Ferris Brueher

Since my last update almost 3 weeks ago I took a trip to Seattle for a tradeshow.  The highlight of the week took place the night I arrived.  After a quick workout (more on that later) my co-worker Ricky and I met up with a couple friends to take in a Seattle Mariner baseball game.  I have to say that SAFECO is a very nice ballpark.  I was hoping for some bad weather to move in so I could see the roof close but no such luck.  I shouldn't say that because we had perfect weather that night.  Anyway, one of my friends that went to the game (Chris) mentioned that he had to skip a baseball game that his two boys were playing in.  To make things worse, he was supposed to umpire the game.  Luckily they found a kid to umpire so there was no forfeit.  Chris was saying that he felt like Ferris Bueller skipping school to go to a Cubs game.  The only thing that would make it complete would be to catch a foul ball.  Fast forward to the top of the ninth inning and a batter for the White Sox (don't remember who) lifted a high foul ball down the right side.  Sitting in my seat and watching the foul ball my thoughts were: that's going to be foul...that's coming at us...that is coming RIGHT at us...I'd better stand up...I'm going to catch this one!  I didn't end up catching it but, you guessed it, Chris caught it!  Well, I should say Chris got the ball.  The ball first smacked off the bicep of the guy next to Chris, who also happened to be the guy that got us the tickets for free!  After the ball hit the guy's arm, it went to the ground and landed right in his pile of french fries.  I'm not  making this up.  Chris scooped up the ball and, after offering it to the guy who already had a red spot and lace marks on his arm, held it up in the air.  I give you Ferris Brueher:

I guess that makes me Cameron.

I actually got my 30 minute runs in while I was in Seattle which is a bit surprising because I never feel like working out on the road.  The next week I started with another 30 minute run but then decided I needed to find a way to kick up my mileage.  I have been trying to run slower so that I can build up to longer runs but by the time I get done and look at my splits I find that I'm going faster as I run and am averaging just under 9 minute miles.  For my second run I decided to go back to intervals and walk 3 minutes, run 8, walk 2, run 8, walk 2, run 8, walk 2, run 8, and then cool down with 5 minutes of walking. this put me at 32 minutes running and 14 minutes walking and a total distance of 4.5 miles.  My overall pace was 10:17/mile.  At this point I decided that I don't like my warm-up/cool-down walks influencing my overall pace.  For this week I decided to leave them out of my calculations.  I also decided that my new interval training would be to run the first mile, walk 2 minutes, and then run the remainder of the mile.  I would continue the "2 minute walk/run remainder of the mile" interval for 3 more miles (putting me at 5 miles overall.)  I usually run a bit extra at the end to get me close to my office and so far this week I've covered 5.04 and 5.19 miles with an average pace around 9:30/mile.  Considering that I walked for 8 minutes of the 5+ mile run I'm happy that I'm still under a 10:00/mile pace.  My goal for the half marathon would be to average 10 minute miles for the entire race but we'll see how that goes.  Although I'm a little disappointed to be back to intervals I'm excited to be putting up more miles and hope to be up to 6 soon.  At some point I'd like to start decreasing the walking intervals but I'll probably wait until I'm up around 8 - 10 miles first.

Speaking of half marathons, good luck to Chris in his half marathon this weekend!

Nothing new

Well, since the couch to 5k program ended a couple weeks ago I've been sticking with the week 9 program of a 5 minute walk, 30 minute run, and 5 minute cool down.  I have been extending my run into my cool down but nothing major.  I did break the 4 mile barrier (including the walking) so I guess I need to start increasing the time/distance of at least one of my runs.  I had to run at the rec center twice this week because of weather (first rain and then wind) which I think is so boring.  At least running outside I have a good idea how much further I need to go since I typically run the same route.  When I run on the treadmill I find it hard not to stare at the screen to see how much time has gone by.  I'm planning on doing a 4 mile race on the 4th of July but I'd like to find a 5k to do before then.

I'm off to Seattle next week for a trade show so it looks like more treadmill running is in the cards for me.  I'd like to do some running outside in Seattle but don't really feel like dealing with traffic and pedestrians.  I am excited about going to a baseball game with some friend on Monday night.  One of my goals is to see a baseball game in every stadium so after next week I can check SAFECO Field off my list!

Graduation Day!

Almost 4 years ago Angie and I were blessed with the first of our two daughters L.  Although it's hard to believe that 4 years have gone by, I see how grown up she is and think it must have been more like 10 years.  We get to celebrate her birthday this weekend with a party at Little Monkey Bizness.  This place is basically like an indoor playground with a couple bouncy castles/slides mixed in.  It's madness.  There are kids screaming, kids running back and forth with smiles on their faces, kids riding tricycles around, big kids, little kids.  It's so funny to see the different reactions at this place.  On one hand there is L who wants to hold hands with either Angie or me and wants us to watch her the entire time.  Then there are the kids whose heads explode as soon as they step foot inside.  The parents open the door and that is literally the last time they see their kid for 60 minutes.  Then you have the parents.  Half of them go straight to the coffee bar and order the largest caffeine filled drink they can hold.  I'm sure they would add something a little stronger if they were allowed.  Then you have the parents that are sitting on the benches with their noses buried in their smartphones thankful for a few minutes to themselves.  Finally there is the group of parents standing next to  each other watching their kids who are screaming "WATCH ME!! WATCH ME!!"  I already know where Angie and I will be..."WATCH ME DADDY, WATCH ME MOMMY!"

