Running to Detroit

knoxvillerunning.com

noreply@blogger.com (KdoubleA) — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 21:14:00 +0000

check it out!

New post at my new blog

noreply@blogger.com (KdoubleA) — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:22:00 +0000

www.knoxvillerunning.com

New post at my new blog

noreply@blogger.com (KdoubleA) — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 19:54:00 +0000

www.knoxvillerunning.com

holla!

New post at my new blog

noreply@blogger.com (KdoubleA) — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 21:16:00 +0000

http://www.knoxvillerunning.blogspot.com

New post at my new blog

noreply@blogger.com (KdoubleA) — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:21:00 +0000

www.knoxvillerunning.blogspot.com

enjoy!

Marathon Report at my new blog

noreply@blogger.com (KdoubleA) — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:43:00 +0000

I'm still waiting on getting the new blog updated into the feeds I've had in the past.

http://knoxvillerunning.blogspot.com

Enjoy!

New post at my new blog

noreply@blogger.com (KdoubleA) — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 15:48:00 +0000

check it!

http://www.knoxvillerunning.blogspot.com

New post at my new blog

noreply@blogger.com (KdoubleA) — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 18:45:00 +0000

knoxvillerunning.blogspot.com

I think I have all my links updated, but just in case.....

New post at my new blog

noreply@blogger.com (KdoubleA) — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 12:32:00 +0000

www.knoxvillerunning.blogspot.com

New Blog URL

noreply@blogger.com (KdoubleA) — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 17:45:00 +0000

I have already changed the URL for my blog. The new URL is:

http://knoxvillerunning.blogspot.com/

It's gonna be totally sweet.

All 5 of my readers, please update your links!

20 mile run this Sunday........

noreply@blogger.com (KdoubleA) — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 15:18:00 +0000

....should be fun!

The Detroit Marathon is only 26 days away.......

noreply@blogger.com (KdoubleA) — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 14:09:00 +0000

....hmmmm that doesn't seem that far away. Still, I ask myself: can I do this? AM I going to actually finish this? Under 4 hours? I've been told that as long as I can finish a 2 hour run by myself, I will be able to push through for the entire marathon based on the atmosphere alone. That is shoddy logic to me, but I guess it makes sense.

I started training June 1, and have been keeping a pretty solid 4 day a week running schedule throughout. I missed a couple runs when we moved, which coincided with my Wife's Gramma passing, and then I had some IT-band issues 2 weeks ago, that resulted in shorter runs, but overall I have been pretty true to my schedule. I do wish that I would have altered my diet and have eaten better, but at this point I am going to have to go into the marathon with what I have.

I ran 14 miles on Sunday, and it was pretty uneventful. My IT-band pain was coming and going, which in reality is a good sign because it used to come and stay. Hopefully my IT is not an issue during my 20 miler on Sunday, or the 26.2 miler on Oct 21. I saw my in-laws on the trail, which was a nice surprise, but they were 'only' running 5 miles that morning. Slackers. Actually, I think my brother-in-law 'only' ran 3. Double-slacker. No really, they have ran with me and keep me motivated. I love them.

My ipod said I ran 14 miles in 1:45 or somewhere in that neighborhood. Two words: YEAH RIGHT. I really don't think I was moving that fast, I actually thought I was running slower than usual. Usual for me is about 8:30/mile. I have been running faster lately, but that time sounds ridiculous. So maybe Sunday's run wasn't 14 miles exactly, but it was still 1:45 worth of running, and I was still a little tired towards the end. Stuff like this really makes me wonder about this marathon and how it's going to go. I am thinking about getting a Garmin 205, maybe for X-Mas, but even then, how accurate is a Garmin compared to an Ipod? One will never know.....

What has changed over all these years?

noreply@blogger.com (KdoubleA) — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:41:00 +0000

I was speaking with my father-in-law over dinner last night and we got to talking about sports, technology, and relevance. We discussed the sports of running, tennis, and golf where back in his day, the 70's, the technology was drastically different than it was today. Running shoes from the 70's are very different in look and feel than running shoes of the 21st century. Why? People were running marathons, successfully, back in the 70's in those vintage nikes that "Pre" used to wear. Why wouldn't those shoes work today?

