His wife groans and turns over
Ironman looming
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Back From The Wilderness
I have been very limited on the blogging because the DSL was down. This is the forth long term outage we have had with Earthlink. After hours on hold and their tech support not being able to do anything, we switched to Time-Warner Cable. I called their tech support to see how long it would take to get through and they answered right away. Sold! The Great Magnetic Wife seemed to have her whole world pulled out from under her by not being able to get on the internet. After ten days in the wilderness, we have finally made our way back to civilization.
Friday, February 22, 2008
The Tin Man
The Great Magnetic Wife and I celebrated out tenth wedding anniversary last night. We had a lovely dinner at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and very much reflected on ten years married. A very good decision.
I’m sure she couldn't have anticipated getting up at 5:00am every morning so that I could train, but either could I.
John Thum
I’m sure she couldn't have anticipated getting up at 5:00am every morning so that I could train, but either could I.
John Thum
Monday, February 18, 2008
Another Brick In The Wall
Was it a brick or just three training sessions in one day? I ran ten miles with the L.A Leggers on Saturday before I rode my bike 36 miles before I swam for a half a mile. Sort of a brick, except there was about a half an hour between each activity. Ah, who cares? Not a bad workout for a Saturday in February.The run was great, finished strong, ran up the hill from the pier to Palisades Park. I don’t know why it is so much easier to run with a group than it is to run by myself, but it is easier without a doubt.
I drove to Ocean Park and was considering a swim in the ocean, but it was awfully choppy and there wasn’t a lot of people out. I decided to ride the bike first and then do my swim in the pool. I rode north from Ocean Park to the end of the bike path in Malibu. I am starting to think that it is safer to ride on the streets than it is on the beach portion of the bike path. There are just so many bad riders/roller-bladers/walkers/etc. on the sandy bike path, that I think I would rather deal with the traffic.
Once I was in some traffic, I was behind a guy on Washington Blvd. Who must have hit a rock or something and just went down hard. I passed him and stopped as fast as I could. Another cyclist and I helped him to the sidewalk and picked up the large chunk of his helmet that was still on the street. He was shaken up, but okay. If he didn’t have his helmet, he would have been in very bad shape and possibly dead. Scary.
It was my first ride with my new aero-bars. It certainly took some getting used to, but I could feel the difference as soon as I went into the aero position. I spent about an hour getting a new fit on the bike with the aero-bars, but still need to do a bit of tweaking.
I did the swim at the Bally’s West Los Angeles pool. A 20 yard pool. Not ideal, but it works. The odd thing is that there was a guy in the pool who looked to be world-class. He made it across the 20 yard pool in about 4 strokes. I am not kidding. The ease and grace was really something to watch and to envy.
John Thum
Friday, February 15, 2008
Red Square/Green Square
A lot has happened, but not much time for blogging. I signed up for the L.A. Marathon! I actually meant to do so last Saturday, after my 23 mile run. But somehow it slipped my mind. I paid my money, so I’m running the race!
I put together a new training chart that seems to be quite helpful and motivational. It is essentially the same one I had before, but now I assign colors to every square. If I complete something or achieve a goal, that square becomes green. If I don’t complete something or don’t achieve a goal, that square becomes red. It is quite motivational to have each square be green. There have been a few reds, but mostly they are green. There is that point in every training session when I think that I don’t have to do this. But I know if I stop, I will have to put red in that square. It has helped me to go on a number of occasions. Whatever works.
I had a 90 minute run scheduled yesterday and it was one of those days where I did not feel great from the start. I’m sure my heart-rate was elevated, I could feel it. However, my Garmin was flashing “Battery Low” as soon as I turned it on, and then went dead about five minutes into the run. I was not feeling very good throughout the run and because I didn’t have my watch, I’m sure some of my walk breaks were longer than a minute, but I did complete the whole route and persevered. I wanted to stop many times, but the thought of a red square under my 90 minute run inspired me to keep going.
