Run A Marathon Before You Die

Jacksonville Bank Marathon

Noel — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 23:33:53 +0000

I signed up for the Jacksonville Bank Marathon in December. It will be my 2nd marathon race and it will be on my birthday. My training won’t start until August but I have been building up my base weekly mileage to about 25 miles a week the last few weeks. And I have also ramped up my running since June. I’m excited and look forward to getting more mileage in. Now if only this summer heat would go away.

Base Training update

Noel — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 01:48:15 +0000

Just wanted to write a quick update. I’ve upped my mileage to about 22-25 per week despite the summer heat. I’ve been working more on technique and form as well as speed. Last week, I did some hill repeats for the first time. It was hot though. My schedule at work have been pretty busy as well so I’ve been running either really early in the morning or evening after work. It’s too hot to run during lunch anyways. Last weekend was the 3rd straight weekend I’ve done a long run longer than 10 miles. Two a day workouts are still a go. Run in the morning, strength training in the afternoon. I still have not signed up for any big marathons. I’m still looking at the Jacksonville Bank this December. I will make my final decision in July.

Here is my current total:

Humid 11 miler

Noel — Sun, 30 May 2010 01:34:14 +0000

I got out the door around 7 this morning for a long run. A couple weeks ago, I did 12 miler without any problem and I ran faster. Today, I was only able to do 11 miles and I had to walk most of the time. The difference? Temperature and humidity. I’m not sure what the temperature was but I could feel it was very humid. I tried to run an easy pace but my heart rate was up the roof! (160s and hit my max 172 several times)

Today, I was just out of energy pretty much the whole day despite of the big breakfast, and lunch. The heat just sucked all my energy. I’ll probably try to leave an hour earlier next time.

Taking on the 100 Push-up Challenge

Noel — Thu, 27 May 2010 02:28:40 +0000

Since I still have a few more months before my next marathon training begins, I’ve been hitting the gym hard as well. Sometimes, I’m even doing two-a-days. (Run early morning, strength workout in the afternoon). I’ve recently taken up the 100 push-up challenge. (http://hundredpushups.com/). I’m currently on week 4.

I attempted this challenge last year but fell off the wagon. Now, I’m determined to complete the whole program. I’ll be posting my progress.

My Next Marathon…

Noel — Wed, 26 May 2010 23:19:20 +0000

After looking at several options (and our budget)…it looks like I’ll be doing my next marathon locally. I have not signed up yet, but I’m looking at the Jacksonville Bank Marathon. I’ve heard mixed feedback about the race. Some say the course is flat and fast, some say the course is boring. But one of the reason why I’m interested is because the event this year falls on my birthday! It is scheduled on December so my training won’t start until August. But I’ve been running regularly since Disney.

I think that would be an awesome thing to do for my birthday for a change. I have not signed up yet, but it looks like Jacksonville Bank Marathon will be my next big one.

My Garmin is back

Noel — Wed, 26 May 2010 23:13:28 +0000

A couple weeks ago, I sent my Garmin Forerunner 305 back to Garmin for repairs. The thing just wouldn’t pick up a satellite signal anymore. Since then, I’ve had a lot of what I call “Zen Runs” which I really love. During these runs, I don’t carry any techno gadgets with me (no iPod or watch). I use these runs to really focus on my breathing and meditate. I never worry about any technique or pace. I just focus on the present. I highly recommend doing them. They feel liberating!

12 mile Zen Run (Last Sunday)

Noel — Wed, 12 May 2010 03:55:32 +0000

It’s been almost 2 weeks since I ran with my Garmin watch. I sent it back to Garmin for repairs and somehow, I don’t miss it that much. I’ve been really enjoying my so-called “Zen Runs”.

Last Sunday’s 12 mile zen run early in the morning really reminded me of what made me love running. The “out-of-body” experience that I only get when I run alone, before the sun comes up, the peacefulness. The really keen senses which makes me feel for a few seconds like superhuman.

I originally planned for a 10 miler, but when I got to the 3 mile mark, I was feeling so good that I started thinking about going the distance. 12 miles was the farthest I’ve run since I ran my first full-marathon last January. The temperatures had gone up the last couple of days and so I’ve trimmed down my miles but last Sunday was perfect. It was actually a bit chilly at 6 a.m. So I took advantage of it. I had a feeling these are the last of the cooler temps.

Without my Garmin or any music, I was able to focus more on my breathing and surroundings and meditate. I was also wearing my new Piranhas for their first double digit miles. I almost felt like I wasn’t wearing any shoes because they were so light. The amazing thing about this run was that it didn’t drain me, I finished strong, feeling more recharged and pumped up about running once again.

My Piranhas have arrived!!!

Noel — Wed, 05 May 2010 03:04:54 +0000

I ordered a pair Asics Piranha SP2s online and they arrived today. These are the lightest pair of shoes I’ve ever seen. They’re even lighter than my Puma Salohs! The box felt like it was empty. I tried them on and did a Tae Bo session with my wife wearing ‘em and the fit really well. I’m very excited to try these pair out on the road. My Puma Salohs already logged close to 500 miles and the inner soles are beginning to show that’s why I had to start looking for some new shoes. Since the Pumas are very hard to find, I decided to try the Piranhas because of the reviews that I got from some POSE runners who tried them.

I’ll post another review after I test drive them.

Race Report: Corporate 5k

Noel — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 00:00:12 +0000

Our company was nice enough to pay for our registration and shirts during last Thursday’s Corporate 5K. This was the first time I signed up for this annual event because I found out that our company would be paying for the first 100 people to sign up. Yup! I know..I’m cheap! But hey race registrations do add up and can get expensive in the end.

Team LPS

The race was held last Thursday evening (6:30 pm) at the Jacksonville Metropolitan Park area near downtown. I am not going to say that I had a strong run on this one. For some reason, I was just out of breath and out of rhythm during the whole race. I felt like walking when I reached the half mile mark. But I was still able to push through and set a new PR @ 24:18. I think I just don’t perform well in warmer temps. But I’ll take the new PR! I found a photo of myself during the race below:

10 mile zen run…

Noel — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 23:05:30 +0000

I did another 10 mile “zen run” before sunrise this morning. It’s been the second time I’ve done it and I look forward to doing it more often. I call it zen run because, it’s a run when I don’t listen to any music or I don’t worry about my pace, time, or technique. I just run at an easy pace and focus on more on being present and on my breathing. I use these runs to meditate. I highly recommend it!