Look what I found.

This looks incredible!  Check it out:

http://www.newenglandorienteering.org/

It's my dream come true.

...and there's one next week in Waltham if anyone wants to join me.

http://www.newenglandorienteering.org/index.php/events-schedule/icalrepeat.detail/2012/04/07/166/54%7C55/neoc-prospect-hill

It never gets old.

Driving west on RT 34 into Estes Park

Long's Peak

Sun rising on the Ten-mile Range over Lake Dillon

Story time

Gather 'round kiddies and I'll tell you a tale from my younger days.

Way back in the Spring of aught-twelve, I sort of fell off of the running wagon, if you know what I mean. Now, back in those days, if you wanted to get somewhere, you ran. You ran to the post office, you ran to the bank, you ran to the grocery store, you ran to the gas station. If you wanted to get some place you were going, you see, you ran. Now, when I say I fell off the running wagon, that's not to be taken literally, you understand, because a running wagon just doesn't make sense. No, I mean I stopped running for some reason. Some say it was the warm snap we had that winter. Some say I just couldn't take the diet of easily digestible proteins and roughage. Some think I just couldn't take it anymore. Whatever the case may be, I stopped running for a spell. Anyway, 'come late March and I was running out of stamps and gas. So, time came to hike up my breaches and beat feet.

Now, back in those days, you understand, I liked to go fast, and sometimes running just wasn't fast enough. So, every once in a while, when the wind was right and Uncle Sam was feeling generous (which wasn't very often, you understand), I'd go skiing. Whewwwwwwwwwie. Now boy, that's what I call fast. Sometimes, I'd ski so fast, I'd come right out of my socks and leave 'em up on the hillside. Then my feet would get cold, and I'd have to climb back up the hill, in the snow, backwards in my bare feet, just to get my socks again. Anyway, this particular March in mind, I had a break from schooling (and the wind was right), and I went out to Colorado to do me some skiing. Now, back in those days, a man of my stature had difficulty seeing on top of the refrigerator.... wait a minute, now. No, that doesn't have to do with this particular story. Don't you worry about the refrigerator. Now, where was I? .... Oh yes, Colorado. Well, while I was out there, I spent a couple days in the city of 'Mile High'. No, that's not right.... Mile High City; Denver, you see. So, while I was there, I figured, 'might as well go get me some stamps. So I took off arunning. I started with my right foot, because that right knee, you see, that's my best knee. And I kept arunning until I couldn't run anymore. Now, back in those days, you understand, running a mile above sea level could take the wind out of a man, so I got near on the end of the street and I couldn't run anymore. So, I had to improvise. I kept on a-walk-running for about 3 miles. You know something? I walk-ran around an entire lake and didn't see me one post office. So, the next day I did it again. Still no post office. So I figured I'd try in the mountains.

For four days, I skied out there in the mountains. 'lost my socks about eleven times. One time, I was going so fast, and the feller beside me was going pretty fast, and well I guess we just weren't paying attention, and our skis got all jimble-jamble and I took a digger. My right shoulder got banged up pretty good. (Not like my right knee, you understand. That's my good knee.) Anyway, my schooling break came to an end and I hadn't come by any stamps. For the life of me, I don't know what people out there do for mail. So, I came back down out of the mountains and made the long trip home.

When I got home (it was a Sunday, I think), I felt pretty good. Some say it was the warm weather they were havin back home. Someone said it was on account of me havin a higher "air-ith-row-sight count". I don't know about that. I don't remember pickin one up, but I know I didn't have one before I left. Whatever the case, I felt pretty good. I ran another 3 miles the next day, and then rested my weary legs for a day. Yesterday... I mean, that Wednesday, I woke up, eager to take my shiny new air-ith-row-sight count for a spin, so I took off arunning again. You know something? I ran for an hour and a half straight and felt pretty good about it. In fact, my left knee almost gave out before I got tired.  Not my right knee, you understand. That there's a good knee. Yessir, my left knee almost gave out, but my lungs never did. I'll never forget my run that day. That was a good run.

Anyway, I guess the moral is; don't fall off the running wagon or you'll run out of stamps. That's all I'm trying to say.

...and...

5 miles Wednesday
5.5 today

On another note, google didn't have any more Warrior Dash ads for me. I do have an ad for a private jet rental, though. Only $1550 for an hours rental. Where could I get in an hour?

Hope y'all have a great weekend!

just do it

There is something to be said for that phrase. I should just get off my butt more often. Here's what I've done lately:
2 weeks ago: 5 mile runs Sunday, Wednesday, Friday
last week: 5 miles Sunday & Thursday
This week 7 miles Sunday
... I need to just do it more often. I'm always glad when I have. At least I haven't gone more than a week without a run. It's actually better than before this blog started. I know that sounds like pittance to you real athletes out there, but I am trending in a positive direction.

I do have some good motivation. April Fools Day Cherry Blossom 10 miler along the Potomac in DC. Should be lovely! I hope the cherry blossoms don't come too early this year with the crazy warm weather. I'll let y'all know how it goes.
http://cherryblossom.org/

Looking forward to the Bal'mer marathon too Hon!

Funny story. So, I keep getting ads for the Warrior Dash and other extreme races from google. I think it's because of this blog. I'll just try writing Warrior Dash a few times and see what ads pop up next.
Warrior Dash. Warrior Dash. Warrior Dash. Warrior Dash. Warrior Dash. Warrior Dash.
... I'll keep you posted on my experiment.....

Love you all! Sorry I'm so random.

