Post Peach Tree Road Race Update

The 6.2 mile jaunt that is the Peach Tree Road Race proved to be much easier for both Theresa and I than we expected. We weren’t sure how things were going to end up considering the run/walk routine we’ve been using for training. We started the race with the intentions of running as far as we could without the walk breaks, but were pleasantly surprised when the only one needed was at “Cardiac Hill”. “Cardiac Hill” isn’t much of a hill by most standards, but it sure is for us flat landers here in Florida. We made it about half way up the hill before needing a short brake. After getting back up to speed the rest of the run was smooth sailing. We finished it in 1:30:45, which isn’t the fastest, but hey, we’re training for a Marathon not a 100 meter sprint.

With the Peach Tree out of the way the rest of the week was open for activities. Most of our days were spend hiking in and around the state parks near Helen, Ga but I did manage to get a short 12 mile ride in with Theresa’s step father, Ron. The plan was to ride on a few miles up a forest service road and back. It didn’t get off to a good start though. A few yards from the cabin my chain jumped off the large cog and ended up between the cog and the spokes. Luckily I wasn’t moving very fast so there wasn’t any damage. I quickly pulled the chain back up on the large cog and took off. A few miles down the road the chain jumped ship again, but this time it really lodged itself between the spokes and the cog. It took me about 15 – 20 min to work it free. Everything seemed to be in working order so I made a slight adjustment to the low limit adjust screw on my rear derailleur and took off again. I didn’t have any more problems after that. The rest of the ride was great. I could definitely tell that I’m loosing my base when it comes to mountain biking though. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s completely gone by now as I haven’t ridden since.


The plan for now is to concentrate on my marathon training. The hardest part is consistency. We have a tendency to want to skip a lot of runs which really hurts us in the end. I know that if we’re gong to make it through these Disney runs we’re going to have to get into a routine.

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Pre Peach Tree Road Race Update

The 6.2 mi Peachtree Road Race is just around the corner, but am I ready? I've been following my Marathon training program, I've added weights, and I'm still riding once a week. I'd say I'm better off now than I was before I attempted my first marathon. Unfortunately, that's not saying much considering the little amount of training I did for that marathon.

I started my marathon training program about 2 months ago with a 3 mile run / walk routine. Although my mileage is still low and I'm still on the run / walk routine my legs are much stronger and more importantly they're injury free. I attribute this lack of injury to my slow introduction to running. It's giving my body time to get used to the constant pounding it'll be taking from the concrete and blacktop. It's also allowing me to more easily adapt to the ridiculous heat index we've been experiencing here in Florida this year.

A few weeks ago I joined the YMCA so I could start lifting weights. I've only been able to go a couple times so far but I'll be hittin em hard after the Peach Tree Road Race. This should also help keep the injuries at bay once I get into the 10+ mile training runs. One small injury and I could very well be sitting out one or both of the Goofy runs come January.

Riding is my passion, but I'm sure you already knew that. I would ride every day if I could, but I can't. I live too far away from the good trail systems to get a daily dose in so we have to make time on the weekend. This once a week ride comes at the expense of a training run. I'm supposed to get a run in both Saturday and Sunday - especially important for someone planning on running the Goofy. I've been riding about 15 or so miles each ride with the exception of a 32 mile ride on the Santos Epic Trails last weekend. My wife, Theresa, had been off the bike for about a year due to some back issues, but she's been joining me on the weekend rides and doing very well. She's even agreed to try a 50 miler with me next year! AWESOME!

I'll post up with a Post Peach Tree Update in a week or so.

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Marathon Training in Progress

Yesterday was my first of many marathon training runs. Starting with yesterdays 3 mile walk/run routine my training program has me scheduled for 4 runs per week for the next 7 months, all the while preparing me to run a total 39.3 miles in two days. My ultimate goal is to someday complete an ultra marathon of 50 miles or more.

 

Yesterdays run was a very easy 3 mile walk/run routine. I’ll be using this method for the first couple weeks to prepare my legs for running the mileage required for a marathon training program, to give me a base to work from. I learned a valuable lesson in not training for my last marathon. I learned that although I have the lungs and heart to run a marathon the rest of my body couldn’t handle the physical abuse that comes with running 26.2 miles, specifically my knees. This is the reason I have decided to not only do a regimented marathon training schedule but also a mileage buildup program. I’m hoping these base miles will be help keep me injury free for the next 7 months.

 

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Enter Stage Left - Running

I, in all my wisdom, decided to run a marathon with virtually no training earlier this year. This brilliant decision resulted in a serious case of ITBS. Fortunately it didn’t effect my riding. Running, however, is a different story. I ran a 5K with Theresa a few weeks back, my first run since the marathon, and just about bit the dust a couple times from the severe ITBS pain. I hoped the 2.5 months of rest would have given it plenty of time to heal. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case. I’m going to have to deal with it until I can figure out how to get rid of it. I’m considering getting a Patt Strap to get by for now.

 

In an attempt to complete an entire marathon with out injury I decided to actually train for my next one. There’s just one catch, this time I’ll be running a half marathon the day before the marathon. This combination is called “Disney’s Goofy Race and a half Challenge”. So, not only do I need to be able to run an entire marathon, I’ll have to do it after completely exhausting my body physically and mentally the day before. Oh yeah, and I’ll have to remain injury free through all this.

 

There are a lot of training programs available out there. I found one that I like on www.marathontraining.com . While perusing their site I also noticed a program for “mileage buildup” which contains very low mileage for 19 Weeks. This is to get your legs in shape and used to the pounding they’ll be taking later on. After the 19 weeks of mileage buildup I’ll start the actual marathon training program which will last another 18 weeks. This should get my body used to running the longer distances required for the Goofy. I’m going to have to modify this program slightly to get my body used to running the longer distances 2 days in a row but I’m confident that, providing I can stay injury free, I’ll be able to pull this one off.

 

P.S. Don’t worry, I don’t plan on ditching my bike. I’ll have to use it as my cross training.

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The 2009 Walt Disney World Marathon

I'm officially signed up for the Walt Disney World Marathon. The race is being held on Jan 11th, 2009 at Walt Disney World, Florida. My training for the 26.2 mile run started few months ago but was unfortunatley cut short due to a minor bike accident. I have been undecided as to my participation since the accident. I've been thinking a lot about it lately and I've decided to give it a shot. It's sure to be the most physically challenging thing I've ever done but it's one of those things I've always wanted to do.

It's not just the lack of training that will be working against me though. I'm planning on participating in a 50 mile endurance mountain bike ride (The WT 50) on Jan 10th, the day before the marathon. Not only will I be short on my training but I'll be starting the race fresh out of an exhausting endurance ride. I've decided that I'll probably end up running only half (13.1 miles) of it and walking the rest. I know I could run a half marathon right now. I'ts the whole marathon that scares me. By reducing the number of running miles I've made my goal seem more attainable.

Wish me luck!!!

Click here to see the course map.

This event has now been added this to my event schedule. Stay tuned for results.

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