John Thum
I put together a new training chart that seems to be quite helpful and motivational. It is essentially the same one I had before, but now I assign colors to every square. If I complete something or achieve a goal, that square becomes green. If I don’t complete something or don’t achieve a goal, that square becomes red. It is quite motivational to have each square be green. There have been a few reds, but mostly they are green. There is that point in every training session when I think that I don’t have to do this. But I know if I stop, I will have to put red in that square. It has helped me to go on a number of occasions. Whatever works.
I had a 90 minute run scheduled yesterday and it was one of those days where I did not feel great from the start. I’m sure my heart-rate was elevated, I could feel it. However, my Garmin was flashing “Battery Low” as soon as I turned it on, and then went dead about five minutes into the run. I was not feeling very good throughout the run and because I didn’t have my watch, I’m sure some of my walk breaks were longer than a minute, but I did complete the whole route and persevered. I wanted to stop many times, but the thought of a red square under my 90 minute run inspired me to keep going.
John Thum
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Did I Bonk?
Yesterday was the last long run before the L.A Marathon on March 2, 2008. The run with the Leggers was 13 miles and I figured I would run home afterwards for a total of 23 miles.
The first 13 with the Leggers was no problem. When the Leggers finished, I did stop to go to the bathroom and fill up my water bottles, about a five minute break. But when I started running again, things were a little different. For one thing, I was very thirsty and started drinking a lot of water. I was also a lot more tired. Running back to West Hollywood from Santa Monica, I had to wait at a lot of traffic lights. It didn't seem like rest time, but like my energy was being drained every time I had to stop. I did have a gel at about 15 total miles, but I was soon out of water. I knew there was a water fountain coming up in a mile or two, but the run was getting increasingly harder and my pace increasingly slower.
Finally at about 19 miles, my legs just started cramping like I had never experienced. I knew the problem, because I have heard it discussed: lack of electrolyte intake. I finished my Accelerade about 5 miles in on my run with the Leggers and had been taking a lot of water since then. The cakes of white all over my black running tights proved that I had lost a lot of salt and I hadn't replenished any for 12 miles. There was a 7-11 up the road about a quarter of a mile and so I went in and got a Big Gulp of Gatorade. It felt great to drink it what I could and I replenished my water bottles with it, but the damaged had been done.
I managed to painfully run for about another half-mile, but eventually I just decided to walk. The whole 23 miles took almost five hours. I did, however, learn a valuable lesson: proper nutritional intake.
Did I bonk? I still don't know. I think of bonking as being deprived nutrients so that one's energy level is so low that you can't go on. I could have continued to run, but it was the pain of the cramps that was stopping me. I suppose it doesn't really matter, the bottom line was that I was unable to finish the entire 23 miles without walking a significant portion. But I also finished the 23 miles, so that is something. At the L.A. Marathon there will be Gatorade stations at every mile. I will also bring salt tablets and make sure to eat at least every hour.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Early Morning Ocean Swim
Up at 5:00 and down to Santa Monica to do a morning swim in the ocean. Went swimming with Tim Bomba and a new guy named Rick. Rick said that he probably couldn't keep up because he hadn't been swimming in the ocean for a while. Then he said something about "doing a little swimming in college." Rick was about 6'5" and had a swimmer's body. Both Tim and I said, I think you're going to end up way ahead of us. We were right.
Rick has done the Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon and encouraged me strongly to do it. I'm sure I will. My earlier post on the subject indicated I would. It is expensive, though. Enough excuses, I should do it!
There really is nothing quite like starting your day by seeing the sun rise as you're swimming along out in the ocean and witnessing the majesty of God's creation.
It was pretty cold, probably about 55 degrees, but once I started swimming is was nice. I am certainly grateful for my neoprene cap and booties. A great way to start the day.
I'll do some strength training after work.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
The Mental Side Of Running On A Treadmill
It was a very busy day yesterday. I had to vote, I had to go out to Mojave to the Hyundai-Kia Proving Ground for work, I went to "The Mental Side of Triathlon Training" seminar at 7:00, and, of course, I had to train.
