My last post was sometime back in June. My last day working for LCSS was on July 3rd. I spent a few days on vacation at the beach and then began a new job as Technology Officer for Flint Community Bank on July 9th. I'm thankful to God for the opportunity but do miss my coworkers. I'm doing the same job as I did with the school. The only difference is the working budget and urgency of most of the tasks. These days, banks never sleep and everything must remain in working order one way or the other.
My day is longer by an hour now and I have to drive to pick up one of my daughters each day which puts me getting home around 5:45 or so. My routine with running and riding has changed along with my eating habits. I've made some adjustments recently and gotten back out on my bike and running more but still a long way from where I was.
The big thing happening right now is that I'm getting ready for 3 Gap this weekend in Dahlonega. 3 Gap is a 58 mile road ride through three of the mountain gaps in north Georgia. It's one of the toughest rides around but also the funnest as you can reach speeds over 40mph coming down some of the hills. I will end up posting pics from this trip. I wish I had taken pics last year. Last year was my first year and my buddy and I have determined to make this an annual event for us.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Monday, June 11, 2012
Monday, May 28, 2012
NFC Training Update #8- Memorial Day
Below is a screenshot of today's ride.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Friday Post- Hopeful & Humbled
Another fine week has gone by and school is now out in Lee County. I'm back to riding solo in to Leesburg since my daughter is off for summer. Another big weekend is planned with a 20 miler on deck. I'm still riding off of my enthusiasm from last weekends 18 miler and feeling good about my prospects for the morning.
Thursday's run, like last Thursday's run, was again humbling. Because of time constraints I went out at 5pm for a six mile run. This was a mistake. I took something to drink but with the temp in the 90s, it was a very tough run and I was cooked. I ended up with 9:04min/miles but I had to take a cold shower and drink 32 ounces of water before I felt normal again. Running in that heat was exhausting and I could feel the sun sucking the moisture out of my body. You could feel yourself running through the waves of heat and humidity. My feet were so heavy that had a snake crossed the road in front of me, I may have tripped over it. It was a beat down.
On a brighter note, today is my rest day before tomorrows big run. I'm looking forward to it and being mentally prepared for a long run is more important at this point for me. Physically, I know I can hold up and will be well hydrated. Negative thoughts or an non supportive family can kill your drive and make you question yourself and your reasons for training. My good thought for tomorrow is me at the end of the run, making the final turn back on to my street and entering my driveway, tapping my finger on my phone to end the GPS capture of my run, and knowing that I'm done for the day.
Thursday's run, like last Thursday's run, was again humbling. Because of time constraints I went out at 5pm for a six mile run. This was a mistake. I took something to drink but with the temp in the 90s, it was a very tough run and I was cooked. I ended up with 9:04min/miles but I had to take a cold shower and drink 32 ounces of water before I felt normal again. Running in that heat was exhausting and I could feel the sun sucking the moisture out of my body. You could feel yourself running through the waves of heat and humidity. My feet were so heavy that had a snake crossed the road in front of me, I may have tripped over it. It was a beat down.
On a brighter note, today is my rest day before tomorrows big run. I'm looking forward to it and being mentally prepared for a long run is more important at this point for me. Physically, I know I can hold up and will be well hydrated. Negative thoughts or an non supportive family can kill your drive and make you question yourself and your reasons for training. My good thought for tomorrow is me at the end of the run, making the final turn back on to my street and entering my driveway, tapping my finger on my phone to end the GPS capture of my run, and knowing that I'm done for the day.
Monday, May 21, 2012
NFC Training Update #7
In the vlog, I mention running with my amphipod. In the pic below you can see my hydration pack and below that is the amphipod 20 ounce bottle that is filled with Nuun electrolyte.
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| pic taken just after 18 miler |
Friday, May 18, 2012
Friday Post- Exhausted
I'm six weeks in to training for this ultra and I'm beginning to get tired and exhausted. I've missed three weeks or better of getting on the bike so I've only been running. Yesterday's six mile run would typically be very easy but I made the mistake of going out hungry thinking that I would knock a quick six out and get back home for dinner. At mile three, I could only think of what a t-bone steak would taste like. I wanted to walk some coming back in but thankfully I had a friend come up on a bike and that kept me motivated to continue running and get it done. After finishing, I ate two dinners. I was starving! Then I took in 32 ounces of electrolytes and stretched out on the floor because my legs were burning.
The problem is I've not done any carb-loading or tried to eat any more than normal through this training. I've now decided to make sure I get my 64 ounces of water a day, carb-load the week of my long runs, and never run before I've had plenty to eat. I weighed myself yesterday morning and I was down to 192. I didn't set out to lose weight but am down 10 pounds since starting.
Tomorrow will be a big test with my longest run yet of eighteen miles. I'm praying my calves and ankles hold up. I'm still enjoying the benefits of running with my fitness and weight loss and luckily haven't started questioning myself on why I'm doing this.
The problem is I've not done any carb-loading or tried to eat any more than normal through this training. I've now decided to make sure I get my 64 ounces of water a day, carb-load the week of my long runs, and never run before I've had plenty to eat. I weighed myself yesterday morning and I was down to 192. I didn't set out to lose weight but am down 10 pounds since starting.
Tomorrow will be a big test with my longest run yet of eighteen miles. I'm praying my calves and ankles hold up. I'm still enjoying the benefits of running with my fitness and weight loss and luckily haven't started questioning myself on why I'm doing this.
Monday, May 14, 2012
NFC Training Update #6
Blah, blah, blah. Boring week as far as training goes. I missed last Sunday's run due to rain and I missed yesterdays run due to rain/mothers day/had to watch a chick flick with my wife type of Sunday.
No change in weight. I've settled in right at 195.
It was a 23 mile week that included an easy 10 miler (10.6) on Saturday at a 9:32 pace. It felt slower than that to me but these ten milers are easier and easier to run. I've got a tough 18 miler coming up this Saturday.
I ordered a hydration belt that has a single 20 ounce bottle that is supposed to be great for staying put and not bouncing around. I'm going to carry this for the purpose of having an electrolyte drink. This should help me get through the long runs without cramping due to loss of water. Despite the fact I drink two liters of water over 16 miles, I get cramps because I believe I'm losing it faster than I'm replacing it.
With any luck, I'll drink the electrolyte from this over the run and be able to find somewhere to refill it and add another nuun tablet to it for the remainder of the run.
No change in weight. I've settled in right at 195.
It was a 23 mile week that included an easy 10 miler (10.6) on Saturday at a 9:32 pace. It felt slower than that to me but these ten milers are easier and easier to run. I've got a tough 18 miler coming up this Saturday.
I ordered a hydration belt that has a single 20 ounce bottle that is supposed to be great for staying put and not bouncing around. I'm going to carry this for the purpose of having an electrolyte drink. This should help me get through the long runs without cramping due to loss of water. Despite the fact I drink two liters of water over 16 miles, I get cramps because I believe I'm losing it faster than I'm replacing it.
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