Four Weeks Until Boston

Weight: 159.8

Body Fat%: 9.4%

Body Water%: 61.3%

It’s hard to believe that there are only four more weeks until Boston. At this point I definitely feel a little apprehensive, winter training has been more difficult than I had  anticipated, I’m nursing a sore right arch, and work has been pretty stressful given the volatility in the markets. With that said I did reach my goal weight this past weekend, a couple weeks ahead of schedule so I feel pretty good about that. In regards to training I spoke to Matt regarding some of the difficulties I’ve been encountering specifically speed work or more the lack of. It’s been tough disciplining myself to get  the repeats in so we’ve decided to scrap the remaining track work and transition to heart rate (HR) training. The beauty of HR training is that it doesn’t need to be done on a track, instead using the HR monitor you run an increased levels of intensity for defined periods or distances. The following is my revised training schedule for this week.

 

Mon. – Rest

Tues. – Fartlek Hill – 1 hour – uphills HR (159 – 196)

Wed. – 10 miles – increase to steady HR (165 – 178 ) for miles 4, 6, 8, 10

Thur. – Rest

Fri. – 10 miles – Top Aerobic capacity

Sat. – Recovery 45 min X training – planning on swimming

Sun. – 22 miles

 

We’ve worked in some additional rest time given the sore arch which I hope will ease the constant soreness. If I can push hard this week the next three shouldn’t be too bad as the mileage begins to ease off a little, can’t wait until the two week taper when we’re back to single digits for most of the week.      

Soggy Wet Running

Weight: 164.2
Body Fat%: 9.7%
Body Water%: 61.1%

Since moving to New York from California there has been one thing that I still have not grown accustomed to and that is the weather.  The weather during my last long run was the ultimate epitome of what I’ve endured the past two years, unpredictable and severe.  As always before I leave my apartment I check my blackberry for what the current weather conditions are, comforted with a forecast of 40 degrees and slightly cloudy I left my place wearing running pants and a windbreaker.  The first two miles were great with the sun shining through some grey clouds, nothing at all to worry about.  As that last thought trickled through the skies darkened and a chilling west wind began to blow.  Ok, a little wind nothing to get too excited about that’s what the windbreaker is for.  That’s when the little white flakes began to fall and I mean fall in earnest.  Within minutes my whole left side was covered in white.  After about 20min the freak blizzard dissipated much to my relief.  It was short lived because 2 miles later it started to rain which was a lot more annoying than the snow.  The blizzard, rain, and clear conditions probably cycled through two more times before I was able to finish the run.  In hindsight running through a blizzard in Central Park was pretty sweet, I can just do without the rain.  Not a big fan of soggy wet running.   

Back To Training...Sort Of

Weight: 164.2
Body Fat%: 9.7%
Body Water%: 61.1%

Still feeling the effects of the stomach virus but I’m glad I was able to get back on the road, sort of.  My schedule had me running a 10miler on Tues. with the first 5mi at tempo pace but I was only able to squeeze out 7mi at jog/+jog pace.  The stomach felt fine but my legs just didn’t have any energy in them and breathing was a little difficult.  I take back my previous posting, I want nothing to do with stomach viruses ever again.  Not only is your eating prowess significantly debilitated, what small meals you are able to consume are all flavorless.  Hoping to be fully recovered by the time my long run comes around on Sunday.   

The Stomach Virus Diet

Weight: 166.2
Body Fat%: 9.7%
Body Water%: 61.3%

Although it might not be the most effective approach, no one can argue against the effectiveness of a stomach virus in jump starting a diet plan.  It’s probably what I deserve since my meal before getting sick was a deviation from my diet.  If you have never been to Korean BBQ don’t worry it’s pretty similar to the American ones with tons of meat and carby sides.  I was already feeling a little under the weather before dinner but thought it was just the hunger pains talking but by the time I got home I knew something was amiss.  I’ll spare you the intimate details but needless to say it put me out of commission for two days.  So here I am two skipped workouts but 3 lbs lighter.  Hmm, now if only I catch a 6 day stomach virus I’ll be at my goal weight in no time.

