Zoomies

August 8, 2013 — Leave a comment

Seriously, I seem to recall getting something like this out of a cereal box when I was a kid!

If the “protective carrying case” were made of “Corinthian leather” or if the temples had Ginsu knives hidden in them, I might be tempted to make late-night, insomnia-induced purchase.

OK, maybe that was a decoder ring I got in the cereal box…

Zoomies, throw in a “unique, spiral slicer” and I’m all over this!

Training Journal – 8/8/13:

  • Current plan: Mix of running and biking
  • Today’s session: 5 mile run
  • Comments: I did 5.4 miles @ 8:12 avg pace.  I ran in my Kinvara 3s for the first time in almost two months.  I’ve gotten used to my Hokas…  I’m torn now.
In General ,
permalink

8/7/2013 Training Journal

August 7, 2013 — Leave a comment
  • Current plan: Mix of running and biking
  • Today’s session: 6 mile easy run
  • Comments: I did 7.1 miles @ 8:41 avg pace
In Running ,
permalink

Body vs. Mind

August 6, 2013 — Leave a comment

Here’s a great one I saw on the No Limits Endurance Coaching Facebook page today…

BODYvMIND_Patton

Training Journal – 8/6/13:

  • Current plan: Mix of running and biking
  • Today’s session: 8 mile easy run
  • Comments: I did 8.5 miles @ 8:38 avg pace
In Bicycling, Fitness, Life, Running, Triathlon, Work , , , , , ,
permalink

2013 Summer Breeze Half Marathon Race Report

August 5, 2013 — 1 Comment

20130805-110821.jpg

This past Saturday, I ran the half marathon distance of Brazen Racing’s Summer Breeze run in San Leandro. Brazen Racing is another fantastic, local organizer that always puts on a quality events.  Summer Breeze was their largest event so far this year and had 5K, 10K and half marathon distance options that drew a field of 558, 520, and 511 finishers respectively.  If you are reading this and live in the SF Bay Area, give Brazen a try…you won’t regret it.  Their events are great for runners of all levels.

The weather was great: overcast, about 59 at the start, and a slight wind coming off the bay at a few sections. It probably warmed up to the low sixties at the finish, but not too much warmer. Again, great weather for a run!

courseThe half marathon course was an out-and-back that began in San Leandro’s Marina Park, proceeded south along the shoreline, into the Hayward Regional Shoreline area, and the back to the Marina Park. It was a mix of gravel and paved trails and was nice and flat. As with all Brazen events, course management and marking was great and the volunteers were excellent!  Brazen recruits volunteer photographers as well for their events, so the free photos taken along the course are an awesome thing.  As of today at lunch, there are over 17,000 photos from Saturday’s event posted online for free download!

The finish area had a great spread of food and drink and offered a great environment to recover and chat with other runners.  Brazen events have grown in popularity and, with the large group of participants, are starting to draw vendors with SWAG at the post-event finish area.  Very cool for Brazen and us runners!

My Race

Continue Reading…

In Race Reports, Running , ,
permalink

Sierra [gulp] Road [or, WWIT]

August 4, 2013 — Leave a comment

20130804-104426.jpg

This morning’s ride was from the “is this too much too soon?” / “what was I thinking!” file…OK, maybe just 3.75 of the first 5 miles…

I decided to give Sierra Road a “try” this weekend; even after reading about it on a few blogs, checking route maps and elevations, and test driving it during the week. Oh, did I mention that I haven’t done too much hill training and that I ran a half marathon on Saturday? GO BIG, OR GO HOME!

The plan was to do a 33-mile ride (door-to-door) up Sierra, out to the northern end of Calaveras Reservoir, back to Milpitas, and then home – knowing full well that the first 5 miles would take a fair amount of time and be at a sloooow pace. Having mapped out the course, I was willing to suck for five miles to enjoy the rest of the ride.

I started out early to avoid traffic and other cyclists making the climb (read: avoid embarrassing myself.) I made it up the first incline and stopped. Went a little further, then stopped. I repeated that for a while; but ended up fast walking the bike for several sections in between rides. Not sure if walking the bike is kosher, but I didn’t care.  In my mind, forward progress was still progress, regardless of the means…and I was not about to go back down Sierra and reroute that way.  I wanted to ride the planned route.

I made it to the summit in about an hour, ending up with avg speeds of 8.4, 5, 4, & 4.5 for miles 2 though 5. After that, it was downhill and rollers – Weeeeee! I ended up with an average speed of 12.8 for the entire ride and had a top speed of 33.5.

When I got to the turn toward Calaveras Reservoir, I looked at the time and decided not to head that way. I opted to do an out-and-back leg to Fremont and extended passed my homeward turn to stretch the ride to 27 miles.

