Week 5: Summary

This is more detail than you are interested. So, I am blogging just for my record.

• I have lost 4 pounds from the start of my training. I have not set a goal nor am I interested in pursuing any weight loss program. All I want is a healthy mind in a healthy body. Rest are all details
• When I am running, my heart rate used to stabilize around 170 beats/min. This is really high. That was because I never had done any cardio workouts for a long time. After 3 weeks into regular training, I noticed that it is getting stabilized at 157-159 beats/min. Starting this week, I am planning to incorporate more X-training/non-impacting cardio workouts. That should help me pull down the equilibrium heart rate even down. This is very important because lower this stabilized rate, longer I can run without getting tired.
• Training for a running event is more about general fitness and less about running per se (2 days of running out and 4 days of cross training and core workouts). I would not have known this on my own. This is where most of the on-your-own tryouts fail. When I prepped (bootless attempt) for Big sur marathon, I tried running all 5 days and by the 2nd week got all kinds of pains and dropped out.
  
• In the coming weeks, I have to focus on weights training. My aim is to get through the push ups without wussing out (like I did last Tuesday ;-))

Peace
sai

Fundraising: 1/4th done, 3/4th to go

I am really moved and humbled by all the support I am getting from my friends, colleagues and family. Thanks to your generous contributions, so far we have raised $1,100 for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. We have ways to go and I will be following up with you, gently reminding you, nudging you, nagging you, begging you and threatening you in the following weeks :-) But those who have contributed so generously, I thank you. Your support will keep me motivated in getting my lazy bum out and run.

In fact one of my friends mentioned that if I did not complete the marathon, I have to repay double what he contributed. Now, that's a wager that will keep me focused :-)

The fund raising page is alive, up n running at http://pages.teamintraining.org/sj/rnrseatl09/sgopalakrishnan

Peace out,
sai.

Week5: 8 mile run!

The TNTers met at Almaden Lake Park in San jose. There were several options depending upon the program we are training for. We can do 4 miles/6 miles or 8 miles run. Since I was prepping myself mentally for a 8 miles run this week, I went all the way. It is a circuit with 4 miles end to end. There were mile markers every mile and a lot of mentally motivating chalk-marks on the way. So, it did not really feel like 8 miles. Every 2 miles there was a water stop (water + some electrolyte crap). At 4 mile marker, there were Cliff gel packets. I liked it better than the Power gel. I finished the 8 miles in 1:40 minutes (12 min mile). I don't think I will be able to improve the time a lot. But with more core workouts (without cheating) and stretches, I can improve the comfort level post run. And that's all I care about.

When I first read the schedule, I thought this was nuts. 3 weeks into formal training, and they want us to run 8 miles! Now, I trust those guys know what they are doing. In 2 weeks from now, we are doing 10 miles run in Coyote Creek. That's the next milestone!

Peace,
sai.

Week5: Coach's workout

The first 2 sessions at the Los Gatos High school tracks were a breeze. The coaches showed us some stretches and the runs in the tracks were not continuous as well. So, I was expecting similar easy workout this Thursday. Boy, was I in for a rude awakening ! The workout started with 2 rounds warm up and stretches (So far ok.. no complaints). The the coach said we are going for a 6 min run (2 to 2.5 rounds around the track depending upon your speed) followed by core strengthening workout. Earlier it used to be 6 min run followed by "loosening up". This time it was core bootcamp. 6 min run/coreworkout repeated 5 times. It got excruciating by the 2nd rep for me. So, I cheated in all possible manner on the core workout (I did my pushups with knees on the grass tee hee :-)).

Also because of the breaks in rhythm, I did not run as smoothly as I did my Tuesday run. This may also got to do with the food. On Tuesday, I had a good foot long sub sandwich 3-4 hours before the run. On Thursday I had fatty food (mattar paneer) for lunch. I have to some trial and error to find out. It is hurting till Friday.. Hope my sat run doesnt get affected due to this!

Sai.

Week5: OYO runs

On Monday, I just limited myself to simple indoor cross training. On Tuesday, I did a 4 mile circuit in my neighborhood. Because of the slopes, this run used to hurt my back and I never liked the timing in these runs. But training here helps my regular Saturday runs. Most of the Saturday runs happen in relatively flat conditions. I also changed my posture a bit with some help from my coach. So, this Tuesday I ran without any complaints. The stretches help phenomenally. So far, no injuries and no pains and that's what I want to report after the d-day as well :-)

Peace,
sai.