Normally, I run for 40 to 50 minutes on Tuesday morning, but I was not going to be able to do that and vote and get to my first appointment in Mojave on time. I decided I would run after work. I did get to the Bally's West LA gym at around 5:30 and did some speed work on the treadmill. It was much harder than it should have been. I don't know why. I guess those one minute bursts of speed to eight minute/mile pace every five minutes did me in.
The seminar was good. Three motivational speakers from the telling us that we have choices in life. We can choose to be happy, we can choose to train, we can choose to striver for excellence or we can choose to make excuses. All things I have heard before and all things I intuitively know, but it is good to hear these things every once in a while. I also got a free DVD of "What The Bleep Do We Know?" a film that Tim Bomba, one of the speakers and one of my occasional swimming partners worked on.
John Thum
Monday, February 4, 2008
Escape From Alcatraz!
A couple of months ago I entered the lottery for the Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon. I was sort of hoping I would get picked and I was sort of hoping I would not get picked. Well, I got picked. I have until the end of the month to sign up. I guess I will, but I am still somewhat ambivilant. I keep telling myself, "this is going to be really hard." And then I answer myself, "you do this because it is hard!" And of course I am right. (See the post above.) It will be a great experience and an Ironman would never say no to this challenge. Okay, I'll do it! Better start doing more training in the cold ocean.
John Thum
John Thum
Saturday, February 2, 2008
22 Miles (In Two Shifts)
While I was injured, I volunteered to work the water station during the Legger's 26 mile run. I was pretty sure I would not be ready for it. Since I have recovered, I wanted to get a long run in, but still wanted to honor my commitment to work the water station. I decided that I would run to the beach (about 11 miles), work the station for four hours and then run back. Overall a good plan. I had fun at the station and did manage to get 22 miles of running in today, even if it took me over eight hours.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Thursday, January 31, 2008
An Alternative To Triathlon
Perhaps, after the Ironman California 70.3, I will spend a couple of months training for The Wife Carrying World Championships in Finland. It'll be a way for The Great Magnetic Wife and I to spend more time together.
John Thum
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Runing and Spinning
On Tuesday I ran four and a half miles in the morning and I'm feeling pretty good. The running is getting easier, but I am painfully aware that the cycling and swimming are lagging. One way to remedy the cycling part is to take a spinning class. The Hollywood Bally's offers one on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30. I tried it for the first time yesterday and boy, was it hard! This will be quite good for me. The spinning bikes even have peddles that allow one to use one's bike shoes. Next time, I'm getting there early and bringing my bike shoes and shorts.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Tri-ku VII & It's Getting Closer!
Up at five a.m.
Ironman in November
Every mile counts
The new tri-ku says it all. I just noticed that my countdown clock for the Ironman Arizona is now under 300 days. Somehow 300 days or more seem like a year and once it goes below that number there is a reality that sinks in. I am not ready!
I do, however, still have ten months to get ready. I have been so focused on the L.A Marathon that I haven't spent enough time on other aspects of my training. I must remember that I not only have an Ironman in November, but the Ironman California 70.3 in two months. Yikes!!!!
John Thum
Ironman in November
Every mile counts
The new tri-ku says it all. I just noticed that my countdown clock for the Ironman Arizona is now under 300 days. Somehow 300 days or more seem like a year and once it goes below that number there is a reality that sinks in. I am not ready!
I do, however, still have ten months to get ready. I have been so focused on the L.A Marathon that I haven't spent enough time on other aspects of my training. I must remember that I not only have an Ironman in November, but the Ironman California 70.3 in two months. Yikes!!!!
John Thum
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Running/Biking, Lots Of Water, No Swimming
I ran twelve miles with the L.A. Leggers yesterday. For some reason I thought it was going to be ten, but when I heard it was twelve, not a problem. Just another indication of how far I have come.
About 3/4 of a mile from the finish, I heard a woman say, "who wants to finish strong?" She started taking off fast. I thought that sounded like a good idea and so I went with her. When we got to the final hill, which I usually walk, I just took off and beat everybody. I have always thought it was best to walk hills to conserve energy. I may change my tactics and assault hills. If I can do it at the end of a twelve mile run, I could do it any time.
