Old Friend New Motivation

Stuck on cruise control. Going through the motions. The rut as high as the corn on the Fourth of July. However you want to put it, there are times when we all get comfortable and forget how to push things to the next level. I have been satisfied with my marathon training. The weather is getting better, so my times have improved as the temps rise. But I needed a push. I had become complacent.

Then out of Southern Louisiana came a bolt of lightning. An old roommate from my rugby days joined Facebook. Soon came a friend request and a “Like” on my Run 440 plus Facebook page. We exchanged short life stories and spoke of running the Boston Marathon in 2012. I came to find out that he started running in the last 2 years and smoked my fastest marathon time in both of his attempts. Running 3:05 in New York City and 2:59 at the Marti Gras Marathon 2 weeks ago.

This was the push I needed to reevaluate my training habits. To dig deep and push the pace. No excuses. My time is running out. I don’t know how many more marathons I have left and I am not going to waste the opportunities I have in front of me.

I thought of my friend’s times during my speed workout tonight. I hit the track and ran each 800 repeat faster than the one before it. After I was done, I didn’t feel done DONE, so I hit the big hill in town and ran 6 hill repeats. Pushing the pace to to reach the guts out feeling that my legs won’t provide on a flat surface.

I know I am slower than I was 5 years ago, so I have to have the endurance and I won’t get that without hard work. My speed is enough to get me to my goals I just have to have the guts to get there.

I am thankful for the help of a friend. I am hopeful to help those who want to be motivated to do great things. Give your gifts to others so to speak.

Running Stroller Follies

It was warm enough to get the running stroller out for the first time of 2011. My wife Jill needed a break and Maddux was looking for a ride (just run with it). I wasn’t sure if on the day after a my first 15 mile training run of my 18 week marathon training program that I would be up for pushing an extra 22 lbs over the hills of good old MV, but I gave it a go.

Maddux, right off the bat, was having a great time. He was giggling and saying “weeeee”. He didn’t complain a bit the entire time we were out. I on the other hand I was suffering on some of those hills. I must have had an imbalance of some sort as I felt much weaker than normal with a little bit of light headedness. I eventually got over that and was able to enjoy my time with my son. He really makes everything more special. To hear him enjoy himself on our trip really warms my heart.

Can’t wait to get out there again with him soon.

Expanding Run 440 plus

I have added a Facebook and Twitter page to the run44oplus brand.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Run-440-plus/192147857480297

http://twitter.com/#!/run440plus

The website is also in the process of being built and I will let everyone when that is ready. For now check out the new Facebook page for photos, videos and exclusive motivational materials.

Tiger Hawk

As some of you may know, the logo on the helmets for the Iowa Hawkeye Football team is known as a Tiger Hawk. Designed when Hayden Fry became the head coach back in 1979. So as Charlie Sheen can claim to have Tiger Blood running through his veins (plus other unnamed substances) I can have Tiger Hawk Blood running through mine. Now I am not delusional with my passions, yet I am passionate about my fandom. Now Mr. Run440plus what does this have to do with running. Well let me tell you a story my friend.

My first 4 Chicago Marathons were run in blue running shorts and an orange shirt in honor of my favorite Pro Football team the Denver Broncos. Now since this is in Chicago, there were no Broncos logos on this outfit. So what I got from the crowd was a lot of “Go Illini!” for the University of Illinois. Now this was just not going to do. I did notice quite a few Tiger Hawks in black and gold on many of the spectators along the route. “Hey!”, I said to myself, “There sure are a lot of Hawk Fans in Chicago.”

So it may have taken me 4 tries to learn my lesson, but I decided that I would follow my fandom and don the old black and gold for my next marathon and all my races since.

The key is to be yourself and garner the support you desire when running big events. To hear the cheers from people just like you is an awesome feeling when running a race. This is especially true then the race is 26.2 miles and you need all the support you can get. A push can come from within, yet the push that you get from a total stranger’s words of encouragement can be as uplifting or more so. So when someone yells, “Go Hawks!” at my next marathon, I will take it as if it came from my best friend.

