Archive for May, 2010

Humid 11 miler

Saturday, May 29th, 2010

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

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

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…

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

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

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

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)

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

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!!!

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

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.