Monthly Archives: December 2008
… In with the new
And just like that I have a new blog. Like I said on my other blog, I’ve been planning to move here, but I just hadn’t had the chance to do it. And today I screwed up when I was trying to save my template, but instead picked a new template. So I imported my old blog to here and will now continue posting here.
You may see some “Coming Soon!” items, or things that don’t quite look like they should – since this move is earlier than expected, it’s not quite a finished project. It’s like moving into a renovated house that still needs some repairs to the kitchen.
So thanks for following me to here. Just as my running has transitioned, I think it’s only appropriate that I start off a new year with some new things. Once I get this blog fully situated, I’ll let you know what’s changed. For now, enjoy the new year!
2008's numbers, plus a glance at 2009's goals
I made it well known that when this year started that I didn’t really have specific goals with anything since I started ’08 injured. So with that being said, I don’t want to analyze my year too much — I just want to put the numbers out there and let them be. I may sneak in a run tomorrow, but it will be minimal with my dog if I do. Can’t you tell I’m just ready to get this year over with?
I’ve also added my 2009 goals based on my post from a couple of weeks ago using the “10 percent” rule. What actually happens will depend a lot of how the first quarter of the year goes. If all goes well with my planned 10 miler, my running miles may be closer to 2007 totals where I fell less than 50 miles shy of 1,000 miles. For now, it’s best to just take things a month at a time and see what happens. I do know that cross training is now very important to my routine, so it’ll continue no matter what.
Total running miles - 640.2
Best running month - August, 107.4
Worst running month - April, 22.6
Average per month - 53.35
2009 goal (’08 plus 10 percent) - 704
Walking miles (Garmin only) - 290.6
Biking miles - 232.3 (March-December)
Best month - October, 49.1
Worst month - August, 8.2
Average per month (9 months) - 25.8
2009 goal (9-month average times 12 plus 10 percent) - 340
“Other” miles (mostly elliptical) - 37.8 (October-December)
December total - 24.3
Average per month (3 months) - 12.6
2009 goal (3-month average times 12 plus 10 percent) - 166
2008 combined miles - 1,200.9
Average miles per month - 100.075
Best combined miles month - August, 148.4
Worst combined miles month - January, 63.1
The Top 10 of 2008
At this time of year, many people like to look back and do a recap of the year. Well, if I did that, it would mostly be negative since I feel like much of the year has been a disappointment when it comes to running. So instead of looking back, I’d like to do a top 10 list of the good things that have happened this year with running and working out. I think it would be good to close this year out on a positive note and flush the not-so-great ’08 out of my mind.
Finishing the Shamrock Half Marathon. So when I first finished this race, I was so mad at being hurt, but in hindsight, it was an accomplishment to finish it despite being hurt.
Finishing the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in Virginia Beach. Despite taking more than 2 hours to do this race, I am once again pleased to have finished this race considering how hot it was that weekend.
Taking time off. With such an up and down year, the best thing I did for myself this year was to take off time when I wasn’t hurt. I highly recommend it.
The 7-mile Thanksgiving run. This is here mainly because I surprised myself to run that much when I hadn’t done much in a while.
Running a 5k again. Oct. 18 was a big day — I ran a 5k for the first time since the summer of 2007.
Bike riding at the beach. When the Outer Banks trip came along in June, it definitely interrupted training for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half, but I managed to putt out nearly 20 miles on the bike that week. Any kind of working out is a plus while on vacation.
PRs. I’m not all that pleased with the results, and I would have rather done this in a half marathon, but I did set PRs in an 8k and a 4-miler this year.
Working out the week that Conner was born. The birth of my son is the #1 non-running event in my life this year, obviously. At the same time, I am pleased with myself to hit the gym a few times the week he was born. So many people have told me how hard it is to keep working out with a newborn, but I was determined to prove them wrong early on.
Raising $1,000 to fight cancer. In the beginning of April, I raised $1,000 for the VCU Massey Cancer Center as part of the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k. While I ran it hurt, I ran it for my late uncle, my grandfather, my dad and everyone else impacted by cancer.
The discovery of cross-training. It started in March with biking, but I didn’t really get into cross training until October when I joined a gym. It’s put a totally different perspective on things when it comes to being in shape.
'Tis the season
It’s that time of the year in which there’s lots I could probably write about, but at the same time it’s nice to take a break from thinking about running or working out. My workouts have continued, but I just haven’t found a reason to talk about them all that much. It’s like I just want to get to Jan. 1 and then refocus on this blog and everything else going on.
