It’s no secret that I have taken up running this off season. Since September I have been running once a week for 6 miles. Usually it would be a one hour run during lunch time or on the weekend. I kept up this program until Christmas where the nice weather allowed me to ride my bike much more.
Now that the weather in the Northeast is back to the usual winter cold and snow, I am back to focusing on running. My program now consists of an occasional run outside when it is around 30 degrees or more and a weekly running league. Last week I was able to beat my previous 400 meter time of 97 seconds by 12 seconds to turn in a time of 85 seconds. That was during a relay race where I had to run with a baton where I was worried about accidentally launching it into the air or not passing it off to the next runner cleanly. Luckily I did not launch the baton and I was able to get it to the next runner without too much trouble. Amazing how you can simply over-think things.
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With the latest streak of great weather up in the Northeast it has been easy to get out for a bike ride or run. Friday I did a hilly 34 mile spin with Dave VanWie. On the ride I concentrated on keeping it in the small chainring for most of the ride. There were a few descents where I was spun out, so I clicked it onto the big ring, but not other time did I switch out of the 42 tooth ring. My goal was to concentrate on spinning my legs. Keeping a high cadence is key and after seeing the discussion on junior gearing it reinforced my original ideas. Mashing bad, spinning good. It is one approach, but I would like to spin much faster next year on the road. Spinning classes are a good way to increase cadence.
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After a week off of running I hit the road again today. Inspired by Lance Armstrong’s struggle in the NYC Marathon and an unusually nice day for November I just could not go to the gym and do my workout inside, no. After a week of weight lifting and stair-master work, my running form was still were I left it. There was no real form drop off and I felt good as soon as I got outside to start the run.
I started quick with a nice fast pace and did not take a breather until the two mile marker or so to tie my shoes. The rest of the run was quicker than usual, so the small break from running did not hurt at all.
Running culture is not quite like bike culture. When passing cyclist it is usually customary to wave or give a nod, but running does not seem to require the same recognition. On a bike ride I will wave to just about any other cyclist and some runners. Just a small gesture to someone who is out doing the same activity. Most time you get a wave back, I’d say about 90% of the time. Running is a different story. I have noticed the occasional runner give a wave or say hello, but that is the exception , not the rule.
Why do runners simply not wave to each other like cyclist do? Is it because running is so prevalent that it just does not call for the same type of salute? Is it the fact hat just about anyone can run? Does this cut down on the exclusivity of the activity reducing the bond that would encourage one to wave? I don’t know. But it is just one more thing to get used to as you trade the two wheels for running shoes.
Today’s Run Detail
Finishing in under three hours is not exactly struggling, but Lance found the NYC Marathon a bit tougher than he originally imagined. The seven time Tour Champ did not train super seriously for the race, so his performance was the big question mark. Many sites had polls on what time Lance would put in for the Marathon. Many other were turning into running prognosticators saying what time they thought Lance would finish the race. The consensus was about 2:45 or more which is not far off from his actual time.
“For the level of condition that I have now, that was without a doubt the hardest physical thing I have ever done,” the seven-time Tour de France winner said after the race, according to the Associated Press. “I never felt a point where I hit the wall. It was really a gradual progression of fatigue and soreness.”
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NBCSports.com is teaming up with Mediazone to give live coverage of the race over the web. A LanceCam will allow users to track Armstrong as he runs through the course. The coverage will cost $4.95, but if you signup you can watch the first 30 minutes of Lance’s run for free.
http://www.broadcastnewsroom.com/
MediaZone.com
The off season is more or less upon us, and I have been looking for some activity that would complement cycling. I thought running would be a good choice since many folks I know run regularly. It is relatively cheap and you do not need much time to do it. In the past, running and me did not mix well. As a kid I was not much of an athlete. I was a little chubby at times. Actually I was a bit of an athlete, but just not that good. I played soccer thoughout my child hood. I loved playing the sport, but I could not stand the practices. I was a champ on the drills and would always score pretty goals. The thing I detested most was the constant running. “Ok, take a lap” were words that I feared hearing from my coach. One time I even faked a side stich just to get out of running a few miles. Needless to say, my childhood memories of running are not good.
Now things are different. I’ve built up some good fitness again after a season of bike racing and working out at the gym. My cardio fitness is very good, so picking up running will not be too tough and I can start another activity that will allow me to be outside even when it is too chilly to ride. So two weeks ago I started running. My first foray was at Green Lakes State Park which features a popular path around two lakes. The total distance is about 2.7 miles. I was able to complete the course in about 1/2 hour. Not too bad for a first run. Conditions were cool and almost rainy which was perfect for a run. Since it was my first run I would alternate running and walking. I was able to run about 60 to 70 percent of the time. The next two days my legs were sore and walking felt painful. My muscles had to get used to the new motion and stresses. A few days later I did a lunch time run similar to today’s run but a bit shorter and with less walking.
In the last two weeks I’ve been running about twice a week. Each running session has been a bit easier with less walking breaks and longer distances. My lungs feel like they have much more capacity for air. I feell like I can take bigger breaths. This has helped me on the bike , especially when climbing. This past Sunday mornig I went for a ride with Dave Van Wie. We climbed up to Pompey on 91 and cam back to Jamesville via Skyline Drive. The first few climbs were much easier than they were earlier in the year. On the first climb through the quarry area, I was going up the climb at 12 mph. I usually do this short steepish climb at about 6 or 8 mph. Big difference. The rest of the climbing was easier since I started running. The only problem is that I just did nothave enough leg speed to keep a good rythm up the longer stretches of the 91 climb. So there you have it, immediate results from just a few session of running 
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Green Lakes Run 2.7 Miles
Today’s Run 4.86 Miles at Gmap Pedometer
