Run Fatboy Run
[Moozik: Depeche Mode - World In My Eyes (Oil Tank Mix)]
After mulling it over for quite a while, I've decided to run a marathon. You know, like you do. Well, run a marathon eventually. It's a little more realistic to attempt a half marathon first so next January I'm running the the PF Chang's Half Marathon.
This morning was my first proper training run in my brand spanking new running shoes. Up bright and early at 5:00am to beat the Phoenix heat. To my surprise, my fitness level wasn't as big a pile of poo as I expected it to be. I suppose the indoor footie at the weekends has helped somewhat.
So, on with the training then. And if this morning's fumbling around with my iPod is any indication, I must make a running playlist in iTunes tonight. You know, a whole bunch of motivational Eye Of The Tiger type songs. Or something.
Good for you!
I keep feeling tempted by it, a half marathon that is.
It would mean a lot of work though, as while I'm ahppy walking for a distance I really struggle to run.
Weird. I´m going through the same process. Got my new running shoes last thursday and been out three times since then.
Doubt that I´ll be running a 1/2 marathon as soon as january though. Partly because I seems to have misplaced my Eye of the tiger song :)
Good man!
I did the St Ives 10K again this year - squeezing under the hour at 59:57 which is 2 secs slower than last year but I did little or no training this year and I am a year older and a stone heavier - oops :-).
I did find that there are various training logs and stuff on the net that are pretty useful, certainly when starting out.
There is one for an 8 week schedule but unless you are a mentalist, steady buildup is more sensible!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/table/2009/jan/10/half-marathon-programme
I found driving around making a note of various distances helped in the training.
Good luck with the training - I don't envy you in that desert heat!
dan... thanks mate. You've got your hands full with the Hadrian's Walk though. Which, by the way, I'm very envious of you for doing. If I didn't live across the pond I would have joined you for that.
göran... you see, that's a problem mate. You just can't run a marathon without training to Eye Of The Tiger. It's in the rules somewhere I think. Pretty sure.
jase... good for you for doing the 10K again mate. And with no training that's even more impressive. Right now I'm just running for half an hour every day just to get my base fitness level up to where it should be. In a few weeks I'll start really thinking about distances. I did wonder whether to get one of those Nike/iPod distance meter thingies or just go old school and drive my route to see how far it is ;-) I'll be sure to checkout some of the online training guides.
Good for you and good luck with running in the heat. How hot is it in the morning when you run?
Kev, a little advice about the iPod and running. Keep the volume low so as to be aware of your surroundings. If you start running in some of the common paths that you share with other runners, bicyclists, roller bladers and dog walkers, it helps to know somebody is coming up behind you.
And as far as running tunes playlists, you can actually download playlists from professional runners, amateur runners, celebrity runners, etc. Go to runnersworld.com and check it out. Its kind of cool that you can do that.
Just caught your comment about how to calculate distances for various runs.
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/
Put in an address. It uses Google mapping technology underneath, including the satellite view. This allows you to include any places where you go off-road, so to speak. You can save the route as well.
Here's one of mine, a complete loop around Tempe Town Lake.
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2526663
I know youre going to find this hard to believe but I love running now. I don't go by distance anymore but by time. Same route but time improvement. Ipod has to have good quality electronica though. Suggestions ..... simian mobile disco, digitalism and Boys Noize. Also Nikes!!!!! invest in Asics they make a huge difference. (that's not to say I have turned into forest gump and can't stop running)
jake... this morning it was around 80° which is totally comfortable. Well, obviously I'd like it to be colder but 80° is far better than 115° ;-)
tony... thank you for all the advice over lunch the other day and again for the tips you posted here. I'm going to checkout gmap-pedometer.com tonight for sure!
simon... excellent suggestions for a running playlist mate! I bought the Nikes based on the excellent advice from Runners Den here in Phoenix. Turns out my feet pronate as I walk/run (who knew?) and these shoes offer the best support to make them neutral again. Wait. You like running?
Good luck with the running, man.
Woohooo a half marathon. So much fun to be had... and the RnR series is such a happening.
The girls from Arizona invited me down to run it with them. :) We'll be the ones finishing as the sun sets. LOL.
kapgar... thanks mate.
nat... yeah from what I've heard the RnR marathons are quite fun.
You may be in shape, but your RSS feed is plum tuckered. (This post only just showed up in your feed.)
Did you integrate your ipod and your shoes? http://www.apple.com/ipod/nike/
You can even get song mixes put together by Nike from the iTunes store.
-Brian
A friend of mine using his Nike+:
http://bit.ly/Brmep
brian... I spoke to one of the guys in Runner's Den about about the Nike/iPod combo. It works "out of the box" if you have a iPod nano - I just don't have a nano ;-) So the other alternative was to buy a Nike+ sportband. I didn't buy one but it's certainly something I'm thinking about getting ;-)
Nice to see/hear this. And those shoes are great looking.
Even though I've not used mine a lot, my running shoes of choice of Asics. They fit very well and are extra light yet comfortable.
marty... thanks mate. Yeah I tried on some Nike, Asics, Brookes, and some other brand of shoes in the store that day. The Nike shoes offered the best support for my feet so I ended up buying those. And I'm so pleased I did, they're the best running shoes I've ever owned.