Marathon Ninja

Running and Water Skiing

This may sound a bit crazy but I had a moment during my long run this morning - a 6 miler along the riverfront in Bettendorf - that reminded me of water skiing.

I have probably been waterskiing between 5 and 10 times in my life. I consider it fun but have never really been into water sports either on the river or in a lake.

That being said, for a total novice like me the moment you are up on the skis being pulled by that boat is a good feeling. It's like "okay I'm not going to immediately fall" which is then followed by adjusting your board shorts and figuring out the best way to proceed.

So what in the hell does water skiing have to do with running? Good question. At about mile 4 I really felt like I was running on top of my legs. What I mean by that is it was just like the feeling when you get up on water skis. My form was good, I was gliding over the pavement with measured strides that made for a quick turnover. My arms and upper-body were doing their part to propel me forward.

Even the music I was listening to was really working. I can't name the song but the band was Dropkick Murphys. Come to think of it the song might have been "Dirty Glass."

Have a look here:

If it's an even year ... I'm running a marathon!!

Well HELLO 2010!

So it's only been one year and four months since I've posted to this blog. I guess that makes me a bid of a dormant ninja these days. In any case I'm now training for the 2010 Chicago Marathon (this week is my first week) so I figured I'd better get back with the program.

I live in LeClaire, IA which is beautiful - right on the Mississippi river - but has limited running trails I can get to without driving. Therefore I've become a road runner.

Learning to run against traffic (okay so I knew how to do THAT) and on the shoulder of the road has been interesting. As long as the gravel on the side of the road isn't too wet I seem to be okay. The only other issue is that it's a two lane highway and has a fairly large crown on the road. This means my right leg is closer to the ground with every footfall than my left. No problem on a short run but we will see if it is an issue as time goes on.

Tuesday I ran 3, Wednesday 3, Thursday was cross-training on the elliptical, Friday 3 and today I rest. Tomorrow will be a 6 miler and I'm hoping for good weather.

I also need to buy one or two new pair of running shoes. My Kayanos are about shot and I don't know if I want the same make / model. The good news is they have a lot of stability but they are also HEAVY.

I have been an Asics / Saucony guy for the past 3 years so I will probably end up with one of those.

That's all I got. GO USA! BEAT ENGLAND!

A Frozen 3 Miler - Golden Gopher Style

Greeting from the great white north - AKA Minneapolis, MN. I'm up here visiting some friends and counting down the hours until I go see Flogging Molly tonight.

I took today (Monday) and tomorrow off. I can't remember the last lazy Monday I had so I'm taking full advantage.

Back to the run. It turns out February in Minnesota is cold. Fortunately I had about twelve layers to keep me warm. I drove around the area next to the University of Minnesota for a bit (where my buddy lives) scouting a course. I decided on a 3 mile loop that took me across the Mississippi River and back.

Fortunately I ran with music today. Considering I'm going to the concert tonight I thought it appropriate to fire up some Flogging Molly which is in itself great running music. I'd have to say it took a good 5 to 10 minutes before my brain stopped shouting "Damn it's cold, damn it's cold, ..." But fortunately I found my stride just before the end of my first mile.

The main reasons the run was doable was a lack of wind and sunny skies. I dig running over bridges / along rivers so it made for a scenic run too. Best of all I felt like a Slumdog Millionaire when I got done.

My reward after a thankfully hot shower was several cups of Joe at the Overflow Cafe on University Ave. where I type this.

I'm contemplating my next races - both on the schedule and not.

Signed up for...
Shamrock Shuffle : 8K : Chicago, IL : March 29, 2009

Considering running...
Bay to Breakers : 12K : San Francisco, CA : May 21, 2009
Bix 7 : Davenport, IA : 7 Miles : July 25, 2009
Run for the Schools : Iowa City, IA : Half Marathon : Early October, 2009

Very long shot...
Chicago Marathon : Chicago, IL : Marathon : October 11, 2009

Labels: 3 miles, cold, flogging molly, Minneapolis

So I just had one of those zen runs everyone is talking about. It didn't hurt I'm in sunny California today running along highway 101 above the beach. To get that mental image locked in check this out:

I did an evenly paced 5 miles this morning and managed to feel pretty good during and after.

I ran past a poem today (literally ran past) by Kipling that was posted on a Naval Base in Carlsbad where I was running.

If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!
- Kipling

Pretty cool 'eh?

If you want the whole thing head here.

I'm in week 6 of training with 12 weeks to go before Chicago. Of course that means another 3 weeks before I run the NYC marathon. Good times.