Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Running Blog? Really? Are You Sure?

Just looked at my training plan and realized I’m already in the 5th week of my mileage-buildup plan, and I seem to have forgotten to blog about my running.  Not that my tumors, and Mr. Mom adventures, and fancy new shirts aren’t all riveting, but I need to get back to some training logging and blogging to hold myself accountable.
With the exception of not making it to the gym much during week 2 while my wife was out of town, I’ve stuck to the plan fairly well.  My right hip, right knee, left calf, and feet have all been pretty cooperative.  I’ve got some tenderness in my right Achilles over the last couple weeks, but it’s been manageable so far with a little ice and my good friend Advil.  I set goals around running, lifting (upper body), lifting (legs), and abs/core work.  Here’s how it’s gone so far:

Running (Goal – follow the training plan)

Week 1:  Plan (4 runs, 14 miles total)   …..    Actual (4 runs, 16.12 miles total)
Week2:  Plan (4 runs, 15 miles total)   …..    Actual (4 runs, 14.57 miles total)
Week 3:  Plan (4 runs, 16 miles total)   …..    Actual (3 runs, 13.09 miles total)
Week 4:  Plan (4 runs, 12 miles total)   …..    Actual (4 runs, 15.34 miles total)

In week 3 I substituted 40 minutes on the stationary bike on the meanest setting I could tolerate to try and get a little cross-training in the mix.  Didn’t really enjoy it much.  Fresh air is my friend.

Lifting – Upper Body (Goal – 3 days a week)

Week 1:  2 days
Week 2:  1 day
Week 3:  3 days
Week 4:  3 days

Lifting – Legs (Goal – 1 day a week)

Week 1:  1 day
Week 2:  1 day
Week 3:  1 day
Week 4:  1 day

Also did lunges and my hip Physical Therapy routine on separate days in weeks 1, 3, and 4.

Abs/Core (Goal – 3 days a week)

Week 1:  2 days
Week 2:  1 day
Week 3:  2 days
Week 4:  3 days


No gold-star for hitting all my goals, but I’ve made a decent run at it.  I’m having a hard time keeping my run distances as short as the plan dictates, but I’m not willing to risk another injury, so I’ll stick with the schedule.  I’ve been focusing on form, and haven’t really worried about my pace.  Looking at the stats it looks like I’m averaging around a 9-minute mile.  I need to slow that down a bit and teach myself how to hold good form at a slower pace.

Now that the weather is warming up I’m looking forward to getting my sweat on.  Let's see what you've got Mother Nature..

18 comments:

  1. Those are some great workouts, well done! You are certainly doing great and did almost exactly what the plan demanded. Keep it going!

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  2. Thank god this is a running blog again. I have been in dismay.

    Seriously...great four weeks for you, keep it up!

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  3. Runners have real lives too :) ...great job on the program so far. Due to injury, I'm way off my plan, but am slowly getting back up there...yay!

    http://www.anne-asthmaandthegiftofrunning.blogspot.com/

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  4. Evolve through running? with a subtitle of "run with purpose. live purpose." Sounds like you can wrap pretty much your life around those and into any blog posting.

    be nice to that Achilles though.

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  5. You are doing GREAT! Keep it up :)

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  6. I'm so glad that your legs are cooperating with you while you build back up. That will put a smile on your face! And I like your weekly goals. I think that makes it more manageable.

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  7. Great job!

    I don't blame you with the bike...fresh air is my friend too :)

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  8. It's your blog and you can blog about whatever you want--we'll still read! But good running...keep it up.

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  9. So far so good! Way to keep all your parts in working order!

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  10. Keep it up! As long as you are running, you can always write about it later!

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  11. Sounds like a good few weeks! Glad the hip, knee, calf and feet are all cooperating ;)

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  12. Yay for warmer weather!
    Yay forbuilding up.

    And

    I want 1/2 of your 70 cupcakes.

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  13. looks like things are going well so far! this build up phase is gonna pay off big time when you start training for MCM.

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  14. good job on the work outs and the blog

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  15. For a great workout I take DynaPep, it gives me an enormous amount of energy. I found this coupon code 10MAR11 that you can use at http://www.evolutionnutritionproducts.com

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  16. Lookin' good! I'd totally say you get a gold star. Keep it up!

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  17. ambitious plan, I dig it! I'm gonna poke around your blog so I can be in the cool club of hundreds of readers/runners/bloggers who are fans of you...

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