I wanted to get in a bike ride before it rained and went out for about three hours in the afternoon. It started out sunny and ended up very threatening. It started to rain a few minutes after I got back. Good Timing. It started to rain hard and didn't let up until very early in the morning. It is raining again as I write this.
We went to Front Runners to get new shoes for the L.A. Marathon. I noticed that my current shoes were developing a hole in the toe. This way I will have time to break them in before the marathon.
John Thum
About 3/4 of a mile from the finish, I heard a woman say, "who wants to finish strong?" She started taking off fast. I thought that sounded like a good idea and so I went with her. When we got to the final hill, which I usually walk, I just took off and beat everybody. I have always thought it was best to walk hills to conserve energy. I may change my tactics and assault hills. If I can do it at the end of a twelve mile run, I could do it any time.
I wanted to get in a bike ride before it rained and went out for about three hours in the afternoon. It started out sunny and ended up very threatening. It started to rain a few minutes after I got back. Good Timing. It started to rain hard and didn't let up until very early in the morning. It is raining again as I write this.
We went to Front Runners to get new shoes for the L.A. Marathon. I noticed that my current shoes were developing a hole in the toe. This way I will have time to break them in before the marathon.
John Thum
Friday, January 25, 2008
Spirit Of The Marathon
I saw Spirit Of The Marathon last night. It was both inspiring and familiar. I saw a lot of myself in the stories that were told. Since I had run seven plus miles in the rain yesterday morning, I was pleased to see people training in all kinds of weather and making sacrifices for their marathon. Some of the people they profiled where a little bland, not that they weren’t perfectly good people, but I would have like to see a bit more personality. I guess the point was that very ordinary people can do a marathon if they are determined enough. I know that is true.
The marketing of the movie was very interesting. It played in a lot of different theaters around the country, but only one showing on one night. So if you were going to see it, you had to go last night. They marketed it to running/tri clubs, stores, etc. It was probably very smart, because the screening I went to was sold out.
I went with my secret movie club. I was pretty sure Jim Jones would like it, he is a very good runner who has qualified for The Boston Marathon. Mike “The Wine Guy” Bronsnan has voiced interest in training for a marathon, but has yet to do so. Reza Fatemi has no interest in the subject. However they all said they liked the movie.
If you are a distance runner, I would recommend the movie when and if it every comes around again or when it comes out of DVD.
The marketing of the movie was very interesting. It played in a lot of different theaters around the country, but only one showing on one night. So if you were going to see it, you had to go last night. They marketed it to running/tri clubs, stores, etc. It was probably very smart, because the screening I went to was sold out.
I went with my secret movie club. I was pretty sure Jim Jones would like it, he is a very good runner who has qualified for The Boston Marathon. Mike “The Wine Guy” Bronsnan has voiced interest in training for a marathon, but has yet to do so. Reza Fatemi has no interest in the subject. However they all said they liked the movie.
If you are a distance runner, I would recommend the movie when and if it every comes around again or when it comes out of DVD.
*UPDATE* There will be another screening on February 21, 2008 at 7:30pm at 250 Theaters across the country.
John Thum
John Thum
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Happy National Pie Day & Pie-Ku
Happy National Pie day! The Great Magnetic Wife and I will be celebrating by having Chicken Pot Pie for dinner and Apple Pie for dessert. If you need suggestions on how to celebrate National Pie Day, you can visit the National Pie Council website.
One of the reasons I do triathlons is that if I train enough, I can enjoy pie without guilt.
I have written a Pie-Ku for the occasion.
The fork breaks the crust
The filling oozes slowly
Pie is sweet delight
John Thum
One of the reasons I do triathlons is that if I train enough, I can enjoy pie without guilt.
I have written a Pie-Ku for the occasion.
The fork breaks the crust
The filling oozes slowly
Pie is sweet delight
John Thum
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
There's A Rumor Goin' 'Round...
Comm over at Common Man Syndrom says that he has it on good authority that the California Ironman 70.3 will become a full Ironman in 2009. Apparently, they'll just make every thing two loops. There's nothing on the website at the this writing, so we'll see. Had I known this last November, when I signed up the Ironman Arizona for November 2008, I might have waited. Oh, well...it's still just a rumor.
