My First Marathon

Garmin Forerunner 405 in Black at REI

NJ — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:41:07 +0000

Okay, so I decided to make this my birtohday/Christmas present considering the cost of $299.00 without the heartrate monitor. I went to REI because if you’re a member you get 10% back at the end of the year for all your purchases. So I buy all my gear at REI, except my running shoes. I ended up buying the black Forerunner 405, I usually like the non-black colors, but once I saw this green in person it was just a little bit too light a green and leaned in my opinion to a (girly) color. I hope saying “girly color” doesn’t offend anyone, just trying to get a point across that this was my opinion.

I love this new toy/tool. I’ve used it for 4 runs now I think and today will be my fifth. I’ve gotten used to the basic functions but still have not played with the interval training settings that I need to do for the Boston Marathon training program I’m using. I’ve noticed this device is really helping me to pick up my pace because I can compare my lap times and know if I’m slacking or no. The heart rate monitor would be cool but I don’t know if I could get used to wearing yet another thing around my chest.

Bottom line, I love this new toy of mine and really think it will help me to reach my training goals and assist in my following such a strenuous training regime, well strenuous for me.

Garmin Forerunner 405- I Want It!

NJ — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 04:10:18 +0000

I’ve got to have a GPS watch with all the latest gizmos! I would go for the Garmin 305 but it’s just so darn ugly. The Garmin 405 is absolutely WOW! and I like the green one in case you’re wondering. This is now in my (I-Want-It) catagory of this blog. Unfortunately, this is the newest thing on the block so you can’t find any discounted, yet!. I don’t know how long I can wait, with my training in full time go I need the proper gear to track my progress and help me push it to the next level.

The Garmin 405 is absolutely WOW

Boston Marathon Training Schedule

NJ — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:55:00 +0000

trainingplan

17 weeks till race day. The Seattle Marathon is a Boston Marathon qualifier. Of course you must come in under specific times designated for your age group. For me to qualify for the Boston I would have to run the Seattle Marathon in 3:10 or less. Given that this is my first Marathon I’ll just do my best and see what happens. Originally I was thinking as long as I come in under 4 hours I would be happy. Now that I have been looking around the web for various training schedules I’m convinced I should be able to beat 3:45. Like I said including this week I have 17 weeks till race day, Nov 30th at 8:15 a.m. the Seattle Marathon will commence. I have started as of yesterday using the 14 week Boston Marathon training program. I will start on level 1 for my first Marathon and see where that gets me in terms of times level of enjoyment. The commitment is huge and really daunting so I will just take each day at a time. I’m on day two of the new program I am following and look forward to completeing this week with 41 miles under my belt for this training regime. I’ve taped a color print out of the Seattle Marathon course map to my mirror in my bathroom. I want this race to be on my mind first thing in the morning every morning.

More on Superfeet Running

NJ — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 05:12:41 +0000

Superfeet Running " data-medium-file="https://1moremile.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/img00058.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://1moremile.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/img00058.jpg?w=510" class="size-medium wp-image-31 aligncenter" src="https://1moremile.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/img00058.jpg?w=300&h=225" alt="Superfeet Running" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://1moremile.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/img00058.jpg?w=300 300w, https://1moremile.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/img00058.jpg?w=600 600w, https://1moremile.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/img00058.jpg?w=150 150w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />

Well, I have about 4 runs in now using the Superfeet Green inserts. It is still too early to tell if they indeed are better. I definetely can tell a positive change in shock absorption from the impact, I can also feel that my foot is staying straighter when hitting the pavement. The arch support is alittle uncomfortable at first but after a 1/4 mile or so it gets comfortable. When I purchased them, and from reading others views on Superfeet, you have to give them a few weeks to wear in and “Form” to your foot. So far, I am happy with my set of Superfeet inserts. I’ll keep you posted on the progress.

I definetely can tell a positive change in shock absorption from the impact

Superfeet and running

NJ — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:55:27 +0000

I have a friend named Bob! Bob does a lot of running! Bob has run Marathon’s. Bob mostly runs becuase he enjoy’s it. Bob recommended Superfeet! Superfeet is a high quality shoe insert. Bob uses the green Superfeet insert. I went to REI and was fitted for which Superfeet insert was right for my feet, green was right for my feet too. Bob also uses other cool running gear. But for now I will run with my Superfeet shoe inserts.

Bob recommended Superfeet!

Pain in my hamstring

NJ — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:40:44 +0000

Now that I’m back at it again I feel some muscle pain. I am stretching before I run and even more after my run. It seems no matter what exercise that I may be doing my right leg hamstring hurts more than the left. I must have damaged it when I was in the military. It’s not bad enough to see a doctor about but I’ll definetely keep an eye on it with the increasing miles I put on it. I don’t feel pain while running so I don’t think it is serious. The last thing I want to do is damage my hamstring and not be able to run the marathon I am training for.

Okay, for real this time

NJ — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:32:06 +0000

Life just gets busy sometimes and your training goes out the door. I guess in reality it just means I haven’t been truly committed to this marathon. I have been asking myself, “Do I really want to put myself through the incredibly hard and demanding training schedule that this marathon will require”. I am sure that I want to run this marathon, I know what I have to do to make it a reality. Now I need to get serious about my training. I started running a few days back. Naturally it was painful and I am completely out of shape in the cardio area of my fitness. I believe that I can physically do this marathon, I am however, worried about the mental strength that something of this magnitude requires. To date I have never ran more then 15 miles straight and that almost killed me. Well, it felt like I was dying anyway. Allergies are definetely affecting my perfomance. I have a stong allergy to grass and pollen as well. So when I exert myself running it feels like i’m breathing through a straw. I take Benedryl which helps but still I have issues. I know in November for the marathon allergies won’t be an issue.

Stay tuned for more…

Pain all over

NJ — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 03:11:00 +0000

My first day is done and I feel it all over my body. I ran for approximately 25 minutes and averaged 8 minute miles. I wasn’t trying to beat any records and just wanted to make sure I felt the run. It really felt good knowing that I was running with a goal in mind. Don’t get me wrong I’ve ran in the past but it was with the purpose of getting in shape and trying to stay cardio healthy. To be honest I’ve never really enjoyed running or any cardio for that matter. I did make it to the half priced books today in Lynnwood but I couldn’t find Daniels’ Running Formula. So I went to Barnes & Noble and found it but I think I’ll end up buying it on Amazon.com. I am sore all over but its not horrible by any means. Its kind of like ooh I forgot I had that muscle. I know all you die hards out there are laughing at my so called training but hey I don’t want to injure myself. One run at a time…

Today I start my training for the November Seattle Marathon

NJ — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 09:20:44 +0000

Welcome! I am just an ordinary guy who decided to run a marathon. I currently live North of Seattle. It is now March which means there should be plenty of time to train for this mentally and physically grueling 26.2 miles. I have started scouring the internet and Google for information on how best I should train for this event. Of course the Seattle Marathon official site is full of great information. I also came across a useful blog by Dave Treadwell offering his experience in great detail and some of his sources for training. I am off to the used book store tomorrow to try and find Daniels’ Running Formula by Jack Daniels PhD.

Today I started my training by running for 30 minutes at a easy pace. But I’m out of shape so I couldn’t run at any other pace anyhow. Well this will be an interesting journey, getting in shape, tracking my progress, and running the 2008 Seattle Marathon.