My Hydration Solution

Weight: 169.0
Body Fat%: 10.6%
Body Water%: 60.6%

The winter months can definitely be a difficult time to train, most notably dealing with the weather.  For me as long as it stays above 30° I’m usually pretty comfortable barring any rain or snow.  But along with the weather I recently discovered another obstacle that I need to overcome.  All the water fountains in Central Park are turned off for the winter.  Last year during the winter I was fine since I wasn’t training for a marathon and didn’t really run more than 6-7 miles, so although not recommended you can usually get away without a water break.  But with upcoming 15+ mile runs on the weekend and ~10’s in the middle of the week I really needed a hydration solution.  At my local running store, Jackrabit, there were a plethora of solutions such as water belts, hand bottles, and backpacks.  I was never a fan of running with a belt or holding something in my hand so my final decision came down to Camelbak classis which holds about 70oz.  What sealed the deal was you can suck the excess air out of bladder which prevents the water from sloshing while you run.  Filled it up at home and jogged around in a little circle in my living room, it was definitely a little uncomfortable but the excess weight was negligible.  I guess the true test would take during the long run this weekend.   

Wrong Direction

Weight: 168.6
Body Fat%: 11.5%
Body Water%: 59.8%

As you can see my weight loss is going slightly in the wrong direction at this point and I can  blame it on a truly random set of events.  Runners world had requested I get a physical to ensure I was in good health before starting the recommended training regimen.  During my physical my doctor conducted a normal EKG test of my heart and the readings came back abnormal with a First degree AV block.  This surprised my doctor so she re-ran the test multiple times but always ended up with the same result.  Even though everything else checked out and I didn’t exhibit any symptoms of heart blockage, I’m off to a heart consult with a cardiologist next week.  In the meantime I’m not supposed to do anything that can severely strain the heart.  Next I was under the impression I was going to have to work this weekend since we had a multitude of deliverables due next week but my boss happily informed me that our deadlines were pushed back.  I now had a free long weekend along with prescribed easy running.  Against my better training judgment I took the opportunity and jumped on to a snowboarding trip up to Tremblant, Canada.  I definitely went with the best of intentions thinking I could do a couple of easy jogs in the evening after riding the slopes.  The actual end result was one too many beers and hamburgers during the trip.  I definitely paid for it on the scale too.  This was definitely a setback that I’m not happy with so it looks like I’ve gone on my first and last boarding trip for the 2008 season.   

New Yorkers Continue To Surprise Me

Weight: 168.1
Body Fat%: 11.8%
Body Water%: 59.9%

So far it’s been a nice start to the training week, I was able to wake up for both 6am runs.  Average temp for both mornings has been around 32 degrees, which isn’t too bad since everybody’s been telling me it’s been a mild winter and it should be in the 20’s and teens.  You would think I would be one of the few individuals awake and running that early but the NY running community continues to surprise.  My quick mental estimate, pre-caffeine, was about 15-20 runners both mornings, which was a lot more than I expected.  Tried the oatmeal recommendation before both morning runs and I have to admit it worked out pretty well.  My stomach still felt a little queasy at first but settled down quickly after the first mile.  In the past I’ve tried cereal, granola bars, and yogurt before running and none really agreed with my stomach that early in the morning.  This was definitely a life saver because I wasn’t sure how I was going to get through the 8-10 mile runs in the morning without anything to eat.         

Let The Training Begin

Weight: 167.8
Body Fat%: 11.7%
Body Water%: 59.7%

Today officially begins my training for the Boston marathon, after speaking to my trainer Matt Russ and dietician Amy Bragg it looks like I have a decent amount of work to do.  From a training standpoint I may have overextended my post Philly marathon break.  My mileage definitely needs to pick-up in the next couple of weeks, right in the dead of winter.  In addition to tempo runs and long mileage days, I’m going to incorporate some hill training on the treadmill to try and prep for the Newton hills.  In terms of dieting Amy made some great suggestions for a quick meal/snack before my morning run and an additional meal/snack in the late afternoon.  For the morning  I’m going to try either oatmeal or Carnation’s instant breakfast.  In the late afternoon around 4-5pm I’m going to incorporate a powerbar and/or fruit to try keep the metabolism going.  Normally I don’t have anything between lunch and dinner which usually leads to some very healthy portions for dinner.  Overall feeling pretty psyched to get back into the training mode, plus this is for Boston.