I don't get it. I like to live by the motto "If it's not broke, don't fix it...", but I do not really know what the real benefits are of the modern technology in running shoes when compared to "old school" running shoes.

The same argument can be made about golf clubs and tennis rackets, to a point. I understand that the sweet spots are bigger now, thus making the equipment more necessary for success. Also, if the equipment today is making it easier to be 'good', you could almost say that players from "way back" were better than today's golfers and tennis players, simply because they had to be better. The equipment was inferior.

To me, it's an interesting topic. I'd really like to get my hands on a true 'vintage' pair of running shoes and try them out---to see if I could tell a difference. I really am curious to hear what people have to say about this....discuss!!!!

I'm feeling a little sick....

noreply@blogger.com (KdoubleA) — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 19:26:00 +0000

...I don't know if I have already mentioned this, but my last 2 years living in Detroit (2005-2006) were spent working for the Detroit Tigers. I have an emotional bond to them that is stronger than any other sports team.

They just got swept by the Indians, the current 1st place team in the division, and the Tigers chances of making the playoffs are practically zero now. I am bummed out.

In more cheerful news, tomorrow is a future national holiday....also known as my birthday. Hooray. Also, I am finding humor in my cubicle neighbor's concerns over popcorn lung. Every time he sees someone eating popcorn, he reminds them about this faux-disease. Talk about Debbie Downer.....

Wears Valley 15K

noreply@blogger.com (KdoubleA) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:40:00 +0000

On Sunday, Sept 16 I ran in the Wears Valley 15K, which is sponsored and hosted by the Knoxville Track Club. The Knoxville Track Club is awesome and they really do a good job keeping an organized race schedule and drawing really good runners to their races. There is a schedule of races that are for 'series points' and those are the ones that draw all the local top runners. This was a points race, and boy did I get smoked. Well, I didn't show up expecting to win the race, but my 1:13:57 was nowhere near the top 3, even in my age group. After I wiped away the tears of not winning anything at a race for the first time, I reflected and realized I ran a pretty damn good race.

First off, I had to wake up at 5:30 am and down an iced tea, to get the ole' bowels moving. I was crossing my fingers and hoping this pre-race routine would work, and at about 7:45 (15 minutes before the start of the race) I knew that it did. I was beginning to worry there for a bit. So after I took care of my business, I headed to the start line. I didn't feel 'ready' at all. I was about to run 9.3 miles in a race, which I've never done before, on top of that I've been having IT pain for the past 2 weeks and didn't finish any of my long runs. So I thought this was going to be a "lets just finish" type of race, but it turned out to be quite the opposite.

So the race starts after a fellow runner sang the national anthem--despite the fact he needed a cue card--and forgot a lyric but quickly recovered--he did alright. Did I mention it was about 55F outside!!!! Perfect running weather. I actually wore long sleeves. Once the race began, I found my pack of comparable runners and stuck with it--the first 3 miles we came in around 25:00 flat. Not too bad.

The pack started to string out a little around mile 4, most of them dropping back. (because I am the bomb and they couldn't hang w/me.....but one guy was determined to stay right in front of me......) So this guy, I never got his name because he wasn't much of a talker, was literally like a foot in front of me from miles 4-7. No big deal. He was a little older and a little bigger than me, so I got the impression that he didn't want to get passed by a young punk like me. When I sped up, he sped up. I went right, he went right......this went on for 7 miles.

So, at mile 7, he SPEAKS!! I was starting to worry that he was unable to talk, but thankfully he spoke and broke the awkward silence between us. It kinda felt like we were standing next to each other at the urinal for 7 miles. It was a little awkward. (ladies...guys don't talk when they are peeing....) The funny thing is what he said. He was all like "see that guy up there, he's dying. We're going to catch him." I was thinking to myself "I've been tailing this guy for 7 miles, I feel great and now I am going to start passing some people...." so I replied with "alright, we're going to start to pick some of these people off" I was using 'we' as an invitation to speed it up, because I am about to pick up the pace. So I picked it up, and he didn't. I felt betrayed.

