Sometimes I think that training is the best part of running and long run days are the best part of training. Last year when one of my customer’s told me that all finisher’s of half marathons receive a finishers medal, I immediately thought I could finish 13.1 miles. My longest run up to that conversation was probably 5 miles.
Once I started training after Christmas ’08 for the Illinois Marathon in April ’09, I decided that if I was in shape to run my first half marathon, I should be able to stay in shape to run more. Thus the plan was to run 3 – 5 half marathons in ’09. Well, the end of my running year is coming upon us an I have run 6 half’s, have another one in a few weeks and am keeping my eye on one in Schaumburg in November.
The current plan to prepare for the Indianapolis Half is to run 5 – 6 last weekend (accomplished), 7 – 8 on Saturday Oct 3rd, pacing Bing in a 5K on Oct 4th, and then 9 – 10 on Sunday the 11th. True marathon training will start in December. My plan is to work around the Hal Higdon 18 week novice training schedule. I may move out of the novice level if I can get better training in prior to Christmas.
I love gear. Bing and I love gear. Well, she loves clothes and I love gear.
I chart my increases in “Long Mile runs” in three gear related levels.
- Shoes. I bought my first pair of Asics 2130′s, ran for 100 miles and bought a second pair. I wish I had bought a third and fourth pair. I recently bought some Asics Nimbus 11 heavy cushion shoes. My Asics took me from old used basketball shoes to the next level. From 1/2 mile runs to 5K’s and, of course, to half marathons..
- I-Pod Nano. Around October ’08, after I had been running for several months, I finally bought my first I-pod and my running went from strained and boring to FUN. I felt I could run forever (4 miles was forever then) . Soon after I bought the Nike+ that provides Pace, Distance, calories and Tiger Wood, Lance Armstrong and others provide positive feedback whenever you hit a new milestone. I was soon up to 6 Miles for my longest run.
- Garmin 305. For Christmas ’08, Bing bought me my Garmin so I could monitor my heart rate and provide me more accurate pace and distance. As soon as I started using the Garmin, I realized I was running too fast and my long indoor runs went from 4 miles to 5, to 6, to 7, to 8 and on and on as the weeks passed until I was ready for my first half marathon in April ’09.
Along the way, Bing and I picked up fanny packs, fuel belts, Camel Backs, Visors, Day Glo Hats, sunglasses, jackets (we LOVE Jackets), Road Id’s and much more. In many cases, we have two sets of gear, just because you never know when one’s going to wear out.
Yes, we love gear.
The following are my heart rate zones, as created with a combination of help from Tina Dunn and race experience.
- Zone 1 112 – 124 BPM
- Zone 2 125 - 136
- Zone 3 137 - 148
- Zone 4 149 - 160
- Zone 5 161 – 178
Filed under: Introduction
I have tried (and sometimes succeeded) in losing weight many times. I have never measured myself at the beginning of the program. Well, this one is different. If you dare read on, do so at your own risk and promise not to laugh.
My Measurements:
- Neck @ 17.25″
- Chest @ 46.50″
- Biceps @ 15.5″
- Waist @ 46.5″
- Belt Line @ 42.25
- Thigh @ 27.5
- Calf @ 19″
Filed under: Introduction
Welcome to my running weight loss blog. The goal of this blog is to chart the path of my goal to lose 40 pounds by and train for my first marathon on April 1, 2010. That gives me 7 months to accomplish what I have not been able to in for the last 9 months.
For those that dont know me well, I am a 51-year-old male Account Executive (which is a fancy term for Outside Salesman) in the metal service center industry. In September of 2006, I weighed 307# and hit my weight watchers lifetime goal of 233 seven months later. My current weight is 273.5#. My weight when I started running (to lose weight) in July 2008 was 240# and my weight when I started to train for long distance running (I have run 6 half marathons and over 500 miles since) in December 2009 was 250#. Obviously I am going the wrong direction. I dont smoke, drink or do drugs.
To lose weight, I have been advised to run slower, eat more, resistance train and more. I am hoping to include my “Captains Log” as defined by Fitness Professional, Kate Galliett within the Blog.
I am very fortunate to have a tremendous support team lead by “Bing”, my wonderful wife of four years. In addition, Tina Dunn, Personal Trainer/Walk to Run Director from Healthy Inspirations (847-923-5239) and Deb Hawney, Manager of Dick Pond Athletics (847-985-9720) for Expert Foot Analysis and Shoe Fittings, both of Schaumburg, Illinois. Without proper support, success is always challenging.
I look forward to the journey and feedback from my friends, family and acquaintances. Please feel free to share your thoughts!
Hello world!
Bob