Well, today I officially completed the couch to 5k program!  I actually followed the entire program to the letter with the exception of this Monday.  I was supposed to do a 5 minute warm up walk followed by a 30 minute run/jog, and then a 5 minute cool down walk.  Unfortunately I wasn't paying close attention to the weather and went out when it was 80+ degrees out.  I finally wore out after jogging 27.5 minutes and had to walk the last 2.5 minutes.  Doing most of my runs in the 50 and 60 degree weather I wasn't prepared for the heat.  I know I know, it's going to get hotter but I was hoping to ramp up to running in the heat, not a 20 degree change.  The rest of the week I went earlier in the day (while the temps were in the high 60s) and I did much better.

During the 9 week program I ended up walking/jogging just under 78 miles in just under 15 hours for an average pace of 11 minutes and 49 seconds.  That's not too bad considering every workout had a 5 minute warm up and cool down and the first 6 weeks of the program were interval training.  I actually had my best pace and distance today going 3.92 miles in 40 minutes.  Take out the warm up and cool down and I ran 3.29 miles at a 9 minute 7 second pace.  I'm not exactly sure what I'll do next week but I'll probably stick with the week 9 program for the first 2 workouts and then do some interval training aiming for a longer distance on the 3rd workout.

Projected 1/2 marathon time (repeating day 3 of week 9 workout): 136 minutes = 2 hours 16 minutes

1/2 marathon time goal: 2 hours 30 minutes

Eight is enough

I just wrapped up week 8 of my couch to 5k program and this week was a 5 minute warm up, a 28 minute run, and a 5 minute cool down.  Two of my three days were outside but I was forced to run on the treadmill on Wednesday because of rain.  I don't mind running in the rain but it was cold and windy as well so I decided to head to the rec center.  I ran/walked an average of 3.65 miles this week and will probably be just under 4 miles next week when the running interval increases to 30 minutes.  My knees haven't been feeling too great but I'm not sure if it's the running or the 4 softball games I played in 3 days earlier this week.  Hopefully they will recover this weekend and I'll be ready to go 4 miles on Monday.

Projected 1/2 marathon time (repeating day 3 of week 8 workout): 136 minutes = 2 hours 16 minutes

1/2 marathon time goal: 2 hours 30 minutes

Happy Mother's Day to my beautiful wife!

Jackpot

The Colorado Avalanche just had their biggest win since the 2001 Stanley Cup Finals and the season has been over for a couple weeks.  Although they finished the season with the 2nd worst record in the league they won the NHL draft lottery and will get the #1 pick in the upcoming draft.  Word is they will draft Seth Jones who is the son of former Denver Nugget Popeye Jones.  There is a great story about Popeye Jones running in to Joe Sakic in the halls of the Pepsi Center (back when Popeye was a Nugget) and asking the hockey great what camps he should sign his young hockey loving son up for.  Things now come full circle as Seth will play for a franchise where Joe Sakic acts as Executive Adviser.

Sorry for the lack of updates the past few weeks.  I was going to update last Friday but had to get home to take care of a sick 14-month old.  Week 6 started out easy enough with run/walk intervals (long run of 8 minutes on day 1 and long run of 10 minutes on day 2) and finished with a 25 minute run.  I know 25 minutes isn't a long time to run when you're training for a half marathon but it was probably the longest I have run (non-stop) in quite a few years.  With the 5 minute warm up and cool down walks I went a total of 3.26 miles.

Projected 1/2 marathon time (repeating day 3 of week 6 workout): 140 minutes = 2 hours 20 minutes

1/2 marathon time goal: 2 hours 30 minutes

Week 7 was the same for all three workouts; 25 minutes of jogging in between the 5 minute warm up/cool down walks.  The "Couch to 5k" program says that I "got over the Week 6 hump.  It gets easier and easier from here!"  Ummm, if easier means harder than I agree.  Two of the days actually weren't too bad but day 2 was really windy (I probably should have gone to the rec center) and I was dying by the end of my 25 minute jog.  Day 3 was perfect (low 50s and no wind) and I had my best distance and pace so far!  Including the warm up/cool down walks I went 3.43 miles and averaged a 10 minute 12 second mile pace.  If you cut out the walking I was at a 9 minute mile.  I know that's not great either (my cousin just ran a 5 mile race and averaged an 8 minute mile) but I'm happy.  I need to be around 11 minute 30 second miles for the half marathon to finish in 2.5 hours so I think I'm doing well.  I am a little nervous about my knees holding up for 13 miles because after these 25 minute miles my right knee feels like it's full of liquid an hour or two after I'm done.  We'll see how it hold up once I start moving to longer (1 hour) workouts.

