Friday, February 26, 2010 - Ryan

Well, the taper is almost over and race day is Sunday. I dont feel as prepared for Mardi Gras as I did Chicago, so I'm not expecting a new PR. Maybe this approach will help since I'm not nervous about the race at all. I'd just like to run this one under 2:55.

I did an easy 4 miles with Leanna Wednesday and have been resting since then. I might do an easy 2-3 miles on Saturday morning and then it's race day.

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Daily mileage: NA
Weekly mileage: 15.0
Miles on Lunartrainers: 59.0
Miles on Lunaracers: 98.8

Monday, February 22, 2010 - Ryan

The taper continues...

I ran 4 miles @ 8:27/mile with Leanna yesterday through Reunion. I ran in my Nike Free just to see how they felt on an actual run. They felt good, but I could tell they weren't as cushioned as my Lunartrainers. Needless to say, I won't be running Mardi Gras in them.

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Today, I ran an easy 6 miles @ 7:25/mile from work today. I'll probably do 5 miles tomorrow and maybe 3-4 on Wednesday before shutting it down until Sunday.

Daily mileage: 6.0
Weekly mileage: 6.0
Miles on Lunartrainers: 59.0
Miles on Lunaracers: 98.8

Sunday, February 21, 2010 - Ryan

Well, I've been enjoying the taper this past week. I did 5 miles @ 6:36/mile on Tuesday through Reunion. I really like running there because it's easy to get 5-10 miles in and there is no traffic at all, plus the terrain changes from flat to rolling hills, to steep, long hills.

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I did a short tempo workout on Thursday (4 miles @ 5:49/mile) and a cool down mile. I felt like I needed a good speed workout to give me a little more confidence for Mardi Gras next weekend.

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I've got an easy 7 miles today, and then another easy week next week before the race on Sunday.

Daily mileage: NA
Weekly mileage: 16.0
Miles on Lunartrainers: 53.0
Miles on Lunaracers: 98.8

Tuesday, February 16, 2010 - Ryan

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days. A lot has been going on. First and foremost, I got engaged to my wonderful girlfriend, so that was very exciting. Secondly, work has picked up a little, but not too much.

I got in my last long run before Mardi Gras on Saturday. I did a 15 mile @ 6:43/mile out and back from my house. I wanted to start off a little slower and then run hard the last 3 miles. All in all, a good last long run before the marathon. That gave me 46 miles for the week. Hopefully my speed will be there to break 2:48.

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I rested Sunday and then did 6 miles @ 6:31/mile yesterday in Reunion. This week will be full of 5-milers and an 8-miler this weekend.

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Daily mileage: 6.0
Weekly mileage: 6.0
Miles on Lunartrainers: 43.0
Miles on Lunaracers: 98.8

Friday, February 12, 2010 - Ryan

First of all, I want to wish my wonderful girlfriend Leanna a very happy birthday! She's such a blessing to me and I'm so thankful I get to spend another birthday with her. Hopefully the "white death" will subside so we can go eat tonight.

I was about to get in 8 miles @ 6:33/mile. It felt like a really good run for me. Not tempo fast, but faster than I do most of my 8-10 mile runs. I'm off today and then probably going to run 15ish tomorrow.

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I'm looking forward to starting my taper next week in order to have fresh legs for the Mardi Gras Marathon.

Daily mileage: 8.0
Weekly mileage: 31.0
Miles on Lunartrainers: 22.0
Miles on Lunaracers: 98.8

Wednesday, February 10, 2010 - Ryan

I tried to do some speedwork last night on the treadmill, but, due to my hatred of the treadmill, I failed miserably. I did 3 1-mile repeats and then called it a night. I just can't make myself stay on that thing. It doesn't matter what TV show I'm watching, I can't stop looking at the distance / time.

I had a great workout today. 9 miles total, broken down:

• 4 miles @ 6:44
• 4 x 800m repeats (400m jog between each)
• 2 miles of 1 minute sprint, 2 minute jog
• Cool down

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So far so good for the new Lunartrainers.

Daily mileage: 9.0
Weekly mileage: 23
Miles on Lunartrainers: 14
Miles on Lunaracers: 98.8

Monday, February 8, 2010 - Ryan

Today's schedule called for another 9 miles @ 6:45/mile. I did an out and back from the house at lunch time. My legs didn't feel too tired, which is a plus give my 22-miler on Saturday. I really tried to push myself on the hills today as well. I know Mardi Gras won't have any of those, but it still can't hurt to train hard on them.

I'm really going to buckle down this week with my training so I can be in top shape for the Mardi Gras Marathon in 3 weeks. I started taking my Race Caps Supreme today. I'm just not sure if my speed is there to run a PR in NOLA, but I'm hoping I can find it before 2/28.

