Training, Recap

Time has escaped me over the course of the last week or so, leaving me with little opportunity to post on the last few days of marathon training. Rather than go into great detail, which would surely make for a long story, I'll simply recap some of what I have learned to this point in the training.

• During the run on day #3 of the training, which was just a three-mile jaunt, I learned a hard lesson. That is, always go to the bathroom right before leaving for the run. Wow, did I have to pee about halfway through the run that day, and all the movement of running wasn't helping my poor bladder. Not good. I had to go so bad that I felt like I needed to run faster, but the faster I ran, the harder it was to control. I was a raging mess by the time I got home. I'll just leave it at that....

• Day #4 was a five-mile run, which was the longest distance I've ever run in my life. I mapped out a run that took me along what had to be the hilliest in town. Dumb. Real dumb. I ended up walking about six blocks in order to make it past some of those monster hills, but I did learn that it is okay to walk now and again. Walking doesn't equal failure. Not finishing the run because I refuse to walk here and there does equal failure.

• Yesterday was day #6, and I learned that I had been starting out my training runs at a pace that was far too fast for me. This was hindering my ability to finish the runs. Yesterday was a 4-mile run, and I started out a bit slower, kept that same pace all the way, and finished with no problems! Lesson learned - slow down!

• I have learned that training for a marathon is every bit mental as it is physical. Staying positive and learning to shut out potential distractions such as weather, aches, exhaustion, etc., is just as grinding as the actual physical aspect of training.

• And finally, I have learned to leave the headphones at home. The book I am following for this training suggested not listening to music while on training runs for a couple of reasons. I wasn't happy about that, because I used the music as motivation to keep going, or even just to get started. After leaving the headphones at home yesterday, I was surprised how little I missed them. I was also surprised at how well it worked to run without them. So, I shall leave them at home from now on.

All in all, training is going very well to this point. I have run a total of 22 miles now, and by the end of this training week, I'll have put in 31 miles. I am feeling stronger all the time, and I feel like my body is getting used to the grind of the longer distances. So far, I've been lucky to avoid any injuries outside of the usual aches and pains of training my body. My confidence continues to grow the further I push forward in this process, and I'm excited for continued results!

Training, Day #2: Windwhipped

As I type this, I am unable to feel my nose, lips, and most of the top layers of skin on the front of my body. Frankly, I'm not even sure if my nipples are still intact 'cause I can't feel them, either. Today's run was difficult, and yes, bitterly cold. It was a four-mile jaunt today, and the first half went very well. I felt great, had a ton of energy, and as I approached the half-way mark, I felt as though I could fairly easily complete the run.

And then I turned around.

As I began the second-half of the trek, I realized why the first-half was easier. I had the 20-30 mph wind at my back! Now, I was forced to take Mother Nature head on for two miles while she struggled to get her temperature to ten degrees. It was a tough one today, folks. I ended up having to walk around six or seven blocks, but what motivated me to get moving again was the fact that my sweat-soaked clothes were beginning to freeze to my skin, and then I tried to spit and sort of slobbered all over myself because my lips were frozen. Not good.

But, I'm darn sure not giving up that easy. I'll keep plugging away, and I may even be more motivated than ever. I did learn that I need to invest in some decent running clothes that will help keep the moisture away from my skin. I hear Under Armour is supposed to be some pretty good stuff, although kind of expensive. Anyone else have suggestions?

I'll be back at it on Friday with day #3. Until then, anyone have any nipple cream?????

Training, Day #1, Take Two

Nope, I didn't make a mistake in the title. Today actually was the first day of the sixteen-week training regimen leading up to the marathon as there has been just a slight change in plans. Originally, I was going to make Sundays the first day of the new training week, thus, last Sunday would have been the first day. In doing so, the longest runs of the week would have fallen on Fridays. That would have been all good for at least awhile, until those long runs started creeping over six, seven, eight, and all the way up to eighteen miles. Since Mandi goes to work on Friday mornings, and doesn't come home until just before I leave for work, long runs on Friday would have meant getting out of my warm, cozy bed at the crack of dawn in order to get the run in before the day begins. Now, mind you, I don't mind running in the early morning, I just don't think I would have had the time to make it happen.

