Catching up

Well it's been a while since I posted anything, so I figured I would just touch base out there.
Well the training continues, although I do have to say that I haven't been in the pool for a bit.  I was trying to go 2 or 3 times a week, coupled with the mileage on the roads and the refereeing that I do.  A lot of my co-ref's ask me why I sprint following the ball.  I do it mostly to get somewhat of a sprint workout in.  I generally do anywhere from 3 to 5 games a day (when I do do them) and I have read that a player will generally run 1.6 miles a game and since the ref's dont get any time off (but generally will run 3/4's of the court, I simply track it as 1 mile per game as a sprint workout. 
Anyway, I just have to concentrate now on getting some of the weight off, and slowly creeping up my mileage base by the end of March.  By mid-March I will get back in the pool and I can hit the bike in April.
That will give me 10-12 weeks before my first triathlon in 11 years, and hopefully a Trail race or two or three or what else I can find this summer and fall.
Until then, Be Well ~ Sank

Still going and going ....

Ok well maybe I am overstating things here but here it is the 25th of the month and I am still going.  The weight doesn't want to seem to drop (although in truth I'm not really watching what I eat) and the speed isn't dropping, but I'm still out there.
I have even started hitting the pool a bit, I even went so far as to sign up for a membership for a (slightly smaller than normal) hotel lap pool fitness center.  So instead of 25 yards it's 20 but who the hell cares.
The runs are ok, nothing special, but I am out there still banging away.  Been a bit tough with the consistent snow 2 or 3 storms a week (making it a bit slippery) although I have to say that the Yaktrax that I had won in a blog giveaway last year, work pretty well when there isn't any dry spots on the pavement.  I hadn't had the chance to try them last year with my neck (pre-surgery).
Oh well, still haven't decided on the triathlon this summer or not, but it hasn't been rulled out either.
Until I get to the keyboard again,
Be Well ~ Sank

Off to a good start

Granted it is still in it's infancy but I am proud to say that I am still plugging away at my 31 day test run and have hit the pool twice. Now they definitely wasn’t the return of Michael Phelps, but both times was able to get 3 sets of 500, and felt pretty damn good doing it. The numerous snow storms (the last one dropping 20 inches) has made running a bit of a challenge, but I am still excited about getting out and doing workouts.
A little past halfway thru January and we will see how it goes. No biking for a LONG time, not unless Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow and quick, but for now; sneakers and goggles.
Be well ~ Sank

Starting anew

Well after a long drawn out "break", I honestly believe by the need of a mental not a physical break, I am back at it.  This time however I am coming out of this break with a goal. 

Near mid-December, Nancy (my wife) asked me about doing the Timberman Tri with her next August '11.  After talking about it a while, we both realized that it is more important for me to be her "pit-crew" than participating with her.  But it did get me to thinking about jumping back in the Tri pool (no pun intended) again. 
Seems like yesterday, but it actually was about a 4 or 5 year span back in the mid-80's when I was doing about 7 to 10 races a year.  Although I did actually do the Sharon MA Triathlon back in 2000.  But that was more of a curiosity race, as my training and poor running portion showed.

So I am giving myself 31 days (starting January 1st) to see if the desire I had in December (and now 7 days and 3 runs in) is still there and I actually want to give this a go.  Hopefully by this time next week, I will have 3 more runs (not counting the miles I put on refereeing) and at least 2 swims under my belt.

Well, til then
Be Well ~ Sank

Beating myself up.

You know sometimes you just have to sit back and realize when you are, for lack of a different term, being lazy.  Now I'm not saying that I have done nothing and just propped up in front of the TV; but I have NOT been out on the roads, except for once this year.

Now I have been refereeing a ton for the past several months, including 9 games this weekend.  That coupled with Hannie's basketball team in full swing, at least I have been somewhat mobile.  But the cold, snow, rain, tough trail conditions, daylight savings, early nights; have made it just to easy to jump in front of the computer and goof around on either Facebook or Warcraft.  Yeah I'm a gamer, though after my 8 month hiatis I am not spending near the time I did before.

But that all has to change.  I felt so much better getting out there and running.  The legs and knee are feeling pretty damn good after refereeing and refereeing usually brings out the worst in the them.  Nancy has asked me to do the Timberman Triathlon with her in the summer, and I have to start hitting the pool and roads to get my endurance up.   I did my last one 10 ('gulp' is it really ten) years ago, and although I did it ok for the limited training, I swore to myself that I would never do another one without an adequate base.

Hopefully posting this (and staying with posting) will keep me on track.  Feel free to send me grief or support or congratulations or whatever you think is appropriate at the time.

Be well - Sank

VO2 and anchovies

I was entering my training run on Running ahead and I noticed when I enter the time as well that it comes up with my VO2 Max for that particular run. Well it has been a very long time since I was a true running junkie (geek story to follow) and I had forgotten all about VO2 and latic acid, blah blah blah. So I hit google and it comes up with many a thousand hits, and off I go. Seems that for my age and training level that it is actually not to bad for right now.


I am actually pretty happy with this week. Started out poorly (well if taking a few days off to take care of a screaming IT problem is consider being poor) but with resting for a few days and tonite's crazy schedule is going to make getting out fairly difficult. But now with two runs both right in the low 8:20's pace, my feeling is that this is a very strong indicator for me that my footwork is improving. Am planning on getting in some LSD's this weekend, and maybe a Fartlek here and there. Have to watch that knee, but hopefully I am on the mend.  But back to the VO2 part, that my numbers seem to be going up as my times are going down.  Just another thing to play around with. 

Now for my geek running junkie addict quick story: Many a moon ago when "Boston" Bill Rodgers was dominating the marathon scene, I was grabbing every publication and newspaper that I could get my hands on about Bill, the Boston Marathon, Nutrition, what have you. Well I read one day that Bill's favorite pizza was anchovies and green peppers. I can tell you that the local House of Pizza wasn't quite ready for the near-daily orders of A&GP pizzas. Didn't help my running much, but they were pretty damn tasty.

Happy training all and as always, Be well - Sank

Happy Fall Everyone! (plus training update)

Well Summer is over, and the sound of the birds chirping as you run down the trails will be replaced by the crunching and rustling of the colorful autumnal leaves on the ground. 

Well I have officially given up on my 100 mile month goal for September but rather to build up my knee so that I can survive the winter and my goal of Boston in 2010. 

On another goal setting front, Nanc has announced her goal of running the Timberman Sprint Triathlon in 2010, so who knows maybe I will jump back into doing a few Tri's again.  She has always wanted to do one, am I am very proud of her for picking one.  Which as you know, picking the race is the first and biggest step.  Well heading out to run in the sleet and cold of a New England winter maybe the biggest step, but you know what I mean.

Well can't wait to lace them up this aft/evening.  Be well - Sank

                                                                                                                                                               
Amended 7:08pm EST - Just got back from running one of my beginning routes.  I decided to do this loop (albeit less than 3 miles) as I have had some luck with the knee the last few days with the PT exercises and my right ankle was fairly happy from the 2 days rest.  Besides that, I had gotten home late and had to take my son, Kevin, to swim practice and only had a few extra minutes or I was either going to have to skip it or run in the dark (not fun since we live on a fairly busy road).  Wow talk about making a short story long. 

So I lace up and off I go on the Tremont Street loop.  And surprisingly I felt great so I decided to just go with it.  It was just one of those nights when things came together and I actually average 8:22/mile WITH stopping twice to tie my shoes.  I am very psyched!

Good night all & 'til then, be well - Sank