Schedule called for 20-mile run @ 8:34 pace today. I struggled through it.
Injury and weather impeded preparation for the December marathon. I shortened multiple sessions in the Runner’s World training program. I’m using a program involving fewer miles than the respected _Run Less, Run Faster_. It’s not a comforting thought.
Things are looking grim for my BQ. If I had sense, I’d let the body heal before trying, but BQ standard will be tightened by 11.45 seconds per mile if I wait another year.
_4 races in next 4 months.
> NYC 100k. “C”
Oringal plan was to help Casey with NROC points. Given my weak form, I'd skip laps to prove support, similar to what Biff did for me at Montreal.
Casey is no longer optimizing his NROC standing => I get to think about skating for myself. Now I got my boots back from David Simmons, I'm optimistic about NYC 100k given “C” race mentality.
I logged approx 0 mile of pace line between Road Rash and Hotter n Hell. Technique and cardio supposedly fade slowly. NYC will be a good indicator of that theory.
I can draft pros per Francisco’s blessing. It’d be a fun event with Candy cookie.
"Did I mention you have to climb that #@$*((#!! hill 17 times or something ridiculous like that?"
–Biff Bailey
"The dreaded Prospect Park hill? A mere pimple on the pickle of progress."
–Eddy Matzger
> A2A. “B”
Will try to have enough fitness to go hard for 38 miles.
I lasted 40 minutes with Eddy in my previous attempt. My skating hasn’t improved, but the lead pack speed is variable.
I invested all my skate time on short hill sprints after Road Rash. After A2A, my skate ambition will be to maintain enough form to enjoy wheel events, unless this running thing doesn’t pan out.
> Houston Inline. “D”
Spend time with teammates at Duane's house. Do whatever friends want. Maybe eat donuts if race canceled.
> White Rock Marathon. “A”
I started to look for faster courses.
Las Vegas happens on the same day but is no longer the fast point-to-point race.
_weight obsession
5’ 10” Ryan Hall’s racing weight is 130 lb.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbKp2HeUpkY)
I’m overweight as a marathon runner like vast majority of the participants; I dislike Hall’s skinny look but want his efficiency. More voluminous yet less massy body—we desire attributes a la carte while painfully awaring of their incompatibility.
Desire is the main source of disappointments and weakness.
I admire Karnazes’ acceptance of his bulky muscles.
Small consolation: even Apolo Ohno has a longer way to go before reaching optimal marathon weight at 165 lb:
http://sports.yahoo.com/elite-athlete-workouts/apolo-ohno;_ylt=AjGbZC.xIB483c2W0YLMVfM5nYcB?vid=26257328
_running form
I need to improve my pace by 18 seconds per mile from 2010 White Rock. It felt daunting. I didn’t want to lose enough weight to bridge the difference. Technique appeared to be a viable option. I became obsessed after watching Abebe Bikila and Ryan Hall’s footages.
I was frustrated by the signal-to-noise ratio of Chi Running and instruction of Joe Friel but was seduced by _Born to Run_. It induced my desire to achieve better form via shoe change. The end goal is the ability to run with no shoe—reminiscent of the sword-less heart of a swordsman in kong-fu novels.
Increasing distance with new shoes too quickly was probably how I hurt my feet. Ignoring pain ain’t always the best policy.
Shoes in rotation:
Asics Nimbus x 3
Zoot Ultra Tempo
Asics 2140
Brooks Axiom
Brooks Green Silence
Perl Izumi Streak x 2
Asics Hyper Speed 4
Puma Bolt Yugorun
Ecco Bioms
Vibram Bikila
The Texas-size house encourages shoe craze. I can’t decide if it’s a good thing.
"Barefoot Running ... is like being bit by a vampire--slowly but surely, you turn into one of THEM."
