The Cool Side of the Treadmill

Like I said, the treadmill is probably the greatest disincentive to my running. But there is a another side to that coin.

If I run on the treadmill, there's inclement weather, or both, that may mean a temporary respite to the routine cycles of a training regimen. Perhaps I don't run. Perhaps I run less than planned. But the moral of the story is, I've got more energy stored for the followup run(s).

So, Sunday was to be a ~7 mile run outside, but instead was 3m inside. Monday was a rest day. Tuesday, 3m. So today, at dusk, I get my cold weather gear on and get outside, where it's 36 degrees but calm winds. I absolutely flew. My start was a bit fast, but overtime I got faster, not slower. There were points during the run where - although I knew I was on flat ground - my speed and gait felt like I was going downhill. Heck, even my eyes were making me feel like I was stumbling downhill. Perhaps it dizzying speed, or that I was running so fast that my stride was a bit out of control. Anyways, it felt great, and I probably averaged 7:15min/m which is fast for 6 miles miles given my current fitness level.

Word to the wise after such a glorious run? Stretch, because your body was just stressed far more than usual given the effort. I don't want to wake up tomorrow in pain, or be tighter in tomorrow's run and tweak something that'd send my whole plan down the toilet.

Weathering the Elements

Those who know me know that I love to run outside despite all but the most extreme elements (snow drifts, hurricanes, lightning). One reason is that I love to run out in the freedom that the outdoors provide, with fresh air, freedom of movement, glorious vistas, and even the occasional run in with a driver clearly not sensitive to the needs of a runner.

Another reason is that I hate the treadmill. With a passion. It's too warm. There's no breeze. And even with a big sporting event on TV or great music, a treadmill creates such an awfully boring experience for me that I can't get into my flowing zone. So it was with dismay today that - as my wife far more quickly realized that our running would be impaired by the inch or two of snow that was falling - I had to give up my long run (at least for today) and try and bring myself onto the treadmill for however many miles I could muster.

It took three hours of sitting on the couch watching TV, choosing to work on the weekend, or even walk around the house in a stupor explaing to my wife over and over again that I didn't know what to do. I did know. But I didn't want to face it.

So, at around 5pm I gave in, got in my gear, and mounted the misery machine. I got in around 3 miles, adjusting of course for the clearly miscalibrated machine that tells you that you're speed is around 6mph when you know you're doing probably almost 7mph.

I hate that machine. I really do.

66? Who am I kidding?

Ok ok. I'm a mathematician, so I sat down and mapped out my training program, and associated run types of long, tempo, easy, etc with a general predicted mileage. Then I consulted the charts of times likely at 10 miles given where I know I may be at fitness-wise. 66 minutes is a dream, once that is so unlikely to reach it's almost foolish to consider. So, if I accomplish that, then I'm a superstud. However, I do think that a more realistic if still unlikely goal to shoot for is 70 minutes, and if I were to finish the 10 miler in 72 minutes that's still a good thing. So, we'll see.

Why 66?

So, what's the origin of this blog's title?

My best 5k time was a (potentially short course) 18 minutes and 39 seconds, clocking me in at just over 6 minutes a mile. That was way back in my hey day of summer 1997, where I ran my best 5k and best marathon (3:39) of my life. Since then, I've really mostly just training and jogged, and my jog pace seems to be anywhere from 7:15/m (in fit times) to 7:45/m or 8:00/m. Therefore, given the distance of the race (this ain't no marathon!) and the time to potentially work up with some speed work (I've got about 12 weeks left), I think I can shoot for an average pace of 6.6min/m, which would bring me home at a clean 66 minutes.

Can it be done? Well, that's REALLY ambitiuos. I'd have to say my likelihood for success rests in the 20-30% range. But it's a great goal, and to be honest, finishing anywhere under 70 minutes would be graaavvvvyyyy. But, I gotta set my sights somewhere. And with my new ipod nano in tow (that is to say, weightless music player), I've got a lil' extra incentive with Enter Sandman coursing through my skull....

And so it begins...again

Here we go. I've picked yet another moderately distanced race to train and run this spring. Inspired by my wife's consistent running last year (800 miles!) and newfound goals (see her blog), I've been able to register for the DC Cherry Blossom 10 miler on 4/1. Yes, April Fools Day, and given my history of paying race registrations for 10+ races and then failing to complete training (more on that later), let's hope I make it.

To get us started, here's a pic of my running shoes, the 2007 Asics Gel Cumulus. Yes, of course it's got orange on it!