Don't Be a Phoebe

This is how I feel. I want to feel like I am running like Crowie, robotic, focused, showing no emotion. Not cramped up, hobbling with a look of constipation on my face, or worse...walking. I want good form and I want to look like a runner because I am a runner. I have never really focused on any type of form or really anything about running except getting the miles in. Well this has all changed recently.

I have been doing alot of my runs on the treadmill lately. Now, before you start in about how much you hate the treadmill, believe me, I am there with you. I do not like the treadmill either, but I am starting to like it a little more then before. I know that treadmill runs and road runs will give you different times due to the road and weather conditions, and I know I run faster on the road than on the treadmill, but this is not the point of me using a treadmill. So what is the point? The point for me is a couple of things. I have been working on cadence, speed work and mental toughness and yes, form. All of this on a treadmill run. The weather has been up and down here, but I could have done alot of these runs outside, but I do not think I would get the same workout.

I have really been focusing on cadence lately. Taking a smaller stride. I have been trying to hit that elusive number of 90. I can;t say I have been successful, but I am currently hitting a cadence of about 88 with a heart rate around 155-160. This seems to work for me. Today I had a great run, 7 miles in 1:02:17, and I felt great afterwards, like I had more in the tank. I think next time I try and speed up the pace!

I have also been doing alot of speed work. 1/2 mile repeats and different speed intervals. On a treadmill, it is much easier for me to speed up the dreadmill to the pace I want and then run it out. Again, I understand that the treadmill speed can be misleading, so do not dwell on that point as much as the part about my pace being sped up. I honestly believe this has helped me a lot.

Mental toughness is something I have been struggling with for a few seasons. What better way to get tougher by staring at wall for an hour while running. I find it tougher to run a 7 miler on a dreadmill than a 7 miler outside.

Also my form has been getting better. I have been working on keeping my hands high (nips to hips). I tend to let my arms fall to my side and I know that hurts my form and my pacing. If I do not keep my hands high while on the treadmill, I ultimately will end up hitting the stop button, launching me forward and lookin like a fool!

I am going to get outside and run, do not worry about that, but I have enjoyed these treadmill runs lately and I think I will continue to get some in going forward.  I may never look like Crowie running, or Macca, or any other professional triathlete and that's cool, but I never want to run like Phoebe!!

It is a Mental Thing!

Well, it has been awhile since I posted last and I have no excuse to give anyone. Guess I am just a little bit lazy with the posting. A lot has been going on though, so I will try and cram a lot of stuff into one post and get caught up with anything.

I know I said that I was over my poor running performance in my last race, and at the time I meant it, but it was still chewing at me. So I vowed to not let this happen again, heat or no heat. I was going to break through. I was going to focus on my running and get it back to where it should be, no matter how much it hurt. I knew my HIM plan was calling for a run focused week soon, and I welcomed that challenge! (Not so much now though, my legs are tired!) Anyways, with 4th of July weekend approaching, I knew the family was traveling to see in-laws and outlaws, but I was not going to let travel stop me from running. So I packed up all my running gear and was ready to work on my running.

The day before we left, my mother called and said, that her church was having a 5K the next morning called the Bottle Rocket 5K and I should run it since I was saying I planned on running anyways! Whooaaaaaa! Hold on a second now. I was not real sure I wanted competition after my speedy 11 minute mile pace. I was a little concerned about getting smoked again and having a second bad race. So my solution?? Make my son run with me. He is a pretty quick little fella, I could just run with him and the pressure would be off. (I can already see my wife rolling her eyes at this thought process) Anyways, I told mom to sign me and Jake up for the run.

It was a small group of about 45 people that ran the race. The group that put the race on started as a Bible Study group that would run afterwards, sort of an exercise for the body and the soul. Some of them are strong runners, some are Boston Qualifiers, some are recreational runners, some are run walkers and then there are those of us that heard about the race and joined in. So, I was not sure what to expect, especially since the morning before I did a 1.5 mile swim followed by a 3 mile run at medium pace (not another excuse, I really did that).

Here are some pictures from the race that my wife took of me and Jake.

I like this last picture, it shows Jake, me in the background and Jared (middle son) cheering on his brother!

So the race went really well. I did start off running with Jake, but about a ½ mile into it, he told me to go on, so I picked up the pace. I ran in 3rd place overall for a majority of the race before a guy passed me at the end. I finished up 4th overall and finished in 23:21 (7:31 pace). Jake came in and set a new PR for him at 28:47! This run ended up being very good for me because it gave me my confidence back. Confidence to know that I know I can keep a good pace on a run. I think I could have been faster if not for the hard workout the day before, but that doesn’t really matter.

It really helped me to know I can hold a decent pace, not the fastest pace, but a good strong pace. That race, combined with the run focused week I have had training, has really helped me get ready for my triathlon next weekend. I am looking forward to tackling the run portion again and seeing what I can do this time.

Seriously, Why ARE Running Shorts So Short?

The other day I bought a true pair of running shorts. Made by a company that specializes in running (Brooks). So they obviously know about running right?

I usually run in shorts. Regular shorts. Longer shorts. I have several pairs of these running shorts and I always felt comfortable in them. I am not talking about basketball shorts, but these are running shorts that are made by companies that make workout clothing, they do not specialize in running shorts. Here are my normal running shorts:

I guarantee that most of you runners have the same type of shorts and the same length. So I really did not think much about ordering another pair of running shorts, because running shorts are running shorts right?

NOOOOOO!

I opened the box and first checked to make sure they sent me men's shorts. Next, I thought, "you have to be kidding me!" Wow, they were short, so I went back and reviewed my order and size chart. It was right. So here are my new running shorts:

Much shorter!

I will admit I was a little self conscience the first time I wore them out, but it was a hot day here in Memphis, and I thought, why not? So, I pulled them on and went for a run. At first, I felt naked, but as the run went on I got comfortable in them and really felt like a runner.

I am not sure what it was, I always know that when I run in my tri top, I feel like my training is better, so maybe it is a mental thing, but I really felt more like a runner than I ever had before. THey are now my favorite shorts to run in, and it did not take long to reach this point either. On thos first runs, it was just me, my shorts, my shoes and visor. Explain it to me if ya can!