Tuesdays on the Run: New Year, New Training Cycle

If you haven't realized by now following the sheer bombardment of New Year tweets and resolution declarations, 2017 has arrived in all its glory.  For some, the start of another year signals renewed commitments to healthier lifestyles.  For others, January marks the opportunity to leave the past in the past and begin anew.  And for the crazy ones of us out there, this first week of the new year commemorates the beginning of spring marathon training - woohoo!

It's hard to believe that in 18 weeks I'll be towing the line on Liberty Avenue with 26.2 miles ahead of me.  Back when I signed up for the Pittsburgh Marathon in August, the experience felt so far in the future.  But, as each week ticked by, the excitement for this new adventure mounted.  I knew with each workout I was building a solid base that would have me in the right place when training began.  That's not to say I didn't hatch many a Pokemon during my runs...

Now, while I enjoyed running just for the love of it these past few weeks, I do feel more comfortable with training plans.  They give exact instructions and structure to each workout speaking to my organization-loving inner teacher.  The challenge I always find, though, is determining what of the plethora of available plans fits my goals/ability-level/flexibility/propensity to avoid speed work/etc.  While I would love to have a coach, the budget with the wee one in the house just won't allow it.  I also don't have enough experience and knowledge-base to design my own plan (but may try some day).  Up to this point, I have tried both Nike and Runner's World for plans having found both to possess strengths as well as shortcomings.  Wanting something new, I scoured the webpages of my running club (Steel City Road Runners) for its guidance.  Lo and behold, I was pointed in the direction of Hal Hidgon, whose plans I had heard of but never investigated.  After doing a short comparison between his novice and intermediate plans, I found the latter to be more in line with my base and experience.  I saved the link to the Intermediate 2 page knowing I'd be revisiting it many times over the next several weeks.

And so it begins!  Over the next 18 weeks, I'll be posting my progress so you can follow along for the trials and tribulations of marathon training.  Many lessons will be learned, including a few more than once.  By writing the outcome of each workout, I'm hoping to form the habit of reflecting on my runs and get a little more out of the training than just sore legs.  With that, it's time to buckle down and get ready for the fun.

Happy running!
Sean

Thinking of signing up for the Pittsburgh Marathon?  Use discount code FOX17 to save $10 on either the half or full registration!

I'm joining Patty, Erika, and Marcia for this week's Tuesdays on the Run.

Tuesdays on the Run: It's Official!

For the past few weeks, I'd been secretly awaiting an email.  It finally arrived on Thursday with some exciting news.  I've been chosen as one of the official bloggers for the 2017 Pittsburgh Marathon!  I decided to apply for this endeavor with that though that I was planning to share my marathon training journey, so why not make it official?

If you haven't noticed from several posts on my blog, I'm kinda sorta like obsessed with running my hometown race.  After racing the half marathon last year, I couldn't wait for May 2017 to roll around so I could take on those glorious 26.2 miles.  To add to the excitement of race weekend, I'll  once again be embarking on the Steel Challenge by also running the Saturday morning 5K.  Last year, this shake-out run felt awesome and I got a little extra bling - best of both worlds!

I'm feeling especially positive about how the marathon will turn out.  I've learned a number of valuable lessons from my first marathon in Akron having been humbled by a distance I thought I knew all about.  I've come to terms with the fact that I have a long way to go before I really master the marathon, but to just take one step at a time and be grateful for where I currently am.  I also have to be realistic about the impact that adding the title "dad" has affected my running.  Sleepless nights with an infant do eventually catch up to you.  But hey, at least I'll get in lots of training of running on tired legs and pushing a jogging stroller basically doubles as cross-training!

If you're considering a Spring marathon, I cannot encourage you strongly enough to join us in the Steel City.  This race is the Goldilocks type in being just the right size for new runners as well as veterans.  You can even use discount code FOX17 to save $10 on either the half or full registration!

My training plan for the race official begins on January 2nd (what better way to start the New Year?!).  I hope you'll follow along for the adventure; I have a feeling it's going to be eventful!

Happy running!
Sean

I'm linking up for this week's Tuesdays on the Run with Patty, Erika, and Marcia.

Tuesdays on the Run: Dick's Sporting Goods App

The theme for this week's Tuesdays on the Run with Patty, Erika, and Marcia dives into the craziness that is Black Friday and the holiday shopping season.  While I am not someone who tends to have the "in" on where to find the best deals or discounts, I do stumble across the occasional awesome find when it comes to saving a few bucks.  In this regard, my secret weapon to cut down on the cost of our surprisingly expensive sport is the Dick's Sporting Goods (DSG) app.

In this day and age, every store seems to have its own app that is basically a clunky version of its website.  Because of this, I avoid cluttering my phone with unnecessary apps when I can just as easily open up Chrome to find what I need.  I was naturally hesitant then to download the DSG app, since I figured it was same old same old.  However, what made me willing to give up those precious megabytes of space was a feature I had yet to see offered by any other store.  It gave me points just for doing what I love - running!

