Run to the Hills

Tried my go at trail running this week. It was nice to mix it up and do something different. I was truly concerned about spraining an ankle and not be able to run the Houston marathon, and was unable to really enjoy it. I can see trying again in the future but for now the streets are calling my name.

This week will be low mileage but Sunday starts back up with an 18 miler, followed by a 20 miler the following week. This is a little unorthodox but I really want to run the White Rock half in December and this is the only way I could fit it in my schedule.

Hope everyone has a great Turkey Day and How Bout Them Cowboys!!!!!

Long Week

Well it has been a long week. I had a one day travel stint to Atlanta for work and was pretty worn out after the Half on Sunday. I recovered nicely Sunday AM and had a nice easy long run, 17 miles at 9:13 pace. I was a little concerned about this run because I have not had a run over 14 miles in a long time. The only problem to mention, besides sore legs that have been iced, is a soreness on the outside of my right foot. If it continues I will get it checked out, it started after the Half and has gotten more sensitive.

Plan on getting some time on the bike this week hopefully the weather will allow it. Hope everyone has a great week.

C ya

Pelvis is in the building

Race Report

I was in such a hurry to post a bunch of thoughts and noise that I did not give a race report, so her it goes.

I woke up at 5 and ate 600 calories w coffee. The race started at 8, but it was enough food to hold me over, I did continue to take in fluid. I met Dan at 6 in Irving at a Starbucks and he drove us to the race start at White Rock Lake. We were there way to early but it was nice to see and visit with folks who I have not seen in a while.

The race started and as usual it was slow going. Dan and I ran together for about 1 mile but we had different motives, his was a training day and as per Jim today I was going for it. I settled in at a nice sub 8 min pace and cruised along. For some strange reason I kept finding myself running behind pretty girls, I hope Christie does not read this. I really did not have a plan for the hills, so when I approached the first one I decided I would attack them smartly and let my HR recover on the downside. This worked great especially with my new found Chi running approach to hills. The only hiccup to mention was taking a gel at mile 10 without making sure there would be an aid station, there wasn't. I had to Wait another mile to take in fluid, but it worked out.

It was a fun day, I am curious to see how the next half goes in December.

C yah.

To Chi or not to Chi

Today I had a PR at The Half in Dallas, TX. I ran 13.42 miles (Garmin distance not the official race distance) at 7:43 pace. Two years ago at this same race I ran a 2:07, so progress is making its way down my road. I am not bragging, trust me I know I have a long way to go and there will always be someone faster. Ultimately, I owe my latest running breakthroughs to hard work, many miles and a new to me style of running called Chi running.

The basic theory is that you run using your core with a forward lean from the ankles. There is much more to Chi running but that is the basic concept. Anyway, it has allowed me to pick up the pace and run much more comfortably for a longer time. So this begs the question, does it matter what running technique you adopt? Or is the importance in finding a running technique, period.

I vote Chi, but only because it is my running technique of choice and I am truly bias. I find it funny that I have spent so many hours learning nutrition and studying swimming technique, but have never taken the time to focus on running or cycling techniques. So, the ultimate answer to my question, "To Chi or not to Chi," is, I think, to learn the proper forms and bio mechanics before logging in huge miles. Something I should have thought about 3 years ago.

Here is to continue progress. By the way thank you to my spouse who so patiently takes care of many things while I gallop off to races so that I may once again feel the burn.

C ya on the other side