready, but work has just been so busy.

Brooklyn is sick!

I hate it when my daughter gets sick.

I went for a run tonight and when I came home I gave my daughter a kiss on the forehead.  She felt hot.  After a while she still felt hot.  We checked her temperature and it was 103.2!  We tried to give her some medicine and she threw up . . . all over herself and my wife.  My wife felt liking throwing up after having barf all over her.  I just felt bad for my daughter and tried to get her clean as soon as possible without worrying about the smell.

She is sleeping now so hopefully she can have a good night's sleep.  I hate it when she gets sick.  I feel so useless.  She is a trooper so I'm hoping she can fight this off.  I hate the fever too.  I am getting used to colds . . . the running noise and caught.  However, I am not no where close to be comfortable when she has a fever.

On the running front, I got in 35-36 miles last week with a nice 14-15 mile run at Rancho (sometimes I love being out on the trails).

Take care and good running!

Go Niners!

Hi,

There has been so many things I've wanted to blog about, but like always a day or a week goes by and then I forgot about what I wanted to blog about.  So let's try a quick update about posts that might have been if I made more time to update this blog:

1.  Go Niners!  I went to the game last Sat and it was, without a doubt, the best game I have ever been to.  I stood most of the time.

2.  I am going the NFC title game this Sunday.  It is suppose to rain, but our seats are covered. The problem is that we park about two miles away so hopefully the weather is not too bad.

3.  The SF marathon training program starts this Sunday for the South Bay.  I'm excited to be pacing/coaching again this year.

4.  I had a client meeting in Reno earlier this week.  I had to stay the night which meant I took a little time to have some fun by playing Craps.  I do not gamble much.  I've generally play blackjack if I am in Vegas.  The slots generally just take my money.  The partner I was with wanted to play Craps.  I've watched before to try to understand the game, but that was years ago.  I broke a hundred and started playing (tried to follow the bets the partner made so that I could learn what to do).  After some time, I was down to my last few chips and we were ready to call it a night.  But, we said let's do 1 more roll.  About an hour or two later I made about five hundred.  We had to call it a night due to the client meeting in the am.  It was great to win!

5.  I have been slacking in my running. Only running about three to four times a week and not long miles.  I'm trying to put in a 7-8 mile run this weekend (failed at that this am due to being exhausted from a client deadline).  I'm going to try later tonight.  Then maybe run 10 miles next weekend to get my miles back up there.

6.  I have still not cheated on giving up treats!

Have a good running weekend!

First 2012 post - goals, update and 49ers

Hi,

I keep meaning to post, but always seem to get caught up with something else and next thing I know I'm weeks (or a month) past my last post.

Hope everyone had a great new year.  I was in Lake Tahoe for the new year and got a couple of good runs in, but mostly just spent time with my family.

2012 goals(?)
I did not really make specific goals.  I do like making goals, but I tend to make the goals when I feel committed to them, rather than just because of a specific day came.  But, I do have some general goals:

1.  No treats, including ice cream.  Exception for any that have zero saturated fat, zero trans fat and zero Cholesterol.  A few comments:

• This does not have to be for the entire year.  I have grades.  30 days is a D.  100 days is a C.  1/2 a year is a B and a full year is an A.  So far I'm still trying to not get an F.
• This goal started on Dec. 21st (so I can have treats in 2012 as long as it is Dec. 22nd or later and still get an A)
• Reason:  I'm getting additional life insurance and had to take a physical.  My results came Dec. 21st and showed my Cholesterol is elevated - 210.  I decided after a couple hours of thinking and doing some quick research to drop treats (as I love them, especially ice cream).  Overall my Cholesterol is not too bad because I have a lot of good ones (whatever that means).  But, I need to get my number down to below 200.  They did give me rates based on top health rates - so that is some good news, but elevated Cholesterol is still not good. I'm excited to see if this change will make a difference.
• Yes it was hard to make this goal right before the holidays.  But, I got through it without getting an F.

2.  Run my 9th and 10th marathon this year.

• I'm signed up for Big Sur, SF marathon and the NY marathon.  Hoping to do at least 2 of them.

3.  Get faster

• Hopefully get closer to 3:30.  I'll make a specific goal once I get into my training.

Running updates:

1.  I'm leading a running group from a new running store in Los Altos (near my house).  They are starting running groups from their store.  So far I lead a Wed. 6:30am group (there are also runs going on Monday at 6am, Thursday at 9:30am or 6pm, I think).  Basically by "lead" I just have a route planned and make sure no one gets lost.  If any one locally wants to join, please join me!  The runs just started so the word is just getting out.  The store is "on your mark performance" in downtown Los Altos.  http://www.onyourmarkperformance.com/


2.  I will be pacing/coaching for the SF marathon training (south bay) program again this year.  We start Jan. 22 and Jan 29th.  If any local people are interested, intro programs are on Sunday at 8am at Los Gatos High School.

3.  My neighbor might run his first marathon.  I've been running with him the last few months to build him up.  He has not run longer than 7-8 miles, but is considering building up for the SF marathon.  I would do the long runs with him (and already run in the am weekday with him).  Very exciting.  I hope he does this.  It will be a lot of running for me, but will be so enjoyable.

4.  GOING TO THE 49ER GAME TODAY!  GO NINERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Take care!

Merry Christmas

Hi,

I hope you all have a merry Christmas and a great holiday season.

I can't believe it is almost 2012.  The year has went by very fast.  Just about a week ago Brooklyn turned two years old.  Two!  Already!  I can't believe how fast time goes by.  I'm are looking forward to her opening her x-mas presents in the morning.  It might take all day as she like to play with each toy  before moving on to the next gift.  Unfortunately, she is a little sick.  Hopefully, she can get a good night sleep tonight, but so far a cough keeps waking her up.  I hate it when she is sick.  :(

A quick running update:  I planned to take a week off after CIM, it turned into 16 days because I got sick!  I have ran three days this week, so I'm working to build myself back up.  I'm going to Tahoe for about 5 days so plan to get some runs in up there.

Take care and good running.