Thursday, April 22, 2010

The Children's Museum in Easton

Sunday, June 20,2010
 
5 Mile Road Race and 2 Mile "Fun Walk"
 
Post Race Party, Raffles and Awards

T-shirts for the first 250 pre-entrants 
Childcare available for pre-entrants

Website to register---
http://login.npwebsiteservices.com/ChildrensmuseumEaston/Fathersdayroadrace.asp

The event is to benefit the Children's Museum in Easton, MA


Thursday, April 15, 2010

Oreo kind of day

Oreo? What are you talking about?
You know how a sandwich cookie, like an Oreo is hard on the outside and soft in the middle?


That was like my track workout today. The first and last were focused efforts and close to the target pace, the two middle halves got off to a slow start and I struggled to keep them in the ball park.

I was at the track to do 4 x 800 (or half miles). I did 3:35, 3:57, 3:49,  and 3:38.

Definitely suffered from a lack of focus as I started the middle two reps. I could feel my mind wandering away, picking through one or more of my "to do" list and taking it on, instead of concentrating on the run.

There was a strong breeze on the straight-away and you didn't feel it on the back stretch so that helped to contribute the 'lazy' start. I should have shifted to start on the other end so I would go into the breeze to begin with and that would wake me up. Instead, I got lulled into a nice easy pace on the back stretch, then came around the corner facing the breeze and a pace deficit that wouldn't be easy to recover from.

Concentration is key to pace work. Especially when you are doing it alone!

May the roads and trails be kind to you today or your next run.

Note photo credit to sassyradish for use of the handmade oreo - looks yummy!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sassyradish/3382035562/sizes/m/

Monday, April 12, 2010

Long run Sunday

I got in a good long run Sunday, 15 KM according to my Droid ERIS Tracker app. Not bad. Especially considering that the last time I went that far was August 2006.

Yes, there is a story there. Most of it reported here over the time since then.

The reader's digest version would go like this.
August 2006, good runs on the three day FIRST Program. Generally 3-5 miles on the tempo run, 3-5 miles of track/pace work and 10-15 miles for the long run on the weekend.

That lasted until my kneecap slipped out of position on the kneeler at church one Saturday night and then again during the run Sunday morning. Stayed off running for a couple of days, but when I tried again, the knee cap would move. No pain but it wasn't supposed to do that so I checked with my doctor who sent me to therapy.

Spin forward several months I get the clearance to resume running and the knee fortunately is fine.
Gradually work the mileage back up and when I get to 5, the ankle starts bothering me. Now, what?

Turns out that I had rolled it during a temp run in late 2005, but kept running as it wasn't a bother. Worsened it during the half-marathon in Boston early 2006 but again recovery from that race everything seemed okay. Until the knee cap slipped and then trying to work the mileage back up again was raising the ankle as an issue.

Another round of doctors, x-rays, MRI's etc until finally in November 2008, I saw Dr Leavitt who provided the ankle brace that I have worn while running since then.

It has been a long and gradual return to good mileage. I should have been up to this distance last Oct/Nov except for the heat spell during August that caused me to loose some significant mileage.

No problem, I have patience. I am in it for the health of it as well as making some improvement on my avg race time. Getting up to this distance sets the stage for some good runs ahead.

May the roads and trails be kind to you!

Thursday, April 08, 2010

The Children's Museum in Easton

Sunday, June 20,2010
 
5 Mile Road Race and 2 Mile "Fun Walk"
 
Post Race Party, Raffles and Awards

T-shirts for the first 250 pre-entrants 
Childcare available for pre-entrants

Website to register---
http://login.npwebsiteservices.com/ChildrensmuseumEaston/Fathersdayroadrace.asp

The event is to benefit the Children's Museum in Easton, MA

Wednesday, April 07, 2010

2nd Annual Parmenter 5K

Franklin's Parmenter Elementary School will hold their 2nd Annual 5K Run/Walk on Sunday, May 16th.

You can register at Active.com here

The event website can be found here