Take the support and run with it.

Naked Truth

You can run, but you can’t hide  from… yourself. Your body talks to you in many ways. Whether it be minor pains to cramping to outward appearance, your body will tell you the things you need to know.

The mirror can motivate you to make changes. Your heart can say slow down or speed up. Your calves can say go for it or take a break.

If you listen, you will find the answers you need to be the person you need to be. This may seem like an oversimplified message, which is the point. Sometimes if you go bare bones and don’t get overcomplicated with the processes, then the needed life changes will appear right in front of you.

So strip and learn the naked truth.

Shake Rattle and Run

The biggest change with losing over 40 pounds in the last 9 months has been the lack of  jiggle when I run. Becoming lean has made for a more pleasant running experience. I can remember back in June when I decided to pick up the workouts and start running again on a more consistent basis. I had gained the 40 pounds since my last marathon in 2006. The jiggle didn’t make me giggle.

It frustrated me as I didn’t feel like I should have ever let myself get to that point. I had reinvented myself to become a marathon runner in the first place. To let all of that go and let myself become thick and doughy was a long process. It hasn’t been easy to get back to marathon weight, but I got there with 9 weeks to spare. Any weight loss before May 21st is gravy, low-fat gravy.

The road in life can be hilly. When the weight swing up word begins, take control and redirect ourself back to the goals that got you in shape in the first place. If you are just starting out to get in shape, put in the work and stay focused. Maintaining a clear mind (when the ups and downs of weight loss hit you) will keep you on track. Losing sight of your goals or getting frustrated can result in a defeatist attitude. Know that the bumps and plateaus will come, but staying strong and fighting through will keep you on track for the long haul.

Mountain Top

Training can be tough or boring. Repetitive or exhilarating. Tedious or taxing. However it feels or treats you, take it at face value and know the benefit is worth the ups and downs. Exercise will have moments where you wonder why you put yourself through the torture or the yawns. The strength one gains is in mind. The body will follow when the mind has been trained to want to continue down a path of better living.

Train your brain for better choices. Think about the adventures you can have in your life if you have a body that can perform to get you there.  A car can drive by something to see. A strong mind and body can take you somewhere to see, feel and experience.

The view from the mountain top is greater than the drive through the valley.

10 and 10

Another weekend and 20 more miles added to the total. 10 in the books today and 10 more tomorrow. I felt good for most of the run and even though the run was on a slower paced day, I didn’t feel slow until the last mile by which time I was beat. I would classify the tired as a good tired, which is the best kind.

As my weekend runs have gone this year the Saturday run has been more challenging than the Sunday run. I feel confident the trend will continue tomorrow. It may be the timing of the runs as Saturday is preceded by a Friday evening run and Sunday is preceded by a Saturday morning run. That Friday night recovery time may be a bit pinched.

As I have stated in previous blogs the program I am following relies on pace and cumulative fatigue. As the weather has turned for the better, so has my pace and my level of fatigue. I am confident the plan is working. Fargo will be the first real test. I plan to ace it.

Give What You Got

Not everyday will be easy. Not everyday will you feel strong or even motivated. I must say I have had a few days like that recently, however I didn’t quit and I didn’t turn back early to cut a run short. The goal of  completing 2 marathons this year pushed me out the door into the rain and 34 F temps. Was it pleasant or comfortable and even completely enjoyable the entire time? No, no and no. But did I feel rewarded by feeling of accomplishment and overcoming negative thoughts? You bet cha!

Ice on Ice off

Wednesdays are my day off from running, but not a day off from the ice. The ice that has become my left knee’s best friend. The ice bag is really a bag of frozen fruit, which works all the same. With age comes added care to the little things that make for a better tomorrow. Ice is one of those things. I am not enamored with the idea that my knee cries for help, yet I am willing to sooth its cries with some ice if that will allow me to run tomorrow.

I am looking forward to my marathon pace run tomorrow after work. Last night I had my most successful speed workout as I hit my goal pace for all 6 of my 800 repeats. The table is set for a great week of marathon training.