Outside of the usual tabs advertising sales and promoting the rewards card, the DSG app has an additional feature called "Move."  For either hitting 10,000 steps in a day or running three miles using MapMyRun, three points are added to the DSG reward card.  Once 300 points are earned, a $10 gift certificate is given - it's that easy!  Once the app is set up, there is little maintenance that needs done on the user side of things.  And just like other reward programs, a point is also earned for every dollar spent at the store/online.

On top of the normal methods of earning points, twice so far (during the Olympics and the month of October) the DSG app has also offered step challenges.  By averaging about 15,000 steps a day, I earned an additional 600 points.  I like to think of all this as free money!

Now, there are a few caveats worth noting when using the app.  First, if you only ever just earn the three points a day, it will take a really long time to receive a certificate.  In addition, the $10 has an expiration date 60 days from when it is issued.  Third, you do need to sign up for the DSG rewards program, so make room for another card on your rewards tag key ring.  Another restriction is that you have to use one of the means for tracking, either a Garmin, Fitbit or Apple watch for steps, or MapMyRun for the three mile run.  Finally, the occasional day has occurred where it did not properly register my steps making for missed points.

At this point in using the app with only making a limited number of purchases here and there, I've received $40 in certificates.  That's $40 that will not be coming out of my bank account - score!  And with the prospect of doing some Christmas shopping at DSG in the coming weeks, I may hit that magical 300 points again soon.  I'll take it!

Happy running!
Sean

Tuesdays on the Run: Along for the Journey

The theme for this week's Tuesdays on the Run with Patty, Erika, and Marcia is about taking a step back to consider how I've changed since my blog was first set up a year and a half ago.  And boy has life been interesting!

Since May of 2015, both my running life as well as personal life have grown through completely new experiences.  I started this blog back when I first signed up for a half marathon, a distance that both frightened and excited me.  I wanted to chronicle the return to the sport of my youth as I took on a new challenge.  What I didn't expect was that I would be hooked by this new endeavor.

Something about doing a race that was completely foreign to me and I thought I could never do unlocked my potential to push my limits and see just how far I could go.  Running the Pittsburgh Half last spring affirmed this drive within me.

I'm not entirely sure when I set out to blog my adventures that a marathon was on the docket, but it's the surprises that keep life interesting.  I've now survived 26.2 and am crazy enough to do it again this May.  The fear of the unknown that I sometimes live my life by is slowly dissipating, which I would say is for the better.

Added on to how my running life has changed, August 9th marked the birth of my newest running partner.  Having a daughter gives a whole new meaning to life.  I'm now responsible for another human being - God help her!  Though sleepless nights have become a norm, the little peanut also gives so much joy to those around her.  And she was so excited to share the love that she came four weeks early!

Since starting my blog, I've loved bringing others on the adventure that is my life.  These posts have helped to capture many moments that now define me and help me to be a better person.  I hope you continue to follow along as the fun continues!

Happy running!
Sean

Tuesdays on the Run: Winter Crosstraining

The theme for this week's Tuesdays on the Run with Patty, Erika, and Marcia is a look into the future at the frigid months that await us and what we as runners can do when the roads are sheets of ice and the polar vortex is looming.

Two words the cause me to break out in hives when used in the same sentence are "winter" and "crosstraining."  The former conjures up bad memories of cancelled birthday parties from being a January baby and the latter just isn't as appealing as pounding pavement.  But regardless of my dread, I can neither stop winter from coming (unless anyone knows a Heat Miser who needs some business...) nor deny the positive benefits of crosstraining.  So what do I do when I can't log the miles in the chilly months?  Yoga!

While I do not see myself as a yogi, I have accepted that this traditional practice really enhances my running and is the perfect exercise during winter.  Between sitting inside more due to the limited amount of daylight and the cold weather tightening my muscles with a vengeance, my body just isn't in its peak shape.  Adding in the stretching and strength work awakens tired and tense limbs making the days when I can hit the roads way better.

While yoga provides me with a number of physical benefits, the mental component of the exercises is just as important.  As someone who gets more irritable from the lack of sunshine and fresh air, a meditative practice that allows me to redirect my negative emotions toward something productive generally leaves me feeling more optimistic about life.  I become less embittered about winter opening the way to actually enjoying the beauty that accompanies the season.

As someone who a year ago adamantly refused to partake in the practice, I've since become a willing yoga participant to the point that a significant number of my workouts conclude with some key poses.  If you're not sure where to look for sequences, start with the Runner's World Yoga Center.  The routines are really easy to follow with special attention to the muscles most used in running.  If you are someone who gets more out of social exercise, consider signing up for a class.  Many studios will give you a free trial session.  Going to a class can also be really beneficial in the winter, since it encourages you to abandon the warm covers for something that you will be thankful for later.

Haven't given yoga a try as a crosstraining method?  Consider broadening your horizons!  Worse comes to worst, you only used up one of many cold winter days.  On the other hand, you may have just found your new go-to for the days when running isn't on the agenda!

Happy running!
Sean

Tuesday on the Run: Looking Back to Akron

The theme for this week's Tuesdays on the Run with Patty, Erika, and Marcia is, in a nutshell, a "what-if" scenario dealing with looking back at a race and considering what could have been done differently.  As irony would have it, on this day one month ago I was taking on the Blue Line in the Akron Marathon.  I was thinking about doing a post now that time has passed, so this TotR aligned in my favor!

