Workouts - Training - Carlsbad Half-Marathon

Thanks Comicus! Great to read about someone else around here who's getting it done. Best of luck tomorrow! I usually run in Asics Gel Kayano's but my current pair already have quite a few miles on them. Even though I'm just getting back into running, I've had these for several years now. I'm due for a new pair soon. I'll check out those Adidas. Whatever I get, I know that I want to have at least six to eight weeks of running on them by race time. I used to do triathlons and the wisdom handed down from those who had been doing them for a while was always, "Nothing new on race day." That means, no new wetsuits, shorts, and especially shoes.

Just the other night I downloaded one of the running apps. I think I went with Runkeeper or Runtastic. One of those. I haven't used it yet. There are a ton of mapped out runs in town that I've either run before or that I look up online. What do you use your app for mostly? Was it to track the mileage, the route, the time it took? I'm just not completely sold on having to look at my phone while running to get that info but I can see how afterwards it would make for really good record keeping. Music, on the other hand, is a must! Particularly for the long runs (which are still weeks away for me).

Thanks again!

 

Edit: No need for me to pick on him. I was just kidding around but it didn't sit well with me. My apologies SOW.

 

What or who is Trava? I just Googled it and it seems like it's some kind of anime film! I also just looked at the time you submitted your post and it's 6:25pm yesterday. Hmmm, Friday ... happy hour ... Scuba, were you drunk posting again? C'mon, you can tell me. I won't tell anyone.

 

I'm sure all these apps are the same. I mainly use the map my run app for keeping track of how far I run and my pace. There are also options to see the routes that other people run in the area. I travel a lot for work so when I'm in a new city I can easily find running trails or popular routes instead of running on the treadmill or into the ghetto at the airport La Quinta.

Also all my music and podcasts are on my iPhone so since I'm running with it anyway I just open the app and click start workout to track my distance and pace and click stop workout when I'm done. One feature I do like is after every mile you run the app will interrupt what you're listening to and tell you how many miles you've run, how long it took you to run your last mile, and what your average pace is for that run. So to meet my goal of a 13.1 miles in 2h15m I'm trying to average a 10 minute mile and the app helps me keep on pace.

Obviously nobody needs all these gadgets to just run. I just find it easier to stay motivated when I keep track of my runs.

I'm sure there's all kinds of great places to run in SOCAL. Do you live in San Diego or Carlsbad? I spent 3 months on a contract job working in Carlsbad back in 2006. They put me up in the hotel by the interstate with a windmill out front by lego land (I think it was a holiday inn). Too bad I wasn't into fitness back then because I remember the weather was always perfect. I did take advantage of all the great restaurants, beer, and beaches.

 

Now that sounds like something that would be really helpful - the notice given every mile. I have an HTC One M8 phone which is a little on the big side. I have an arm band for it and I wear it when I'm at the gym or doing a home workout but I haven't tried running with it yet. I'm sure it would be fine. Normally, I would drop my iPod Nano into my shorts pocket after selecting a playlist and off I'd go. The phone is probably best. Never know when you might need one!

I'm down in San Diego, about 30/40 minutes south of Carlsbad, near SDSU. But I'm familiar with the area having done a lot of surfing in Del Mar and I've got a good friend who's in a ska band and they play most of their gigs in Carlsbad. I exactly the windmill you're talking about! Normally, the weather is "perfect" but for the last few weeks it's been incredibly hot and humid (for us). That makes running at any time but early morning or late evening, really hard. But I do appreciate what I've got down here. There's nothing like running next to the ocean. The sound and smell of the water is intoxicating. The bikinis on the sand don't hurt either!

09.13.2014: 3 mile run. Done! Tomorrow is a rest day. First week of training is in the bag!

 

Well my goal was accomplished. Originally I just wanted to finish but then set a goal of 2:15:00. I finished 13.1 miles and my official time was 2:04:21. This is a pic of the course

We had to do two laps. About halfway through I was feeling pretty good so I decided to pickup the pace. The times in the pic aren't very accurate (especially the first and last) the gps on my phone thought I ran 13.8 miles but oddly enough my last mile was my fastest. I averaged right at a 9m30s mile.

I'm definitely going to keep running but I'm not sure if I'll run another half marathon. If I do I'll set a goal of 2 hours.

Keep posting your workouts and I can't wait to see what time you post. I'm sure you'll surprise yourself like I did.