John Thum
John Thum
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
18 Mile Run
I equaled my longest run by doing 18 miles today with the LA Leggers. I felt much better than the last time I did it and we completed the run on an 11:28/mile pace, which was about 15 seconds a mile faster than last time! I think I will sign up for the L.A Marathon this weekend!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
What A Wimp!
I ran yesterday morning for 45 minutes and did 20 minutes of speed work on the treadmill yesterday afternoon. Felt good.
Today is gym/strength day with an easy swim. I got up early to swim at the Van Nuys pool, but their heater is on the fritz and it was just a little too chilly. What a wimp. I'll swim at lunch at Bally's in Chatsworth and do stength after work.
John Thum
Today is gym/strength day with an easy swim. I got up early to swim at the Van Nuys pool, but their heater is on the fritz and it was just a little too chilly. What a wimp. I'll swim at lunch at Bally's in Chatsworth and do stength after work.
John Thum
Monday, January 14, 2008
Best Laid Plans...
I had planned to bike for two hours in the afternoon on Saturday and for four hours on Sunday. However, I had the opportunity to record a song with my friend Warren and couldn't pass it up. I did manage two hours of cycling on Sunday and, of course, a twelve mile run on Saturday.
John Thum
John Thum
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Twelve Miles With The Leggers And A Celebrity Sighting!
I ran 12 miles with the L.A Leggers this morning. (Actually 11.5, but who's counting? Oh, I guess I am.) Anyway, it felt great. I got a nice greeting from a number of people who asked how my leg is and I was given a yo-yo at the end. I'm not sure why. We saw Calista Flockhart twice while going around the golf course at the Brentwood County Club. An exciting L.A. kind of celebrity sighting run!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Running With The Leggers
It is hard to express how much I am looking forward to running with the L.A. Leggers again. I have not run with the Leggers since I injured my calf on December 15. I like running by myself, but I always feel I do it better with the group. We have a twelve-miler on Saturday. This will be the farthest I will have run since the eighteen-miler on December 1, 2007.
John Thum
John Thum
Progress and Concerns
Another good run yesterday, the fastest since my injury. I averaged 10:50/mile. The thing I am starting to fear is that running will no longer be my limiter in triathlon. I am going do a big concentration on swimming and biking in the next couple of months. This Saturday, after my twelve-mile run with the LA Leggers, I will ride for two hours. This Sunday I will ride for four hours.
I swam 1500 meters today at the Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks pool. It was harder than I expected. I haven’t been swimming much.
John Thum
I swam 1500 meters today at the Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks pool. It was harder than I expected. I haven’t been swimming much.
John Thum
L.A. Tri Club
I really like the L.A Tri Club and I am very glad I joined. I will probably renew when my membership comes due in March. However, I growing quite frustrated with the problems with the new and “improved” website. Many of the things that I look to LA Tri for like the roster of races and workouts just seem to have problems that are not being fixed. I’m not a website designer, so I have no idea what these problems could be, but how hard can it be to post some races and workouts? The L.A. Leggers have offered a discount on the Desert Triathlon in April, but L.A Tri has not even listed it. LA Tri is a for-profit business. If service continues to be sub-par then I’m sure there will be alternatives.
John Thum
John Thum
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
I Love This Site!
I just discovered Map My Tri, a great website that where you can do all kinds of great workout planning. Heck, it's even fun just to play on it. Here is the run I did this morning that I mapped on Map My Tri.
John Thum
John Thum
Monday, January 7, 2008
Long Run, Etc.
I did my first long run (10 miles) since my calf injury. I came through okay. I ran slowly, about 11:50/mile, but I felt okay. Unlike my 10 mile runs before the injury, I didn't feel as if I could do it again, but that is okay. It has been three weeks since I did a long run. The other difference than my last few long runs is that my legs are still a little sore two days later. I will do twelve miles with the Leggers next Saturday and try to keep to their schedule up to the L.A. Marathon. The only exception being that I plan on twenty miles on the day they do twenty six.