I do have some posts planned this week — I doubt I’ll do a full recap of the year, but I’d like to do a year-by-the-numbers thing and perhaps a top 10 list of highlights. Other than that, it’s close to time to just say good-bye to ’08.
2009 still on my mind
The other day I discussed my non-race goals. But you didn’t possibly think that I wouldn’t have my mind on races did you? Now that I’ve been running and working out for almost four months without a race in mind, it is time to turn some focus onto races for 2009. After such an up and mostly down year this year with running, I’m ready for some changes next year.
If you have looked closely at my blog this week, you’ll notice a new counter — it’s there for a reason. I’ve said many times on here that I would not run the Shamrock Half Marathon again next year. After two years of doing that race, I wanted to do something different in the spring. While I still have the duathlon on my mind, I still want to do a “big” running race early in the year. So that’s why I’ve decided to run the Charlottesville Ten Miler in April. While it’s still a long distance, it’s not a half marathon — I’m still determined to stay away from half marathons until the second half of the year.
This will be just my second 10 miler. The first was in 2006 when I did the Virginia Ten Miler in Lynchburg — the race that got me hooked on longer distances (and one that I’m thinking about doing again). As of right now, I’m not setting specific goals — I just know that this is what I want to do for the spring.
After that, I’m still planning to do the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half in Virginia Beach on Labor Day weekend again. And then I still am not making any plans beyond that. I will not budge on that thinking. It helps keep me focused on things one race at a time, no matter how cliche that sounds.
In between my two big planned events, I’ll likely run a few shorter races — more than this year — to keep me content. Too much of this year was spent being disappointed, so I’m determined to kind of go with the flow next year and see what happens. I would love new PRs, but I’m not going to stress myself out about it.
All I want, but don't really need, for Christmas …
Please forgive me for what’s about to be a very selfish post. With Christmas technically next week, I wanted to put a wish list out there. Some of these things are just big wishes; others are things I could actually use; and a few items are things I already have but could always use … I must stress, though, that for the first time since I started running a few years ago that I feel fairly complete with what I already own. But …
* First on my list is the new Garmin. The Garmin Forerunner 405 is probably on every runners list. It would be awesome to have that sleek watch on my wrist. It’s not that my 205 isn’t working perfectly fine … but damn that thing is big. I did notice this week that my 205 stopped beeping, so I hope it’s not dying. I highly doubt anyone would actually buy me the almost $300 405. One day it will be mine … through a deal on eBay.
* Shoes. Yes, I just bought myself some, but who wouldn’t love an extra pair of shoes? Then I wouldn’t have to worry about buying any until my birthday gets here … and then of course I need a nice birthday gift. After finding Holabird Sports recently, you can save about $30 getting me a new pair. My preference is the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 8, size 11. Any color is fine.
* Running shirts (and shorts to match). Short-sleeve. With the discovery of how great being a member of a gym is, my winter gear is fine for another year. Despite having enough, my running shirts are a few years old. So one or two would get me through 2009. Target’s Champion line is just fine. Size large. None of those tight ones … just the cheapest of the cheap.
* Socks. Anything non-cotton is fine. Actually, I probably won’t be able to get through next year without having to buy new socks. I can wear socks out pretty quickly, especially since I always having them on. You won’t catch me walking around barefoot … ever. (Just ask my wife.)
* Underwear. Same non-cotton rule applies. And before you ask boxer or briefs, I like the combo boxer-briefs.
But be careful buying me clothes — my mom and my wife will quickly tell you that I prefer to get clothes myself, although I’ve been on a quest for two years to find a red turtle neck sweater to wear during Christmas. So if you find one, send me a link to it. Even when it comes to running, I think that I dress myself best. And I’ve been doing that since I can remember. So, onto some more realistic things (although that Garmin would be lovely) that would be nice, but don’t really need.
* Clif bars. I’ll need ‘em for the long runs later in the year.
* Gatorade Rain. A simple six pack actually lasts me a while since I still mix Rain with water (doesn’t that sound weird?).
* Sneaker balls. In all seriousness, my wife has bought me these before and it’s quite possibly the best gift ever from a running perspective. They work great.
* A new iPod, headphones that last longer than a year and gel insoles.
* I’d also like a cure for my over pronation, my lack of speed and some help breaking my PR in a half marathon.
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