Damn. Wish I could have met this man. This is a quote from his book, Personal Best. Might as well be my bible, and he, my minister.
The long distance race is a struggle that results in self-discovery. It is an adventure into the limits of self, representing for runners what has been called the moral equivalent of war – a theater for heroism, where the runner can do deeds of daring and greatness – George Sheehan
You have to wonder at times what you’re doing out there. Over the years, I’ve given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement.
-Pre
So, the Tour de France came to an end. Been amazing to watch the coverage on Versus. Very happy for Lance and his 3rd place finish. Pretty damn amazing. 4 years away from racing. Nearly 38 years old.
Can’t wait to see what he will do next. Speculation out there he will go for Ironman in Kona. Would not be surprised!
In my last post, I mentioned how I was trying to be more intentional with each outing and not running just for running sake. Well, that changed this weekend when I just ran to get the miles in. When the legs are tired, sometimes, it’s just gonna be this way.
I’ve designated Saturdays as my “shorter-longer” runs w/ hills. Sundays have been longer and flat. For now.
This past Saturday, i ran over by Emory University and Druid Hills neighborhood. Lots of good hills. Had good pace, but started late in the morning so did have some warmer temperatures. Paid the price for sleeping in and even so, had a crappy sleep! Last 1/2 mile was TOUGH.
Today’s run was again done over at Silver Comet Trail. No Jeff this time. He went away for weekend to go boozin’ with some buddies. SLACKER.
Got another later start than i would have liked, but oh well…
Strapped on my trusty Nathan pack and took off. One of the things i thought of while out there today was how some people say they get bored when they run. I don’t think I have ever been bored while running. For me, there are too many things to think about. When I start a long run, my focus is just on settling in and staying on pace and paying attention to my body. After I have settled in, my mind wanders; i people watch (when they are around) and then most of the time i think about things in my life; what’s been happening, what’s coming up for me, etc…I relish that time(mostly) as my escape from everything…from work, from TV, Internet, Phone, crowds of people…Other times I find myself completely zoned out to music on my iPod. And then, invariably, in the later miles, my mind is not wandering because the pain takes over and that’s all I am focused on. At that point, it’s about managing my thoughts so that I can get thru the run. I am definitely not off in LaLa land when my quads are stiffening and sweat is falling and burning my eyes.
Nope. Never bored. Plus, most of the time I am running somewhere beautiful. How could beauty ever be a bore?
July 26: 11 miles – Silver Comet Trail – solo
July 25: 6 miles – outside, hills
Would like to get a speed session in this week. Gotta hit the track. Painful but helpful.
See ya!
“You don’t need a reason – you need a road. Believe in the run.” Nike Ad
July 24: 3 miles – treadmill
July 22: 4 miles – treadmill – tempo run
July 21: 3.34 miles – outside, hills
July 19: 10 miles – Silver Comet w/ jeff
July 18: 5.5 miles – outside, hills
July 16: 3.1 miles AM; 2.2 miles PM – massage
July 14: 3.50 miles – treadmill
Overall, the training is going ok. I am, however, getting the familiar feeling of noticing it becomes increasingly more difficult to fit all the miles in….you know, with the rest of life. And i really don’t do much else besides work! LOL! But, yeah, overall…going well. This past Monday, which was a rest day, i felt good after the weekly total. Both weekend runs were done at good paces. I was happy to have Jeff eith me on Sunday because i could have easily seen myself splitting that run into 2 had I been alone. So, good to get all 10 done in one fell swoop! THANKS, JEFF!
What is different about this training segment is that I am really trying to be much more deliberate in EACH run. Not going out simply to “get the miles in”, but to be more conscious of what is the purpose and goal of each time out. Trying to much more “pace specific”. And as such, i think i will have to adjust my initial lofty goal of 4 hours. 4 hours is a 9:09 pace/mile. I am not confident right now that i can maintain that pace. It’s still early. I’ve got what, 12 weeks til race day. I’m not giving up on the 4 hour goal by any means; but I am assessing. Important.