It has been raining and was seriously threatening to rain all of yesterday, so I went to the gym to work on the stationary bike and to swim. After 25 minutes on the stationary bike I had to get off. It was an old LifeCycle that was really uncomfortable. I finished the rest of my aerobic workout on an elliptical machine. I planned on swimming, but the idea a swimming in that super chlorinated pool made me think again. I ended up doing an upper-body strength session instead.
Today is a rest day and tomorrow I start a pretty intense week.
John Thum
It has been raining and was seriously threatening to rain all of yesterday, so I went to the gym to work on the stationary bike and to swim. After 25 minutes on the stationary bike I had to get off. It was an old LifeCycle that was really uncomfortable. I finished the rest of my aerobic workout on an elliptical machine. I planned on swimming, but the idea a swimming in that super chlorinated pool made me think again. I ended up doing an upper-body strength session instead.
Today is a rest day and tomorrow I start a pretty intense week.
John Thum
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Swimming With The Seals
Went swimming in a very cold Pacific yesterday with my new neoprene cap and booties. I was glad I had them, but I wish I would have bought the gloves also. I got out of the water about a hundred yards or so before my swimming partner, Tim Bomba. I was following him on the shore and noticed a seal was following him about ten to fifteen feet behind. this went on until Tim was about twenty yards from the shore. At that time the seal was sticking his head out of the ocean and seemed to be thinking, "where are you going? We were swimming. Come back!" Very cool.
Today I ran, very slowly, for an hour. I did twelve minute miles, but it felt good. I could barely feel my calf. The Leggers have a twenty three mile run planned for Saturday. I probably will not attempt that, but I might go with the half marathoners and do fourteen miles.
John Thum
Today I ran, very slowly, for an hour. I did twelve minute miles, but it felt good. I could barely feel my calf. The Leggers have a twenty three mile run planned for Saturday. I probably will not attempt that, but I might go with the half marathoners and do fourteen miles.
John Thum
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Happy New Year!
I guess it is time to reflect and time to plan. Reflection for me is mostly how blessed I have been. From my from my wonderful wife, to my great family, to my tremendous friends. I know that even though I am not deserving, God has blessed me for reasons I cannot fathom. Every hardship in my life seems to have ultimately made made my life better and made me more happy. I feel quite grateful that I have found triathlon to help me have goals to focus on and to help me keep fit.
We went out to Taylor's Steak House last night for what has become our traditional New Year's Eve dinner with The Grand exalted Poobah, Chris Bailey and his lovely wife Lisa, Greg Vargas and Ann McClean. The food was delicious, the company was great.
What are my resolutions this year? 1. Finish the L.A. Marathon. 2. Finish the Ironman 70.3 California (half-ironman.) Finish Ironman Arizona. 4. Move into a new place to live.
I was able to run for a mile and a half this morning. I then felt a little twinge in my calf and stopped. I walk for almost another two miles for a total of 3.8 miles. This is positive. I will be able to get back on track for the marathon and the half-ironman in March.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Encouraging News
I got a great deal of encouragement today about my injury. I went to the L.A Leggers run to seek out some advice on continuing my training for the L.A. Marathon from some of the Leggers. I spoke with Bill Lockton, who seems to be the guy in charge and a very experience ultra long distance runner. He was very encouraging in terms of me being able to recover in time to do the L.A. Marathon. He said the conventional wisdom is that if you have done at least three eighteen mile training runs you will be able to do a marathon. I have done one eighteen miler and I will somehow fit in two more by March. I hope I can even do a twenty or twenty two mile run.
I then talked to Curtis Blume, the mentor for my pace group, who is also currently not running because he broke some ribs while tripping on a run about a month ago, and he thought I would be fine. He said don't try to keep the Leggers schedule, but get to where I can do a ten mile run and then every other week do a much longer run of fifteen to 20 miles. Okay, I think I can do this.
After I talked to the Legger mentors I went down to lifeguard tower 26 with the hope of getting in an ocean swim. Tim Bomba had email the Swim Better Looking yahoo group to see if anyone was up for a swim at 8:30 on Saturday. I replied that I was, but not until rather late. I hadn't heard back, so I was not sure he was coming. I don't like to swim in the ocean by myself and since he never showed I didn't swim. I did, however, run into Jim Jones. He came down for a walk on the beach. We walked and talked and had a pretty good time.
