Last Thursday, I posted about a cool email I got. Here are the details!

A few weeks ago, I posted a “before” picture I found while looking for a few pictures for my wife. On a lark, I entered the before and after pictures in a contest I happened to see on Competitor.com called “Share Your RUNNOVATION” [link]. It’s a contest, co-sponsored by New Balance, where people submit before and after photos and share about how running has changed their life. Winners receive a pair of New Balance shoes and apparel (valued at $500) – Woohoo!

It turns out, I was selected as the winner for this week! Pretty cool and humbling, especially when I look at the first two winners…

Anyway, click on the photo to check out my Runnovation page…

Training Journal – 9/9/13:

• Current plan: Foxy’s Fall Century Training Plan
• Today’s session: 20-mile ride
• Comments: I rode for 1:18:13 for 21.79 miles @ 16.7 mph avg & avg cadence of 84.

The seed was planted around the end of July…

So, there’s a group of us at church that are runners and cyclists who usually “talk “shop” (races, training, etc.) on Sunday mornings.  It’s fun to check in and encourage one another each week – I know I look forward to it.

During one such conversation at the end of July, upon my sharing that I had increased my bicycling sessions, a friend said, “You should ride Foxy’s Fall Century with me in October!”

I don’t recall my specific reaction, but it was probably, “Pfffft!” or “Yeah Right” or something like that…though secretly, I was probably thinking to myself, “hmmmmm, could I ride 100 miles?”

Oh, and he added, “You’ve run a few marathons, you can do a century!”  [I think fisherman call that “setting the hook.”]

Thus, the seed was planted.

If you’ve read more than one post on this blog, you know: I’m a runner and love it.  A week from tomorrow, will be my second anniversary of running…I started and basically have not stopped since.  Prior to September 2011, I was not athletic by any stretch of the imagination; but, with running, seem to have found my niche – something that I enjoy and am somewhat good at (especially when my biggest and main competition is myself!)  Bicycling was something that I added to my running program to do something different (at first) and subsequently, to ensure longevity by easing up on leg/IT band stress.  I guess I figured there had to be organized events (rides or races) just like those I enjoy each month as a runner; but I really never considered doing one.  Again, I’m a runner.  Now, someone was suggesting that I do a 100-mile ride…and that I could actually do it because I had “run a few marathons.”

What to do?

Test things – or more specifically, myself.  So, for the past month, I’ve been riding more, checking my endurance in the saddle, toying with hill climbing, and other aspects and skills of cycling.  Funny: all the things I did when I was progressing from 5Ks to half marathons to full marathons to a 50K (and someday a 50-miler.)  Dip the toe, test the water, then…

The verdict: “Yeah, I can do it.”

So, after checking with my wife (who thinks I’m nuts already, but still loves me!), it’s a go: I am registered for Foxy’s Fall Century!

With that, I’m doing a temporary shift in my training focus through mid-October and will be bicycling a lot more.  Not exclusively though, as I have two half marathons scheduled between now and then; but enough to ensure that three goals are achieved on October 19th:

1. Finish in upright position
2. With a smile on my face
3. Wanting to do it again

The seed was planted around the end of July…I’m looking forward to the harvest on October 19th!

After that, I’ll be back to a running-focused plan for the balance of the year…I got plans!

Giddy-Up!

Training Journal – 9/4/13:

• Current plan: Foxy’s Fall Century Training Plan
  
• Today’s session: 21-mile circuit ride
• Comments: I rode for 1:13:11 for 21.12 miles @ 17.3 mph avg & avg cadence of 85.

Whew! What. a. month. I’m back on track with my running, courtesy of my foam roller!  Also, for the second month in a row, I have expanded cycling from a “token” part of the program to more of a significant role.  I have really been enjoying the additional bicycling sessions and actually have seen some improvement in my running efficiency because of it.  I guess the articles touting the benefits of cross training are right.

No business trips this past month – WooHoo!

HIGH/LOW:

• HIGH: I’ve been able to run continuously on all workouts and, with consistent used of the foam roller, have not had any recurrence of IT band issues.
  
• LOW: Wow…I can’t really think of one for this month!  Maybe the fact that I did not do any trail runs this month?
  

As far as new equipment:

• New pair of Hoka One One Bondi Speeds. With just over 200 miles on the first pair, I picked up a second pair to start working into the run sessions.  I really love these shoes!
• Bib Shorts. I picked up a pair of bib shorts from Pactimo, thinking that I’d give them a try. After one ride, the verdict: love them! I actually picked up a second pair mid-month, during a sale they were having. I wasn’t sure if I would like them, but they actually are pretty comfortable and are now my preferred shorts for riding.
• Speed/Cadence Sensor. I got a Garmin Speed/Cadence sensor for the bike and am loving the data – especially the cadence. I think it has actually improved my efficiency on the bike, keeping me mindful of that aspect.
• Goody Bento Box from TIMBUK2.  I had been toying with getting one of these and it was on sale one week, so I jumped.  I really like it and appreciate the additional carrying capacity, freeing my jersey pockets for other essentials.
• BioLogic iPhone 5 Case.  I had the iPhone 4s version of this mount and really liked it.  When I upgraded my phone, getting this was a no brainer.  I sold my old mount in eBay, so that was cool…someone else is now enjoying it!
• K-Edge GO BIG Pro Mount for my GoPro 2.  I picked up this mount for my GoPro 2 after reading some pretty poor reviews on the standard bike mount.  I really like it and the resulting stabilization of the videos.  I have not had time to compile any of the videos…at some point I may take the time.
• Blue Steel Sports Anti-Chafe Cream.  I have been getting samples of this in SWAG bags from Brazen Racing events for a while and throwing them away.  I tried the sample I got in the Summer Breeze SWAG bag, really like it for cycling, and ordered a tube.  Good stuff!
• Strava.  Not equipment, but I started using Strava toward the later part of the month and really like the analytical aspects.  I’m not sure about the Premium service yet though.

With that, here are the stats for the month that was August 2013:

Continue Reading…

• Current plan: Mix of running and biking
  
• Today’s session: 3-Hour ride
• Comments: I rode for 3:12:51 for 51.58 miles @ 16.0 mph avg & avg cadence of 81. As I planned my route last night (45.75 mi), I added some hill work at the 1/4-mark and the ~3/4-mark. I was ahead of schedule as I finished the 3/4-mark hill segment, so I looped it again, adding 5.8. I generally don’t deviate from my session plan (too much); but, the “plan” called for a 3-hour ride, so I went for it to ensure I rode the planned time. I’m getting the hang of the hill thing. [slowly]
  
• Weekly mileage: Running: 18.77 / Bicycling: 103.44