Friday, May 26, 2006

RISKS/REWARDS

Okay. Now what the heck do I blog about?

Is it just me or do others find it disturbing when 35 year old men have a conversation about American Idol? Come on, I’m trying to work here. I don’t need to listen to your conversation about who should make the finals or how such-and-such a song fits so-and-so’s style. I know Minnesota sports suck lately, but can’t you think of something better to discuss?

Speaking of discussions, why do slower runners always feel that they need to preface each conversation with, “I’m not as fast as you guys, but…”? Heck, I’ve probably done it too. But really, it’s about passion, not speed. Are you passionate about running and fitness? If so, then we can send emails until our in-boxes are full – and we start getting those annoying system administrator messages telling us so.

The other day I mentioned that my friend Eric is injured too. He’s been rollerblading and he came up with two top-10 lists that I thought I’d share;

Why skating is better than running:
1) You get to go really fast.
2) You can carry your water without it bouncing around.
3) It doesn't hurt your knees as much.
4) Skates last longer than running shoes.
5) You can do it in blue jeans.
6) You get to see a lot more scenery.
7) Drafting is more effective.
8) You can coast.
9) You can use the bike path without feeling like a criminal.
10) You get to go really fast.

Why running is better than skating:
1) You rarely crash when running.
2) You don't need to wear protective gear to run.
3) You don't need to drive somewhere to run.
4) You never have to say "on your left".
5) Running shoes are more comfortable than skates.
6) Bumpy pavement is just as fast as smooth pavement.
7) Crossing streets is easy.
8) A downhill with a cross street at the bottom does not strike fear into your heart.
9) There are more races to choose from.
10) You get to read Runner's World.


Before running out and buying some rollerblades to see if he’s right, I’m going to borrow some from a co-worker next week. I want to see how that movement affects my leg. Since they say x-c skiing is the best cross-training for runners, rollerblading can’t be far behind.

With all this free time I tried to come up with a list of things I want to do – just don’t mention this list to my wife because she’ll think it means I’m actually going to do all of them;

Re-finish the kitchen chairs
Rip out bushes and plant a flower garden
Cook dinner more often
Learn how to use the programs on our new computer – like burning a CD and making movies
Transfer photos from the old computer to the new computer
Dispose of the old computer
Read all the books I’ve bought – only to stick them on a shelf


I’m sure this is just the tip of the iceberg, but it’s a start.

Quote of the day:
“I suspect that we have been systematically overemphasizing the risks and underestimating the rewards. I suspect that we run the risk of ingrained mediocrity due to a systemic bias against risk.” – Pete Pfitzinger

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Zeker,

Hey, we have all been in your situation. The good news is I have ran a few of my best marathons after a prolonged down time or reduced mileage. Your in great shape and when you get back I wouldn't hesitate on cranking it out for two months, tapering and firing away. Not that your old, but how many times can we expect to have a shot at running a fast marathon? Sometimes I think you learn about yourself when do it on the fly. If I look back I don't think I ever did a plan more than 9 weeks long before a three week taper. Get fast as hell and go pop one. Did you do anything special before your PR marathon? I personally think you either train 8-12 months for as marathon, or you do a 3 month window. Anything in between can leave you stale. People try and get the big miles in, do a strength phase and then intervals/speed. My personal experience (from ultras) is you try and do too much, get strong as hell and have to maintain the enthusiam/adrenaline load for too long before a peak marathon/ultra. It's tough to do all that in a 4-7 month window for us mortals. I never wanted to spend 8-12 months on anything, but found through year around running I could really crank on it for 8-10 weeks, have a few good races and reach a mini peak for a marathon. I'm generally not worth crap afterwards, but it's usualy October by then so what the heck. By-the-way, I'm serious about this.

Anonymous said...

October 2001 = 3 runs
November 2001 = 8 runs, 11 ellyptical workouts
December 2001 = 190 miles

2002
1/1 = 7.8
1/2 = 8.0
1/3 = 7.6
1/4 = OFF
1/5 = 20.5 trails
1/6 = 6.2

1/7 = 6.2 (7:07)
1/8 = 13.1 w/ Zeke
1/9 = 6.0
1/10 = 12.6
1/11 = 12.0
1/12 = 17.4 trails (7:40)
1/13 = OFF

1/14 = 11.0
1/15 = 12.3
1/16 = 5.3
1/17 = 8.6 and 5.2 (6:25)
1/18 = 7.6
1/19 = 20.5 (7:22) drank nothing
1/20 = OFF

1/21 = 16.0
1/22 = OFF
1/23 = OFF
1/24 = OFF
1/25 = OFF
1/26 = 9.0 w/ 8x800 (2:32,33,34,36,36,40,38,36)
1/27 = OFF

1/28 = OFF
1/29 = OFF
1/30 = OFF
1/31 = OFF
2/1 = OFF
2/2 = OFF
2/3 = 1.1 and 1.1

2/4 = 3.5 (6:59) and 5.8 w/ 3.4 (6:14)
2/5 = 5.0 and 5.2
2/6 = 8.0 and 5.0
2/7 = 6.0 and 6.0
2/8 = OFF
2/9 = 11.5 w/ 9.0 (6:17)
2/10 = 6.0 and 4.7

