Tag: running

Half Marathon Training: Day 3

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Week 6 - Wednesday: 2 mile run or cross

Week 6 - Wednesday: 2 mile run or cross

So today was either a 2 mile run or a “cross” workout. Here is how Hal Higdon explains a “cross” or “cross train” workout:

It could be swimming, cycling, walking (see below), cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or even some combination that could include strength training if you choose to do it on Wednesdays and Saturdays instead of as indicated on the schedule. And feel free to throw in some jogging as well if you’re feeling good. In fact, on Wednesdays I offer you the option to run or cross-train. What cross-training you select depends on your personal preference. But don’t make the mistake of cross-training too vigorously. Sports such as basketball or volleyball that involve sideways motions or sudden stops and starts do not qualify as cross-training. In fact, you may increase your risk of injury if you double up on these sports, particularly as the mileage builds. Cross-training days should be considered easy days that allow you to recover from the running you do the rest of the week.

Being a typical dude, this is my first time reading what an actual “cross” or “cross-train” workout was. Before writing this post, I didn’t know what a “cross” workout was. For some reason, I chose to accept it to mean a crazy/intense workout. And when I think about crazy and/or insane workouts, I immediately think about CrossFit workouts.

If you’re unaware of what a Crossfit WOD is, or if you just don’t know anything about Crossfit in general, then please check out their website (CrossFit.com) I’d be surprised if you haven’t heard or seen anything CrossFit, they’ve been on the come up for a few years now and have officially blown up with their CrossFit Games coverage on ESPN2 and their partnership with Reebok

So today, my “cross” workout was the Crossfit WOD “Fran.” This workout consists of 3 rounds of the same 2 exercises: 95 lb. Thrusters (65 lb. for the ladies) and Pull-ups.

  • Round 1 = 21 Thrusters and 21 Pull-ups.
  • Round 2 = 15 Thrusters and 15 Pull-ups.
  • Round 3 = 9 Thrusters and 9 Pull-ups.

Here’s a video of Irving Hernandez completing “Fran” in a little under 2 minutes. (I don’t own this video, I don’t know Irving Hernandez, I just took this video from YouTube to share with you all.)

 

 

Ummm yea, that guys is a beast (just like a bunch of other “CrossFit-ers”). I completed “Fran” in 08:31 and I was completely spent after.

"Fran" 03/28/12

"Fran" 03/28/12

 

What I learned from today’s training:

  1. read directions
  2. i should do more CrossFit workouts, I’m thinking once a week

 

So that was “Day 3” of my Half Marathon Training! Cheers!

Training for My First Half Marathon

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Yesterday, I officially started my training for my first Half Marathon (Western Pacific Half Marathon) on May 5th. I know what you’re thinking: YOU’RE ONLY STARTING NOW?!?!

Well, I have been running a lot more these past 2 months. For instance, this month I had weekly goals of running 35 and 42 miles, both of which I reached, and I also completed a 13 mile run earlier this month. So I believe I prepared myself enough to start on “Week 6” of my Hal Higdon Training Program (pictured below). Also, I will replace the “Week 10” workout with the “Week 11” work out so that this program will lead me right up to my May 5th Half Marathon.

 

Hal Higdon's "Half Marathon Training Guide: Novice 1 Program"

Hal Higdon's "Half Marathon Training Guide: Novice 1 Program"

 

As you can see at the end of this 6th week, it says to run a 5K. So last night, I registered for my first official race: Running of the Elk Half Marathon, in Elk Grove, CA. I will be running the “Thrive 5K” portion of this race with my brother Gordon and hopefully a few more of our friends decide to come out and run with us.

 

Running of the Elk Half Marathon in Elk Grove, CA

Running of the Elk Half Marathon in Elk Grove, CA

I like this training program because it is very clear and it gives me something to follow. From what I read, Hal Higdon is an awesome resource for anything and everything about running so I am confident that this program will prepare me well for my first ever Half Marathon on May 5th.

