Taking Inventory

I just finished off a great first week for pre training It feels so great to be back on my feet pushing for a goal (stats will be posted at the bottom every week). Tremendous weather this week certainly made it easy for me to lace em up and get out there. Along the way this week however, I felt something was not quite right. It felt like I was working far too hard for my pace and distance. Perhaps you can relate and have struggled with your training at times as well. My breathing was up, my stride seemed more laboured, I just didn’t have a lot of zip, especially on the rolling hills portion. My easy long run pace is 8:30 – 9 min miles, I was well within that range. So, with that being said, I think I need to take a close look at my upcoming core training program, and my current pre train. Its great to just fire it up an get at it but to actually achieve goals and see some faster times, I need to have a plan based on where I am today.

So for the next few weeks, I’m going to do an inventory count with the heart rate monitor. Its truly a great measure of my current fitness level and a solid indicator of where I need to focus my training. If my easy pace is pushing 75% of my max HR then obviously that is not really an easy pace anymore. I’ll report back in the weeks to come.

Coming up, winter running gear. I have mastered it! I will actually video for you the gear you need for the both the temp & conditions. Its based on four years of winter running and several experiences of being a long way from shelter with the wrong gear on, so trust me, I have you covered here.

Check out the recipe of the week, its actually a sauce. Making a variety of good sauces is all you need. This one is a fav that I actually liberated from a local establishment here in TO.... enjoy!

TRAINING DIARY

Monday 21st – RUN – EZ 3 miles – tired

Tuesday 22nd – RUN – EZ 4 miles (8:40/m pace) - slow, sluggish

Wednesday 23rd – SPIN – 60min total (20 min Time Trial) – Total burn

Thursday 24th – RUN – EZ 4 miles – (8 50/mile pace) – slow, every sluggish

Friday 25th – OFF – Some walking and stretching

Saturday 26th – RUN – 60 min run (7 miles ez) – exhausted finish, felt better overall

Sunday 27th – SPIN – 60 min very EZ, for some stretching

Lets Get it Started!

Its on baby!

Officially, it all started today. The reinvention of the Hackwood started with a solid 45 mins on the new spinner (check out the pick).

I should have been on this years ago. This will be an integral part of the offseason program. I read all about proper spinning today along with the 20 minute time trial, which will give me an update on my fitness as we go, more on that later.

So here we go, I have decided to enter into some winter/spring racing for starters. These will be my midterm exams so to speak. I know myself well enough, there won’t be any studying going on if there aren't any exams! So here is what we have for the winter. I’m really pumped for this. Not kidding, I’ve put 10lbs back on in six weeks, I can’t have it. I won’t have it!

* Burlington Chilly Willy – Half Marathon – March 4th
* Race Around The Bay – 30K – March 25th - America”s oldest road race, and about as tough as it gets. Wasnt long ago I had to walk this one in ....redemption, must have it!

In order to really enjoy racing in the winter, you have to put in the time and effort to be ready. In a couple of weeks, I will need to lay down the pre training and training program to get er done.

The goal here is to hit the spring in solid form. Possibly take a shot at an early marathon, and get ready for some smaller tris.

Goals next week, set up the workout program and find a pool. Looking forward to sharing some thoughts, stories along the way to try to liven this up....

Check out the new additions....recipe of the week, inspiration of the month, goto reads....

I’m planning on throwing some vids, etc along the way, hopefully some funny stuff, cuz this is going to get old quick!

Stay tuned!

Goal Setting for the year ahead

One thing great about aging would be the genuinely profound realization I have of how precious time is. I suppose we become wiser, cynical, or both perhaps, but for me, right now, its all about time. What am I going to do with what  I have here. My son Levi, now already 15 months, walking, running, laughing, talking, communicating has certainly taught me the value of time. Born yesterday, a little boy today, and driving the car tomorrow. In a nutshell, thats what this 40th year of my life will be all about.  Its time for a challenge, its time to make a difference.

So, as I sit here, after several weeks off from any semblance of athleticism while stuffing chocolate covered almonds in my face at 11:30 PM,  its time to set a race plan for 2012 and more importanly an offseason workout plan along with some nutritional targets. 

Ciao for now

Hack

Hack