Around noon I went with a friend and hiked around Stone Mountain, which was pretty cool. I longed for trail running shoes and would love to be training there in the future.
My legs were a little stiff starting out (and after the car ride home) but I quickly regained my ability to hike.
In the afternoon I met Hal to throw some frisbee golf frisbees in Candler Park (more running) and then ended off the afternoon with my regular run in Piedmont Park. My legs didn't want to agree with me starting out but I knew they would be better later, so I just decided to stick with it.
The run was a little shorter near the end because I wasn't too interested in running.
In the evening I walked about a mile each way to a place for a burrito. Too much walking!
Btw, it turned out I ran the half-marathon better than I thought -- around mile 2 I thought I accidentally turned the GPS watch off instead of hitting "lap" for two-tenths of a mile. But my final time is the same on the Web site as it is on my watch. W00t!
Time: 6 p.m.
Temp: 69 degrees
Gear: SST ('04 Va-Hi Summerfest), shorts, AP/D2.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
CTS 819: ING Georgia Half Marathon
I got up super early and had more than an hour to kill at work. But that was fine because the office is right across the street from the starting line.
Early on, I had a great start, really powering up hills and listening to music that helped me move, such as Guns N' Roses. After mile 4 I turned the iPod off to listen to some music being played in the neighborhood and kept it off the rest of the way.
I felt pretty good. At about mile 7.5, which was my neighborhood, I decided to slow up to prepare me for the hills starting at 10th St. and Juniper. It was a good decision.
The hills in between North Avenue and Marietta on Techwood were even more sick. At mile 10 or so I was a little afraid I was going to have a cramp in my leg but it went away. In the last mile the muscle behind my left knee hurt a little bit but it didn't buckle and I was careful with it the rest of the way.
I probably could have run faster had I trained harder -- my longest run in the last two months was 7.5 miles. But no matter. I'm happy to finish my 10th half-marathon.
Time: 7:05 a.m.
Temp: 46 degrees
Gear: LST (Ted's), shorts, AP/D2.
Early on, I had a great start, really powering up hills and listening to music that helped me move, such as Guns N' Roses. After mile 4 I turned the iPod off to listen to some music being played in the neighborhood and kept it off the rest of the way.
I felt pretty good. At about mile 7.5, which was my neighborhood, I decided to slow up to prepare me for the hills starting at 10th St. and Juniper. It was a good decision.
The hills in between North Avenue and Marietta on Techwood were even more sick. At mile 10 or so I was a little afraid I was going to have a cramp in my leg but it went away. In the last mile the muscle behind my left knee hurt a little bit but it didn't buckle and I was careful with it the rest of the way.
I probably could have run faster had I trained harder -- my longest run in the last two months was 7.5 miles. But no matter. I'm happy to finish my 10th half-marathon.
Time: 7:05 a.m.
Temp: 46 degrees
Gear: LST (Ted's), shorts, AP/D2.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Putting away the CFLSTs
...guess it's that time of year. So soon.
Yesterday had a late night (CTS 817.5) run from Midtown station home on the AP/A3s. They felt really good and I wonder how long they'll need to be broken in.
There's plenty of time, though, as my AP/D2s have 138 miles on them only right now. I'm still using the old AP/D1s as backups (340 miles) especially on days like today when it's raining and wet out.
On occasion I run in the the AP/Ds (246 miles), which I now just wear walking around.
Yesterday had a late night (CTS 817.5) run from Midtown station home on the AP/A3s. They felt really good and I wonder how long they'll need to be broken in.
There's plenty of time, though, as my AP/D2s have 138 miles on them only right now. I'm still using the old AP/D1s as backups (340 miles) especially on days like today when it's raining and wet out.
On occasion I run in the the AP/Ds (246 miles), which I now just wear walking around.
Friday, March 27, 2009
CTS 817: running among blossoms, expo
It was raining at a good clip when I got up so I drove down to the ING Georgia Marathon Expo at the Georgia Dome. Was pretty cool to be standing in the middle of the field.
I came home, the rain let up a little bit. So I went running. Short course. My left knee felt a little stiff but that went away. Along Virginia Ave. the last few days I've been able to run on fallen blossoms. So Japaneesy and awesome.
My legs felt really good. I feel confident they will carry me through my 10th half.