Projected 1/2 marathon time (repeating day 3 of week 7 workout): 135 minutes = 2 hours 15 minutes

1/2 marathon time goal: 2 hours 30 minutes

I've never really had faith in treadmill distances so I've been using my own distance prediction but after week 7 of the "Couch to 5k" program I'm up to 55.6 miles traveled in 660 minutes and 30 seconds!

I'm over the NBA season so I'm not going to say much about the Nuggets other than the fact that they got knocked out of the playoffs in round 1 by the Golden State Warriors.  Steph Curry was on fire the entire season and the Nuggets showed that they are not a jump shooting team although they love to settle for jump shots.  Major need for the offseason: pick up a shooter.

Boston Strong

I just want to start out by saying my thoughts and prayers are with the people of Boston, the injured, and families of those that lost their lives on Monday.  This one definitely strikes a chord with me since, as you've been reading, I'm training to do a half marathon later this year.  I hear that Boston has completely shut down and told everyone to stay inside their houses as the manhunt continues for the second suspect (after the first one was shot last night.)  I have no doubt he will be found as you can't watch TV or look at the internet without seeing his picture, but I wonder if they will find him alive.  I know it's a morbid topic but I always struggle with whether I want them to find these guys dead or alive.  With the Newtown shooting you almost felt cheated that the coward shot himself and the families never got to face him in court but then, on the other hand, you get the guys like the Aurora theater shooter and the Jessica Ridgeway killer that are still alive and will use up tax-payer money to sit in jail for the next 60 years.  Oh, I just read a report that the Jessica Ridgeway killer entered a not guilty plea.  I don't understand this as he gave quite a detailed confession.  Does this just set the stage for a mental illness defense like we're going to get with the Aurora shooter?

On to happier topics, I only looked at this article because the player in the article (Todd Frazier) is on my fantasy baseball team but I'm sure glad I did.  On the bottom of the article there is a link to more background information on Teddy.  What a great story.  This is exactly what I needed after another depressing week for our country.

Well, I just wrapped up week 5 of my training and this is the week that I remember being worried about when I started.  The first two days weren't bad with a long jog interval of 5 minutes on day one and 8 minutes on day two but today was a 20 minute jog with no walk break in between.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that I can't jog for 20 minutes straight but it's quite a change going from 8 minutes max to 20 minutes.  Next week starts like this week with walk/jog intervals leading up to a 25 minute jog on day 3.  It's been cold and snowy all week so all my workouts have been on a treadmill so I know things will get tougher when I have to run outside.  The weather looks bad for early next week, snow on a Tuesday? shocker!, so I'll most likely be inside for the first couple days.

Projected 1/2 marathon time (repeating day 3 of week 5 workout): 144 minutes = 2 hours 24 minutes

1/2 marathon time goal: 2 hours 30 minutes (I'm guessing this will be my time goal for awhile)

Lovely winter we're having this spring

That about summarizes the past month.  I heard on the radio today that this is the third different snow storm we've had since April 9!  I know that we need the moisture and the roads haven't been too bad but I'm ready for some decent weather.  I see that it's supposed to clear up for a couple days and then snow again on Monday.  Ugh.  I guess I should come clean and let everyone know that the weather is my fault.  You know how it always rains the day after you get your car washed?  Well, I signed up for a spring softball league.  My bad.  The league plays on Tuesday nights and we started back on March 19.  We won that first game and haven't played since.  If you want to know when it's going to snow next, Tuesday is a pretty good bet.  After four (and counting?) straight weeks of snow-outs we're scheduled to play double-headers three weeks in a row.  If our double-headers get rained out I'm not sure what they will do.  Hopefully they decide to push the playoffs back a week instead of asking us to play four games in one night.  Ugh.

The weather last Monday and Friday was actually pretty nice so I got to run outside twice.  On Monday I ran a route that forced me to run the last 5 minutes uphill which, combined with the gusty wind, made for a rough finish.  On Friday I decided to go the opposite direction so that I went uphill during my warm-up walk and the workout felt much easier.  Here is my "end of week 4 update:"

Projected 1/2 marathon time (repeating week 4 workout): 150 minutes = 2 hours 30 minutes

1/2 marathon time goal: 2 hours 45 minutes

As I mentioned earlier the weather here hasn't been ideal for outdoor training so I've done treadmill workouts so far this week.  I'll give more details on week 5 when I wrap it up on Friday afternoon but this is the week that it starts to get more difficult.

We went up to my cousin's cabin in Bailey this past weekend and my oldest daughter, L, was introduced to Star Wars.  She and her cousin watched Episodes IV and VI and they LOVED it.  In fact, L now goes by Luke Skywalker and won't answer to her real name.  Because Luke's dad is Darth Vader, I am now Darth Vader.  Or should I say, "Door Vader."  Luckily, according to L...I mean Luke, I'm nice and we only fight in the movie, not real life!  I love that she loves the movies and it's so great that the movies are OK for my 3-year old.  Sure there are some scary parts, which she doesn't seem to find scary, but there is no bad language, no "adult situations", and no blood.  Too bad PG these days doesn't mean PG like it used to.