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Hopefully my new Lunartrainers will come in today or tomorrow. Mine have about had it.

Congrats to the Saints on winning the Super Bowl, and if you didn't see Jay-Z at the beginning singing an opera-style remix of "Run This Town", look it up.

Daily mileage: 9.0
Weekly mileage: 9.0
Miles on Lunartrainers: 379.0
Miles on Lunaracers: 98.8

Sunday, February 7, 2010 - Ryan

I had a great 22 miles @ 7:23/mile long run yesterday with Jerry. We ran the first 15 miles at a steady pace (~7:30/mile) and then we did 10 1 minute intervals (2 minutes rest after each) and then a ~2 mile cool down. I saw that workout on Josh Cox' Twitter, so I thought I'd try it out. It really helps make the second half of a 22 miler much more manageable. Today is a recovery day and then back at it on Monday.

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I did some tempo on Thursday, but it was too short to even comment. 4 miles total including warm-up and cool down.

Also, my Hammer Nutrition Race Caps Supreme came in today, so I'm excited to see if those work. I'll let y'all know.

Daily mileage: 0
Weekly mileage: 46.0
Miles on Lunartrainers: 370.0
Miles on Lunaracers: 98.8

Thursday, February 4, 2010 - Ryan

It's good to have Garett back in action. Taxi is supposedly having a treadmill delivered this weekend, so that should get things going with him. Nathan has proclaimed that he's been running / cross-training, so we shall see.

I had a great 10m @ 6:58/mile last night through Reunion. I really enjoy running at night due to the lack of traffic in Reunion and the temperature last night was perfect. However, the night can't hide the hills. Overall though, my legs felt really good.

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I've got to do a tempo run today and since it's raining, I'll probably be doing that at the gym.

Also, I picked these up yesterday on eBay for $76.50 with free shipping. This is my 3rd pair of Lunartrainers, so I must say I'm quite a fan.



I found this article on the ideal racing weight. Very interesting read.

Daily mileage: 10.0
Weekly mileage: 20.0
Miles on Lunartrainers: 346.0
Miles on Lunaracers: 98.8

I'm Back!!!

And much like MJ's return to hoops my return to the road was disappointing at best. My new 12 week program (http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/inter.htm ) called for a short 3 mile jaunt today. Let's first mention it's been about 12 days since I ran, and even longer than that since I've done anything outside. I knew it was a bad run, just not sure how bad until I checked my garmin http://connect.garmin.com/activity/23886577.

I am beginning to think I might have bit off more than I can chew with this training program. No worries, we're just going to push on through. It should be interesting from here on out.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010 - Ryan

The road to the 2010 Chicago Marathon has begun. So far, Taxi, Garett, Leanna, and I have signed up to run (still waiting on Nathan). I'm really looking forward to this for several reasons:

1. Leanna hopefully can qualify for Boston so we can run it together next year
2. It's Taxi, Garett, and Nathan's first marathon
3. If training goes well and the conditions are right, I'd like to run in the low-2:40s

In terms of training, my schedule called for 10 miles @ 6:52. I decided to run from the house, down the trail, down Pear Orchard, and back. My legs felt a little tired, but nothing too bad. I'm thinking another run similar to this tomorrow, then maybe a tempo run on Thursday.

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Also, Sammy Wanjiru is running the RNR Mardi Gras Half Marathon. He is the current world record holder in the half marathon (58:33, or sub 4:50 / mile pace). Ryan Hall (the current American half marathon record holder) was supposed to run as well, but he backed out after a "lackluster" 1:04 half marathon a few weeks ago. That would've been a great race. If the conditions are right, Wanjiru has a shot a lowering his world record again.

Daily mileage: 10.0
Weekly mileage: 10.0
Miles on Lunartrainers: 336.0
Miles on Lunaracers: 98.8

Monday, February 1, 2010 - Ryan

I can't believe it's already February 1. You know what that means, registration for the Chicago Marathon officially opens today. It should be open for a few weeks so I think we'll be ok if we don't sign up today, but Leanna and I are going to sign up tonight.

In terms of training, last week was one the best I've had in a while. 61 total miles with a good mix of speed work, mid week distance, long runs, and easy runs. I'm taking today off and then doing an easy 10 miles tomorrow. I'll probably mix in a tempo run as well sometime this week.

Also, it's probably time to start looking for a new pair of Lunartrainers considering I've crossed the 300 mile mark on these.

Daily mileage: 11.0
Weekly mileage: 61.0
Miles on Lunartrainers: 326.0
Miles on Lunaracers: 98.8