 

Starting today, I will post my progress with this training program everyday up to and including race day, May 5th. Cheers!

“you’d better be running”

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“Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a lion or a gazelle — when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.” – Roger Banister (via Born to Run pg. 13)

 

I think I just fell in love with running

What a Weekend!

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This weekend was awesome!

Saturday: My day started bright and early as I got up at 6:30 to prepare for the long day ahead of me. At 8:30 I trained my client, Eric, at DIAKADI. We had a great session; we started off with running a mile (he shaved 9 seconds off his time) and we spent the rest of the session hitting the focus mitts. After our session we both headed over to Fleet Feet on Chestnut to get some new running shoes. It was such a beautiful day in the city that I had to let the top down on my mom’s “Mighty Blue” Miata on our drive over to Chestnut. When we got into Fleet Feet we were immediately greeted by the employee at the front desk. He quickly called another employee over to help Eric and I get fitted. Jason was the guy who helped me out; he was very attentive and very knowledgable about shoes, running, and proper gait mechanics. He showed me 3 pairs of running shoes that he said would work well with me. He had me try on all 3 and had me run to the front door and back with them (they even allow you to test them out on the sidewalk if you wanted to get a better idea of how they run). I went with the last pair he showed me: Brooks Ravenna 3s. They felt pretty damn good compared to the Nikes and Mizunos he showed me. Eric and I were in and out of there in 25 minutes, which was appropriate because we were parked in a 30 minute meter!

After spending the first half of the day in The City, I headed over to Fremont in the Easy Bay with a couple of my friends to hike Mission Peak. This was my second time hiking Mission Peak, but my first time hiking it wearing a 20 lb. weight vest. I had no choice! Gordon (the former Marine) hiked with a 30 lb. vest and Jeff (the crazy MMA/Muay Thai fighter) hiked with a 35 lb. vest; I couldn’t go up there without carrying something! If you haven’t been to Mission Peak before, there’s 2 paths that people normally take: the “LEFT SIDE” and the “RIGHT SIDE.” The LEFT is a wide fire road that zig zags up the mountain and is the path that most people choose. The RIGHT isn’t as popular as the LEFT side because, imo, its a tougher hike. The path isn’t as “carved out” as the LEFT and it has 2 or 3 hills that are pretty damn steep and pretty tough to climb. The hike with a 20 lb vest sucked, but the reward you get when you finally reach the top is amazing. We got to the top as the sun was setting and, my God, what a beautiful view! We sat down, had some tangerines, ate half a sandwich, and just admired the beauty before us. After about 10 minutes at the top we headed back down the mountain. On our way home, we rewarded ourselves and stopped by In-N-Out where I had a 4×4, animal style, and some fries with no salt. I then went home to KTFO!

Sunday: Sunday was the day that I had been planning for the past week and half. My friends and I (there were 8 of us total) ran from AT&T Park to the Golden Gate Bridge and then back to AT&T Park; it was amazing! The conditions were perfect for running! The sun was warm, there were no clouds, the breeze was refreshing, and the Embarcadero wasn’t too crowded. I wasn’t sure if breaking in my new Brooks with a ~13 mile run was a good idea, but it held up! After we all reached the Golden Gate Bridge we walked over to The Sports Basement to get some GU and then headed over to Chestnut to grab a bite to eat. We decided to get some burgers at Super Duper Burger. The food was really good, I went with the 100% Natural Free Range Chicken Breast sandwich with lettuce, tomato, red onions and roasted portobello. I also ordered a side of fries with no salt. This was a good 30 minute pit stop before our run back to AT&T Park; we ate, we stretched, we walked over to Fort Mason Green and began our run back to AT&T.

What a weekend! I had a fun, productive and healthy weekend. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend both Saturday and Sunday. The weather was awesome both days and I spent both days with great friends. Thank you Lord for this past weekend! All this is yours and I am very thankful for your many blessings.