Anyways, passing people who are on the verge of puking near the end of a race is the best feeling ever. From mile 7 to the finish I really picked it up and caught 7 people. It felt awesome. I ended beating 'the mute' by about 4 minutes. Secondly, my IT pain was creeping up around miles 2-4, but then it went away. The 2nd half of the race was the best feeling while running I've had in a long time. It was a good day.

Chiropractors are........amazing

noreply@blogger.com (KdoubleA) — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 13:23:00 +0000

I have been having IT band issues with my left leg for a long time now. I always had a theory as to why it would hurt, and never wanted to go get it looked at. I just figured once my quads and hamstrings were in good shape, my IT wouldn't hurt anymore. I attributed my IT pain to weak legs. Because I am a doctor and I can make my own theories up.

My wife is a massage therapist for a chiropractor, and she has been for about a year. Yesterday, I finally mustered up the nerve to go have my leg looked at by said chiropractor. He is awesome. He had me lay on a table, on my back and then on my stomach, he flexed my knee a few times and then started twisting me up like a pretzel and 'adjusted' both of my hips. (One hip at a time)

He then told me that my IT was sore because my right hip was tilted forward and my left was tilted back--which also led to a poorly aligned knee and ankle on my left side.

My left leg from the knee down felt really weird the rest of the night. Not bad weird, but good weird. Like I have a new leg. I am very eager to run tonight and see how my left leg feels. I can already notice a difference in even walking, my left leg doesn't feel shorter anymore.

I am pumped.

My weekend

noreply@blogger.com (KdoubleA) — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 13:56:00 +0000

On Saturday, I attended my first college football game outside the state of Michigan, at my wife's school, the University of Tennessee. They played Southern Mississippi at 7pm Saturday night. A good time was had by all.

In Michigan, I don't recall any sort of pre-game parade, where the band and the team walk from their respective buildings to the stadium through the crowds of people. They do that here in Tennessee and I will admit it was pretty cool to see. Neyland Stadium holds 106,000 people, and I am willing to bet that 50,000 of them were there 2.5 hours early for the bands performance and to welcome the players into the stadium and wish them luck. That was neat.

With Amber being a student, naturally, we were sitting in the student section. Or I should say standing, sideways, falling off a bleacher most of the game in the student section. It was a lot of fun, and in true college student fashion, Amber and her friend Emily snuck in booze in their bras and it became 'cocktail time in Tennessee' real quick with the cokes we bought once we got in the gate. Tennessee won, 39-19 and I swear Southern Mississippi's QB is related to Vince Young somehow. His name is Jeremy Young, and he wears #10 and plays a lot like Vince Young of the Tennessee Titans. There has to be some relation.

So, after the game, we went to a bar in the 'Old City' part of Knoxville. The area is kinda ghetto, but rebuilding. At that bar I had another drink, I was in no way drunk, but it led to a late night and dehydration Sunday. Sunday I was supposed to run 18 miles.

I woke up at 10 am on Sunday (I never wake up that late) and by the time I started my 18-miler it was 11 am, on a day where the high temp was going to be in the 98F neighborhood. I really gave it the old college try, but I gave up after 12.5 miles. Granted, 12.5 miles is still a pretty far run for being dehydrated and hot, but I am a little bummed I didn't make my 18 mile goal. So, it was a lesson learned, don't drink and stay up late thinking you're going to be able to run 18 miles the next day. I am still having IT band issues, I think I am going to go see a chiropractor, to make sure my shoulders and hips are aligned properly.

The rest of the day on Sunday, I folded laundry and watched football. The Titans won a pretty boring game, and my Lions won! I didn't see much of the Lions game (it wasn't on in TN, but once the Lions started blowing their lead Fox switched over to it at the end), but they looked good. The Lions might actually be better this year.