Time: 1 p.m.
Temp: 60 degrees, light rain
Gear: windbreaker, SST (Ketchikan), AP/D1.
I came home, the rain let up a little bit. So I went running. Short course. My left knee felt a little stiff but that went away. Along Virginia Ave. the last few days I've been able to run on fallen blossoms. So Japaneesy and awesome.
My legs felt really good. I feel confident they will carry me through my 10th half.
Time: 1 p.m.
Temp: 60 degrees, light rain
Gear: windbreaker, SST (Ketchikan), AP/D1.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
CTS 815: Same run, no pain
Had to move quickly to avoid the rain this morning so I just went down the same route through the park.
No knee pain this time around. I was sluggish until about 2 miles (surprise).
Time: 10:45 a.m.
Temp: 58 degrees, sprinkles
Gear: SST (Climb Atlanta), shorts, AP/D2.
No knee pain this time around. I was sluggish until about 2 miles (surprise).
Time: 10:45 a.m.
Temp: 58 degrees, sprinkles
Gear: SST (Climb Atlanta), shorts, AP/D2.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
CTS 814: Park run
I'm beginning to realize that I need about two miles of warmup before I really get my running legs on some days.
Today I had some kind of slight pain above my right kneecap as I ran toward the park. This pain went away after about 1.7 miles and really allowed me to have my running pace the rest of the way.
I'm not really sure what indicator lights mean when they go away. Can't see myself not running, especially right now.
Time: 10:45 a.m.
Temp: 62 degrees
Gear: SST (Fifth runway 5K), shorts, AP/D2.
Today I had some kind of slight pain above my right kneecap as I ran toward the park. This pain went away after about 1.7 miles and really allowed me to have my running pace the rest of the way.
I'm not really sure what indicator lights mean when they go away. Can't see myself not running, especially right now.
Time: 10:45 a.m.
Temp: 62 degrees
Gear: SST (Fifth runway 5K), shorts, AP/D2.
Monday, March 23, 2009
CTS 813: Road rash
Today I went on my regular laundry run and just before coming back to the laundry, my left foot caught on a piece of sidewalk and I went flying. It's probably the first time I fell in a run in months.
It wasn't too bad- a minor scrape on my right arm and right leg. I didn't really hit too hard, which was good since both of my arms were outstretched to brace my fall.
I'm pretty sure my left shoe was a little looser than I would have liked.
I started out with a weird pain in my right knee that went away as the run began. I didn't have the energy I had the two previous days but was happy with things in general.
Time: 11:45 a.m.
Temp: 62 degrees
Gear: SST (blue Las Vegas), shorts, AP/D2.
It wasn't too bad- a minor scrape on my right arm and right leg. I didn't really hit too hard, which was good since both of my arms were outstretched to brace my fall.
I'm pretty sure my left shoe was a little looser than I would have liked.
I started out with a weird pain in my right knee that went away as the run began. I didn't have the energy I had the two previous days but was happy with things in general.
Time: 11:45 a.m.
Temp: 62 degrees
Gear: SST (blue Las Vegas), shorts, AP/D2.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
I've registered for the ING Georgia half-marathon
Let's do this.
-Gears of War
It's done. With less than a week to go, I've registered for the ING Georgia Half-Marathon. It will be my 10th half-marathon.
I have better training and level of fitness than when I ran in The Weather Channel Atlanta Half-Marathon on Thanksgiving Day.
I've been feeling pretty good lately. Time to put an exclamation point on my training.
Friday, March 20, 2009
CTS 810: Around Emory
For a while now I've wanted to take my running around the Emory campus. But there have been many reasons why I just hadn't done it.
It's hard to say what motivates me to do a new, longer route. Many times I would just settle for a shorter one.
But I found myself on Lanier to North Highland to Johnson to Briarcliff and then to Clifton.
Here's where I remembered why I don't do this route. From Briarcliff to Clifton Way is a double beyond-category hill. It is so sick even running up it. Of course, it's the same way on Clifton from N. Decatur up to Clifton Way but gradual.
Once up it, it was pretty cool to coast all the way back down around Emory Healthcare. I turned back on North Decatur and made my way to Springdale, following my route from yesterday.
