I qualify as a master only by age.

 

BT, in all my years if there is one thing that remains a constant when it comes to training goals...Don't pass up the opportunity to train.

 

To Clarify...if you set your alarm for 4:00 am and your all warm and toasty in bed get over it...drag your ass out and get it done. If you put it off until later, later will bite you in the ass.

 

And, never under estimate what even a little 10min cardio session can do. Have a jump rope handy, a punching bag...etc...put them to use.

 

There is no cramming in endurance sports, You can't fill the jar with big stones, it takes lots of little ones to fill in all those voids.

 

A mini taper maybe...I've always been able to feel the fitness jump...consectutive results will be your answer.

 

And finally, When I was training for an Ironman I kept running clothes in my back pack...just in case. You never know.

 

Oh, and finally #2...don't be afraid to drop all the gadgets and just train.

Wow, never saw the scathing coming, but whatever, its the Hurtlocker so bring it.

My mileage had been on the rise and am feeling pretty good about running lately. Over the summer I felt like shit, but race times had been improving so I was definately doing something right. I'm in a good position running wise right now and was not to terribly disappointed that I lost a little time the last two weeks as I'm not really doing any structured running besides trying to run more. I usually try and run 6 days a week and only ran 5 days a week over the last two weeks.

I'm seriously considering a marathon in the spring and will be doing a Hanson's plan that should start on around Jan 10th and culminate on race day, May 11th, so right now I'm just acclimating myself to the paces required by the plan and cutting back on the swim and bike workouts. I'm not using the HR gadget for anything other then raw data to look at after a workout is complete and maybe guage any extra recovery that I may need but am too stupid to realize on my own. I just found that 10 mile Med-long run interesting because the HR was probably 8-10 beats lower then it was a few weeks ago for the about same pace, hence the question: Fitness jump or mini taper effects?

I was training for a goal HM last spring and was feeling fast until I developed a stress fracture that sidelined me for a long time. Again I was too stupid to see it coming but was hell bent on hitting the paces and workouts. I'm finding I really need to pay attention to the intensity as I'm pretty sure that's what did me in last year. I'm still hanging around the Clydesdale division and the faster running is really hard on my legs but thats not an excuse, its reality.

BTW, I also have a backpack with my workout clothes and shoes in it that I bring to work everyday. Most days I still workout twice a day during the week with some combo of swim, bike, run.

 

To that end I have not missed a scheduled core session in 5 weeks.

 

 

(Hangs head even lower)

While it's between my knees someone can kick me in the rear.

You should post that big stone/little stone comment in the long run thread on the GSP...great way to put it.

MTA:  As of January 2nd, I will have a brand new locker room, 1/5mi track, and treadmills available at work 5:30am-7pm.  Very pumped about this.

 

MTA:  As of January 2nd, I will have a brand new locker room, 1/5mi track, and treadmills available at work 5:30am-7pm.  Very pumped about this.

Damn your lucky to have that.

All I have are old locker rooms and en endless supply of soap/deodorant...

 

Oh and Damn It mbehr! I'm gonna have to drop a surprise in the weekly run total to close the gap. 

Oh shit...you are keeping it close.  Good thing I have a 10 mile progression run I'm doing in a little bit.  Haven't done one of these since May.  I'm getting some of those nervous and excited butterflies just thinking about it!

Pity me, I have a cool locker room, with a shower and a strictly enforced rule of no running near the premises.  I guess I could walk to the freeway and run on the shoulder, but I only have a half hour for lunch. 

There you go CR...gave it a shot over lunch.  Added another 10 to the total.  It wasn't pretty but I did it.  Failed the last two miles.  Felt like effort increased but pace did not.  Pretty stiff wind the last few miles and had two decent overpasses to go over in each of the two miles.

Nice. Gives me some extra motivation for this evening. 

Started doing the Pfitzinger core and strength work again this week.

 

I was unpleasantly reminded that 20lb dumbbells are harder for me than they should be, and that I am a wuss.

 

Time to make this habit stick so I don't embarrass myself.

I dunno - I've been doing the Pfitz strength for a whole 3 weeks (started when I was out for a week with ankle stuff as an attempt to start strengthening some stuff so ankle stuff won't happen again)...I use 15 lbs - I don't think I could do 20lbs and keep correct form. So, if you're a wuss...

Time to make this habit stick so I don't embarrass myself.

Very nice. Have to start somewhere.