2/11 = 7.0 and 4.7 (7:04)
2/12 = 6.2
2/13 = 5.0 and 9.0 w/ 8x800 (2:42,40,37,36,35,34,34,33) w/ Zeke
2/14 = 7.4 and 8.7
2/15 = OFF
2/16 = 20.0 (7:11) w/ Ryan
2/17 = 5.2 and 6.2

2/18 = 6.2 and 5.2 (6:47)
2/19 = 4.7 and 8.7 w/ 5.1 (6:06)
2/20 = 8.6 and 6.5
2/21 = 6.5 and 6.0 w/ 4.0 (6:03)
2/22 = 4.1
2/23 = 20.0 (6:55)
2/24 = 9.7 and 4.4

2/25 = 7.7
2/26 = 5.5 and 10.9 w/ 5 x 1mile (5:22,21,16,14,15)
2/27 = 5.5 and 5.6
2/28 = OFF
3/1 = 15.4 hilly (7:03 w/ Pski)
3/2 = 16.0 (7:25)
3/3 = 4.5 and 12.6 w/ 10.066 miles (5:54) at Pettit Center

3/4 = 6.3 and 4.3
3/5 = 9.2 w/ 7.0 (6:19)
3/6 = 6.2 and 7.0 (7:11)
3/7 = off
3/8 = 12.0
3/9 = 12.0 W/ Pski
3/10 = OFF

3/11 = 1 hour stationary bike and 30 min. ellyptical
3/12 = 1:21:00 bike and 40:00 ellyptical
3/13 = OFF
3?14 = OFF
3/15 = OFF
3/16 = 13.2 w/ 10k race 36:36 Pski 2nd
3/17 = 16.0 (7:10) w/ Pski

3/18 = 5.2 and 3.5
3/19 = 12.0
3/20 = 3.7 and 7.5
3/21 = OFF
3/22 = 4.7
3/23 = 18.8 w/ 13.1 race (5:47) 1:15:46
3/24 = OFF

3/25 = 4.3
3/26 = 8.0
3/27 = 3.4 and 10.7 w/ 3.0 (6:00)
3/28 = OFF
3/29 = 19.4 trails
3/30 = 7.2 w/ 12 x 100 hard and 8k (6:05) after w/ Ryan/Pski
3/31 = OFF

4/1 = 4.7
4/2 = 8.0 hilly (6:41)
4/3 = 4.7
4/4 = 10.1 W/ 5k track (5:29)
4/5 = 6.0
4/6 = 13.1 (7:23)
4/7 = OFF

4/8 = 6.2 (6:39)
4/9 = 5.2
4/10 = 6.0 w/ 2.0 (5:37)
4/11 = 5.3
4/12 = OFF
4/13 = 5.0 w/ 6 strides w/ Pski
4/14 = 2.8

4/15 = Boston 2:40:56 chip w/ splits of 1:20:34 and 1:20:22 (6:09)

Ryan said...

Hey Zeke

Hope all is well. I am sorry to read about your injury and I hope you overcome the leg issue soon.

You know why I like your blog? Well, you can write and your comments are interesting, but most of all, you love beer and you are runner. I love beer and I am a runner.

You may not remember, but you posted this on my blog after the Tampa Marathon at the end of Feb:

"I'm not sure if you followed a specific program this time around or not. I would bet that if you followed Pfitz's 18-week, 55 mpw program, you'd be able to get a BQ."

Well, sign me up. I've got the book and am studying the plan. I'm going for that BQ. Who knows if I'll make it, but I'm going to give it my all.

By the way, kudos on the letter the editor of that magazine. Impressive you caught that so quickly.

I hope I can gain your input as I take 20 weeks to prep for the Chicago Marathon.

The wifey and I go on vacation to May-hee-co on Sunday for a week, but I'm officially in training on June 5th.

By the way, Leinenkugels is great stuff. Are you a fan of Bell's Oberon? Being that you venture to Michigan, I'm sure this one you have experience with.

Good luck on the healing process...
Ryan

Chad said...

Double, my PR is really from the one time I did not follow a program. I ran Boston in April and then just did a bunch of shorter races in the summer. About 6 weeks out I decided to run a marathon and started adding in some MP workouts. I signed up the night before the race, no pressure and then ran negative splits. Maybe that's a better approach for me.

Susan, no cooking photos yet. I've been doing some landscaping stuff though - I could post those.

Ryan, yeah I remember that comment after your Tampa marathon. Good luck following the program and getting the BQ.

I've never heard of Bell's Oberon - I'll have to check it out. I actually don't venture to Michigan too much - although my parents live about 30 minutes from the U.P.