Getting close...

It is getting close. Less than 30 days until the San Diego RNR!!! I am not really where I want to be training wise, but am ahead of where I thought I would be just a few weeks ago. It’s going to be hard training this week as the low temperature is going to be in the low to mid 70’s, with highs over 100. At least San Diego will be low of about 65 and a high of about 72. Perfect. I really wish that I could move my family there, but it isn’t going to happen anytime soon. Or Colorado or Northern Arizona (anywhere cooler than this blast furnace which doesn’t even get the awesome monsoon storms in the summer anymore due to ambient temperature being higher due to so much concrete and steel from buildings, parking lots, etc. Plus wind flow has been altered over the last 20 years by construction. But that is a topic for the “Build Far Arizona blog). And yes I know that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

When I get to 2 weeks out from the race I am going to cut my caffeine consumption down to zero. Hopefully I will be able to maintain proper hydration and relax the strain on my Central Nervous System which should lead to more recovery and a heightened sense of relaxation prior to the race. I have decided to wear the Saucony Pro Grid Paramount shoes for the marathon. They are feeling by and far superior to the Asics Gel Kinetic (either pair). The Black and grey Kinetics seem to be stiffer and less cushioned than the red and white pair, so they are being relegated to shorter runs and weekend wear. I really like they looks of the shoes, but it is the performance that counts. Also, why is it that every pair of Asics I have doesn’t keep small rocks, sand, pebbles, etc. from getting in them? I tie them as tight as I can stand if I know I will be running in the desert areas, but still, every time I get rocks and san din them. It is a real pain.

My desert running areas are being taken away, bit by bit. First the Loop 303 Freeway is being extended out past Vistancia which will take it right across one of my favorite areas; I can already see the tractors and front loaders getting closer and closer. So I won’t be able to run through there during the very, very lengthy construction process and once it is done there will be a freeway going right through it. Secondly there is a lot of land out that way which is owned by a rancher. He is apparently getting annoyed by the ATC drivers who are destroying the area with their vehicles as well as leaving trash all over out there (mostly beer cans and bottles). So the not so Jolly Rancher has fenced and gated a lot of his land for the horses and cows, but these jokers keep breaking the locks and chains so they can get their ATC through there. Now he is going to improve the gates and fences around the areas as well as get the police more involved out there and get private security on the weekends. I hope they don’t kick me out, but it is marked no trespassing so who knows.

I would really like to get more involved with the FCA Endurance group out here, but have not had the opportunity to get out with them to train. Plus a lot of what the local group does seems to be triathlon related which I am not up to…yet.

Speaking of triathlons, you can really see the influence of the new ownership of Elite Racing and their preference towards tri’s. On the San Diego Rock And Roll Marathon website there is a listing of the triathlon groups with the highest numbers of members registered for the race. Not running or marathon groups, but tri groups. They are also giving away Garmin GPS units in a contest, but they are the new waterproof model that is designed for triathletes. Lastly they are going to change the San Diego course next year to include a half marathon and possibly a 10K in order to run a concurrent triathlon that will use the marathon course for the run portion of the tri. It will be interesting to see how the other rock and roll events will be altered to include triathlons with or in them. The expo will be interesting too. I want to see how many running exhibitors there will be compared to triathlon exhibitions. To me it is sad to see the wholesale changes to the San Diego race as it was the first RNR event and has always been a full marathon only. How does that song go…If I could keep time (catch time?) in a bottle…or something like that. Oh well.

Here are some upcoming races in the Phoenix area…

5-30-09 Devons run 5K http://www.arizonaroadracers.com/Calendar/DevonsRunFlyer.pdf

6-3-09 First Annual National Running day!!! http://www.runningday.org/

6-6-09 Run for the creeks 7 and 3 mile races. Prescott AZ. http://www.prescottcreeks.org/

6-20-09 Gaspin’ in the Aspen 15K and 5K Flagstaff AZ http://www.google.com/calendar/event?eid=YzcxMmVhaTJwZzliOXB1cjAwM2cxOTEzOWMgbmF0cmFuZWlsQG0&ctz=America/Phoenix


8-9-09 Oraivi 8K Footrace and 2 Mile Fun Run and Walk Oraibi, Arizona Hopi Reservation Oraivi, AZ Juwan Nuvayokva 928-738-0163

9-6-09 The 39th Annual Jerome Hill Climb (bring your oxygen mask). http://www.arizonaroadracers.com/

9-26-09 Flagstaff Marathon Very beautiful, elevational difficulty = +7
http://www.google.com/calendar/event?eid=ZTJ2ZTZmNWFibDdodjZxMDc0cjk4aTNrcjQgbmF0cmFuZWlsQG0&ctz=America/Phoenix


One last thing. I picked up a Garmin 405 with the heart rate monitor at REI for $259 and it has a $50 mail in rebate right now. I really like it, but the touch bezel takes some real getting used to. More on the 405 to come…



----------------
Now playing on iTunes: MercyMe - One Trick Pony
via FoxyTunes

An update!