Why am I doing this to myself?

noreply@blogger.com (KdoubleA) — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 14:39:00 +0000

That was the question going through my mind last Sunday during my 15 mile run. Miles 1-12 were pretty good, miles 12-15 were pretty bad. My legs felt like they weighed 100 lbs. each, and I was questioning why I was out there, what's the point of running a marathon, basically any negative thought that could creep into your head about running was racing through my head during miles 12-15. I made it through, but my legs (mostly my IT bands on both legs) hurt for the rest of the day. To my surprise, my legs felt really good on Monday, after a good night's sleep.

My run this coming Sunday is 18 miles, and after last Sunday's 15 miler, it makes me wonder how I am going to survive 26.2 miles. Do I run slower? Do I eat better? Do I start lifting weights?

2005 Age Group Breakdown

AgeGroup	Avg. Time	Percent
M0-19	5:04:39	1.17%
M20-24	4:22:21	3.10%
M25-29	4:24:42	6.03%
M30-34	4:25:28	8.14%
M35-39	4:22:45	9.72%
M40-44	4:21:46	9.83%
M45-49	4:26:23	8.37%
M50-54	4:37:25	6.22%
M55-59	4:49:04	3.82%
M60+	5:13:32	2.96%

F0-19	5:46:58	0.86%
F20-24	4:52:38	4.12%
F25-29	4:54:45	7.49%
F30-34	4:58:18	6.82%
F35-39	4:55:37	6.59%
F40-44	4:59:01	6.13%
F45-49	5:11:46	4.20%
F50-54	5:31:03	2.58%
F55-59	5:48:39	1.17%
F60+	6:08:12	0.68%

Age Demographics
Between 2004 and 2005, the average age of marathon finishers remained the same at 38.8 years-old overall - 40.5 years-old for men and 36.1 years-old for women. In 2005, the average finishing time was slower than 2004 by just over 20 seconds.

Fastest Age Groups
In keeping with historic trends, the fastest average age-group were men aged 40-44, with a mean finishing time of 4:21:46. Average times were negligibly slower (less than one minute) in the M20-34 age group (4:22:21) and the M35-39 age group (4:22:45). The women's fastest times were posted by 20-24-year olds, who averaged a time of 4:52:38 for their finishes.

Largest Age Groups
In addition to being the fastest age group, men aged 40-44 also represented the largest single age group for marathon runners in 2005, accounting for nearly 10% of all marathoners and more than 16% of male marathoners. For women, the largest group was females between ages 25-29 representing approximately 7.5% of all marathon finishers, and nearly 19% of all female finishers.

I found this above at Marathonguide.com and it's encouraging to know that my projected marathon time is above average for my age group. I am usually not that competitive of a person, but with my running times I really am for some reason. I like knowing where I stand as a runner, and how I can improve my times. Last night, for instance, I had a 5 mile run scheduled. I had an afternoon that didn't go exactly as planned, so at about 7:30 pm I went out for my 5 miler. Once I got to the park, I said "screw it" and ran much faster than I normally do. I was expecting to burn out at some point, but I never did and finished my 5 miles in 37:57. I was a little dehydrated at the end, but other than that I felt fine. It was nice to burn off some frustrations of the day during my run. That is the fastest 5 miles I can remember running.

***THIS IS MY 40TH POST!!!! I am all ears for suggestions, and I really do appreciate your comments. I track this site, and my traffic is increasing. Thank you for reading my blog.***

Pausing Workout

noreply@blogger.com (KdoubleA) — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 17:08:00 +0000

I got up at 5:45 am with no assistance, nor any intentions of doing so. I figured since I was up, I might as well get my 8 mile run out of the way. So I did, and it was ok. I don't know if I didn't eat enough carrots growing up, or if it was just really dark out this morning, but I could not see a thing when I started. The park I go to isn't very well lit to begin with, but it was a little spooky.

