Day #30 - A month into the journey . . . .

I celebrated my first month of marathon training by running this morning and by attending a yoga class tonight.  Looking back, I should have taken more time off to heal after the Chicago Marathon.  I just couldn't. The first month has been a challenge from a health perspective - a stained hamstring and thigh muscle. What has not been a problem is my desire to train.  I cannot imagine taking time off at this point. Staying healthy has become really important to me. Is it from getting a little older, having grandchildren, or thinking about how much I would miss my wife and family if self-inflicted poor health ended my life prematurely?  It is probably a combination of these and many other factors.

What I know is this - a sub-4-hour marathon is in my future.  It is not so much the time - but what it will mean in other aspects of my life if I can reach this goal.

Suggested marathon training playlist song - 'Let it Be' by the Beatles.

Day #30 - 4 Miles, 8.00 Pace, 1% Incline.

Day #30 - 75 Minute Hot Yoga.

Day #29 - Back on track with a double . . . .

It felt good to be able to run again this morning after a few days letting my shin splints heal.  They are not 100% but close enough.  24 Hour Fitness seems to be a gathering place for members of our ward.  We saw Clay Shubin and Christine Bezzant today. Clay has been struggling with a nerve issue that is not getting better.  It could cost him the ski season - which would kill him.  Let's hope for a recovery soon.

I ended the work day by attending a yoga class - Hot Power Fusion.  This class is more of a true yoga class in comparison to Hot Yoga.  The studio was filled to capacity - causing me to have to be in the middle of the room.  Not my favorite location - prefer the back corner. :)  The instructor today was a little 'out there'.  A lot of conversation about non-violence and practicing yoga; as it relates to muscles. I somewhat understood her point, but not fully and I was not about to ask questions. I was the only guy in the class with a shirt on - and that will not change.  CorePower Yoga is expanding rapidly around the country.  I should have bought a franchise. 

Suggested marathon training playlist song - 'Dreams (live version)' by Van Halen.

Day #29 - 4 Miles, 8.50 Pace, Treadmill.

Day #29 - 60 Minutes Hot Power Fusion Yoga.

Day #28 - Sabbath day is a rest day.

Day #27 - A little frustrated . . . .

My shin splints are better - but not good enough to run.  Therefore, I swam laps pretty aggressively for 50 minutes.  I was able to get the heart rate up and really felt like I worked out hard.  Sunday will be a rest day and then I will be back on track running early Monday morning. 

Kelly and I worked at the LDS Denver Temple on Saturday morning so I was not able to join the HRRC.  My experience Saturday morning taught me once again that faith is critical to a good and happy life.

Suggested marathon training playlist song - 'Higher Window' by Josh Groban.

Day #27 - 50 Minutes of Swimming Laps.

Day #26 - A change in plans . . . .

I woke up Friday morning with a strong case of shin splints.  Was it the extreme cold weather during the 5k, running on cement, a lack of warming up correctly?  I am not quite sure.  However, I realized a day off would be a good decision.  I spent the day with family - even venturing out to the mall for Black Friday. 

Learn more about shin splints - and avoid a common running injury.  Take a look . . . .

http://www.mylifetime.com/lifestyle/health/fitness/fix-shin-splints-now

I will be back at it tomorrow.

Day #25 - An early morning 5k . . . .

I participated in the Gobble Wobble 5k this Thanksgiving morning.  This was the first year of the event and they had more than 600 runners. I had to bundle up as the temperatures were single digits.  I was hoping for a 25:00 or better time - and ran it in 23:30.  Legs are feeling fine and no issues with my hamstring or thigh muscles.

The plan is to swim tomorrow and then run 10 miles on Saturday.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Day #24 - An easy swim before race day . . . .

A quiet day at the office followed by a nice swim.  I have found that swimming has been much more relaxing than it has been in the past.  Why?  I do not know.  Swimming is a great way to raise your heart rate with little or no impact on your joints.  Take a look at this website for information on the benefits of swimming to a runner. 

Running the Gobble Wobble 5k tomorrow morning.  My goal is to complete the race in 24 minutes.

http://swimming.about.com/od/swimworkouts/a/swim_benefit.htm

Suggested marathon training playlist song - 'Get Ready' by The Temptations.

Day #24 - 30 Minutes of Swimming Laps.