All in all, it was a great and challenging ride. I do need to work on climbing, though I don’t know that I’d ever be able to do Sierra Road without stopping.  I think I will come the other direction next time.

Here are some shots I took on the ride. I also had my GoPro mounted on the bike and may post part of that video later this week – sans the walking parts.

Below the cloud cover. Home is down there somewhere…
Backside of Boccardo Peak (I usually run up to there)
Reminded me of the view from Haleakalā
Sunday sunrise on Silicon Valley. (from Sierra Rd summit)
Me taking “Sunday sunrise…” [still from my GoPro]
What a view!

Funny thing: No photos after the Sierra summit.  Guess I got my second wind…

Have a great week!

Training Journal – 8/4/13:

  • Current plan: Mix of running and biking
  • Today’s session: 2-hour bike ride
  • Comments: I did 27.29 miles @ 12:8 avg mph speed
  • Weekly mileage: Running: 25.52 / Bicycling: 75.15
In Bicycling, Fitness , ,
permalink

Sweet Sixteen

August 3, 2013 — 2 Comments

20130803-142037.jpgI completed my sixteenth half marathon today and also continued my race-a-month streak, which is now at 22!

Today’s run was Brazen Racing’s Summer Breeze Half held in San Leandro along the bay shore. I’ll post a run report this coming week; but, ahead of that, my time was 1:47:42 @ a 8:14 avg pace – my third fastest half marathon and, what seems to be, a return to full running, as well.  I think I’ve found the right mix of things to address my IT band syndrome.

Anyway, enjoy the weekend & GIDDY-UP!

Training Journal – 8/3/13:

  • Current plan: Mix of running and biking
  • Today’s session: Brazen Racing’s Summer Breeze Half Marathon
  • Comments: See above, more to follow
In Running ,
permalink

OMPBLH!

August 2, 2013 — Leave a comment

20130802-194206.jpg

[oh my peanut butter-lovin’ heart!]

Training Journal – 8/2/13:

  • Current plan: Mix of running and cycling
  • Today’s session: Rest day & day two of carb loading for a half marathon on Saturday.
  • Comments: Carb-o-rama today: oatmeal, raisins, craisins, bananas, bagels, steamed rice, spaghetti, bread sticks, aaaaand a venti mocha frappuccino.  I will partake of aforementioned PB treats tomorrow!
In Food, General , ,
permalink

July 2013 Training Stats

August 1, 2013 — Leave a comment

The sun'll come out, tomorrow. Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there'll be sun!"

Well, July started with a diagnosis for my “knee” problems – IT Band Syndrome – and ended with a viable remedy that has resulted in a return to running continuously without having to use a Run/Walk routine. BOOYAH!

With those two things alone, I call July a great month. I’ll admit it, I was in the dumps about things at the end of June…

July also saw an increase in the amount of bicycling I am doing as part of my training. At first, it was to stay active while giving my knees, and then ITB, less pounding. I was previously cross training (wink, wink), but I turned it up a notch this month. I increased the days per week I rode and I think that also benefited my ITBS. With the increase in cycling, I’ve added BRicks to my weekly program too. I’m having fun and think the increase in cycling also might mark a transition for me to multisport, though I’m not using the “T” word yet. yet. There’s that scary “S” word that I need to consider, evaluate, plan for, etc.

I had one business trip this month and did a great, though hot and humid, trail run in Virginia’s Prince William Forest Park.

HIGH/LOW:

  • HIGH: Actually two: 1) Ran the Quarry Lakes Half and beat my time from the SF Second Half and 2) Figured out how to address my IT band Syndrome!
  • LOW: IT band issues (though only for half of the month), to the point that I DNF’d a workout…for the first time. I was pretty dejected that day…

As far as new equipment:

  • Foam Roller. I bought this the day before the Zoom Quarry Lakes Half and I know it made a difference. I stared using it consistently and I am sold on the thing!
  • I bought a pair of Triathlon shorts that were on sale at Sports Basement…for my Brick workouts…not the “T” thing yet. Yet.

With that, here are the stats for the month that was July 2013:
Continue Reading…

In Bicycling, Fitness, Running , , ,
permalink

7/31/2013 Training Journal

July 31, 2013 — Leave a comment
  • Current plan: Mix of running and biking
  • Today’s session: 1-hour ride
  • Comments: 18.38 miles @ 16.9 mph avg for a ride time of for 1:05:13
In Bicycling ,
permalink

7/30/2013 Training Journal

July 30, 2013 — Leave a comment
  • Current plan: Mix of running and biking
  • Today’s session: 7 mile run
  • Comments: I did 7.27 miles @ an 8:31 avg pace
In Running ,
permalink