By now, we all know what happens to me when I run in the morning, and like clockwork, I had to make a pit stop. Actually 2 pit stops this morning. Talk about annoying. Soon, my Ipod is going to start talking crap to me like this guy's does:

I can thank YouTube for this theft. Don't get me wrong, I love my Ipod and the fact that it keeps track of everything for me, it's awesome. I recommend the Nike+ system to anyone who is interested in giving it a try. And I am not being paid by them. Seriously.

Back to the Afternoon--For now....

noreply@blogger.com (KdoubleA) — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 15:17:00 +0000

Well, I woke up today at 6 am, fully intending on running 4 miles. 10 minutes later, I was back in bed. I just didn't feel like running at all, at least in the morning. I didn't want to deal with making my bathroom pit stop, which could come at any point in my run. That has been really, really annoying for me. The bathroom issue makes me not want to run in the morning.

So, I will return to running after work for now. It's not as hot outside this week and I am 'only' running 4 miles today. It's funny how 3 months ago running 4 miles seemed really far. Today I am hoping to run 4 miles in under 30 minutes. I ran 4 on Monday in 30:13. I don't know if I should care about my times, but I do, especially on the 'shorter' runs. I am marathon training right now, but secretly (well I guess NOT so secretly anymore....) I want my 5K time under 20 minutes as well. So, I went from one goal (be able to run a marathon in under 4 hrs....which I have yet to accomplish--my first attempt is on 10/21) to adding another goal (5K under 20 minutes) over the course of 3 months. I feel like I am close on both, but don't want to overdo anything and get injured. That would totally suck.

I am still upset about my cotton tank top from last weekends 10K, and I am mulling over the idea of adding a 2nd Marathon to my schedule at the end of March, 2008. I live in Knoxville, and I want to run the Knoxville marathon I think. I think I am going to do it.

Racoon Mountain 10K--Chattanooga, TN

noreply@blogger.com (KdoubleA) — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 14:16:00 +0000

This past Saturday I, along with my wife, her sister and her sister's husband ran in the Raccoon Mountain 5K/10K in Chattanooga, TN. We woke up at 4 a.m. in Knoxville and drove the 1.45 hrs to Chattanooga in order to make it to the race that started at 7:30 a.m. Waking up at 4 a.m. is early, and not exactly "my idea of a good time" in case anyone was wondering how that was.

I figured that since I was up 3.5 hrs before the race, I would have enough time to take care of my bathroom issues before the race. I chugged an iced tea at about 4:30 am to 'get the bowels moving', so I wouldn't have any issues during the race and I could focus on running....and it WORKED!! The strange thing was that the bathroom line for the dudes was a lot longer and slower moving before the race than the Women's bathroom line was. About 75% of the guys in line were going #2 also, and there was only one toilet in this park's bathroom. So, you were putting on a show in a way for the guys in line, who also had to do what you were doing. It was a little weird.

The race went really well. This was my first 10K, and I really liked it. I really liked this distance, and there was one massive hill. I mean massive (I should have known, since it was at Raccoon MOUNTAIN.....) I felt a little bad at the end of the race because I had been running with this guy "Robert" and we were chatting during the race and he noticed that the 2,3, and 4 mile markers were off. He had a Garmin watch and I didn't have any watch/timing device and Robert would let me know the times as we passed the mile markers. He was my 'race friend', until after the mile 5 marker when I LEFT HIM IN THE DUST AND SMOKED HIM!!!!!!! I thought about it for a second, like 'should I stay with him and finish the race together, or pick it up and hope he comes along...' I picked it up, and he didn't. Sorry, Robert.

Thanks to Robert (and his Garmin) I kept an 8:00/mile pace from miles 1-5, then the last 1.2 miles I finished in 8:26, giving me a 48:26 final time, and again THIRD place in my age group! I am 2 for 2 in getting prizes at races!

As wonderfully modeled by my wife and her sister above, the shirts were cotton tank tops. By far, the worst shirt I've ever received at a race. I will never wear this, not even to paint.

We ran around this reservoir for most of the race. It was an awesome course. Thanks to Sonya for taking these pictures!