In addition, since the marathon is on a Sunday, making that day the long run of the sixteenth week of training, it only seems logical. Plus, neither Mandi or I work on Sundays, so I have more time to run. Even more logical. You see, logic tends to escape me at first, and sometimes for quite awhile. Had I just turned the whole training schedule creation over to my wife in the first place, I wouldn't be writing this because she would have nailed it on the first try. Someday, I will learn. Someday.

So, my official start to training today was a good, three-mile run. Although it's a mere ten degrees out with a windchill of about zero (the weather channel says it feel like three below, and I believe it!), I still worked up a good sweat and feel great! Tomorrow, I will run four miles, then take a day off. Friday will be another three mile run, and finally the long run of the week on Sunday, which will be five miles. I'll keep you posted!

Training, Day #1

Today launched the first day of the sixteen-week training regimen designed to get me to the point that I can run the Lincoln Marathon in May. Today's run was a three-mile one, and I was able to accomplish it without too many problems. I was slowed a bit by a stiff wind, which I didn't even realize was blowing until I made my way around Oak Lake and was in the wide open. Once I reached the half-way point of my run and turned around, that's when the wind smacked me in the face for quite awhile. I pressed through, though, and made it all the way with no stopping. For those of you reading this who are regular runners, three miles is most-likely nothing. Maybe even laughable. While it presented a bit of a challenge to me, I am looking forward to getting to the point where I, too, can say three miles isn't much. God willing, it'll happen!

I will run again on Tuesday (four miles, I believe) and will post my thoughts again then. I'm excited to have pushed myself to undertake this process, and am looking forward to seeing the ongoing results of my training!

T-minus 4 Days

Including today, I have but four days left of preliminary training before the sixteen-week training regimen leading to the Lincoln Marathon on May 3rd. The goal of the preliminary training was to be able to run for thirty minutes without stopping. I have achieved that goal, and will run twice more this week before beginning the "real" training. At that point, the training will be based on miles rather than time.

As I've mentioned in the past, I'm certainly not looking to set any speed records throughout this entire effort. I am simply setting out to finish the marathon, and I have every confidence that this goal will be achieved. It's going to take lots of effort, lots of patience, and lots of understanding from my family in the way of needed time to train. I am looking forward to the challenges which lie ahead, and will continue to post updates during my progress.

My only request is for continued prayers for strength, endurance, and a little luck. The strength and endurance are obvious, but I need the luck to avoid the injury bug. I will make the commitment to do all of the proper stretching both before and after my runs, but will still need a touch of luck to avoid becoming injured. Thanks in advance for your blessings!!

What a Team!

I offer my deepest apologies and regrets. I knew going into this Husker football season, with all of it's anticipation, questions, wonder, and excitement that something important might get ignored. Husker volleyball was put on the shelf as I poured myself in the goings on of the football team. Again, I offer my apologies, because I was ignorant. I wrote the Lady Huskers off at the beginning of the season because the team lost four, yes four, All-Americans and head coach John Cook red shirted a whole bunch of talent that could have potentially contributed to this year's campaign. I figured they would be good, but not great. I was wrong. Very wrong.

All the Ladies did was storm through the season undefeated until a shocking upset on October 29th at Colorado. They picked themselves up and kept steamrolling, then were defeated at Texas about three weeks later. Total losses on the season - two. Nothing short of amazing. After defeating Liberty and UAB in the first and second rounds of the NCAA tournament, it was on to Seattle for the regional semifinals. In the first match, the Huskers blasted Michigan three sets to none, then faced Washington. The Huskies jumped out to a 2-0 lead, putting the Huskers in a must-win situation over the next three sets to win the match. And that's exactly what they did. Even down 9-3 at one point in the final set, they battled back to defeat Washington and return to Omaha for the final four.

