Alright, I'm back. It seems like it has been a while...and it has. Two weeks, to be exact, since my last post. I have been traveling a lot lately and haven't been at a computer to really sit down and post. Not only have I have been away from Reckless Abandon, I have also been away from training.
I have done a few runs here and there, but I haven't had the time to really dedicate to making myself better. I've done just enough to maintain. Which leads me to a question for you all, what do you do when life gets in the way and you are taken away from your routines? I feel like I would be more apt to find the time to train if I had an actual event on the horizon, but what do you do when you don't? I am opening this up to you all - give me some advice. Share your secrets and tips... Tell me what's what.
To get me motivated and focused, I'm thinking about an early in the year marathon - the ING Miami Marathon on January 30, 2011. Have you done this race? Any thoughts you can share?
And finally, what about your 2011 race calendar? Have you already put together what you want to do next year? Is your plan in place or are you still "recovering" from 2010?
Looking forward to hearing from you all!
Monday, October 25, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Almost 13,000 Strong...
Competed in the marathon, half-marathon, 5K and marathon relay on Saturday in Hartford. The weather was perfect for running - cool to cold in the morning and cool at the finish. Lots of folks were overdressed, in my opinion. We did well in our t-shirts and shorts. Hopefully I'll have a picture to post soon...obviously, though, the elites knew how to dress...
17 years old, the Hartford Marathon continues to grow and impress. This year's field was more than 20 percent larger than last year - yet I couldn't tell. In fact, I felt more supported and felt that there was more than enough "stuff" to go around - by "stuff" I mean gels, aid stations, post race bars/bananas, beer tickets and free hot dogs in the beer tent. To make things even better, the race is also a certified-gold, Council for Responsible Sport race and Runner's World once ranked it on their list of the 10 Greenest Races.
So, how'd we do? AWESOME! I went out to have fun - no pressure. My goal was to get my buddy to sub-2:00 for his first half. Well, we blew that up. The training that he put in definitely set him up nicely. We finished at 1:47:52 / 8:14 min/mile pace. Even though my goal was for my buddy and this was just to be fun, this race did have some importance to me. Only my second, open half-marathon, I just wanted to beat my previous time. I know that I'm a different person now and that our "bummer" goal would beat my previous time, I am happy to report that 1:47:52 is almost a 16 minute PR.
Between Saturday's results and the results from the last two weekends, I am really pleased that I have been able to maintain some speed - despite training more for the Ironman distance for much of the year. Maybe I am a runner. Thanks to all of you for your well wishes. I hope you all had a great weekend of training and racing.
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| Start of the 2010 Hartford Marathon / Half Marathon |
So, how'd we do? AWESOME! I went out to have fun - no pressure. My goal was to get my buddy to sub-2:00 for his first half. Well, we blew that up. The training that he put in definitely set him up nicely. We finished at 1:47:52 / 8:14 min/mile pace. Even though my goal was for my buddy and this was just to be fun, this race did have some importance to me. Only my second, open half-marathon, I just wanted to beat my previous time. I know that I'm a different person now and that our "bummer" goal would beat my previous time, I am happy to report that 1:47:52 is almost a 16 minute PR.
Between Saturday's results and the results from the last two weekends, I am really pleased that I have been able to maintain some speed - despite training more for the Ironman distance for much of the year. Maybe I am a runner. Thanks to all of you for your well wishes. I hope you all had a great weekend of training and racing.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Were You Born To Be A Runner?
I, definitely, was not. I was a big baby and a "husky" boy. Yeah, that's right, my jeans were bought from the Husky section. Growing up in South Texas that was okay because I was set to play football, God's game (at least to many down Texas way).
I used my size to my advantage and instead of working toward slimming down, I hit the weight room and ate (mostly horribly) to pack on the pounds - I was to be an offensive lineman. For the first few years of my organized football career, I played center. Since I had the size and some speed (read quickness) though, by my sophomore year, I was moved to offensive tackle, protecting the quarterback's blind side. It was fun and I'll never forget those Friday nights.
The Hartford Marathon / Half Marathon is tomorrow and I will be running the half with my running buddy. The weather is supposed to be perfect and I'm really looking forward to having fun with this race - I'm not putting any pressure on myself tomorrow. I'm just going to run.
While I may not have been born to be a runner, over time, I think I have become one. I enjoy getting out on the rail trail and roads. It is not my favorite thing to do always, but I do miss it when I can't get out - leading me to believe that I'm becoming a runner.
To everyone that is getting out this weekend to train or race - have fun. Enjoy yourself...I will be.
I used my size to my advantage and instead of working toward slimming down, I hit the weight room and ate (mostly horribly) to pack on the pounds - I was to be an offensive lineman. For the first few years of my organized football career, I played center. Since I had the size and some speed (read quickness) though, by my sophomore year, I was moved to offensive tackle, protecting the quarterback's blind side. It was fun and I'll never forget those Friday nights.
The Hartford Marathon / Half Marathon is tomorrow and I will be running the half with my running buddy. The weather is supposed to be perfect and I'm really looking forward to having fun with this race - I'm not putting any pressure on myself tomorrow. I'm just going to run.
While I may not have been born to be a runner, over time, I think I have become one. I enjoy getting out on the rail trail and roads. It is not my favorite thing to do always, but I do miss it when I can't get out - leading me to believe that I'm becoming a runner.
To everyone that is getting out this weekend to train or race - have fun. Enjoy yourself...I will be.
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| Husky Jeans from Wrangler...bad memories... |
Monday, October 4, 2010
Hatfield Harvest 5K
I did it! I won my age group at the Hatfield Harvest 5K. 20:22 was my finishing time. Came in 4th overall. I still want the sub-20:00 5K, but setting a PR and winning my age group - pretty damned awesome.
For winning the age group, I received a Pumpkin Pie...and it was delish!
Here's the info from Cool Running - 4 - JEFFREY WEIR - 32 - 1/10 - M3039 - 20:22 - 6:34
And, there is a start-up company, husband and wife team, that is taking photos at local running events. I don't know much about them, other than the fact that they come out to our local running events and take photos - making them available for free at their site. Pretty cool...check em out - Locally Run. This is a pic of me from the race.
For winning the age group, I received a Pumpkin Pie...and it was delish!
Here's the info from Cool Running - 4 - JEFFREY WEIR - 32 - 1/10 - M3039 - 20:22 - 6:34
And, there is a start-up company, husband and wife team, that is taking photos at local running events. I don't know much about them, other than the fact that they come out to our local running events and take photos - making them available for free at their site. Pretty cool...check em out - Locally Run. This is a pic of me from the race.
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