Wednesday, May 28, 2008

May Roll Call (Kevin)

Hi all,

I am a new entry in this running group and am answering the request for a roll call.

So far this season I am training a few days per week with Scott C., over the last two weeks we essentially focused on leg strength development training, a few interval/tempo workouts and overall endurance training.

We completed a Barr Camp round trip (12 miles) on Monday, which was a spectacular run but a painful one (key attributes are leg strength on the uphill, acclimation to altitude, and conditioning the quads for downhill running on trail in rock and loose scree. Thankfully no permanent injuries were sustained by anyone and Scott demonstrated the steep "downhill-use-of-the-tree-as-a-stopping-mechanism" technique when stopping was nearly impossible. This run also gave us our first serious 'bonking' session at just under 3 hours for the round trip.

Also last week we completed his introduction to the Colorado Springs "Incline" (formerly the old cog railway), and it essentially a 30-40 minute interval workout (2000' elevation gain over 1.2 miles) that develops leg strength while keeping your heart rate near its anaerobic threshold (or lactate threshold), so it is a great workout for those attributes, highly recommended for those who are local.

The previous weekend we ran a practice run of the GoG 10 mile race course (June 8th), and thanks to the new race director, Matt Carpenter, the difficulty rating of the race has gone from a 5.0 to a 9.0, it should be a fun and punishing event on June 8th.
Best of luck to all and enjoy the late Spring training and cooler temps!

Kevin Silsby

NIPPLES! (uncomfortable topic #1)

No, you haven't been spammed. I figured I'd start the conversation on uncomfortable running topics. This one's for the boys, but not for the reasons you might guess. This has to do with an issue men face. I'm sure women have other issues.

As I did my May update yesterday, I forgot to mention an important lesson I re-learned Monday on my long run. When I got home, I looked in the mirror. I had about a 2" red circle on my white shirt. Then, I realized I should have taped up before I started running. If you haven't done this before, it's a bit awkward. I typically bring along a couple band-aids and apply them to my nipples right before starting. This helps a lot. It's a lot better than hurting the rest of the week, like I am.

If you should happen to forget taping or get bloody some other way (i.e. falling or excessive shoe rubbing), hydrogen peroxide gets it right out.

Happy running! I bet you can't wait for uncomfortable topic #2.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

May Roll Call - Scott

This month has been mostly one of settling into the longer distances I reached in April. However, this past week also marked my transition from mostly flats to hill work. I did "The Incline," which is a 1-mile hill that gains 2000 feet (40% grade)... ugh! Then, yesterday I did my first Barr Camp run. This is about 13 miles round trip to a point about half way up Pikes Peak. In case you're wondering, I'm hurting this morning. That was a pretty big jump. I'm pumped for the Garden 10 on June 8. My only goal is to find my race face.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Pat nuggets #8


Living In Faith Exchange Runners (LIFER's) Chicago Marathon Team
* Shane, John, Tracy, Steve, Chad, Bill, Rich, Courtney, Angi, Pat, Scott, Ben, Doug, Kevin
--------------------
Hi, LIFER's Team:

Hope everyone did some training over the Memorial Day weekend. Angi and I did 10 miles in the Garden of the Gods followed by 1.5 hrs on the Peak. Angi saw a guy coming down the Peak on a unicycle! Apparently, he is not the only person crazy enough to try mountain unicycling ("MUni") http://www.unicycling.com/muni/.

May Roll Call: Glad to hear from Angi, Rich, and Chad. Hope to hear from the rest of our team this week. Please title your post "May Roll Call (name)" and label the post "Roll Calls" (bottom open box). The Roll Calls help us build team spirit, collaborate on running issues, share our faith, and encourage each other.
* Rich is helping me design a trophy for the best Roll Call. We will all vote on the best one soon before the Chicago Marathon and present the award the night before the marathon.

Nicknames: If you have a nickname, please include it in the May Roll Call and explain the origin. If you don't have a nickname, we will find you one :)! Here are a few that I know...feel free to change them for our group.
* Steve (Big Poppy), John (Duke), Angi (Anginator), Pat (Mountain Antelope), Rich (Moby), Bill (Willy), Doug (Dougy Fresh), Scott (Skippy), Chad (Dr. Music)
* Paige told me that I have "antelope eyes." This motivated me to visualize myself as a wild "mountain antelope" while training for the Pikes Peak Marathon...also helps me slide under fences (or gates) while running (an antelope trait). Rich will have to share the story of when I talked him into going under a gated no trespassing utilities road up in the mountains (for a new running route)...I regretted it! Rich calls me P. Diddy because I mistakenly thought he called me that over the phone. In high school, my best pals called me Casman. Feel free to use these nicknames or give me a new one :).

Training: The 18 wk marathon training schedule begins on 8 Jun...be sure to use it!

