Best run in a long time

The incremental training is paying off. Was able to add another 10 minutes to my existing top time and I cranked out 1:00:33 (one hour 33 seconds), running 4.9 miles. I'll back off on tomorrow's run, bike Monday, then pick back up running three days.

Ran today, very tired

As the summer months begin to warm up, I'm trying to get in some running experience in the later mornings. Today I started off in 80 degree weather at 11:30 AM, and when I finished (about 50 minutes later) the temp had climbed to 84. Of course I drank a lot of water at the end, even downing a few cups of cytomax drink (which works better for me than gatoraid) to help with recovery.

Still tired, but there's a deep sense of accomplishment. Cardio conditioning is improving, but acclimating to the warmth is going to take some time . . . and a lot of water.

A really great kick-butt Bike ride

Recently I've been combining my running with cross-training days for biking. Each sport compliments the other as long as one does not over do it. Anyway, today's morning bike ride was really fun, was able to keep a good pace and still not feel real winded.

An unexpected surprise was stopping at a road-side cherry stand on the way back. One of my friends bought a container of the juicy red cherries, and the owner handed out a handful to us all to have a few. Delicious. As my conditioning improves (and I'm already seeing and feeling the results), these bike rides will get better and better!

Ongoing Exercise tracked on Google Calendar

Rather than taking up a lot of room on this blog, I've created an Athletic Schedule on Google Calendar, also located on the right side bar of this blog, to track my exercise progress. I'm switching in to a pretty serious training mode--one to build back up endurance, and--two--to also shed some weight I gained over the Winter season.

Morning Bike ride

It's amazing to me how sometimes my mind plays so many tricks on me--it's too early, it might rain, you may get a flat tire--wanting me to hang up going out for a bike ride. Often times, at least recently, the main battle is in just pushing those worries aside and getting out there to ride. Seems once the pedals are in motion, the worries get left behind. ...And of course I have a spare tube, pump and tools to fix a flat.

Anyway, just had a great time this morning, unexpectedly with FIVE friends (C, S, D, AM, and W) who showed up at several meet-up points to ride out of town for about a 22 mile loop. Just enough distance and wind to make it challenging but fun!

Will look at scheduling more regular rides this summer, probably Tuesday and Friday mornings. This will help in my cross training efforts while I keep running.

2009 Marathon Training

I've created a 2009-Marathon Training calendar on Google, for planning and tracking my progress. Calendar is located to the right, under my Links.

Armstrong team to continue racing

Lance Armstrong's Astana team have given financial guarantees to cycling's governing body paving the way for their Tour de France participation in July. (from BBC Sport - Cycling)