Later I jammed and my leg feels pretty good. Life will be back to normal pretty soon.
John THum
Friday, December 28, 2007
The First Setback
On December 15, 2007 I was quite excited. I was ready to run twenty miles with the L.A. Leggers. This was to be the furthest I had ever run. I knew that if I could run twenty miles, I could finish a marathon. When I completed running twenty miles I was going to sign up for the 2008 L.A. Marathon. All of this is part of training for my larger goal of finishing an Ironman Triathlon, but finishing a marathon is a pretty big step to that end.
I was feeling good. The whether was perfect for running, very cool, but not too cold. At about eight miles I commented to Tim, one of the Leggers I often line up with, that I was amazed that I had not had any injuries since I started running. I am by no means a natural runner. I have been a slow, plodding runner my whole life. A knee injury in the eighth grade made me even slower and gave me an even weirder gate. But somehow, even with that, I managed to run in two half-marathons, I completed training runs of fourteen, sixteen and eighteen miles. I was feeling great just short of the nine mile mark of my twenty mile run when my right foot barely hit a rock and it just slightly tripped me. I came down hard on my left foot, but didn't fall. There was a pain in the back of my knee. I immediately thought it was minor, then about four seconds later, I realized it wasn't. Everyone in the group kept asking, "are you okay?" as they ran by. I just said, "I'll be okay."
The last mentor finally came up and walked with me for a little bit while the rest of the group went on. I pulled my calf, it was hard to tell how badly at that point. I borrowed her cell phone and called my parents to ask if I should stretch it or not. They said no. I really wanted to stretch it. I then called Wendy to come and pick me up.
The perfect running whether was awfully cold for just sitting and waiting for someone to pick you up. I started shivering.
It is almost two weeks later, and I am certainly much better, but I haven't run at all. There have been times when I thought that I was done. That I would not do the L.A. Marathon and that I wouldn't do the Ironman 70.3 California. However, if I can start running again within a week, I can get back on track for the L.A Marathon, if not I will start training for the San Diego Rock 'n Roll Marathon in June.
I was feeling good. The whether was perfect for running, very cool, but not too cold. At about eight miles I commented to Tim, one of the Leggers I often line up with, that I was amazed that I had not had any injuries since I started running. I am by no means a natural runner. I have been a slow, plodding runner my whole life. A knee injury in the eighth grade made me even slower and gave me an even weirder gate. But somehow, even with that, I managed to run in two half-marathons, I completed training runs of fourteen, sixteen and eighteen miles. I was feeling great just short of the nine mile mark of my twenty mile run when my right foot barely hit a rock and it just slightly tripped me. I came down hard on my left foot, but didn't fall. There was a pain in the back of my knee. I immediately thought it was minor, then about four seconds later, I realized it wasn't. Everyone in the group kept asking, "are you okay?" as they ran by. I just said, "I'll be okay."
The last mentor finally came up and walked with me for a little bit while the rest of the group went on. I pulled my calf, it was hard to tell how badly at that point. I borrowed her cell phone and called my parents to ask if I should stretch it or not. They said no. I really wanted to stretch it. I then called Wendy to come and pick me up.
The perfect running whether was awfully cold for just sitting and waiting for someone to pick you up. I started shivering.
It is almost two weeks later, and I am certainly much better, but I haven't run at all. There have been times when I thought that I was done. That I would not do the L.A. Marathon and that I wouldn't do the Ironman 70.3 California. However, if I can start running again within a week, I can get back on track for the L.A Marathon, if not I will start training for the San Diego Rock 'n Roll Marathon in June.
John Thum
The Great Magnetic Field
Has he lost his mind? Can he see or is he blind?
I guess the answer to these questions will be answered on November 23, 2008 when I attempt to become an Ironman in Tempe, Arizona.
Can he walk at all? Or if he moves, will he fall?
These may be good questions to ask on November 24, 2008 if I am successful in completing an Ironman.
