The Music Man - he's a what? He's a what?

Last night was definitely an unusual night. A reunion of the cast from the 1987 LHS "Music Man". Several cast members got together to support one of our own as she sang the lead in a local diner theater. Now, I hate musicals and I don't enjoy dinner theaters. Shocking given that I have been in a few musicals and directed plays for a high school for 6 years. However, I do have a soft spot for the Music Man and fond memories from that show in high school. It was a really nice time catching up with some people I hadn't seen in over twenty years.

Why is this in my training blog? Well, because the show lasted until almost 11:00 and I was unable to get the songs out of my head... which meant fitful sleep. I woke up about every hour with some song rolling through my head. I also had a few beers at the show. So I headed out for my run tired and a touch dehydrated.

Didn't seem to matter too much. I had good energy on the run. 4.1 miles on deck for tomorrow.

4 miles closer and the Music Man

Not quite as fast as yesterday's time, but pretty pleased with the results. I am scheduled for 3.5 tomorrow, but I think I'll have to run my 8 mile Sunday run tomorrow due to travel plans.
Had a great time at dinner last night with Tiffany (my marathon partner) and Glenn (my wife's shopping partner). They are off to Panama and the Galapagos Island for most of the summer. It will be tough for her to train there, but I have no doubt she will get it done.
Safe travels and happy running Tiffany!

Weird evening ahead... a Music Man reunion of sorts at Jester's. I've never been there before and seeing people from 23 years ago will be, well weird.

Just one of those runs...

I felt really tired today. Not so much from running, but a poor night of sleep. Oh well, I did the 4 mile route at my fastest pace.
There were a lot of runners out there today! Perhaps it is where I'm running or the nice weather in the mornings, but it was downright crowded today. It makes me happy to see it.

Bike to Work Day

Today was one of those day where I wanted to do a lot... maybe too much, but who knows? 5 mile run to start things off this morning. Interesting to watch a small group (gaggle?) of geese riding the St. Vrain. The water has been very high and very fast, but it didn't seem to bother these geese at all. They just rode the waves and enjoyed the ride.
Speaking of the ride... after my run, I hoped on my bike and rode to work. Freddie Mercury would be proud. I'm feeling it now that I'm at my desk! These are some tired legs!

Good run

You know, I am not a good judge of how I'm doing on a run. I can never tell if my pace is fast or slow. To my surprise. I ran faster today than yesterday. I thought I had less energy and must be dragging, but I was wrong. A good 4 mile run this morning. Tomorrow I have a 5 mile run and I'm biking to work for "Bike to Work" day.
In other news, I'm getting excited for my marathon training shirt! A local shop helped with the design and they should be printed today. Woo Hoo! I have found that those little things like new clothes, a new podcast to listen to, or new shoes can re-energize my workouts...
Speaking of podcasts... Two Gomers Run A Marathon is coming to an end... they are talking triathlons... ouch. Good luck boys!

8 miles and all smiles

I did it! I was worried about it how I would do on an 8 mile run, since I hadn't run that far in ten years. To my delight it wasn't so hard. The first two miles were spent worrying about running so far, but then I got in a groove and focused on my audio book. I felt great when I got home and after a cold bath was ready to go out and do yard work.
This was also my first run with a hydration belt and "eating" a Cliff shot. To my surprise, I enjoyed it and the belt didn't bother me at all. Not sure how much this helps to eat, but my coach said I needed to practice eating and drinking on runs. 450 miles on the year and under 600 to go on my training.

Yesterday I was asked...

What I though about when I was running. To which I had no clear answer. So today, while on my last 3 miler for the next several weeks, I paid attention to where my mind went. First, it was time for a Journey song list... so I had memories of bad 80's videos and I wondered if Carlos Santana was proud of Neal Schon for his success. I wondered what Steve Perry was up to these days and if he was pleased to here Glee cover all those old songs.

Then I was mad at people who park in their driveways, but block the sidewalks and angry at the woman who was texting as she drove next to me.

Then "Anyway You WanT It" came on and I was immediately back in my childhood. I had built an entire stage set out of Legos and used to have the Lgos band play that song over and over... what a geek.

Oh, good run today. Nice time ahead of median pace. 8 miler tomorrow, should I listen to Eminem?

Pet Peeve

Today was a nice and easy 3 mile run. Felt good the entire run, with no issue or pain. Here is my pet peeve of the day... cars need to yield to the runner IN the crosswalk. For the past several runs I have had drivers pull into the crosswalk and block me as I run or today completely miss the fact I was in the road and nearly run me over. I'm not going against the light or breaking the rules, I am crossing in the designated space with the light. Come on people... pay attention.

I feel better now.

6 miles

Well, that hurt. Not the distance, but a strain across my quad on my right leg. I'm guessing it is a result of my back injury and changing my stride to compensate. First my back, I crashed on my bike after the Sunrise Stampede - hit a rock I didn't see with the pedal and got thrown. I was going slow enough and was able to roll as I hit the ground. Didn't think I was hurt, but my back did ache the next day. Today my quad felt tight and then downright painful at the end of my run.

I was really afraid of what this might mean for my running schedule, but by mid-day it felt pretty much back to normal. I have spent the evening stretching and icing so I'm hopeful it will all work out by morning. 3 miles tomorrow. Here's to a good nights sleep and getting a good warm-up before I head out to run.

Marathon Training has begun

Oh boy, here we go. I started up in Lake Tahoe, not on purpose mind you, I just happened to be there on a trip. I was supposed to run 3 miles Monday morning to get things started. I ran 4.3 because I got lost in South Tahoe. I don't suggest getting lost since I ended up running up a very long and very steep hill. Ouch. The adventure has begun...

The full first week wasn't that much different than what I've been doing since New Year's - just a consistently longer week. Only one run under 3 miles and it ended with a 10K race.

Now I'm two days into week two and I feel really good. Tomorrow will be a big test with the 6 mile run on a Wednesday. The biggest challenge will be getting up early enough that I'm not late to work. Given that I'm carpooling with the wife, I should have the extra motivation to get out there on time.

Signing up for a half-marathon for mid-September. I'm looking forward to it and the opportunity to run in Fort Collins. More tomorrow....

Bolder Boulder

I set my PR at the Bolder Boulder... not that there was much chance I wouldn't since it was only my second time running it. When I was 30 I ran it in 55 minutes and this year at 40 I ran it in 52. I think I could have done better, maybe even a sub 50, but upset stomach and dehydration zapped my energy. Half way through I was just counting the seconds until I was done. My Dad finished 15 seconds ahead of me, which made him happy I'm sure and me too a little bit. I'm competitive, but knowing he is fit enough to still be faster than me is reassuring.

Plantar fasciitis seems to be settling down now. The one really positive thing from that experience is my new found appreciation for stretching. Very important to warm the legs and feet up - an d now I even enjoy it a little.

Started lifting and doing core exercise to try and increase my overall fitness. I also need to reign in my diet too. I think it will be key to be as overall fit as possible going into this race and into my forties.