Boston Bound

Sorry it's been so long since I posted last ... but I'm back now and training for the 2010 Boston Marathon is underway! I'll be using the same training schedule that I used for the OBX Marathon. Why change something that worked so well? Monday kicked off the 16 week long journey. What I didn't realize is how much harder it's going to be to stay motivated when it's so cold and dark all the time. Training for OBX will seem like a cake walk compared to what I'm setting out to do for Boston. I guess this is where I'm supposed to get tough and not let the weather break me down and not let the early mornings scare me away. Conquering the obstacles during this training will be a very rewarding experience, and there's no doubt that I can do it.

I went home to Maryland for Christmas, which is where I started my first day of Boston bound training. It was supposed to be a 30-minute run but the bitter cold turned it into a quick and stiff 20-minute run. Sadly, I took the next two days off just because of my busy schedule and my holiday exhaustion. Good start, eh? Thursday I found a drop of motivation again and I ran with it - literally. Something tells me there will be a lot of treadmill work outs this time around because that's where I found myself running four miles that night. Since treadmill running is typically easier because of the rotating belt, I varied the incline percentage throughout the run to simulate running up and down hills, and I also cranked up the speed. My average pace was 8.05 (or something like that), of course with variation there too. I figure if I'm going to resort to those kinds of work outs, I'll need to make it challenging and realistic. That brings me to Friday, where I took advantage of my rest day to, well, rest! Today marks my first long run and I'll head down to the treadmill again to run four to five miles. With wind chills making it feel like 18 degrees - I say NO THANKS to braving the cold.

I haven't been doing that much since I ran the OBX Marathon. A lot of elliptical work outs, an occasional treadmill run and some weight lifting and ab work. To keep my body guessing, which is always good when you're trying to slim down, I like to incorporate intervals and weights into my elliptical work outs. Since I train for long distances my intervals need to be longer too - like two to five minutes on and off - depending on how I feel that day. When I use weights while I'm on the elliptical, I weave in curls, presses and arm raises, or just hold very light weights. I like to think of it as multi-tasking! Strength work is usually kept simple. Squats, lunges, leg raises and calf raises round out my leg work, and curls, presses, tricep pulls and some other made up lifts make up my arm work. Also, I like to incorporate weights into my ab work outs so that I know I'm not just going through the motions. Weight training will be especially important in training this time around since I'll be facing a lot more hills than I did in OBX.

Happy New Year! Here's to many SUCCESSFUL RESOLUTIONS! :-)

Treadmill Workout vs. Road Running

Hmm so much for the diet on day two, but in all fairness (to me) I had good reason to smudge it tonight (as far as I'm concerned). I went out to KANKI, a hibachi restaurant in Raleigh, to help celebrate my nieces' birthdays! There's no doubt you will be full when you are finished your plate piled high with fried rice, veggies and chicken. Then of course don't forget the soup and salad they start you out with and the dessert that is inevitable at the end of the show. :-) Mmmm!

Since I knew I wasn't going to led up tonight I forced my body out of bed this morning despite what my mind kept telling me to do and I headed for the workout room. It was darker than I had expected outside this morning and so I chose the treadmill as my weapon of choice. Running on the treadmill isn't my preference but I wanted to incorporate intervals and the elliptical wasn't going to give me what I needed. I started out at a 8.15 pace for the first mile, then sped up to a 7.40 pace and for the last two miles I ping-ponged back and forth from 7.00 minute miles to 7.30 minute miles. I wanted to hit six miles but I simply didn't have enough time to get in another two miles and get ready for work.

When you contemplate treadmill running versus road running, read this article from Runner's World as a great resource. According to this article, written by a running coach and program director, treadmill running is easier than hitting the pavement. A few factors go into this verdict including the belts that make it easier to run faster, the give on the base of the treadmill that eliminate soft tissue conditioning and finally, the lack of weather conditions. However, there is a plus side to using the treadmill. The article discusses the benefits in using it for speed work since it does allow you to go faster than you normally would. It also helps that you can control the speed, incline, etc. It's good to note that this is more directed toward people who are running for a road race. If you are working out to burn some calories, tone up or just to be healthy, there is nothing wrong with the treadmill. It just loses a lot in translation when comparing it to a race on the road.

Tomorrow I have intentions of doing that hill run I wanted to do last week but couldn't try it out because of the unexpected down pour. If you don't remember, hopefully I'll do it tomorrow and tell you about it then.

Don't forget to take a look at the poll on the side. Also, if there's anything you are curious about or would like me to address (from experience) I'm happy to do so. Drop me a line and I'll do my best! :-)