December Running Challenge - Day 24

Merry Christmas Eve! I'm guessing that Santa didn't want me to run today because he left a sheet of ice outside, and he knows how much I HATE treadmills. Not to worry though...my pups needed to get their run in outside, and so we did. I took one of my older pairs of Brooks running shoes and made a set of "screw shoes". I went to Ace hardware and picked up some 3/8 inch hex head screws, which really did the trick nicely. 20 screws into the bottom of each shoe and we were off. I immediately noticed where the screws were missing, I really didn't have too many up front, which is where you push off. So it wasn't the fastest run, but we finished it! We ended up going just over 5 miles at a 7:14 pace. I'm sure people were looking at me as if I was an idiot, which may be true, but the dogs appreciated it! Here is a picture of the "screw shoes" before I added some more screws, so this is what I ran with this morning.

When I got back from my run, I hopped onto the bike for a bit just to loosen up the legs. After some of last nights kicking at masters swim my hip flexors were feeling a bit sore. I didn't ride too long because I had to take part in a tradition that we have been doing since we were kids.

On Christmas Eve my dad used to take off of work early and when he got home we would all walk to McDonalds for lunch. So we continue to do this now. It is the one time of the year that we eat McDonalds, and all it takes is one time a year to remind me why I don't eat there. I see the bag sitting on my table and I'm ready to yack! How do people eat that crap weekly, and for some daily? I'm not saying it tastes particularly bad, but the remorse after eating it is huge! Thank goodness I ran and biked today because otherwise I would feel like a complete piece of crap.

I took some pictures of my work from the basement...needless to say I'm a bit proud.

The bikes...

It's nice to have guard dogs who look after your stuff...

The new trainer set up.

Complete with the road bike, ready to watch some Top Gun.

Merry Christmas everyone, the challenge has a week left...I think I'll keep going though, we'll have to see when January 1st arrives.

December Running Challenge - Day 22 & 23

And the challenge continues! Still going strong, and at this point in time I'm just shy of 107 miles for the month...heck and there are still 8 days left. I never thought that I'd be around 150 miles for the month, but it looks like that's where I'm going to end up. Yesterday's run was pretty uneventful, but today's...sucked! I wanted to run easy because I rode on the computrainer this morning and I'm swimming tonight, but the run was not all that easy. The pace was much slower than usual (7:16) but the effort was still there...you see it was snowing/raining/sleeting and the roads sucked. Of course I had to venture outside, not only because I hate treadmills, but because I had to get the dogs their run as well. My crazy pups are at over 100 miles for the month as well, not too shabby. The best part of my run is the fact that it's done! I would have to imagine that I gained something from today, and this is a run that I'll need to look back upon when the weather is nice and I don't feel like running. If I can suffer through the crap that was today, I need to enjoy the good days.

Yesterday I rearranged the basement. I wanted to do something different with the layout, I wasn't quite sure but had an idea. My idea turned out better than I could have expected. I was able to get the bikes hung up neatly, in a corner, and out of the way. I think it looks kind of sweet myself, but I'm a huge dork as if you didn't already know that. I also have a little tv set up only for when I ride on my trainer, a nice little touch as well. I split the cable and ran the wire to a few different places in the house, so now it shouldn't be all that difficult to run into my bedroom, that will be a project that I tackle next week. Heck I may even put it into all of the bedrooms, it's like having the cable split, and split again and again and again...you get the picture. Whatever the picture looks fine to me so I'm cool with it. Susan was nice enough to frame a poster that I had gotten from Ironman Coeur 'd Alene back in 2008. So it's in this nice frame that I have to hang up on the wall...probably right by my new bike set up. Alright time to chill in the basement and watch some old footage of different Ironman Hawaii races...2008 right now, then who knows maybe 2007 and 2006 to finish up the day.

December Running Challenge - Day 21

Day 21 of the challenge brought the longest run of the month. Like I said yesterday, I am going to run at least 7 miles each day for the rest of the month. So the pups and I headed out, unsure as to the route we were going to take we went the usual way, and then just kept going, doing a loop which we often did for Ironman training. My legs were feeling good, and I really enjoyed my run today. I ended up running 7.1 miles at a 6:44 pace. The nice thing is that I know I could have gone harder, but at the same time I could have stayed at that pace for a lot longer! This running challenge has been awesome. I'm already over 94 miles for the month and will end up well over 100 when it's all said and done (actually after tomorrow I'll be over 100).

Masters swim tonight...Hillard we have a new challenge planned for January. This will help you get into gear on the swimming front. The plan is 50,000 yards for the month, broken down means 12,500 yards per week. The way we can break it down easier is to do 4 swims of 3,125 (I think that's right, but I'm not the math guy so Susan could you check that for me?) Or some other combination. I'll draw something up and put it up here in the next couple of days. Of course we're going to keep a running base as well, so I'll add that too. This coming season should be fun!

December Running Challenge - Day 18, 19, 20 & Sponsorship News

It's been a busy weekend and start to winter vacation, but nice none the less. Friday was a super rushed afternoon/night. Right after school I came home, got my run in (5 miles), showered, drove up to Evanston for a wake, drove back home to meet Susan so that we could go to dinner with the Otahal's. Busy night, but fun none the less.

Saturday was Susan's birthday. Happy Birthday Susan! We had a nice and relaxing day, I was able to get up to get my run and ride in before we hung out for the day. Thank you Susan for letting me go ride! We went to the Flat Top Grill for lunch. I had never been there before, but really enjoyed it, next time I'm going to put less in each bowl so that I can try a bunch of different things. We then went to see the movie Invictus with Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. The movie was really good. It is just amazing to me how Nelson Mandela was able to stay so positive and was able to forgive people after what he went through. The man is a true inspiration and we should all try to take a step back to put everything back into perspective. A nice Mexican dinner and a game of Sorry wrapped up the night...yep crazy I know. I had a great time, so hopefully Susan did too.

Today, nothing huge, helped Cory with his house for a bit, didn't feel like running and my stomach was all jacked up right before I went. But I knew if I didn't that I would regret it so I went for a really easy run. It ended up being just over 5 miles at a 7:24 pace. It's nice when I can say that I went super easy, as in I felt like I was running 10 minute miles, yet it was still a 7:24 pace. I could have run at that pace all day long!

I have some good news. I am once again signed on with GU as a sponsor for next season, they have been simply amazing and I can't wait to team up with them once again. I can't believe the amount of support that I get from GU, and I truly believe it's helped me pick up my training and racine.

I also found out that I will be working with CycleOps. I have ridden a CycleOps trainer for the past 4 seasons, and have ridden with a Powertap since April. I'm excited to start working with CycleOps, and if you want to take your training/racing/fitness to the next level this definitely the equipment you will want to use!

Now that I'm on break I have a new goal for the remaining time of the running challenge. There are 11 days left and my goal is to run another 77 miles during those 11 days. I am currently over 87 miles for the month and if I add another 77 miles, not only will I have a huge month mileage wise, but an even bigger base heading into January...in which the base building continues.

335 Days until Ironman Arizona

December Running Challenge - Day 17

Easier run today...5 miles @ a 6:48 pace. It didn't feel easier though, the last bit took a little focus to keep up at that pace. So I know that I'm feeling a bit of yesterday's run still. Last day of school before break tomorrow, looking forward to it. I'm swimming with the boys swim team at school tomorrow morning at 5:45 a.m. should be interesting and I'm sure I'm going to be in some major pain. I'll let you know how it goes.