Maintaining 11-29-12

Still running 2x per week and back in Master Swim at the Y now that Thanksgiving is over.

It feels good to be consistent in those areas, but I miss biking.

No progress in weight, other than no further gain.

Doctors say no rhabdomyolysis; waiting on kidney tests (CT scan) to be done before knowing if there's stones or something else going on.

Training 11-13-12 and Weight

Had another good paced Tuesday morning run with Will. We ran 6 miles in 57 minutes, with about a 9:30 pace. It's about 4-5 months out from the Corvallis half marathon and my goal is to run that race at a 9:00 min/mile pace in order to finish in under 2 hours.

I missed this weekend's hill run, then stepped on the scale to find my weight listed as 206 lbs. I had been down to 191 coming into September. This revelation made me mad and I started our run today at around an 8:30 pace and nearly burned out half way through the run. This is where having a training partner really helps - he was holding his target pace so I slowed down thinking there might be a problem. Turns out he was just running smart.

I need to get my nutrition back on track, and mix things up and shed a couple pounds. Basically stay away from carbs / fried foods.

I won't be going to volunteer at IMAZ this weekend; unable to put the airfare $$ together. I'll be on the computer trying to get in that way Monday morning.

Last note - found out last week that I have kidney stones and low iron; going to be scheduling a CT scan soon.

Progress Report 10-30-12

Overall training: holding pattern. I'm kind of in between plans right now; I finished one plan (half-iron) in September, and will be starting an Ironman training program in January.

I have a plan written out for this period but have mostly done the running part of it. Master Swim started back up in October, so I've been able to swim 2-3 times a week again instead of the 1-2 I've got per week over the last month. Finding time for the bike is the hardest now - there's limited daylight and increasing rain. My only real option is spin classes until I get a trainer.

Weight: 201 lbs. I'm not weight lifting so that's not good weight going on. I had been down to 191 in mid-September and hopeful to lose another 10 lbs. The change in diet (more cookies and muffins available) and change in exercise has contributed to my gain.

Other: I've gone off of Lovastatin to see if is causing Rhabdomyolysis. If the sights clear up over the next 3 months then that may have been the issue.

~ Marcus

Planning 10-21-12

I went to look at making myself a training plan for the next few months and found out that I already put a plan together but just never printed it out.

So as it turns out I'm a couple weeks behind the plan - mostly on the bike.

I'm ok with that for now because its turning into the holiday season and rainy weather. Time to look into getting a bike trainer.

Training 10-18-12, and a PLAN

There's something weighing on my mind. Ok, let's just say there's something weighing on me - my weight!

Since my taper phase just before Leadman I have begun to put on weight, and not the muscle kind. I was down to around 190-192 lbs and over the past month have keeper back up to 198-200 lbs.

So what's changed? More cookies and candy, less bike rides, and less swimming.

So what can I do? Eat less cookies and candy, go to more spin classes (weather isn't nice enough for outdoors), and swim more.

What else can I do? Some kind of strength / cross-training like the Insanity class or Bob Harper's kettle bell shred videos.

What's the first action to take? Write out and print a new training plan to follow; my last one ended with Leadman. Also I'm meeting with Angela to set up an Ironman training plan.

When will I do this? TODAY!

See how easy that was?

10/04/12 aka 10-4 Good Buddy!

Did a morning run and was hit pretty hard by asthma / breathing trouble. Need to remember to take my inhaler before running!

I had traveled to Moses Lake Washington this week and there was a dust storm that blew through - I think it's lingering on in my lungs. Breathing was do labored this morning I actually got a side cramp just under my ribs.

Writing this has reminded my that I want to put up a race report from Leadman - I'll try to remember to do. that soon! For now I'll just say it was a great event, I had a lot of fun and I beat my prediction for time by a 1/2 hour.

Tapering 9/18/12

I did my last morning run before the Leadman today. Did a quick 4 mile run with Will at a good pace (not too fast, not too slow).

I was reminded of why I consider sidewalks to be death-traps to runners. Those 1" trip hazards come out of nowhere to get you!

This should be the last workout before the event.

I plan to look at the course on Friday, and hope to take my bike for a spin downhill to see what the course will be like.

I'm looking forward to having a good time. I've trained harder for this than for anything else in my life, and I'm as ready as I can be.

Next week I should be able to call myself a half-Leadman!

:-)