March Numbers

Another month gone with absolutely no yards in the pool.  For those of you keeping score, that makes it 3 of the last 4 months with no pool time.  In fact, I have a whopping 6700 yards total YEAR TO DATE and 7700 since November!!!!  It's been about 4 years since I've had this level of non-swimming, but truth be told, I'm perfectly OK with it.  I also didn't log any biking miles this month either....not a single one.  What I did end up doing, was plenty of running.  I logged 55.19 miles in the month of March which would have been good enough for the most in 2013 (the most was 26.89), 6th most in my IMAZ 2012 year, 6th most in the "busted" 2011 RNR Marathon year, and 6th most in my IMAZ 2010 year.  Since I started utilizing the metronome and REALLY concentrating on nothing but form, I've noticed that my "easy/all day" pace has gone from roughly 9:30 min/mile to 8:30 min/mile.  That's HUGE!

Check out what I stumbled across, about 1/2 a mile from my front door, while out on a run:

MARCH 2010 TOTALS: 
SWIM = 47500 yards

BIKE = 404.5 miles

RUN = 51.2 miles

   
MARCH 2011 TOTALS: 

SWIM = 38632 yards

BIKE = 406.59 miles

RUN = 0 miles

MARCH 2012 TOTALS: 

SWIM = 40258 yards

BIKE = 407.25 miles

RUN = 8 miles    

MARCH 2013 TOTALS: 

SWIM = 29529 yards

BIKE = 30.01

RUN = 8 miles

MARCH 2014 TOTALS: 

SWIM = 0 yards

BIKE =0

RUN = 55.19 miles

Bad Running Ju-Ju?

Geez, what is it with me and running only events?!?!?  As I mentioned in a prior entry, every running event that I've entered has had something come along that has necessitated my dropping out.  For both the Ragnar Ultra, and the PF Chang's Marathon, it was a physical problem (my knee).  This time, no sooner do I announce a half Marathon, I get news (just today) that I have to run the swim studio solo that day and can't participate.  GEEZ!  Oh well, at least I didn't sign up for it yet and didn't lose any money!  Time to regroup and try to find another one that fits my schedule.

New Shoes!

My first new pair of shoes, since August 21st, 2012, arrived today.  Here they are, the Brooks Pure Flow 2:

 

"Run 7 Miles"

So, after some careful thought, research, and considering David's comments, I elected to order up a pair of the second generation Brooks Pure Flows (sorry David!)  If they turn out to be as bad as he said they were, well, then, he can give me the "I told you" speech....which he'll gladly do!  I just couldn't get myself to spend an extra $50 on the 3s.  With my new purchase placed, I texted Cristin to see what big plans she has for me and what I need to do to get things going for this race.  Her response?  "Run 7 miles this weekend"  Really?!?!  Too funny!  Total runners mentality, just get out there and run....GEEZ.  So, I'll do a couple of shorter runs between now and Saturday and then I'll put back my longest run since.....IMAZ 2012 on 11/18/2012!!!

A Quick Gate Analysis and Shoe Research

Today, while at the studio, I was finally able to get Cristin to take a quick look at my gate to make sure I am, in fact, using the correct (neutral) shoe.  Luckily, she said I was.  Since I've been still using my Brooks Pure Flows that I ran IMAZ 2012 in, I think it's time to order up some new kicks!  I see that Brooks has stopped making their first version of the Pure Flows and have recently come out with version 3.  While in town, David Olsen, told me that he has tried the 2nd generation Pure Flows and didn't care for them at all.  After researching both, I found out that I can purchase generation 2 for $50 while generation 3 is around $100.  Despite David's advice, I can't really justify spending the additional $50 without at least trying generation 2 for myself.  I'll have to think about it some more and see if I can find the 3s cheaper.

What, Me Run?

Every single time that I've decided to take on a running only race, and subsequently announced it here (Ragnar Ultra in 2011 and the 2012 PF Chang's Marathon) I have ended up with some kind of knee pain that has made me back out.  Well, I'm tempting fate again.  I've decided that I will try, once again, to get my running into good form, and to complete a half Marathon.  Thing is, the half that I'm looking at doing is April 19th....just 7 weeks away!  I increased my total running miles in February and will seek out coaching from Cristin Van Driel.  She works with us at the swim studio and you can check out her website here Ultimate Stamina.  Not sure if I'm excited or scared!  Cristin has been holding running clinics at the studio for a few months now, and while I haven't officially participate, I have been listening.  I've picked up on all of the drills, the technique she teaches, and various other beautiful tidbits.  The one thing that I really needed to work on was keeping that 180 cadence.  I've talked about it before, and I even tried holding it during every one of my 2012 runs, but never had a metronome to keep me honest.  Finally, on 02/22, the Thomas family entered the modern era by finally giving into the smart phone phenomenon.  What that meant was that I could now download a metronome app to help keep my cadence where it should be.  On 02/25, I used it for the first time.  Wow, what I THOUGHT was 180, was more like 165!  I really thought that I was close to 180!  Oh well, call me crazy, but this newly discovered training tool will be with me on every single run until I become proficient!