I am finally getting some good news. My physical therapist has given me the go ahead to start my training for the San Diego Marathon. I am so relieved. Not getting out to run (other than on the treadmill in the therapists office) was driving me crazy. I went out yesterday and today, everything felt pretty good with minimal soreness in my hip area.
I have lost a good amount of fitness but feel good that soon I will be able to regain my fitness and can start cranking out multiple 10 milers in succession. I am also going to be sure to keep doing core work throughout my training. It is hard to realize that you are getting older and need to do more preventative stuff, but that is life.
I am a bit worried about using the Hanson’s training plan when not totally fit, but as long as I stick to the beginner program I think that I will be alright.
I am excited to go back to San Diego for a week or two. I love staying at Humphreys and utilizing the poolside bar the night after the marathon. Great fun!

Speaking of getting older, did you see this story?
translated and edited by Brett Larner

At the 58th Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon on Feb. 1, the oldest runner to ever qualify for the race, 60 year-old Yoshihisa Hosaka, (Shizuoka Track and Field AC), turned back the years with a run of sparkling brilliance. Finishing 89th overall in 2:36:30, Hosaka broke the existing 60+ world record by 1 minute and 45 seconds. He was smiling broadly at his astounding achievement as he reached the finish line.

Hosaka began running at age 36 when he joined a friend's ekiden team. At age 42 he won his first race at a local event in his hometown. For his first marathon he ran the popular Honolulu Marathon, where he ran a superb 2:31:19. Finding a deep joy in running, Hosaka had by the end of 2008 completed 70 marathons. To get ready to attack the world record in his first race as a 60 year-old Hosaka trained 30 km per day.

On race day, word of Hosaka's attempt on the world record spread along the course after TV coverage showed him smiling and giving an enthusiastic OK sign to the cameras in the first 10 km of the race. As he ran voices called out encouragement and urged him on to the record. At the 27 km point the large crowd of marathon fans gathered in front of the Oita Prefectural Police Headquarters hung banners of support for Hosaka and grew raucous as he drew near. Suffering from an inury to his right calf which flared up just before the race Hosaka was not feeling 100%, but, he said, "The cheering along the course was so incredible that I got goosebumps as I was running. It was what kept me going."

After 35 km a pack of runners surrounded Hosaka and pulled him along. When he dropped behind other runners soon came along and likewise gave him their support, telling him, "Hosaka, let's go!" and "Come on, let's do it!" as they ran together.

His 42.195 km in Beppu-Oita were full of bitter pain, but as always for Hosaka it was in the end simply fun. When he returned to the stadium for the race's final 400 m he was visibly unsteady on his feet but he continued forward to the goal line with every bit of effort in his body. The LED display of the finish clocks counted out a silent testimony for all to see as Hosaka crossed the line with his fists raised in the air, shouting out, "I did it!" His fellow amateur runners surrounded him in disbelief, cheering and calling out their congratulations in warmhearted camaraderie. Deeply moved by the efforts of spectators and fellow runners alike to help him reach his target, Hosaka was thankful as he said, "It was the best. There is no other amateur runner anywhere as happy as I am."

Pending ratification of his mark by the World Masters Athletics association, Hosaka's time will become the official new world record. The WMA recognizes records in five-year age-group categories. "When I hit 65 maybe I'll try for that record next," laughed Hosaka. "How old can I go? I'm going to keep running as long as I can."

Translator's note: Averaging the results of various age-grading tables, Hosaka's run is an age-graded equivalent to 2:07:35. His Beppu-Oita splits are available here. His halfway split of 1:16:52, age-graded, is equivalent to 1:01:59 and was run into a strong headwind which caused the lead pack to lose around one minute from their target pace between 11 km and halfway. The previous record holder was Italian Luciano Aquarone, whose time of 2:38:15 had stood since 1991.

From Brett’s Japan Running News Site http://japanrunningnews.blogspot.com/

I would be ecstatic with those times at my age, let alone at 60.

Have you looked at running shoes lately? If you haven’t noticed the current market of running shoes has reached and is way over the $100 mark. From what I understand this is due to the global economic situation and there is no going back unless cheaper but effective technologies are found and implemented (the Asics rice husk shoes came to mind but they were more expensive to manufacture than the regular shoes). I remember a few years ago getting brand new Mizunos from Holabird for somewhere in the $60 range. Not anymore.

I have been searching EBay for a good price on a pair of Gel Kinetic 2’s. I got a pair at Footlocker on clearance for $49.99 ($165.00 retail). They had to search their inventory system to find me a pair in my size in California which was shipped to me. Now I really like the fit and comfort of the shoe but it is discontinued and they can no longer order them for me. What happened to the pairs that were left across the country?

There are some on EBay for $99 but I don’t want to pay that much. I also have an almost brand new pair of Saucony Progrid Paramounts, but was hoping to save them or the Kinetics as my race shoes. I guess I can get a few more miles out of the other older shoes in my rotation.

I have missed several local races including the Runners Den 10K, Lost Dutchman, and some other road races. Now that I am getting back into it I will try to keep a current list of local upcoming races.

I am still waiting for my Yoga for Runners book, I will review it once it comes in. Until then I still use the Yogamazing podcasts.

Until next time, keep the rubber on the pavement.




----------------
Now playing on iTunes: Kutless - Your Touch
via FoxyTunes