missing in action

Training lately has really been difficult.
Confidence is at a low point only 5 days away from NN16. Although I have done may long bikes, my only long run ended up being a 10 miler in 90 minutes.
Not quite a 180 minute run no matter what speed.
You see, I miss my Dad.
I also miss my friend and mentor Gary.
We lost them both 2 years ago within 18 hours of each other.
My head still swims for a few days just thinking about it.
Although done in different ways and through very different backgrounds and experiences, their lessons to me reverberate with similarity.
The best way to honor them is to carry on their teachings, no?
They both valued 'persistence', education and doing things the proper way ~ no matter what.
These lessons came in handy trying to coach hockey this past week at try-outs. I feel their spirits thrive when I am in a teaching moment.
They also came in handy today convincing myself to run a hard 30 minutes at lunch. Be persistent.
Although my heart aches from their void, it grows stronger with how they carry on after they have passed.

QOTD

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.
-William James, psychologist (1842-1910)

like a kid at christmas

During this time of year, we all catch cold, get caught up in life's minutiae, find it challenging to stay on track with training.
It is March Madness.
But occasionally, there are gems.
Found a friend from way back and got back in touch. That does the soul well. He apparently has read my blog, so maybe he'll stay in touch.
Got just run down over the weekend between the youth hockey, work, training etc and had to miss a LSD event. I *was* supposed to be a 180-minute, but the 2 days off actually may have served me better than forcing down a long event.
I'll get that 180 this weekend.
Next weekend would be a taper down weekend anyway in preparation for the NN16 but with three different youth hockey try-outs and playoff games....this will give me one good long real event.
Forced trust in prior planning.
Finally, getting toys and clothing ready for April 5th. The woolie socks, running gear and the newest aid: the new hydration sack.
I finally found one I like last year (Dakine), but they no longer make it and mine is slowly separating at the seams. So, after much research, found one I might like. Very small, 70oz sack, pockets for GU, nuun, keys, cell phone ~ but it wasn't available yet, except at some place in Canada (Moosejaw.com) and my local EMS. Stopped by, liked it, bought it,
and had the NoMagicBean logo embroidered on - see picture.
Now, it is ready for 2 weeks of field tests.
Will try and run with it tomorrow and see how it feels to make adjustments.
Getting nervous? certainly. Only fools rush in.
Getting excited? yep.
T-minus 16 days.

twenty-one for a forty-something

Funny number, that twenty-one.
At Mohegan Sun, that takes the money.
As a salute, it honors the brave who have passed
It marks the start of your life when you may legally consume alcohol ~ and incidentally when consuming alcohol becomes a great deal less fun and exciting.
Two of my hometown teams have retired that number. (brownie points if you know the person other than Roberto Clemente).
Today, it marked a milestone.
The “n=1 study” continues unabated – one long distance endurance event each week, plus 3-4 (and occasionally 5) half-hour long runs indoors each week involving ATP-CP based training bursts.
These burst, lasting 25-30 seconds began with 15 and utilized a 3:1 recovery to work ratio. Since early January, a gradual build of burst repetitions began and then a slow reduction in the recovery time frame.
Today was the first training session with 21 bursts of 25 or more seconds with only a 1:1 recovery (25 on, 25 off).
But, this hurt a great deal less than originally thought. I was at my lovely desk 31 minutes after it started.
That NSCA Performance course last June might have been just the ticket.

ouch

The axiom “if it doesn’t hurt preparing, it isn’t worth achieving” is kind of smacking me right in the face this evening.
In preparation for the Northern Nipmuck in a few weeks and with the absence of ability to hit the road for my LSDs (due to rain, extreme wind, cold, hockey games etc), I’ve ramped up the 10% rule a bit while training on the bike weekends.
Today marked a time-based mock race of 2:40 minutes at moderate / high intensity with a mock stop and restart at 1:20 just like the NN16.
That should be enough for adrenaline to carry me the last bit across the finish line at NN16.
And my legs are not liking me right now.
Well, let me rephrase that ~ they’d let me know how the *really* feel if they would just bend a bit.
I also understand why cyclists prefer not to sit down much after their workouts.
And why they typically don’t eat chili for a few days after a long ride.
Certainly, running for a set time and cycling for a set time create two very different and distinct demands on the body. The pounding on the joints is just not there with cycling. Going longer is *much* easier.
But not easy.
But is *is* nice having quick access to water, GU, nuun, NHL games of the week, AMC movies etc.
But the road calls soon enough.
I am hoping that 2 road LSDs plus the weekday interval training provides enough to get me through NN16 at sub 3 hours.
Plus, with daylight savings time, after work runs are now a distinct possibility.
This has been such a minimalist training spring with such good preliminary results, that I am very encouraged. The amount of time spent actually running is under 2:30 each week right now, but that doesn’t include the 2:40 bike. Still, around 5 hours each week seems to be building my endurance and speed and still allowing me to have some semblance of a life.
But this is just the pre-season.
Somewhere out there is a short ultra just calling my name.
Which will mean much more preparation pain for something really worth achieving.