I’m back to getting massages every other week which has been incredible. I have a wonderful, strong massage therapist! YAY!
Oh…and yeah, i am thinking of getting another new pair of shoes. Probably another pair of the K-SWISS K-Ona’s in a different color. Awesome shoes.
Thanks for following. Train Hard, Train Smart. CHEERS!
A recent shot; i like the shadows
Winning has nothing to do with racing. Most days don’t have races anyway. Winning is about struggle and effort and optimism, and never, ever, ever giving up.
Remember that if you don’t go to the starting line, you will never view the whole course with all its possibilities. And you will certainly never see the glories of the finish line.
-Amby Burfoot
There’s a ridiculous amount of inspiration out there right now, in my opinion; Tour de France, Hardrock 100 Ultra just happened over Fri/Sat, Badwater Ultramarathon starts tomorrow, Monday. YAY. I lOVE all this stuff going on!! And, my beloved SF Giants are playing some good ball!
Had a solid week and weekend of training. Last few are as follows;
July 12: 9 miles – silver comet w/ Jeff
July 11: 5.25 miles – outside, 3 big hills, pushed pace
July 9: 3 miles – outside
It’s still hot and humid here, but not as bad as it was a few weeks ago. We’ll see what the next week brings. Feeling good. Feeling strong, motivated and inspired. I was listening to some of the Tour de France race coverage and heard one of the announcers say a lot of success in the tour comes from knowing and being very in tune with your body over such a long haul. Same thing with the marathon and training, i think. You really do get to know your body and it’s rhythms and workings. All pretty important when taking on a long endeavor.
Jeff post 9 on silver comet
OK: Trivia question is: “what does the number 6 in my photo refer to?
Hints: It has to do with running and no, it’s not the # of miles I ran after the photo. 1st correct answer will get a prize. Good Luck!
Jonathan Sanchez had been SF Giants 5th starter. He was recently demoted to the bullpen cause he has been struggling. i was bummed to see it cause i really like him; got his autograph a few years ago when i watched SF play in Denver. Nevertheless, he was afforded a second chance to start when Randy Johnson went on the DL. Man, what a second chance. Dude goes out and throws a complete game no-hitter! WHAT!!! I watched the replays on ESPN this morning and got chills. So damn happy for the guy. Oh, to top it off, his dad flew in from Puerto Rico to watch his son start a game for first time. How sweet is that!
Can’t seem to paste a photo of it, uurrggh.
Check em out at http://www.sfgiants.com
Go Giants!
July 8: 47 min run – approx 5 miles outside
July 7: 3.5 miles – treadmill
July 5: 8 miles – outside, silver comet trail
July 4: 5.25 miles – outside
July 3: 4 x 800 w/ 90 sec recovery; 4:14, 3:56, 3:58, 4:04 splits
July 2: 4 miles – treadmill
July 1: 3 miles – outside
The training for my next marathon is now in “official” effect. I feel committed and excited. Each time i begin training, it is different. Each time brings new challenges and new revelations. And of course, some things are the same. Some of the roads or trails i will venture on are the same ones I’ve been running on…and they serve as comfort. They are my friends. Part of my support system. Welcoming me back again. Challenging and cheering.
October in San Francisco. I will be there.
Inspiration all around. From Federer and Roddick; from Lance and from my beloved SF Giants. And, from all those people in life who I see out of the roads trying to exercise, trying to just get a walk in or a slow run. They are sometimes overweight and I think of the struggles they might go through and how its not easy for them to get out there. But they do it. They put on their own gear and get out the door. I nod and I smile and cheer them on. We are all on the same, aren’t we?
“As every runner knows, running is about more than just putting one foot in front of the other; it is about our lifestyle and who we are.” – Joan Benoit Samuelson
Why I Ride: An Open Letter
by Lance Armstrong
WHY I RIDE
About a year ago, during our LIVESTRONG Summit in Columbus, Ohio, I started thinking about returning to professional cycling. I knew I could compete at the highest level of racing but this time I was motivated from a different perspective.
