A Potential Race On The Horizon

O.K., rather than another boring training update, it looks like I may actually be placing a race on my 2012 calendar. It is the Illinois River To River Relay, which is an 80 mile, eight man per team relay race from the Mississippi to the Ohio Rivers. My brother-in-law did this same race a couple of years ago, and his team is looking for a runner or two (he is currently injured and another team member is due to deliver her first child a few weeks prior to the event).

The family and I were visiting Southern Illinois for Thanksgiving and I met a few members of my brother-in-law's running group that have done River To River 11 years in a row and rave about it. Basically I would be running three legs, each of which would be about three miles or so. I am definitely intrigued, although I am not 100% sure whether I will commit or not--it is a long way to go for one race. That said, just the prospect of racing again definitely got my competitive juices flowing. I will make a decision one way or the other in the next few weeks and let you know...

Another Update

Well I have not posted in a while, so I figure it was a good time for an update. Not much terribly new or interesting to report--I continue to run three days and week and lift weights one day. I am definitely getting faster, although I seem to be much slower outdoors (7:20-7:30/mile pace) then on the treadmill (low 7:00/mile pace). I am usually faster on the treadmill, but the difference is not so stark. I attribute it to not running outside very much, but I am not terribly bothered by it (especially given the fact I am not actually training for anything). Oh, and I am thin--I have consistently been in the low- to mid-170s for a while now. I attribute it to my new diet--a sensible breakfast, still kind of a big lunch (with my one sweet for the day), and a light dinner. God I hope I can stay this light through my 2012 marathon--I cannot imagine how fast I will be able to run if I am a good 5-10 lbs lighter than I have ever been for 26.2 miles! One last thing--I miss riding my bike :(

Update

So I decided this afternoon to post a quick update to the old blog. I have been hitting the gym pretty regularly (usually four to five days a week--although lately more often four than five) for a while now. Mostly I have been doing cardio, with one weightlifting day (usually chest and triceps--yes, I am vain). For the last several weeks I have been running for my cardio, and am just starting to comfortably do 7:30/mile pace. Normally running that slow this time of the year would be a disaster for me, but given the late start I got to running this year I am perfectly happy with it (particularly given the fact I am not actually training for a race right now).

The other somewhat noteworthy development is I have been losing weight! I am now just a shade under 180 lbs, which I am very happy with. The only real dietary change I have made is really trying to cut back on sweets (for a change)--but not to quit cold turkey. I am limiting myself to one "sweet treat" a day, with a few hard candies thrown in throughout (they are pretty low calorie). I am also cutting back on the red meat. I think this is a much more sustainable diet for me long term--if I can stay around 180 lbs through 2011 and start my serious marathon training at this weight early next year, I am going to be a very happy (and fast) boy. That's about it--thanks as always for reading!

I'm Back (Sort Of)

Well I have recently started kind of sort of training again, so I figured it probably made sense to update my blog. I say kind of sort of because I ran this morning (the third time in the last few weeks) and am planning to start running a couple of times a week, but am not training for any event in particular (at least not any 2011 event). As you may recall, I decided to take this year off completely from racing due to the birth of my son last September, and I have to say I absolutely stand by that decision. I have been working out pretty regularly (usually four times a week), but most of my cardio has been the elliptical machine or the stairmaster, which is just not the same as running (plus on a per hour basis, neither burns as many calories). I also like the fact I can just throw on my running shoes, head out my front door and go, as opposed to being subject to my gym's hours and having to walk the ~10 minutes each way.

So on to this morning's run. I just did my standard two-mile loop twice, and did not time myself (once again, I am having problems getting satellite signals on my Garmin Forerunner 205). I felt O.K., but I am definitely slow (which not running for I don't even remember how long will do to you). That said, and it almost shocks me to say this, it reminded me how much I miss running! Now that the weather is finally starting to turn I actually ordered a new pair of running shoes this afternoon (see the picture above), and will definitely try and hit the road/treadmill at least a couple of times a week. The plan remains to try and finally qualify for the Boston Marathon at the 2012 Chicago Marathon, but as for right now, this is just about staying in decent shape and enjoying myself...