Run With Patience

Last weekend my endurance base training peaked at 10 miles a day for three days. It is hard to believe that a year ago my long runs were 2 kilometers. While 10 miles was not easy, I enjoyed the challenge.

In particular I was inspired by the following message from Paul found in Hebrews Chapter 12:

"Wherefore, seeing we also are encompassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

For consider him that endured such contradictions of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds...

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."

When I run, I know that my ancestors watch. In particular my Aunt Julianna who died of Rheumatoid Arthritis last year. She was quite athletic until the disease struck her when she was young. She runs with me. My uncle Mike died of a drug overdose in his early twenties. He runs with me. They and others are my great cloud of witnesses.

One of the benefits of living in Victoria is that many Olympians live and train here. It is inspiring to know that triathlete Simon Whitfield, who won Gold in Sydney and Silver in Beijing, will be lining up just ahead of me at both the Times Colonist 10K and the Royal Victoria 8K. Part of the fun of racing here is that you catch glimpses of these amazing athletes running the same race or training on the same trail that you are. With a little more training, I think, I might be able to keep up with them for just one mile.

Life has set before me various races. Some miles are more grievious than others. Yet I run inspired by Christ. He authored the course, trained on the same trails and finished the race. And from time to time, usually when I'm running harder than I think I ought, I catch glimpses of Him running the same mile.

Crowded Treadmills

Apparently physicians like to run marathons. At least, thats the impression I got today at the conference. No less than 3 different presenters "happened" to mention they were marathon runners. One found a way to brag that he was running "Boston" this year, another joked that his best and worst marathon times were in the Vancouver Marathon and the third guy just mentioned running the Vancouver Sun Run. Well you know what they say...the next best thing to running is talking about running...

After the conference ended I had an afternoon to kill so I went to the cardio room here in the hotel. Its a pretty scrub exercise room with only two treadmills. The treadmills had a 30 minute limit. I have to say I hate it when they limit the time on the treadmills but I also understand. Its distracting to run a 10 mile tempo run while looking over your shoulder to see if you're about to get kicked off the machine. Anyhow, I jumped on and ran 3.5 miles in the 30 minutes which is basically an easy run for me as I am recovering from a cold. But right after I started a whole bunch of old skinny guys showed up in the fitness center. They all looked disappointed that the treadmills were taken and so they jumped on the crosstrainer or the stationary bike. I didn't let it bother me as I only planned on a short run anyway. The run felt great and I was even able to run 1/4 mile at 9.4 mph followed immediately by a quarter mile at 10.5 mph, which I could do because I was only running 3.5 miles total.

It will be nice to finish my easy week tomorrow morning with a 5 mile run if I can squeeze it in without getting kicked off the treadmill...

New Year and New Goals!

I know its been a while since I posted. For some reason, I think I always have to post with a picture.

Its the beginning of March and I have a whole new year of racing. I plan to run the Victoria Times Colonist in April. The Provo Freedom Run in July and the Edmonton 10K in August. I will volunteer for the Victoria Marathon Weekend to get a look at the organization of a run.

My winter base training is finally winding down. I am trying to hit 50 miles per week but life keeps getting in the way. I average 40 miles per week with a rest week after every 2-4 weeks of training. The winter base running is 3 long runs of 10 miles each in which I focus on my running form at an aerobic pace. Right now my aerobic pace is 5:00-4:30 per kilometer. I run sprint intervals on a treadmill once per week. The sprints are 4:00-3:30 per kilometer for either 4 X 1/4 mile or 4 X 1/2 mile (I alternate each week). The purpose of the sprints is to increase my VO2 max, condition me to run while uncomfortable and give me the confidence that I can run fast. I run one 8-10 mile tempo run on the treadmill each week as well. This usually involves a 2-4 mile warmup and then running 4-6 miles at 7.5-8.5 mph. This is actually an aerobic run for me in which I focus on running hard even at the slower cadences (176-190 bpm). It is really tempting at the end of those runs to just go hard for a mile or two but discpline is a key to improvement.

I'm in Vancouver tonight, staying at the Fairmont hotel for a conference on chronic pain management this weekend. I'm just getting over a cold so lucky for me its a rest week. I'm feeling way better and looking forward to an easy 4 mile run on the hotel treadmill tomorrow morning. Later...