Run for ProLife,
Pat
Phil 4:13

* Team mission: God first, ProLife, encouragement, fitness!
* Team blog at marathon-for-life.blogspot.com.
* ProLife support: I have ProLife wristbands for everyone. Start asking friends and family to sponsor you ($/mile) to raise money for a ProLife ministry of your choice.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

May Roll Call - Rich


After months of research, I have finally decided to use my Chicago Marathon run to raise money for the Arbor House of Gainesville, Florida. The Arbor House is a home that offers programs for expectant and single mothers as they search for successful plans for their lives and the lives of their children. For more information, visit the following site: http://www.arborhouse.org/.
I have worked up to a 10 mile run on my treadmill with a 5% incline in preparation to run the Garden of Gods 10 miler with Angi. I am sorry to say that I did not have any duct tape available for my training.
duct tape (dukt tap) n. 1. strong, versatile tape used to cover all breathing passages to simulate high altitude conditions during training. 2. adhesive used to adhere Twinkies to the surface of the body as a remedy for "poor me syndrome."
See you soon.

Monday, May 19, 2008

May Roll Call - Chad

We visited Kansas City over this past weekend and I was able to get in a few miles there. The air felt 'heavy' with the added humidity and o2 levels. It was an enjoyable run looking at new scenery and the trail had many people which was also fun.

I've been experiencing some tough leg trouble that I hope to remedy with a new pair of shoes today or tomorrow. Ice seems to help too.

The garden 10 miler snuck up on me. Ben and I have been doing Hal Higgdon's novice supreme training and the farthest we've done is 5 miles with relatively flat terrain; so I'm a little nervous to do 10 at the garden.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

May Roll Call (Angi)

Howdy All,

It's hard to believe it is the middle of May, but it is, and training is moving along. My friend Courtney and I have been running in the Garden of the Gods for the last 3 weeks for our long run on the weekend. This weekend we ran 11.5 miles in the Garden and then headed up the peak for a little ways-wow, my legs were feeling the burn after a 2 1/2 hour workout. I really feel that the extra core stengthening and speed and tempo workouts are helping to get me stronger. It also helps to have a running partner-something I've been without for a while-thanks Courtney. Keep pressing forward everyone-Steve avoid the Doritos and sour cream dude!!!!

Take care and God Bless,
Angi

Saturday, May 17, 2008

May Roll Call (Pat)


Living In Faith Exchange Runners (LIFER's) Chicago Marathon Team
* Shane, John, Tracy, Steve, Chad, Bill, Rich, Courtney, Angi, Pat, Scott, Ben, Doug, Kevin
------------------
Hi, LIFER's Team:

Please do a May Roll Call blog post with any updates on goals, inspirations, training, injuries, and ProLife fundraising by Wed, 21 May. This is to help us build team spirit, collaborate on running issues, share our faith, and encourage each other.

* Encouragement (aka "smack talk"): Steve wrote: "I need everyone to bombard me with emails insulting my pudgy behind; my wanna-be running shoes sitting by my front door; just whatever it takes to make this top of mind. I respond well to insults, rants, and belittling. So, let's bring it on! Big Poppy"

* Training: The 18 wk marathon training schedule begins on 8 Jun...be sure to use it! Run a local race each month leading up to the marathon to help maintain your training focus. The LIFER's from C. Springs plan to run the Garden of the Gods 10 miler (8 Jun) and the Bear Creek Park 12K (6 Jul), and the Pikes Peak Ascent/Marathon (16/17 Aug). Rich will be here for the Garden 10 miler, and Steve will be here for the Ascent.

* Inspiration (wow!): This short video clip will definitely help prevent the poor me syndrome http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=8cf08faca5dd9ea45513.

I am very proud of our team's mission and priorities (God first, ProLife, encouragement, fitness)!

Run for ProLife,
Pat
Phil 4:13

* LIFER's Chicago Marathon Team blog at marathon-for-life.blogspot.com.
* ProLife Ministry Support: I have ProLife wristbands for everyone. Start asking friends and family to sponsor you ($/mile) to raise money for a ProLife ministry of your choice. Angi and I plan to donate to the local crisis pregnancy center.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

April Roll Call (Clydesdale)

Ok, first off, I know this is extremely late (it's May for goodness sake - I'm a loser for even posting this). Second off, I'm a large human being (6'4" and 215lb's). I'm gravity challenged. I have to say that I have gotten extremely soft since last December (last real running routine). The right knee (bursitis) has been coming around the last 10 days and I have run a couple of times with encouraging results (no dry heaves or vomiting). This coming week is my make or break week to begin my official training-to-start-training in June. I've also been battling some wicked fatigue (most likely related to an autoimmune disorder that rises up to spank me every now and then). Nothing like sleeping for 10 hours and feeling exhausted upon waking.

Here's the deal - I need everyone to bombard me over the next week with emails insulting my manhood; my fat, pudgy behind; my wanna-be running shoes sitting by my front door; just whatever it takes to make this top of mind. I respond well to insults, rants, and belittling. Sometimes, I just need a 2x4 upside the skull. So, let's bring it on!

Big Poppy (ok, just Steve)