While none of us owns a TARDIS (or at least ones that work!) or have a time-jumping DeLorean, it would be interesting to see how things could be different if we applied information we have now to events in the past.  Hitting that redo button would be so tempting, especially after a marathon, which most of us only run once or two a year.  In not so much dwelling on the past as learning from it, three special lessons come to mind that, if I had practiced, may have resulted in a very different race experience in Akron.

1.  Run Smart - I will be the first person to admit that I didn't "run my own race."  The pace at the beginning was way too fast and unbridled confidence got the best of me.  On top of that, I convinced myself that I was fueling properly, though my Gatorade and water-soaked shirt said otherwise about my drinking-while-running skills.  I made one mistake after the next creating my own perfect storm - no need for outside factors to do it for me!

2. Set Realistic Goals - The two weeks prior to the race, I barely ran more than a couple miles and suffered a variety of injuries.  Yet, when race day rolled around, I still set out for the 3:25 goal time.  I'm sure some part of my brain attempted to reason toward more practical goals, but irrationality had already taken over.  While "stretch goals" are awesome for pushing for something long-term, pull something too tight and it will snap.

3.  Have Fun - In trying to make pace and push hard, I lost a little bit of the fun I could have had.  One of the most enjoyable parts of the race was when I chatted with a fellow runner named Matt.  Having a little conversation back and forth was really nice and I could have had a lot more of it if I hadn't let self-competition dictate my race.

With these tidbits of wisdom in mind, I feel much the wiser approaching the Pittsburgh Marathon in May.  I'm even going to push for the positive in hoping that a month after that race, I'll want a redo because it was so epicly amazing!

Happy running!
Sean

Tuesdays on the Run: 2016 Goal Check-In

The theme for this week's Tuesdays on the Run with Patty, Erika, and Marcia is a check-in on final goals for 2016.  It's so hard to believe that only a little over two months are left to the year!  Back in December of 2015, I posted a list of goals I had set for myself to accomplish at some point over the following 12 months.  As we approach the end of that window, now is as good a time as any to look back at how things have gone so far and what can be done to possibly check a few of them off the list.

1.  12 in 12 - I had planned to try and run a race at least once a month during the year.  Looking back, I'm at about 50%.  I was right on track to meet this goal until the summer months hit and then things got unexpectedly busy.  I'm currently slated to run the Pittsburgh 10 Miler in November to round the year out at seven races.

2.  Strength Training Regularly - I've been trying as of late to incorporate either a short strength routine or yoga into each day.  I've become a believer in the benefits of these practices when it comes to both feeling better when running and injury prevention.  I've even noticed a little bit of toning in my upper body, which I haven't seen since swimming in high school!

3.  Finish First Marathon - I got to check this off the goal list in September with the Akron Marathon.  If you want to hear how it went, check out my recap post!  And since I just couldn't wait, I already signed up for Pittsburgh in May.

4.  Increase Days of Running - With the training plan I followed for my marathon, I shifted from four days a week of mileage to five.  Though it took some getting use to some days, especially when I wanted to come home and be a couch potato, I found that most days turned out pretty well.

5.  Become a Running Group Regular - I never realized how many different things I have going on on Saturday mornings!  Something always seemed to come up on days when I planned to join SCRR for runs.  I still haven't given up on this goal, though, and plan to make full use of the weekend mornings to join in group runs.

With some time still left for the year, I haven't given up hope yet!

Happy running!
Sean

Tuesdays on the Run: Bucket List Race

The theme for this week's Tuesdays on the Run with Patty, Erika, and Marcia is all about the bucket list race.  I've given some thought at different times about where I would love to run.  I've toyed with the idea of attempting to BQ (which, if I don't get any slower in the next 30 years, I could totally do by the time I'm 60!) or enter the lottery for Chicago or NYC.  At the same time, I've also been realistic about my aversion to huge crowds of people as well as being a little bit of a homebody.  With all this in mind, the one race that sits on my bucket list is the Pittsburgh Marathon.

Courtesy of Pittsburgh Marathon website

Besides a very short time after college, Pittsburgh has always been my hometown.  I know the different neighborhoods that make up the city and have run through a number of them.  I think this is one of the reasons for such a strong PR last year in the Pittsburgh Half Marathon (10 minutes!).

I've also found that races tend to be more fun with friends.  Since the race is local, several of us join in the Saturday 5K as a shake-out run followed by spending the afternoon at the expo.  And after the race on Sunday, we head to lunch to refuel and relax.  We make the most of race weekend!

In addition to those of us running, our families are able to come out and cheer us on.  During my marathon in Akron, my wife wasn't able to spectate due to our daughter being too young to be in large crowds.  Since this will no longer be the case in May, my wife is already planning the sign is she going to make!

Yes, I know, I'll be crossing it off this May and will then have to find a new bucket list race, but until then, it's going to sit on the list until I hit the finish line.

What is your bucket list race?

Happy running!
Sean