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February 2011

One Week To Go!

With a week to go until the Napa Valley Marathon, I did a bit of a final equipment check today, wearing everything I’m going to wear. All systems were go in that arena. The plan today was to run eleven miles, consisting of one easy, four paced, one easy, four paced, one down. Everything went off without a single problem. The first mile was 10:10, the next four around 9:30… Read More »One Week To Go!

Waiting for Joannie a Ninth Time…

It was around 26 and a half years ago that Joan Benoit (now Benoit Samuelson) won the first Women’s Olympic Marathon. I’m proud to say I was there: and there, and there, and over there, and several other places too. Finally, for the first time ever, I am hoping to meet Joannie at the Napa Valley Marathon next weekend. She’ll be at the Expo. We took the road trip to… Read More »Waiting for Joannie a Ninth Time…

Taper Madness? Probably Not.

As the months and weeks of anticipation become days, I am officially tapering for the Napa Valley Marathon… but not really. As many of you know, the best way to hit your physiological peak for a racing event is to “taper” or “peak” just prior to its occurrence. A myriad of factors go into a proper peak and it is very much an individualized art form as opposed to an… Read More »Taper Madness? Probably Not.

Last Long Run (for a few weeks anyway)

Today was the last long run prior to the Napa Valley Marathon (which is in two weeks). Forecasts of heavy winds altered my route from the Cherry Creek Trail to the South Platte Trail (where I have a nice 16 mile Light Rail run mapped out). It sort of worked! The first few miles were a little slow and also very easy. I wanted to keep my heart rate under… Read More »Last Long Run (for a few weeks anyway)

Pre Week Part 2: Another Running Hero

Frank Shorter Some time ago, it was Pre Week and as Pre was kind of a hero, I spent a little time recalling some others, namely Jim Ryun, Al Ruffner, assorted college studs and Jack Bachelor. http://runspittle.blogspot.com/2011/01/heroes-havent-always-been-cowboys.html I couldn’t possibly remember heroes without recalling a biggie in my running life: Frank Shorter. I have four Shorter memories (and a few longer ones – pun intended …). First memory is sitting… Read More »Pre Week Part 2: Another Running Hero

A quick update: Garmin Rules!

As per the usual, a ring of the doorbell – I answer – no one is there. A package, however, sits ever so nicely below the welcome mat, sticking out just enough to be seen. In it is my brand new Garmin Forerunner 405. They (Garmin) replaced my faulty watch and did the whole thing in less than a week. In a retail world where customer service and consumer focus… Read More »A quick update: Garmin Rules!

Man vs. Computer: Round 2

Subtitle: “Watson come quickly! Oh yeah, you can’t!!!”  Today is the final round for Watson vs. the human guys (Ken Jennings and Brad Mutter) on Jeopardy. The IBM computer is soundly whipping both humans at the left brain, data regurgitation that is the Jeopardy game. As a human, I find the whole thing completely and utterly disgusting. Talk about a stacked competition…. Anyway, long story short, I decided to strike… Read More »Man vs. Computer: Round 2

Any Way You Look At It..

Okay, I am a little proud, but nonetheless, any way you look at it 74 miles is a pretty good week. The last time I logged that many was August of 2000 when I had an 84 mile week. Earlier in 2000, 70+ weeks were commonplace. That was then, this is now. Three weeks until the Napa Valley Marathon. I’m feeling pretty good about being able to finish at this… Read More »Any Way You Look At It..

Shattered Phone. Dreams Still Intact. Three Weeks and Counting!

Upon awaking tomorrow morning, there will be three weeks until the Napa Valley Marathon. I ran my third and probably last 20 mile run this morning in preparation for the race. I’ll have 74 miles for this week, will match that next week (throwing in a 16 miler) and then taper it down. Getting psyched. Today’s run began sluggish, picked up nicely in the middle and finished as a bio… Read More »Shattered Phone. Dreams Still Intact. Three Weeks and Counting!

Hurry Home 405!

I sent my Garmin Forerunner 405 off to Garmin land for repair today and I won’t see it for a couple of weeks. I do this with great trepidation knowing that I must go it alone for a while. I love my Garmin for a multitude of reasons: 1) it gives incredibly accurate information and feedback from my runs. 2) I am able to download my runs to Garmin Connect… Read More »Hurry Home 405!