Agamenticusessicus

Fran, 'never tried the yoda thing, but then again, I've never been that flexible. It sounds excruciating. I reckon it's about time to show my racing calendar for the year. That way, y'all will know to what end(s) I'm striving. Actually, my first planned race isn't for several months, so there should be no excuse on my part to be unprepared. Here's the plan:

June 30; http://aggieman.org/

August 11; http://www.spartanrace.com/spartan-sprint-obstacle-course-race.html

... and we'll see about October 13; http://www.thebaltimoremarathon.com/ , but no promises yet.

Next year? http://www.untamedne.com/ ????

There may be other 'little' races here and there to gauge how training is coming along, but these are the benchmarks. Also, as always, the more the merrier, so if anyone wants to join me for a race or two, please do.

So, I discovered yesterday that 40 minutes of yoga is not for the weak. It looks easy. Not so easy. I hurt. The British lady tells you to balance your legs on your arms and inhaaaaaale.
Anyway, this is what I have so far for this week:
Monday: 2.4 miles tempo
Tuesday: 3.5 mile steady
Wednesday: 3.8 miles with a friend
Thursday: aforementioned yoga - 40 minutes.
Friday: yet to be determined

Hope you're all doing well! love

Massholes

Please don't take the title to imply that I condone the use of this vulgar derogative on a regular basis. However, in its own blatantly connotative way, it epitomizes MA drivers. Last Thursday, I had some free time between breakfast and work, so I went for a ride. About 10 miles out, I was skirting what little shoulder there was of the road when a string of vehicles, going in my direction, came around the corner behind me. The first few drivers did as many sensible MA drivers would; that is, drive past me without acknowledgement of my presence. That's OK. I am now used to the rush of wind that follows a car passing close by, or the feeling of my heart in my throat as side-view mirrors nearly nick my elbow. However, midway through the string of passing cars was a large pickup truck with MA plates. Instead of passing by so close that I could see what radio station was on, the driver pulled up behind me (two wheels on the dirt shoulder) so that his front bumper was very near my rear wheel, and honked his horn repeatedly. Eventually, he grew tired of this peacock display of alpha-masculinity and pulled back onto the road and past me. In addition to the obvious hazard had I slowed down, he was holding up traffic behind him. Anyway, I got his plates.

Now that that is off my chest, here's my week in review:
Wednesday: plyometrics x30 mins
Thursday: 15 mile cycle
Friday: nothing really
Saturday: 9-mile tempo run
Sunday: 4-mile, 8 min pace
Monday and Tuesday: a particularly difficult Chemistry problem set.
Today: 4-mile speed drills: 2 mile bicycle run, 2 mile lamp post drills (gradual incline/high knees, gradual decline/fartleks, flat/80% intervals, steep incline/100%)

As you can see, there were a few slack-off days there in the middle, so hopefully the upcoming week will see improvement.

GO PATS!!!

Just getting started

Great idea for a blog MacLeod #5! I could really use some accountability.

Disclaimer: This post is not applaud for my current laziness. Instead, I hope (*plan*) to look back on this in 2 months and see that my discipline has improved.

Last week:
After 2 hrs of ice skating on Saturday, I discovered some areas of my quads that had been hithertofore under-appreciated. Feeling uncomfortable most of the week, here's what I did:
Tuesday: Ab work-out: 60 crunches, 20 sit-ups, 30 push ups and 40 4-count flutter kicks, in batches of 20 each (Thanks to GB for this idea!)
Thursday: 5 mile run at tempo pace
Fri/Sat: stressed out over deadlines

This week:
Mon: still under deadlines
Tuesday: LOVELY 5.5 mile run in our 60+ degree day!

More to come.....

... and week 2... plus some...

So, after much inner turmoil at my inability to find the magical button that allows other authors to this blog, I believe I have found it. You folks should be getting an email invitation (I assume that's how this works.) Let me know if you don't.

Well, it's getting late, 'got home from class, ran, made dinner, and want to crash, so here's my week in review:

Monday (last week) - 2-mile tempo run, 40 shoulder-width push ups
Tuesday - 1-mile warm up, 15 min speed drills: 50 meters each of high knees x2, fartleks x2, karaoke (each side) x2, lunges, skip x2, standing jump x2, steam engine x2 (I'll show you, it's pretty cool). 1/2 mile tempo, then intervals (straights and curves) x10. 1-mile cool-down.
Wednesday - Not much of anything
Thursday - plyometrics 30 min, 1 min break between each drill
Friday - 4-mile tempo run
Saturday - strenuous mental workout
Sunday (this week) - B-a-u-tiful day so 23 mile bike/15 mph average (tried out the Peabody Bikeway, good trail, but ends at the mall, not an ideal location from which to bike home. Won't be doing that again.)
Monday - 4 mile tempo run (two big hill sprints at the end [feel the burn]), 30 shoulder-width push ups, 2 min plank.
Today - 2 mile race-pace, 1 1/2 mile speed drills, 1/2 mile cool-down, food, sleep...

Welcome to the blog

Hello one and all! This is the beginning of, what I hope will be, documentation of a long and arduous preparation for one race, then many more to come. (This is my first blogging attempt, so bear with me.) The race for which I'm training may or may not be the same for the rest of you, but hopefully, we can at least follow each other's training schedule, and consequently hold each other accountable to it. (MacLeod #6's idea.) So, without ado, I'll kick things off with my workout today:

30 shoulder-width pushups
30 4-count flutter kicks
20 crunches
30 wide-arm pushups
30 4-count flutter kicks
20 crunches
30 body-weight squats
20 diamond pushups
1 1/2 min plank
30 body-weight squats
5 min standing twists with 6lbs
30 6lb squats.

Not much, I know, but again, this is the beginning. The gauntlet is thrown.