Pretty Boring Week

noreply@blogger.com (KdoubleA) — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 19:07:00 +0000

Last Sunday, I ran a Half-Marathon by myself. It was tiring. This Saturday, I am running a 10K. So, this week has been pretty pathetic as far as running goes. I'm 'resting' and 'recovering'.

I ran, just not as far as my workout sheet was telling me. I am my own man.

I'll let you know how this 10K goes on Saturday. I am shooting for an injury-free, somewhere between 47 and 50 minute race. Wish me luck!

For dinner last night I had 8 oreos and a bowl of popcorn

noreply@blogger.com (KdoubleA) — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 14:34:00 +0000

You know why? Because I ran 13.1 freaking miles Sunday morning and felt like I could eat whatever I wanted throughout the day. I didn't really pig out Sunday however, I had a soda(shh...the iced tea machine was broken....) and a slice of pizza for lunch, followed by some tempeh (sp?), rice and zucchini between lunch and dinner, then dinner was oreos and popcorn.

I had to run an errand or two after my 13.1 mile run on Sunday, and after than I laid on the couch for the rest of the day. My knees were sore and aching a little bit and I just didn't feel like moving. So I didn't. It was actually pretty awesome to be able to flip back and forth between NCAA '08, the Milwaukee Brewers lose to the Cincinnati Reds, then I watched a movie (Spy Game) with Amber and I didn't have to move. To top it off, Amber gave me a massage on both of my IT bands, then iced and heated them. If felt really good.

Do you want to see a picture of a band who calls themselves Slow Runner??? Whether you want to or not, here:

Band pictures always make me laugh. What's the point? I am not going to buy your CD if you look good and the music is garbage. (see: NSYNC) Personally, what a band looks like doesn't affect me, so I guess I don't see the relevance of a band photo.

I've gotten into a bad, bad habit

noreply@blogger.com (KdoubleA) — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 19:28:00 +0000

WARNING: If you don't like talking about poop, or if you don't poop, stop reading right now. You have been warned.

OK, this last week has been very annoying/frustrating. Here's why:

I like everything about running in the morning, and I like doing other things in the evenings. My runs have been faster/easier as well (I don't think that's because of the morning running, just training.) From a strict running standpoint, this week has been awesome. However, I am pretty 'regular'. Meaning, every morning, about 10-11 am, I go #2. This hasn't been a problem until I started running BEFORE 10-11 am.

Running makes me poop. But only if there is poop to be pooped.

On all 4 of my morning runs this week, about 1-2 miles into the run, part of the run is 'running to the toilet'. It really sucks. And today, a day where I haven't ran, I haven't pooped (it's about 3pm). It's like my body is waiting for me to start running to poop. I really, really don't want to get into that cycle. What am I supposed to do?

I am running the equivalent of a 1/2 marathon on Sunday, and I don't want to be interrupted by bathroom issues. For that matter, I don't want any of my runs to be interrupted by bathroom issues. This entire week, I have been worrying about this before I start my run, and like clockwork, I've had the serious need to go #2 about a mile into the run.

I don't know if anyone has had this issue before, but I am clueless as to how to change this cycle. I really want to keep running in the mornings if possible. HELP!

Why is this so funny?

noreply@blogger.com (KdoubleA) — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 20:10:00 +0000

I don't know how I came to this video on YouTube, but it made me laugh real hard when I saw it. It might be because he is yelping while on there, and his buddy is just making it go faster and faster, with no reaction at all. Then he just walks away.

If you have never seen these two newscast clips from YouTube, you've been missing out.

WooWOOOO

Notice how when they 'demonstrate' the car whistle, they almost sideswipe parked cars, run a stop sign and speed in a matter of 5 seconds.

To change subjects, I have been morning running all week and I really like it. The running hasn't been perfect, but it has been good. I feel really good the rest of the day after I run.

I am running the equivalent of a 1/2 marathon Sunday, and a 10k next Sunday in Chattanooga, TN. I like running.