When I finished, I could feel I was pretty spent. But I feel this run, even though it's about half the distance of the ING half-marathon is enough to tell me that I can run the half now without worry about injury. I ran a half-marathon in Centralia, Wash. with the longest training run at the time being 4 miles.
I wasn't done. I also biked to work today. lol
Time: 11:15 a.m.
Temp: 58 degrees
Gear: SST ('04 Va-Hi Summerfest), shorts, AP/D2.
It's hard to say what motivates me to do a new, longer route. Many times I would just settle for a shorter one.
But I found myself on Lanier to North Highland to Johnson to Briarcliff and then to Clifton.
Here's where I remembered why I don't do this route. From Briarcliff to Clifton Way is a double beyond-category hill. It is so sick even running up it. Of course, it's the same way on Clifton from N. Decatur up to Clifton Way but gradual.
Once up it, it was pretty cool to coast all the way back down around Emory Healthcare. I turned back on North Decatur and made my way to Springdale, following my route from yesterday.
When I finished, I could feel I was pretty spent. But I feel this run, even though it's about half the distance of the ING half-marathon is enough to tell me that I can run the half now without worry about injury. I ran a half-marathon in Centralia, Wash. with the longest training run at the time being 4 miles.
I wasn't done. I also biked to work today. lol
Time: 11:15 a.m.
Temp: 58 degrees
Gear: SST ('04 Va-Hi Summerfest), shorts, AP/D2.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
CTS 809 The Emory route
Despite the iffy feeling in my left leg/knee the last few days I decided to run one of my hardest routes today, the route near the Emory Campus along Oakdale and Springdale.
My legs were really stiff to begin with but there was no queasiness in my left knee as I did some of my 'hood's hardest hills.
I felt good enough that I decided to bike into work today. Man, I should be running mileage to help out on my bike commute!
Time: noon
Temp: 65 degrees
Gear: SST (Beltline), shorts, AP/D2.
My legs were really stiff to begin with but there was no queasiness in my left knee as I did some of my 'hood's hardest hills.
I felt good enough that I decided to bike into work today. Man, I should be running mileage to help out on my bike commute!
Time: noon
Temp: 65 degrees
Gear: SST (Beltline), shorts, AP/D2.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
CTS 807, 808 St. Paddy's Day, Everybody hurts
Yesterday I was surprised to see people everywhere wearing green during my run.
But it wasn't a great run. I was full of energy and wanted to go long but the muscle above my shin acted up again, cutting my run short. It comes at a strange time as I'm really deciding whether to run in the ING Georgia Half-Marathon.
Today's run wasn't much better. This time my left knee felt banged up and fatigued earlier than my right knee. So I have to figure this out.
Lunch was interesting. One of my friends was talking about how she just joined a boot camp and her abs really hurt. I hate doing ab work because I've always had that kind of pain in the beginning. It surprised me that she would even have any kind of pain like that. So maybe since everybody hurts I will try to work through some ab work.
But it wasn't a great run. I was full of energy and wanted to go long but the muscle above my shin acted up again, cutting my run short. It comes at a strange time as I'm really deciding whether to run in the ING Georgia Half-Marathon.
Today's run wasn't much better. This time my left knee felt banged up and fatigued earlier than my right knee. So I have to figure this out.
Lunch was interesting. One of my friends was talking about how she just joined a boot camp and her abs really hurt. I hate doing ab work because I've always had that kind of pain in the beginning. It surprised me that she would even have any kind of pain like that. So maybe since everybody hurts I will try to work through some ab work.
Monday, March 16, 2009
CTS 806: More rain
It's been raining since Friday, really influencing where I've been running lately.
Today I decided to run down into the park. The muscle above my left shin was acting up, as it did in the Atlanta half-marathon, sort of limiting my workout. But I got a decent enough one in.
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Temp: 51 degrees
Gear: windbreaker, LST (Braves), shorts, hat, AP/D2.
Today I decided to run down into the park. The muscle above my left shin was acting up, as it did in the Atlanta half-marathon, sort of limiting my workout. But I got a decent enough one in.
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Temp: 51 degrees
Gear: windbreaker, LST (Braves), shorts, hat, AP/D2.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Finally registered
After 2 hours 21 minutes, I have finally registered for the Peachtree 10K Road Race.