Meeting so many people over the years…so many survivors…has built in me an ever greater sense of urgency addressing the hurdles in cancer control and, ultimately, telling survivors’ stories. The stories tell it all. The triumphs and challenges are all part of the LIVESTRONG community and the human narrative. That collective, grassroots movement built by all of you has been remarkably powerful for me personally and also powerful in moving cancer back into the consciousness of decision makers.
That energy is why I am riding again: to make cancer a global priority.
A GLOBAL SOCIAL MOVEMENT
Cancer will be the leading cause of death, globally, in 2010. This disease affects 28 million people worldwide. Its projected growth over the next 20 years statistically dwarfs other diseases. In many parts of the world, cancer is considered a death sentence. Survivors are labeled and cruelly stigmatized. With 30 to 40 percent of all cancers being preventable, a shared global strategy that combines prevention and innovation is essential. As LIVESTRONG and our partners continue to build a global social movement, it’s imperative that we tie the strands of all disease control together to be more effective.
We know the numbers. We know various ways to control this disease. We know how to better care for those suffering. We know where triggers exist. Simply put, we know a great deal. What is missing in this equation is a global focus supporting those who are suffering in silence, organizing community action and aggressively developing the most innovative research.
THE SUMMIT AND BEYOND
The purpose of the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Summit is to draw the eyes of the world to the global cancer burden and also the challenges of stigmatization. Our Dublin Summit and global campaign will provide a platform for telling the stories and highlighting the outstanding work going on around the globe to alleviate the pain and suffering of cancer. Over the last six months, our LIVESTRONG team and I have met with various prime ministers, health and finance ministers, parliamentarians, cancer experts, NGO leaders, advocates and, of course, survivors to see how can we continue to push for fresh investments in cancer control. We have asked leaders all over the world to offer new “commitments” in making cancer a global priority. The response has been tremendous and this same cross-section of leaders – well-known and not so well-known – will all be collaborating in Dublin for two and half days of forward-thinking action.
We will see participation from all five continents, 62 countries, over 300 commitments and an anticipated 500 delegates, joining together in Dublin from August 24th-26th to make cancer a global priority. The growing global network of advocates spurred by this Summit has committed roughly $200 million in fresh investments, just as a start. Government commitments are estimated in the billions. While financial contributions are obviously important, other leaders will be using the Summit to announce significant policy shifts, advocacy campaigns or direct services to survivors. So, the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Summit is providing the license and platform in which to highlight great advances and collaboration on the next steps for action.
Some examples include:
Jordan:
$300 million for the King Hussein Institute for Biotechnology and Cancer, funding three cancer control initiatives, including creating an Office of Advocacy and Survivorship
Netherlands:
The Dutch Cancer Society will be introducing web-based clinical trials.
China:
The Chinese Anti-Cancer Association is planning to screen 530,000 women per year in 30 provinces
Brazil:
TUCCA (Brain Tumors Assoc. for Children and Adolescents), will be building the first pediatric hospice in Brazil
Australia:
$2 billion in the new Australian government budget for cancer control
LET’S CHANGE THE EQUATION
Building a social movement takes time, focus and ultimately an impassioned, consistent and active chorus of voices for change. LIVESTRONG has become a community for people from all over the world doing just that. While the Dublin Summit and continuing global campaign provide an occasion for elected leaders to tell their stories and exhibit truly innovative practices in combating this disease, it is also about individual advocates, multilateral organizations, NGO’s and community-based leadership all over the world working together. LIVESTRONG can only accomplish progress in partnership with others, collaborating across all sectors on prevention and innovative practices.
It’s so empowering to see individuals all over the world advancing this issue in the most creative ways. It’s also encouraging to see more leaders in power taking innovative steps. LIVESTRONG chooses lead as a source for inspiration, knowledge and by offering the tools to build this newly emerging global social movement.
What a great reason to ride again.
Thanks for all you do.
What's Possible... 