I had a plan. But like many well-laid plans, the circumstances changed. I was going to do a couple of half-Ironman races and complete all of the elements of the Ironman and then sign up for Ironman Arizona of April, 2009. I signed up for the Ironman 70.3 California next March 29. This is a half-Ironman. I have completed all of the half-iron distances separately and I am confident that with some good winter training, I can finish a half-Ironman. I am training to run the L.A. Marathon in early March. I am planning a century ride for January. I was going to swim 2.4 miles between now and next April. If all of these were successful, I was going to attend Ironman Arizona in April on 2008 and sign-up to make sure I got a spot. Ironman race usually sell out less than an hour after they go on sale on the internet. One has to sign up in person to assure a spot.
On Monday, November 26, I heard that Ironman Arizona is going to change their date from April to November. There will be two in 2008 and then going forward the IM Arizona will take place in November. This is probably a good thing. There is usually less wind in November than in April, and the IM Arizona has had some pretty gnarly wind and sand conditions. However, if I were to wait for the 2009 race, it would be two full years until I would be able to participate. I could have gone for another Ironman such as Coeur d’Alene or one outside of the country, but Arizona would certainly be the least expensive after factoring in travel and hotels.
I talked it over with The Great Magnetic Wife, and even though she was quite dubious about the whole thing, I decided to sign up for the Ironman. I have slightly less than a year to figure out how I am going to do this. A lot of training will be done.
One of the first sacrifices I had to make when I made the commitment to train for an Ironman was to give up my Saturday jam. I just will not be able to take hours out of my only completely free day to do something other than train. With church on Sunday and limited time on weekdays, Saturday was going to have to be the big day. I’m sure there will be many other sacrifices in the next year as well.
Is he live or Dead? Has he thoughts within his head?
We’ll just pass him there. Why should we even care?
Somewhere about mile 14 of the marathon leg of the Ironman, people may be asking that about me.
I guess the answer to these questions will be answered on November 23, 2008 when I attempt to become an Ironman in Tempe, Arizona.
Can he walk at all? Or if he moves, will he fall?
These may be good questions to ask on November 24, 2008 if I am successful in completing an Ironman.
I had a plan. But like many well-laid plans, the circumstances changed. I was going to do a couple of half-Ironman races and complete all of the elements of the Ironman and then sign up for Ironman Arizona of April, 2009. I signed up for the Ironman 70.3 California next March 29. This is a half-Ironman. I have completed all of the half-iron distances separately and I am confident that with some good winter training, I can finish a half-Ironman. I am training to run the L.A. Marathon in early March. I am planning a century ride for January. I was going to swim 2.4 miles between now and next April. If all of these were successful, I was going to attend Ironman Arizona in April on 2008 and sign-up to make sure I got a spot. Ironman race usually sell out less than an hour after they go on sale on the internet. One has to sign up in person to assure a spot.
On Monday, November 26, I heard that Ironman Arizona is going to change their date from April to November. There will be two in 2008 and then going forward the IM Arizona will take place in November. This is probably a good thing. There is usually less wind in November than in April, and the IM Arizona has had some pretty gnarly wind and sand conditions. However, if I were to wait for the 2009 race, it would be two full years until I would be able to participate. I could have gone for another Ironman such as Coeur d’Alene or one outside of the country, but Arizona would certainly be the least expensive after factoring in travel and hotels.
I talked it over with The Great Magnetic Wife, and even though she was quite dubious about the whole thing, I decided to sign up for the Ironman. I have slightly less than a year to figure out how I am going to do this. A lot of training will be done.
One of the first sacrifices I had to make when I made the commitment to train for an Ironman was to give up my Saturday jam. I just will not be able to take hours out of my only completely free day to do something other than train. With church on Sunday and limited time on weekdays, Saturday was going to have to be the big day. I’m sure there will be many other sacrifices in the next year as well.
Is he live or Dead? Has he thoughts within his head?
We’ll just pass him there. Why should we even care?
Somewhere about mile 14 of the marathon leg of the Ironman, people may be asking that about me.
John Thum
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