Online registration worst day of Peachtree 10K Road Race
I've tried three times, including leaving my CREDIT CARD information on the Peachtree 10K online registration site, only to have it fail each time.
I can only imagine this is happening to everyone trying right now and if so, it's safe to say this is the worst day in the history of the Peachtree 10K Road Race, on par with the infamous mass participant complaints of the T-shirt designs that led to the creation of the T-shirt contest.
Here's an idea, Peachtree:
1). Create adequate server space to anticipate demand.
2). Test the registration process with Atlanta Track Club participants who get to register earlier than the mass registration.
3). Do not set the registration day on a day of a major road race.
4). Create a virtual queue for people to wait in if they cannot get in online.
5). Immediately post on the Web site if the system is broken down and no one can register.
6). Allow people a second date to register.
7). Send race registration invitations directly to participants who have run the race in years' past, especially those who have qualified for time groups.
I can only imagine this is happening to everyone trying right now and if so, it's safe to say this is the worst day in the history of the Peachtree 10K Road Race, on par with the infamous mass participant complaints of the T-shirt designs that led to the creation of the T-shirt contest.
Here's an idea, Peachtree:
1). Create adequate server space to anticipate demand.
2). Test the registration process with Atlanta Track Club participants who get to register earlier than the mass registration.
3). Do not set the registration day on a day of a major road race.
4). Create a virtual queue for people to wait in if they cannot get in online.
5). Immediately post on the Web site if the system is broken down and no one can register.
6). Allow people a second date to register.
7). Send race registration invitations directly to participants who have run the race in years' past, especially those who have qualified for time groups.
Peachtree 10K registration- complaint
Wow. The Peachtree 10K registration is pretty much the worst experience I've had in running.
So it took me 21 minutes of getting carpal tunnel by having to constantly re-click on the site before getting in.
I finally got in, entered my CREDIT CARD information only to have it fail.
I did this again, got in, and then got kicked out again.j
Wow, Peachtree, this really sucks.
So it took me 21 minutes of getting carpal tunnel by having to constantly re-click on the site before getting in.
I finally got in, entered my CREDIT CARD information only to have it fail.
I did this again, got in, and then got kicked out again.j
Wow, Peachtree, this really sucks.
Peachtree 10K registration -- poor system
Wow. Leave it to the AJC and the Peachtree 10K to devise a great online system for registration to the nation's largest 10K and then have it still be a major disappointment because of logistics.
First, the Peachtree set the registration for 7 a.m. today. The Shamrock N'Roll 5K and 10K is today. I'm signed up for the 5K, which is at 8 a.m. and the 10K is at 8:30 a.m.
There's pretty much no way I'll be able to run in that race. Thanks, Peachtree.
I'm saying that because the registration Web site is jammed up. There's no virtual waiting cue that will autorefresh your attempts. Instead you have to keep coming back to the site.
This is worse than last year when the race course was changed to end along a hilly Juniper and North.
First, the Peachtree set the registration for 7 a.m. today. The Shamrock N'Roll 5K and 10K is today. I'm signed up for the 5K, which is at 8 a.m. and the 10K is at 8:30 a.m.
There's pretty much no way I'll be able to run in that race. Thanks, Peachtree.
I'm saying that because the registration Web site is jammed up. There's no virtual waiting cue that will autorefresh your attempts. Instead you have to keep coming back to the site.
This is worse than last year when the race course was changed to end along a hilly Juniper and North.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
CTS 801: Haircut run canceled, bike to work
I opted not to run and get my haircut today on the grounds that I would just be disgusting in this heat if I did. I drove there like a normal person and ran after I got home.
Today I decided to bike to work. I've never liked the idea of biking to work if it meant an injury would sidelline my running. But I think I missed the freedom of it all.
I will say the running has really helped strengthen me for the bike ride- the hard hills that cap off a return home were really easy because of that.
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Temp: 75 degrees
Gear: SST (Bally's), shorts, AP/D2.
Today I decided to bike to work. I've never liked the idea of biking to work if it meant an injury would sidelline my running. But I think I missed the freedom of it all.
I will say the running has really helped strengthen me for the bike ride- the hard hills that cap off a return home were really easy because of that.
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Temp: 75 degrees
Gear: SST (Bally's), shorts, AP/D2.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Day 800
I got off track with my numbering but considering today is the 69th day of the month, I've reached my 800th day in a row of running.