 

Congratulations! That's awesome. You didn't just beat your goal, you destroyed it. Well done! Come race day for me, I'll post up my time but I've promised my wife that we'd run this race together. I won't be leaving her behind. We'll see how she's doing with her time as we get closer to the race but I imagine that will mean I'll be slowing down for her. I'm totally fine with that. Thanks again for your encouragement and the motivation!

 

Not to worry. SOW eventually gives everyone the runs.

 

09.15.2014: 2 mile run! Another beautiful but incredibly hot run along the waterfront. If any of you saw the Chargers/Seahawks game on Sunday, you heard about our crazy hot weather that just won't let up. A couple players left the game to be put on IV drips due to the heat. Still, got my run in and tried out the running app for the first time. It worked great. I really like the fact that it calls out the distance, time and average speed. Now, I just need to steal MY headphones back from my wife so I don't have to use the pair with only one working ear bud.

 

I feel like such a slacker when I read your post here! Maybe it's time to get back into a workout regime?
Yesterday was a good day to see how much I need to get back to the gym. Two different projects I went to and I has to climb two sets of stairs more than a dozen times! Almost wore me out and this was before noon! Now on second thought I could just pick jobs that don't have elevators and get paid to workout just climbing the stairs!

Keep up the good work MG, good luck in the Marathon!

P.S. Did you ever get your brakes sussed out?

Cheers,
D

 

You forget, I've seen you in person. You're in much better shape than you're suggesting here. Was that too weird? Oh well. Thanks! And stairs are a killer. Sometimes I'll run downtown and we have a nearby convention center with stairs that kick my ass in a big way. A few sets of stairs and your legs feel like they're filled with lead. Oh, and I'm only doing the half-marathon. Did you catch that "only"? Haha. Please Lord, give me the strength to do "only" 13.1 miles!

Brakes are still very much in need of work. I've been riding to and from work and the bike feels/stops fine but knowing that I'm riding with old fluid and calipers that aren't in sync isn't a good feeling. I really was hoping to get them fixed up before the end of the month but it's looking like I have to wait until October. Any bad weekends for you next month? I'm going to a wedding on one of them but don't remember which at the moment. I think on the 18th.

 

I knew it was a half marathon but figured no need to lessen the feat you're about to take on! Coincidently I'll be unavailable on October 12th also due to a wedding and the 17th due to my anniversary but other than those two weekends, pretty much open.

 

09.16.2014: 2 mile run. Done! This heat is incredibly oppressive. Had to wait for nightfall AND for our power to be restored. Got in my two miles on the treadmill. Tomorrow will be another cross-training day. Off to drink lots of water!

 

09.18.2014: 3 mile run. Done! Feeling good. Getting easier. A break in the heat helped a lot!

 

I got up, walked 30' to kitchen, grabbed my cup of coffee and proceeded to do 8 oz. arm curls, whew! Time for a shower.

All ingest my friend, keep up the good work and yes the break in the heat sure does help!

 

Well done! As Randy and I were discussing on another thread, you do enough of anything, no matter how light, and it becomes a workout! Just a few more thousand of those 8oz curls and you'll have a decent pump going.

09.19.2014: Cross-training day. 30 seconds work/10 second rest. 1 minute between circuits. 3 circuits. Push-ups, jump rope, bicep curls, jump rope, bent over kettlebell rows, jump rope, overhead tricep extensions, jump rope, forearm curls, jump rope!

 

Celebrated my one year wedding anniversary yesterday by staying in Coronado last night at the hotel we stayed in after the wedding. Had a perfect day that included a 3 mile run, lounging at the pool, bay and skyline view dining at an excellent Italian restaurant, drinks at a nearby sushi bar, then back to the hotel for champagne, wedding cake (our baker from the wedding made a small cake for us), and, well ... we had a great night.

09.20.2014: 3 mile run. Done!

09.21.2014: Rest day. Much needed rest day.

 

Started week three of training. 09.22.2014: 2 mile run. Done!

 

Claim to fame, 80 minute half ... recovering from fracturing my leg running 13 half marathons back to back in June. My best advice: going slow and going the distance, is better than going fast and burning out. Also, hydration.

 

Jesus dude! I'll be happy with one 2.5 hour half marathon! Heck, I'll be happy just crossing the finish line no matter what my time is. So, as far as taking it slow, I'll do just that. Haha.