Training week #1

Training for the marathon has begun! After a short break from running and blogging, I am back and raring to go. We are following the training schedule in Dave Kuehls’ book “4 months to a 4 hour marathon" (see schedule below). Tuesday I ran 3.5 miles and managed to squeeze in an arm & ab workout to make up for not doing anything on Monday. See, I am already mentally modifying the program to suit my laziness. I was really looking forward to doing some CT (cross training) with this program, but Keith has dismantled my bike for the time being, in an attempt to update some of its 12 year old parts. So, what to do for CT while my bike is un-ride-able? Does cleaning my house count? Weeding the planting beds? Laundry? Probably not. Tonight is my speed workout night. Could be frightening! I am heading to the cinder track near Ft. Ben after work to see how it goes. I may have to opt for the treadmill if its too hot. Wish me luck!

5 on the Monon

If it's not the rain, it's the heat. Indiana weather is never predictable, thats for sure. Keith had baseball practice last night near Broad Ripple, so I tagged along, dropped him off and drove over to the Monon Trail for an easy 5 mile run. Easy... Yep. I would enjoy the scenery, the tree lined trail and just enjoy myself. That was the plan anyways. I started at Broad Ripple Avenue and headed south to 46th Street. The northern portion is usually so packed that its almost claustrophibic at times, while the southern portion is, well.... desolate at times. Anyways, my left calf really started to hurt and then my left foot, so I kept stopping to stretch it out. After 2.5 miles, I actually looked down at my feet to make sure I had put two matching shoes on because it just didn't feel right. Okay, I know some of you are laughing because thats exactly something Ditzy Brooke would do, but I checked and they totally matched. Phew! I think they were tied too tight, the weather was too hot and I didn't have enough water, but hey, I still got my miles in. I had to head into the northern portion for .5 mile to finish up, and finally, it was over. I stopped at the new Sunflower Market to buy some Temptation Soy Ice Cream, made by my friend Dan. If you can find it, try the Peach Cobbler - I think its seasonal, but its outta this world!! As a reward for my hard run, I had big plans for eating the entire tub of vegan ice cream (by myself) while I waited on Keith's practice to finish, but to no avail. They didn't have it so I was forced to put in a formal request that they start stocking it and had to settle for an iced tea instead. Oh well.

Its like rain on your long run day...

You know that song, “Ironic” by Alanis Morissette that goes:

It's like rain on your wedding (insert Long Run here) day
It's a free ride when you've already paid
It's the good advice that you just didn't take
Who would've thought... it figures.

That’s the song I was singing in my head while I was out running this weekend. I can’t believe how dreary and damp it was. My run Saturday was with Keith at Ft. Benjamin Harrison. The easy, slow 2 miler was run in the rain the entire time. It wasn’t too bad and actually made the hill we conquered seem that much easier.

Sunday I picked up Dave at 8am and we headed to Fall Creek Trail for a 7 miler. It was a chilly, 56 degree start to the run, but it was refreshing to be outside. We had the best run, chatting away while the miles seemed to just fly by. It rained sporadically throughout the 62 minutes we were out there, but it cooled us down and kept our minds off the task at hand. Just as we were heading back to the truck, the total downpour started, and we narrowly escaped. We are hardcore…. yep, that’s us.

Much to our disappointment, baseball as also cancelled for Sunday. We were expecting quite the crowd for Keith’s game, but hopefully they will be able to come to games later in the season.

Baseball Update

Keith’s baseball team, the Cubs, is currently 1-3, but the season is just getting started. He is playing AWESOME and his pitching is very impressive. Last weekend he played 3rd base, which was a nice change for him, and pitched (see picture above). I am learning more about baseball with every game!! We attended an Indianapolis Indians game last weekend and Keith got to explain some of the finer points of baseball to me.
His next game is 6/11 at Chatard High School at 3:30pm.