Nothing too special. I wanted to run to get a haircut but didn't have enough time so I ran a basic route near the Valley of the Dogs.
Time: 10:50 a.m.
Temp: 75 degrees
Gear: SST (Falcons football white), shorts, AP/D2.
Nothing too special. I wanted to run to get a haircut but didn't have enough time so I ran a basic route near the Valley of the Dogs.
Time: 10:50 a.m.
Temp: 75 degrees
Gear: SST (Falcons football white), shorts, AP/D2.
Monday, March 9, 2009
CTS 799: Night running
It's been a while since I ran at night, mainly because of the fact that if I don't have to work until 2 p.m., I can just about always run before work.
But today I wasn't able to run before work (had a noon start instead of 2 p.m.), so I decided to run when I got home at 8:30 p.m.
It was fun -- I wore a white T and also made sure the reflectors on my running shorts were good.
My legs were pretty taught though, maybe sitting all day in an office building didn't help.
But it was fun.
Time: 9:45 p.m.
Temp: 74 degrees
Gear: SST (Climb Atlanta), shorts, AP/D2.
But today I wasn't able to run before work (had a noon start instead of 2 p.m.), so I decided to run when I got home at 8:30 p.m.
It was fun -- I wore a white T and also made sure the reflectors on my running shorts were good.
My legs were pretty taught though, maybe sitting all day in an office building didn't help.
But it was fun.
Time: 9:45 p.m.
Temp: 74 degrees
Gear: SST (Climb Atlanta), shorts, AP/D2.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
CTS 792.5 Cornerstone, with speed
This was the second run of today, a run I didn't want to do. I had done a light workout (CTS 792) doing laundry close to where I live and then running along the course of the upcoming O'Highlands Jig & Jog 5K (March 14).
When I came back home I noticed I had sold a pair of NBA tickets. I don't have a printer hooked up to my computer at home so I usually pledge to run downtown for my long run to prepare the mailer.
Plus I had to run to the local FedEx Kinkos to drop off two other FedEx envelopes.
Anyway, after I dropped off the envelopes I started up the PATH. I thought about turning around but ended up not. I followed some guy who was really slowly riding a bicycle up the double hill to N. Highland Ave. in fact I even passed him on the second part of the hill.
Then I made my way down to downtown and work.
On the way back, my speed kept on increasing. Many times I was running in the low 7-minutes. The last half mile or so I got that down to 6:20, so a really great run although I didn't want to do it earlier in the day.
Time: 4 p.m.
Temp: 46 degrees
Gear: CFLST, SST (UNLV), shorts, AP/D2.
When I came back home I noticed I had sold a pair of NBA tickets. I don't have a printer hooked up to my computer at home so I usually pledge to run downtown for my long run to prepare the mailer.
Plus I had to run to the local FedEx Kinkos to drop off two other FedEx envelopes.
Anyway, after I dropped off the envelopes I started up the PATH. I thought about turning around but ended up not. I followed some guy who was really slowly riding a bicycle up the double hill to N. Highland Ave. in fact I even passed him on the second part of the hill.
Then I made my way down to downtown and work.
On the way back, my speed kept on increasing. Many times I was running in the low 7-minutes. The last half mile or so I got that down to 6:20, so a really great run although I didn't want to do it earlier in the day.
Time: 4 p.m.
Temp: 46 degrees
Gear: CFLST, SST (UNLV), shorts, AP/D2.
Monday, March 2, 2009
CTS 790: Ice pellets keep falling on my head
Yesterday I thought there wasn't any rain, so I hurried outside only to find slight rain and sleet pellets hitting me in the head while I ran my short course.
I felt refreshed and able to run. Even though I didn't have much sleep, I still felt pretty good. Only I didn't have a lot of time to run before work.
At least I got out the run before it started snowing.
Time: 9 a.m.
Temp: 40 degrees
Gear: CFLST, SST (Gold Coast), shorts, AP/D2.
I felt refreshed and able to run. Even though I didn't have much sleep, I still felt pretty good. Only I didn't have a lot of time to run before work.
At least I got out the run before it started snowing.
Time: 9 a.m.
Temp: 40 degrees
Gear: CFLST, SST (Gold Coast), shorts, AP/D2.
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