Their first match was against an incredible Penn State team, who was not only undefeated during the regular season, but hadn't even lost a set. 109 straight sets the Nittany Lions had won coming into last night's match. And they made it 111 straight after beating the Huskers convincingly in the first two sets. Once again, the Huskers' backs were against the ropes. It was Washington all over again, only this time they faced a much better team than Penn State. And once again, I made the mistake of writing them off. I've learned my lesson, ladies and gentlemen. The Huskers smoked Penn State in the next two sets to tie the match at two sets apiece, and came out firing for the fifth and final match to move onto the championship match. It was an amazing set, and the Huskers fought valiantly as they had all season. Penn State, thought, was too much this time and flexed their muscle to take the final set and advance.

So the Lady Huskers wrote the final chapter of their incredible 2008 season last night. A season which was much more than anyone, myself included, predicted. I can only imagine what next season will be with all of the talent Coach Cook has in store. Wow. And I make my solemn vow to never ignore this team again. Congratulations, Ladies!

GO BIG RED!!

I'm baaack!!!

Yes, I am still alive, if you can believe it. It's been nearly a month since I last had anything to say, so in case you were wondering, I still exist. At least in my mind. It's been an exciting few weeks with lots of events, some of which I will get to in a bit.

But first, I need to address the topic of my last post regarding the macaroni and cheese. A good friend bestowed upon me the secret to mastering the preparation of this traditional gooey favorite, which was to add a touch of oil to the water before adding the pasta. The oil, supposedly, would prevent the foam on top of the water which tends to eventually boil over and create havoc for macaroni lovers everywhere. I tried it the very next week after my last post, and it failed miserably. The water still boiled over, and I still had a mess. I have no idea where to turn next, because I've tried it all. I've tried turning the heat down, I've tried the oil trick, and nothing, oh nothing, seems to be working. I have resigned myself to the fact that I am doomed to macaroni and cheese preparation HELL!

But I digress.

In the weeks since I began my blogging sabatical, we have enjoyed Thanksgiving with Mandi's folks in their new home in Weatherford, OK. It was a fantastic trip, and a memorable one. The kids have never been on such a long trip (about eight hours), but were entertained by the new portable DVD player, and other various activities we brought along. They did remarkably well, and much better than expected. We had a wonderful time with Mandi's folks, and of course, feasted heartily.

Another event, which was also taken in at the in-law's abode, was the regular-season finale for the Husker football team. I had expected them to handily defeat the Buffaloes of Colorado, but it was a much closer game which came right down to the wire. Some good ol' Husker excitment with an intercepted pass returned for a touchdown sealed the last-second victory for the Huskers. They finished the season 8-4, and very much improved from the last few years. The Huskers are going bowling on New Year's Day, and will battle Clemson in the Gator Bowl. Should be a good game, and I'm looking forward to one last hurrah for the season, then beginning the off-season chats, predictions, etc.

It seems impossible that we are approaching the end of the year already, but our house is decorated and ready for Christmas. We had an especially adventerous time putting up the decor this time, as we had of course never decorated this house. We just sort of went for it, and the house looks great! The outside lights have fallen a bit short, since many of the icicle lights were out or not working. I have replaced them with new ones, but have yet to complete the task of getting them on the roof. I finally had some time this morning, but as luck would have it the snow has fallen significantly making it tough to scale the roof, or the ladder for that matter. (Although, I did try. Once I was up on the roof, however, I realized just how stupid that decision was. I didn't stay up there for long as pictures of broken legs, arms, and other such appendages floated around in my bean.) Maybe another attempt will come this weekend, if it gets warm enough again to melt the fallen snow.

Well, that sort of catches you up a bit. I am forever coming across topics I would like to write about, but just have such trouble finding the time. Frustrating, to say the least. But I guess that means I'm busy, which means I have things going on, which means I have a life and am blessed with family, friends, and good health. Can't complain about that!

Merry Christmas, all!