Am I there yet? (Session 4)

Time: 60 Minutes

Distance: 6.16

Location: College of Staten Island Track

I don't know if it were due to the fact that I haven't run since Tuesday, the tediousness of running on the track, or the length of time running; but I felt completely off today. I felt just kind of bored, which happens from time to time with the distance and amount of time training, but it's hard to keep motivated or focused while feeling bored. Despite the boredom however, I still managed to remain on track (pun intended) and re-hit my 6 mile mark without too much effort. Despite that however, I think my days running on the track are numbered... if not completely over. I figure I'm past due to get back into the park scene to pound the pavement and rough up some hills.

Post run: The usual knee ache. Nuff' said about that. Next goal? I don't quite know yet. I'm thinking 6.5 and in a park. We'll see how my schedule works it out though. I started classes again last Thursday, and some professors are already kicking my ass.

Be the Turtle (Session 3)

Time: 51 Minutes

Distance: 5.1 Miles (5 Minute break after 1st mile)

Location: College of Staten Island Track

Only two days after my last session and training is going smoothly. Disciplining myself is becoming much less tedious, and the urge to race against the clock is becoming much easier to ignore. I did have a slip on the track when I came across a fellow runner running at a faster pace than I, and I "unconsciously" (lies!) began to pick up my pace to keep up with him... right up until the mosquito-like annoyance of my heart rate monitor started to freak out. That quickly snapped me out of it, and I went back to my proper pace control. I know my speed will rise naturally as my distance increases, but old habits are hard to kill.

Post Run: These knee aches aren't getting any less bearable; fortunately the pain doesn't last long. I am aiming for a completely doable 6 miles next session. I'm also just about ready to depart from strictly training on the track.

Additionally: It is official! My guaranteed entry into the ING NYC 2010 Marathon has been accepted!

More Gain, More Pain (Session 2)

Time: 40 Minutes, 30 Seconds

Distance: 4.1 Miles

Location: College of Staten Island Track

I had a larger gap of time between this and my last sessions than I'd have liked. The day following my previous session last week I began to feel a very sharp pain on the right side of my right ankle. It hurt mostly going up and down stairs, and walking on hard floors (most actively when I'd first wake up in the morning). It reminded me of a heel spur I had over a year ago. I probably could have run through it, but after the stress fracture I'm not feeling as bold as I used to; when it comes to brushing off potential injuries. The pain's subsided a great deal however, and hopefully won't return tomorrow!

My run was great. It's taking some time to get used to the heart rate monitor, as it seems to be slowing me down. Every time my heart beat reaches 185bpm the damn thing decides it wants to go nuts (basically indicating I need to slow down, before I burn out). It's definitely an adjustment from just going all out, and running as fast as I can, for as long as I can; before my body just crashes out on itself... Needless to say, the gadget is working as intended.

Post run: My knees haven't ached so bad in a long, long time... I'm hoping to up my distance to at least 4.5 (maybe 5) for next session, and also hoping that it doesn't take me a whole week to recover from today.

Also, I've signed up for the NYRR Gridiron Classic (4 Miles). It is the first race I ever ran, and will mark my 1 year anniversary into the world of racing. I've definitely got bittersweet memories of running it last year. Not only had it been my first race, but it had also been my first time ever running outdoors and in Central Park and up the damn hills in Central Park. When I'd finished I was starving, stressed, aching, and had a massive headache. Despite all that, I kept running.

Ready, Aim, Run! (Session 1)

Time: 30 Minutes

Distance: 3 Miles+ (Approximately) / 2 Min. Water Break half way in

Location: College of Staten Island Track

Finally after the healing of my tibia stress fracture, I officially begin my training for the 2010 ING NYC Marathon. It's a bit later than expected, and 7 weeks of rest damn near killed my stamina, but I've got eight and a half months to prepare and no time to waste.

I'm trying to give up the music, as it messes up with my pacing, so I ran sans Ipod. I also broke out my new Garmin 305 GPS Heart Rate Monitor. It's quite awesome, and makes a world of a difference. It keeps track of my heart rate, distance, pace, and did I mention heart rate? I can't believe I trained without one of these things for so long, finally I can hold complete control of my pacing without steadily burning myself out by unconsciously increasing speed too soon.

The NIKE Fit and Under Armour cold gear I purchased a few weeks backs works amazingly as well. With 40 degree weather to deal with, I barely even felt the wind chill.

Post run: The knees ache some, and there will probably be some soreness tomorrow; but other than that I feel great! Goal is to re-up it to 4 miles next session!